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DolceVitaNYC Aug 27, 2007 11:17 PM

NYC's Best Cafes/Coffee Shops to write in

I am looking for the best cafes & coffee shops in NYC to write in that hopefully have free wireless access. Thanks for posting your ideas.
Especially interested in these areas:
West Village
Greenwich Village
West Side in the 60's, 70's and 80's

  1. s
    StayHungry Jun 21, 2011 09:44 PM

    Earthmatters on Ludlow between Stanton and Houston. Closes at "11pm" but they don't kick you out until 12am. Super comfy.

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    EarthMatters
    177 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

    1. m
      mrgdess Jun 21, 2011 08:11 AM

      Aroma on 72nd between Amsterdam and Columbus is a good spot for working (I am usually there Friday afternoons). It is spacious, so I can really spread out, and there is an upstairs terrace if you want to sit outside. You get 1 hour of free wifi with your purchase; I usually work off-line, then log on when I am ready to send off my work.

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      Aroma Espresso Bar
      161 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023

      1. mrken May 5, 2011 10:23 AM

        Any ideas for the Upper East Side?

        1. c
          cafehunter Apr 27, 2010 05:45 AM

          well if you don't mind getting a little outside of your listed areas, I like MaxCafe on Boradway between 122 and 123. There's free wifi, comfy couches and a mix of well lit areas and dark brooding rooms...

          I also love this post!

          1. d
            DolceVitaNYC Sep 12, 2009 09:49 PM

            I have a new favorite with free wifi: The Roasting Plant in the West Village
            Neighborhood: West Village
            75 Greenwich Ave
            (between 11th St & 7th Ave)
            New York, NY 10014
            (212) 775-7755
            www.roastingplant.com
            They grind the beans for each cup, when you order it. Even iced coffee. They make every cup specially to order. They have about 10 different kinds of beans and you can order your coffee using ANY of those beans. They have about 5 amazing Fair Trade coffees at no extra price. They roast the beans right there. The staff is very friendly and nice.

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            Roasting Plant
            75 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014

            1. a
              Arkilokus Jan 9, 2009 08:01 PM

              I love this thread. Housing Works Bookstore and Cafe in SoHo. Yes, they have WiFi. Check it out: http://www.housingworks.org/social-en...

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              Housing Works Used Book Cafe
              126 Crosby St, New York, NY 10012

              1. m
                MaryishSally Jan 9, 2009 07:41 PM

                Aroma Espresso Bar on Houston (corner of Greene) is nice. They have good coffee, and also offer sandwiches and soups. Free wifi expect during peak hours. Often crowded, but open 24 hours.

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                Aroma Espresso Bar
                145 Greene St, New York, NY 10012

                1. c
                  cricri7 Aug 31, 2007 06:10 PM

                  I don't believe that no one has given Porto rico coffee on Bleecker near 6th street! They have a couple of other locations also. They make the best lattes in town and you can buy your coffee there. I always bring some back when I go to New York! I never declare it to custom because I am afraid that they are going to confiscate it!!!!

                  1 Reply
                  1. re: cricri7
                    b
                    billyeats Sep 1, 2007 06:21 AM

                    Well, that person was looking for a place with wi-fi where one can write. Porto Rico is really just for buying coffee. Anyway...another great spot for working is Grounded on Jane St b/t Greenwich Ave & w. 4th St.

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                    Grounded
                    28 Jane St, New York, NY 10014

                  2. c
                    Calliope1 Aug 31, 2007 02:26 PM

                    Columbus Avenue Cafe, on 83rd is actually really pleasant to sit in if you avoid the prime lunch hour. I have seen people play chess there for hours. They have free wifi...or at least, there are lots of surrounding places that have not secured their networks.

                    1. d
                      DolceVitaNYC Aug 31, 2007 02:10 PM

                      Thanks for all these suggestions. So far I checked out Think. It's a great work environment. Can't wait to check out the rest!

                      1 Reply
                      1. re: DolceVitaNYC
                        k
                        kathryn Aug 31, 2007 02:43 PM

                        Was the wireless working again?

                      2. vvvindaloo Aug 31, 2007 09:13 AM

                        DOMA, 7th Ave. So.
                        THINK, Mercer St. (or is it Greene?)

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                        Doma Cafe
                        17 Perry St, New York, NY 10014

                        1. n
                          nas9211 Aug 31, 2007 01:08 AM

                          domo in the west village on 7th always seems to have a lot of pple with laptops in there

                          1. n
                            newfoodie Aug 29, 2007 08:40 AM

                            It's a bit over priced, however I think that the atmosphere at Think Coffee on Mercer makes up for their prices. Plenty of space and always busy with NYU students and the like. I think they even have free wifi during the daytime.

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                            Think Coffee
                            248 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012

                            5 Replies
                            1. re: newfoodie
                              k
                              kathryn Aug 29, 2007 10:50 PM

                              Was in there a few weeks ago, and the wifi wasn't working -- counter staff were of little help, and didn't seem particularly phased that it was down.

                              1. re: newfoodie
                                j
                                JC123 Jan 9, 2009 06:55 PM

                                I agree with the overpriced-ness, but they have another location on the corner of Bowery & Bleecker that's less over-populated with NYU students, and I've had no problem with wifi there

                                1. re: JC123
                                  n
                                  newfoodie Apr 27, 2010 10:29 AM

                                  There's also another location of Think Coffee now on Fourth Avenue at 12th Street. Very spacious and there's usually seats available.

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                                  Think Coffee
                                  123 4th Ave, New York, NY 10003

                                  1. re: newfoodie
                                    s
                                    Simon Jun 21, 2011 03:06 PM

                                    the Fourth Ave location is nice...the Mercer one is foul...

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                                    Think Coffee
                                    248 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012

                                    Think Coffee
                                    123 4th Ave, New York, NY 10003

                                    1. re: newfoodie
                                      s
                                      sugartoof Jun 21, 2011 08:28 PM

                                      It's usually packed resembling a study hall, but the noise level in there is uncomfortable at times even for just standing and doing takeout.

                                2. LeahBaila Aug 28, 2007 10:30 AM

                                  'wichcraft on 8th Street...free WIFI

                                  1. ssf36 Aug 28, 2007 10:26 AM

                                    A bit out of range, but the Hungarian Pastry Shop, Amsterdam & 111th, has been my favorite writing spot for years. Not sure if they have wifi though.

                                    2 Replies
                                    1. re: ssf36
                                      a
                                      abud Aug 28, 2007 10:48 AM

                                      Agreed. I love that place--though never found the pastries to be so good. But free refills on coffee, lots of interesting people getting good work done and for the odd diversion the occasional cry from one of the peacocks who live on the grounds of St. John's across the street.

                                      1. re: ssf36
                                        t
                                        traceybell Aug 31, 2007 06:14 PM

                                        They don't have wifi. They don't have outlets. Their cookies are good though.

                                      2. e
                                        ellenb Aug 28, 2007 10:17 AM

                                        Soy Luck Club on Greenwich Avenue has free wifi and is always full of people with laptops - it's BYOB as well! I've never been but it looks like a much better alternative to the starbucks environment

                                        2 Replies
                                        1. re: ellenb
                                          k
                                          kathryn Aug 29, 2007 10:50 PM

                                          Soy Luck Club is very nice and comfy, but they do ask that you buy some food/drink if you're using the wireless.

                                          1. re: kathryn
                                            e
                                            ellenb Aug 30, 2007 10:16 AM

                                            Oh, yes! sorry for any confusion....didn't mean to say you can go in and hang for free, more that they advertise you can bring your own wine

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