This is just for writers and filmmakers! =}
Writers and filmmakers are often hauling their laptops to coffee houses for writing and working. In New York and Los Angeles, there are many such places, but sometimes they are difficult to find.
Let’s build a list of coffee joints where we like to work.
Besides, we all love the adventure of finding a new place to hang out.
I recommend that you copy the info below, then paste it into a comment to this blog posting and let us know your recommended hangouts.
I’ll start adding some that I’ve found in both cities.
Here’s the form to copy and paste.
CITY:
Name:
Street:
Phone:
Website:
Twitter:
Facebook:
WIFI: [_]Free with purchase [_]Unlimited time [_]pay
AC outlets: [_]Many [_]Precious Few [_]none
Crowded: [_]Always [_]Seldom [_]Never
Atmosphere [_]chatting [_]boisterous [_]library
Crowd: [_]writers [_]tourists [_]mixed
Menu: [_]pastries [_]sandwiches [_]full menu
Price: [_]$ [_]$$ [_]$$$!
Comment:
Michael R. Barnard's Thoughts & Discussions. 
CITY: New York City
Name: Argo Tea
Street: 1792 Broadway (at 58th St)
Phone: 646-502-7250
Website: http://www.argotea.com
Twitter:
Facebook:
WIFI: [x]Free with purchase [_]Unlimited time [_]pay
AC outlets: [_]Many [x]Precious Few [_]none
Crowded: [x]Always [_]Seldom [_]Never
Atmosphere [x]chatting [_]boisterous [_]library
Crowd: [_]writers [x]tourists [_]mixed
Menu: [x]pastries [_]sandwiches [_]full menu
Price: [x]$ [_]$$ [_]$$$!
Comment:
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CITY: New York City
Name: Starbucks Empire State Building
Street: 350 Fifth Avenue
Phone: 212-268-5471
Website: http://www.Starbucks.com
Twitter: @starbucks
Facebook:
WIFI: [x]Free with purchase [x]Unlimited time [_]pay
AC outlets: [_]Many [x]Precious Few [_]none
Crowded: [_]Always [x]Seldom [_]Never
Atmosphere [x]chatting [_]boisterous [_]library
Crowd: [_]writers [_]tourists [x]mixed
Menu: [_]pastries [x]sandwiches [_]full menu
Price: [x]$ [_]$$ [_]$$$!
Comment: Large basement with tables, lots of students
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Hey, Michael! I’m actually the wrong guy to ask. Though I occasionally enjoy hanging out in a cafe (I used to especially like Cafe Reggio on MacDougal before it got too touristy, and the cafe at MoMa) I’ve actually only spent limited time in NYC Starbucks (generally the one on like 7th/39th or the one at Astor Place.) I find I do my best writing at home, alone, over jazz or classical music and with coffee far stronger than anything brewed at cafes outside of Paris.
When I’m in CA I sometimes enjoy the experience of taking my laptop out to write at a cafe; it kinda makes me feel like I’m “on the inside”, writing my script a few hundred yards from a major studio. There’s a Starbucks (or maybe it’s a Coffee Bean) on Main Street in Burbank, and my favorite place of all, the very low key Colombus Cafe on Columbus Avenue in SF. But even t these great places, I usually find myself writing the same sentence over and over and over again.
I always promise myself I’ll get out more and maybe try to make a serious effort at writing at a Starbucks–I’m always jealous of the folks who are sitting there, Final Draft open and focused on their screens while I’m in line fumbling with the distinction between Grande and Venti (what the fuck is “venti”, anyway?) but it’s a promise I’ve thus far been unable to keep.
Best,
Seth
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CITY: NYC (Lower East Side)
Name: 88 Orchard Street: 88 Orchard Street, New York, NY (F, J, M, Z trains to Delancey/Essex St. stop)
Phone: (212) 228-8880
Website: http://88orchard.com/
Twitter: @88Orchard
WIFI: [X]Free with purchase [X]Unlimited time [_]pay
AC outlets: [_]Many [X]Precious Few [_]none
Crowded: [_]Always [X]Seldom [_]Never Atmosphere [x]chatting [_]boisterous [_]library
Crowd: [x]writers [_]tourists [_]mixed
Menu: [x]pastries [x]sandwiches [X]full menu
Price: [_]$ [x]$$ [_]$$$!
Comment: Always worth the subway trip down to the LES, it has a ground & basement level. Cozy & quaint, the top level can get busy, but there is always a spot in the basement, which is quiet and has outlets and cushions to prop on. Both food and drink menus are great, with daily specials (even serves breakfast!). Even beer or wine is available, if you fancy a stronger sort of liquid inspiration.
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CITY: NEW YORK
Name: Roasting Plant
Street: 75 Greenwich Ave
Phone: (212) 775-7755
Website: http://www.roastingplant.com
Twitter:
Facebook:
WIFI: [x]Free with purchase [x]Unlimited time [_]pay
AC outlets: [x]Many [_]Precious Few [_]none
Crowded: [_]Always [x]Seldom [_]Never
Atmosphere [x]chatting [_]boisterous [_]library
Crowd: [x]writers [_]tourists [_]mixed
Menu: [x]pastries [_]sandwiches [_]full menu
Price: [x]$ [_]$$ [_]$$$!
Comment: Fascinating brewing system uses fresh beans for each brew. Friendly!
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CITY: NEW YORK CITY
Name: Au Bon Pain
Street: 58 E. 8th St.
