Late-night cafes within striking distance of Rego Park

[noteon]

I'm a writer. Since my twins were born two years ago, it's been difficult to get any writing done after 9:00 PM. What I really want is a coffeehouse that's open until at least midnight.

The Rego Park Starbucks closes at 10. The one on Austin Street closes at 11. Munch closes even earlier. I'm willing to hop on the subway, but all the little places I know of in Sunnyside or Woodside have similar hours.

Every few months, I do a web search for new places, but it's always a disappointment. Any suggestions? Wireless is nice, but I'd be happy just with a table, an electrical outlet, and a cup of coffee.

Thanks in advance!

[Linda]

yes - i just saw that yesterday also. it's taking the spot where that old diner used to be. conveniently enough, there's also a new york sports club opening right across the way in the old hollywood bowling lanes space! ;-)

[Chewyvuitton]

A new Dunkin Donuts opened on Queens Blvd and 67Ave. and it is open 24/7.

[noteon]

Looks like there's a new Dunkin going in on the Boulevard of Death, right at 67. That may just solve my problem...

[janie]

the dunkin donuts on woodhaven blvd is large, but I don't think it's very conducive to hanging out there for an extended period of time..it's also usually busy, and overly bright.

there's a smoking lounge for cuban cigars on woodhaven that's open late...but, not a great option if you don't like the smell or smoke...quite a strange little spot....

what about that diner POP on Queens Blvd....not sure what that place is about?

[noteon]

I'll definitely check out the Network Cafe. I didn't know there was a downstairs.

And thanks for the B&N suggestion, but 11PM isn't late enough, as I often can't even get there until 9:30.

Much appreciated, everyone. Thanks!

[Linda]

honestly, i sometimes study the best at a local barnes & noble. they are open until 11PM, as long as you buy 1 drink of any sort the workers won't bother you, and i've stayed put at a table for 4+ hours at a time.

if i need to do some real late night cramming, i head to dunkin donuts since they are open 24 hours! if you look for the bigger ones (not the tiny express ones), they tend to be filled with other students, late night peeps and others... there's one on union turnpike & 164th st. that one is near st johns, and seems to be filled with students at all hours of the day.

[janie]

http://www.moduslounge.com/

on austin street in forest hills..open late, and they have wireless internet..

[noteon]

Thanks! I used to write there when they were Modus Vivendi and had a halfway-decent tea selection, but the new lounge didn't strike me as sit-for-three-hours-and-concentrate-friendly. I'll walk by again and take another look.

[janie]

I don't know if downstairs at the Network Cafe they still have the sofa's and area to hang out...you might want to check them out..on 72nd ave...off austin street...

[noteon]

Thanks, all!

I've never been comfortable writing in diners. Plotting a story, yes, because that's just me, a notepad, and a pen, but opening up the laptop makes me too self-conscious.

I'll check out Omonia, especially if I don't need to transfer to the N.

Thanks again. Much appreciated!

[judy]

Did you check the hours of the Shalimar Diner on Austin and 63rd Drive? I know they have very long hours.

A longer distance, but open 24 hours, is The Flagship, which is near the Van Wyck stop on the F.

[bobbyrab]

Perhaps the Tower Diner in Rego Park? I know it is open until at least midnight. Having had a late night "snack" there a few times, I know it is usually not at all crowded at this hour and I am sure you can "kick back" and punch away at your laptop keys.

[SunnysideUp]

Take the N to the Broadway stop in Astoria. Omonia is a good start for sitting and not being disturbed. There are others within walking distance. For late night in Queens, it's either Astoria or Flushing.

Omonia Cafe
[phone]
3220 Broadway (btw. 32nd and 33rd St.)
Astoria, NY 11106

You mentioned Sunnyside, have you tried The Grind? They advertise being open until 11:00 PM - don't know how reliable that is. They've got the coffeehouse thing down, however. It's off the 40th St./Lowery stop on the 7.

The Grind
3924 Queens Blvd. (corner of 39th Pl.)
Sunnyside, NY 11104

[hatless]

I'd be surprised if there weren't options closer to home, but if you do want to try Omonia, I think you can get there without switching trains if you don't mind walking a couple more pleasant 24-hour blocks; take the G or R or whatever to the Steinway stop.

I suppose it depends on how much of a coffee snob you want to be at midnight with a laptop. Before the $4-cup-of-coffee era ushered in by Starbucks and its ilk, New Yorkers wanting to hunker down somewhere for coffee and a makeshift desk went to a diner. Surely Rego Park, Forest Hills et al still have a couple of those. They don't have venti skinny double konacinos, but they do have bottomless cups of drip coffee for $1.40. And french fries.

Maybe there's also a bar low-key enough on weeknights, too.