We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

Coffee shops are a great place for freelancers and students alike to work and study. However, every now and then, when happy hour rolls around and you’re still on deadline, it’d be nice if that coffee were a glass of wine or a pint of ale. You know, to fuel the mind. Which is why we pulled together a list of bars that are friendly to laptops, books, and any other supplies you need to get some work done.

Monika’s Café Bar  

If you live in Astoria and don’t feel like going all the way to Brooklyn or Manhattan (you do choose to work from home, after all) then this is the place for you. The fresh cocktails are as delicious as they are beautiful. They also have a pretty extensive menu for when you get hungry. As for the space, it’s bright and colorful thanks to the stained glass windows. If your computer can hold a charge, you can even take it outside for people watching alongside the grind.

River Coyote

A Lower East Side coffee and wine bar sounds like a recipe for creative success. With wine on tap and espresso on hand, you can choose any kind of buzz. If the drinks don’t convince you this is a place to stay and work, the beautiful space might, thanks to the exposed brick and clean white marble and ebony bar.

Grey Lady  

What looks simply like a seafood restaurant from the outside, is actually a very work-friendly environment on the inside. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer beautiful natural light while dark wood pulls it all together for cozy feels. If you’re a fan of seafood, this is the perfect place to treat yourself to a working lunch when on deadline.

Wayside  

This sleek, modern space has speedy Wi-Fi and a designated laptop area with many available outlets, making it a freelancer’s dream. They serve coffee alongside beer and wine from 11 AM and on. They also have great food options from sandwiches (try the goat cheese and arugula) to soups. It’s a small and popular place though, so come and claim your territory early.

Spreadhouse Café

You work from coffee shops and bars so you can work in an atmosphere that isn’t your bed or living room. However, the homey feel of this place kind of makes it like you never left your house. Oriental rugs lay on the floor while long wooden benches and seats have big cushions for customer comfort. They have Wi-Fi access, but we should warn you that it’s only free for the first hour. After that, you have to purchase it. Which, to be honest, to work from this gorgeous space, is totally worth it.

South 4th Bar and Café  

This Williamsburg spot is a serious find. You can order an Irving Farm coffee, a craft beer, or a delicious cocktail while working on their fast Wi-Fi in the quiet back room. And when you need a break from your laptop, you can glance around at the local artwork they have on display, peruse the bookshelf, or play one of the available games with another local. You never know what will inspire you.

Milk and Roses  

This super-chic Brooklyn spot is so beautiful it’s not uncommon for it to be closed for a wedding. Its unique and airy atmosphere makes it a peaceful place to clear the mind and focus on work. There’s even a beautiful back garden with wooden benches holding potted plants and cute little lanterns. As for the food and drink, the options are as fantastic as the space—American dishes with a Southern Italian influence.

VBar & Café  

This laid-back spot is in the heart of Greenwich Village, just two blocks below Washington Square Park. While other bars may be less enthusiastic about laptops, this one is so laptop-friendly, bartenders will offer you an outlet behind the bar. The Wi-Fi is quick, and the low-key atmosphere makes it easy to focus. Food options are limited to pastries and cheese, but the drink list is extensive. You can choose from their café menu, which offers everything from a simple cup of coffee to iced lattes, or their bar menu, which has a rotating wine list and craft beers. If you stop in on a nice day, you might even be lucky enough to enjoy the big open windows.

Published April 28, 2017