Phone: 212-475-8546
Website: http://aubonpain.com
Twitter:
Facebook:
WIFI: [x]Free with purchase [c]Unlimited time [_]pay
AC outlets: [x]Many [_]Precious Few [_]none
Crowded: [_]Always [x]Seldom [_]Never
Atmosphere [x]chatting [_]boisterous [_]library
Crowd: [_]writers [_]tourists [x]mixed
Menu: [_]pastries [_]sandwiches [x]full menu
Price: [x]$ [_]$$ [_]$$$!
Comment: The staff is unaware of Writers and barely aware that they have WiFi. Lots of students from NYU.
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CITY: LOS ANGELES (HOLLYWOOD)
Name: Solar de Cahuenga
Street: Franklin Ave and Cahuenga (1847 N Cahuenga Blvd)
Phone:
Website: http://solardecahuenga.com/
Twitter:
Facebook:
WIFI: [x]Free with purchase [x]Unlimited time [_]pay
AC outlets: [_]Many [x]Precious Few [_]none
Crowded: [x]Always [_]Seldom [_]Never
Atmosphere [x]chatting [_]boisterous [_]library
Crowd: [x]writers [_]tourists [_]mixed
Menu: [_]pastries [_]sandwiches [x]full menu
Price: [_]$ [x]$$ [_]$$$!
Comment: Great place, industry buzz, very nice.
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CITY: New York
Name: Argo Tea
Street: 75 University Place
Phone: (718) 530-0520
Website: http://www.argotea.com/locations_new_york.shtml
Twitter:
Facebook:
WIFI: [X]Free with purchase [_]Unlimited time [_]pay
AC outlets: [X]Many [_]Precious Few [_]none
Crowded: [_]Always [X]Seldom [_]Never
Atmosphere [X]chatting [_]boisterous [_]library
Crowd: [_]writers [_]tourists [X]mixed
Menu: [X]pastries [_]sandwiches [_]full menu
Price: [X]$ [_]$$ [_]$$$!
Comment: You have to ASK FOR THE WIFI CODE when you make your purchase; it’s good for 2 hours free WiFi
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CITY: Los Angeles
Name: Stir Crazy
Street: 6903 Melrose Avenue (between La Brea and Highland)
Phone: (323) 934-4656
Website:
Twitter:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stir-Crazy-Coffee-Shop/118714631478717?sk=info
WIFI: [X]Free with purchase [_]Unlimited time [_]pay
AC outlets: [X]Many [_]Precious Few [_]none
Crowded: [_]Always [X]Seldom [_]Never
Atmosphere [_]chatting [_]boisterous [X]library
Crowd: [X]writers [_]tourists [_]mixed
Menu: [X]pastries [_]sandwiches [_]full menu
Price: [X]$ [_]$$ [_]$$$!
Comment: Nice and quaint, like a rural log cabin.
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CITY: Brooklyn
Name: OUTPOST
Street: 1014 Fulton St, Brooklyn NY 11238
Phone:(718) 636-1260
Website: http://www.outpostlounge.com
Twitter:
Facebook:
WIFI: [x]Free with purchase [x]Unlimited time [_]pay
AC outlets: [x]Many [_]Precious Few [_]none
Crowded: [_]Always [x]Seldom [_]Never
Atmosphere [x]chatting [_]boisterous [_]library
Crowd: [x]writers [_]tourists [_]mixed
Menu: [x]pastries [x]sandwiches [_]full menu
Price: [x]$ [_]$$ [_]$$$!
Comment: Very casual, very nice, great staff
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CITY: Manhattan
Name: Showbiz Cafe
Street: 19 W 21st St, New York NY 10010
Phone: (646) 829-0700
Website: http://showbizsoftware.com
Twitter: @showbizstore
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/showbizstore
WIFI: [x]Free with purchase [x]Unlimited time [_]pay
AC outlets: [x]Many [_]Precious Few [_]none
Crowded: [_]Always [x]Seldom [_]Never
Atmosphere [x]chatting [_]boisterous [_]library
Crowd: [x]writers [_]tourists [_]mixed
Menu: [x]pastries [x]sandwiches [_]full menu
Price: [x]$ [_]$$ [_]$$$!
Comment: Excellent for filmmakers and writers, great place for impromptu meetings, too. This is also a biz software and gear store. Great people as customers and as staff.
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SHOWBIZ CAFE is permanently closed.
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CITY: Bushwick, Brooklyn NY
Name: Three Angeles by the Park
Street: 65 Irving Avenue (across from Maria Hernandez Park)
Phone:
Website:
Twitter:
Facebook:
WIFI: [x]Free with purchase [x]Unlimited time [_]pay
AC outlets: [x]Many [_]Precious Few [_]none
Crowded: [_]Always [x]Seldom [_]Never
Atmosphere [x]chatting [_]boisterous [_]library
Crowd: [x]writers [_]tourists [_]mixed
Menu: [x]pastries [_]sandwiches [_]full menu
Price: [x]$ [_]$$ [_]$$$!
Comment: Owner Jerry makes this the friendliest coffee shop in Bushwick. Lots of artistic/creative people from the neighborhood. Beautiful back patio.
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THREE ANGELS BY THE PARK is permanently closed.
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CITY: Los Angeles
Name: Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Street: Santa Monica / Beverly Glen
WIFI: [X]Free with purchase [_]Unlimited time [_]pay
AC outlets: [X) Many [_]Precious Few [_]none
Crowded: [_]Always [X]Seldom [_]Never
Atmosphere [_]chatting [_]boisterous [_]library – depends on the days
Crowd: [_]writers [_]tourists [X]mixed
Menu: [X]pastries [X]sandwiches [_]full menu
Price: [X]$ [_]$$ [_]$$$!
Comment: You can stay there all day without ever being bothered.
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