Where can I go to type for a day in DC?

October 27, 2009 4:36 PM

Diner, coffee shop or other not-too-crowded space I can go to write for a day in Washington, DC?

I'm at the tail end of work on a thesis, and I want to be able to put in 6 hours or so of solid work on it on Saturday. I think a change of scenery will help me stay focused. I need somewhere that's open throughout the day, where I can get food / beverages when needed, where no one will bother me if I stay for that length of time (as long as I keep buying drinks every hour or so), that's not too crowded (a place like Tryst is definitely out - way too many people tripping over you all day), decent power outlet and table access for laptops, and is metro-accessible in Washington, DC. Any good ideas?

posted by l33tpolicywonk to food & drink (9 comments total)

I like Teaism.
posted by gottabefunky at 4:43 PM on October 27, 2009

I was assured that Sticky Fingers and Columbia Heights Coffee can provide what you seek.
posted by liketitanic at 5:28 PM on October 27, 2009

Sources also say Big Bear Cafe or Busboys and Poets.
posted by liketitanic at 5:31 PM on October 27, 2009

I've found Mayorga in Silver Spring to be a big comfy home office away from home/office, but not sure about Saturdays.
posted by NikitaNikita at 6:23 PM on October 27, 2009

Sources also say Big Bear Cafe or Busboys and Poets.

I love Busboys and Poets, but if you're axing Tryst for crowds you may want to avoid Busboys and Poets as well.

If you don't mind chains, I'd recommend the Caribou Coffee at 14th and Rhode Island NW. Free wi-fi, plenty of seating, and no one will bother you.
posted by ASM at 6:34 PM on October 27, 2009

My wife and I put in a good few hours at the Shanghai Teahouse in Glover Park on Wisconsin at Calvert recently. There is wifi, really good tea, amazing dumplings and they didn't seem to mind at all that we were just hanging out writing notes and drinking tea for a couple hours on a Sunday
posted by Inkoate at 6:38 PM on October 27, 2009

This same question was asked recently.
posted by k. at 7:01 PM on October 27, 2009

Ooh, it often slips the mind since it's none of the above, but the atrium in the National Portrait Gallery is an A+ place to work that's a ton quieter and prettier than any coffeehouse, and has coffee nearby, both outside and inside the museum.
posted by tmcw at 3:43 PM on December 6, 2009

I second my colleague tmcw. The Kogod Courtyard at the Portrait Gallery is a studier's dream realized: scenic, quiet, *free*, and lots of natural light. There is light jazz piped in (mostly Sinatra-esque, with a few instrumental cuts), but it's unobtrusive. Headphones are a good option if you aren't feeling swingin'.
posted by AAAAAThatsFiveAs at 6:59 AM on December 7, 2009