NYC freelance get-together?

January 4, 2009 3:38 PM

I remember reading an article in 2008 about an informal gathering in New York of people who do various kinds of freelance work; they met in a coffee shop, I believe. I think it may have been in New York magazine or the NYTimes, but I can't find it. Does anyone else remember this? Or know of a gathering that meets this description?

Finding the article would be great; finding a venue to socialize with other freelance types (I'm a writer and sometime online consultant-type) in NYC would be just about equally good. I'm less interested in networking, though that's always nice, as in talking a little bit of shop and meeting interesting people.

posted by toomuchkatherine to work & money (10 comments total)

Hm...people are 'favoriting' this question but not answering it. Maybe we need to start our *own* NY freelance get-together? :)
posted by toomuchkatherine at 4:28 PM on January 4

While I haven't yet been able to find an article that fits exactly what you're looking for, I did find a listing of meetups for New York freelancers here. You might also find the Coworking Community Blog helpful, as the community describes itself as a "movement to create a community of cafe-like collaboration spaces for developers, writers and independents". It has plenty of location-specific resources, including New Work City and Nutopia (both Manhattan-based). Hope this helps!
posted by sarabeth at 4:28 PM on January 4

I know the article you mean, I think. I'm pretty sure it was in the NYT, and had a photo of people sitting around with their laptops in a cafe. But, I cannot find it. I did stumble on another article in the NYT that may help, or even be the one. I'll keep looking!
posted by Vermillion at 4:38 PM on January 4

Coworking in the Times

You may be thinking of Jelly. Or, here in Philly, Cream Cheese. Seriously. Though I can't find an article about it in the Times.
posted by The Michael The at 4:51 PM on January 4

I remember this article in the NYT about fathers dropping off their kids at school and then have an informal breakfast club meeting.
posted by Andy's Gross Wart at 6:00 PM on January 4

My wife just remarked from across the room that this article might be the one.
posted by setanor at 6:48 PM on January 4

Vouching for New Work City (though I'm biased as I helped a bit getting it set up). Drop by any time and say hi, we're friendly!
posted by dantekgeek at 10:47 PM on January 4

There's Creative Mornings in NYC too, which is more of a meetup than co-working.
posted by gregjones at 11:04 PM on January 4

The Freelancer's Union is based in NYC and they have lots of events, though they may be more networking-oriented than you're looking for. There is a meetup listing on their site as well.
posted by camcgee at 8:59 AM on January 5

That was what I was thinking of, setanor -- thanks! Though these are all good ideas, and I'll be checking out many of them.
posted by toomuchkatherine at 10:14 AM on January 5