Coffee bar "culture" in Queens?

[juliecraftordie]

I moved to Northern Queens last year from Brooklyn and have to journey back to Brooklyn whenever I want a space to drink coffee, work on my laptop, people watch, and whatever else I used to do in coffee bars in my old neighborhood of Prospect Hts. I am really missing the "culture" of coffee out here in Queens. If anyone knows of a place with coffee and wifi, where they won't chase me away when I'm done with my muffin, I'd love to know about it. Thanks.

[helen19]

I dont think it counts as a coffee bar, but Panera on 35th ave and steinway in astoria has a lot of tables and they have wifi... i dont think you would have a problem sitting there for a while...

[eateryrow]

I'd take a peek at Munch on Yellowstone, but it's not large, so people watching might go out the window. Free wifi though, I'm pretty sure.

[ctina]

Here in Astoria, I've gone to "Esparks"- yea, starbucks knockoff- but really good and free wifi... and its on steinway between 31st ave and 30th ave... between rite aid (the old eckerd) and wendys

[foodforthought2]

Interesting about Esparks. I went to the one in Elmhurst on two occasions, the first time was pretty good, second visit-yuck. Decided to give them another try. I got a latte and it was actually really good. I was impressed. The Barista was very diligent.

[Bonito Flakes]

Espresso 77 in Jackson Heights is great. If you do a search on Chowhound you'll find a whole thread on this shop.

[juliecraftordie]

Sounds like good coffee, but if it's as crowded as the postings sound, then staying for a while to work might read as obnoxious to other folks who just want a cup of coffee. Do you know if the seating is still limited?

[Bonito Flakes]

The seating is still limited till the y expand next door which is a possibility in the future. Starbucks is opening a block away on 37th Avenue between 78th and 79th Street. It's a big space and should have a lot of seating.

[juliecraftordie]

Well they do have Wifi, and I called and they said it would be ok to sit and work if I can get a table. I'll post from there if I am successful, thanks Bonito!

[joekarten]

almost any of the greek cafes in astoria fit the bill. people hang out for hours there nursing their coffees.

[biondanonima]

There is a place called The Grind on QB and 39th St. in Sunnyside, but I don't know if they have wifi or not. There's also a large Starbucks on QB and 46th.

[orzabelle]

they have it at the Grind, but they charge like $10 to use it!

[Mike V]

I completely agree with the $10 charge. It's a business not the Public Library. You can't have tables being used for hours by just one person. I wouldn't have the nerve to do this.

[orzabelle]

I agree that it's ok to charge for it, but $10 is a bit crazy. I was there for 20 minutes. Seemed exorbitant, especially since I'd gotten a chicken salad and a latte.

[Mike V]

Considering how much you spent and how little time you spent $10 is crazy. What these coffee bars should consider is setting aside one table (seats 4) for the exclusive use of computer users and not charge a fee but a $5 food/drink minimum. This would be fair to the customer and owner. This would free up the other tables for non computer users. I wish Espresso 77 with so few tables would do this.