Working from home is the proverbial dream, isn’t it? Well, actually it isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. There are pitfalls to avoid, like sub-par coffee (how do you make a flat white, anyway?) and a lack of work chums to shoot the breeze with — and that’s before we’ve even touched on the dodgy Internet connections.
Next time you find yourself balancing a laptop on the side of the sofa, why not hotfoot it to one of the city’s more glamorous de facto workplaces? Head to a cafe for your next out-of-office experience and you can really multitask. (Drink down one of the city's best cups of Joe while getting your work done, that is.) Plus, at these six spots, the Wi-Fi is absolutely free. Care to join us for a quick breakout meeting?
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Photo: Courtesy of Look Mum No Hands. Look Mum No Hands
This cheekily named pit-stop offers bike service on the side of its exquisite brews. The open layout really lets your creativity flow, and there's a workshop in the back, so you can get that squeaky brake seen to while you work.
This cheekily named pit-stop offers bike service on the side of its exquisite brews. The open layout really lets your creativity flow, and there's a workshop in the back, so you can get that squeaky brake seen to while you work.
Look Mum No Hands, 49 Old Street; +44 (0) 207 253 1025.
Photo: Courtesy of the Book Club. The Book Club
The Book Club is a cultural powerhouse combined with a coffee shop — with a cocktail bar for good measure. It's not unheard of to turn up for a mid-morning meeting, then find yourself still tapping away at your laptop with a frosty cocktail close by several hours later. Plus, the Club's exhibitions and events mean there's plenty to check out once office hours are over, too.
The Book Club is a cultural powerhouse combined with a coffee shop — with a cocktail bar for good measure. It's not unheard of to turn up for a mid-morning meeting, then find yourself still tapping away at your laptop with a frosty cocktail close by several hours later. Plus, the Club's exhibitions and events mean there's plenty to check out once office hours are over, too.
The Book Club, 100-106 Leonard Street; +44 (0) 207 684 8618.
The Black Heart
The Black Heart is a music pub of the heavy-metal persuasion. But, this writer still managed to pen a feature and answer emails while sitting in a booth there. Plus, the smoked brisket sandwiches and chicken wings are way better than what we'd be whipping up for lunch at home.
The Black Heart is a music pub of the heavy-metal persuasion. But, this writer still managed to pen a feature and answer emails while sitting in a booth there. Plus, the smoked brisket sandwiches and chicken wings are way better than what we'd be whipping up for lunch at home.
The Black Heart, 3 Greenland Place, Camden; +44 (0) 207 428 9730.
Photo: Courtesy of the Breakfast Club. The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club's legendary brunch options are legendary for reasons that have to do with smashed avocado and poached eggs. But, the restaurant itself is a great place for tackling a to-do list. There's even some tongue-in-cheek charm hidden in the Wi-Fi passwords; "Prettyflyforawifi" and "yourmum" being our favorite examples.
The Breakfast Club's legendary brunch options are legendary for reasons that have to do with smashed avocado and poached eggs. But, the restaurant itself is a great place for tackling a to-do list. There's even some tongue-in-cheek charm hidden in the Wi-Fi passwords; "Prettyflyforawifi" and "yourmum" being our favorite examples.
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The Breakfast Club, 2-4 Rufus Street; +44 (0) 20 7729 5252.
Photo: Courtesy of the British Library. The British Library Cafe
While you do need to be a member of the British Library to access its incredible collection of literature, anyone can grab a caffeine fix, and work from one of its four Peyton and Byrne cafes. You will need to register for an online account to gain access to the library's Wi-Fi, but as soon you do you can type away to your heart's content.
While you do need to be a member of the British Library to access its incredible collection of literature, anyone can grab a caffeine fix, and work from one of its four Peyton and Byrne cafes. You will need to register for an online account to gain access to the library's Wi-Fi, but as soon you do you can type away to your heart's content.
The British Library Cafe, 96 Euston Road, St Pancras; +44 (0) 330 333 1144.
The Social
The Social is known for its midweek parties (Hip Hop Karaoke, anyone?), but it also has a shared workspace that's open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. As an added bonus, it also offers technical support for those times when your Mac decides to do its own thing.
The Social is known for its midweek parties (Hip Hop Karaoke, anyone?), but it also has a shared workspace that's open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. As an added bonus, it also offers technical support for those times when your Mac decides to do its own thing.
The Social, 5 Little Portland Street; +44 (0) 207 636 4992.