Escape from Hilton Hotel

March 10, 2006 7:37 AM

Downtown Austin, SXSW: Looking for a coffee shop with good WiFi, good coffee or root beer, good food and friendly staff.

So I'm at SXSW trying to get notes together for a panel, and the internet connection in the Hilton just sucks and keeps dropping out 50% of the time, besides I don't want to be stuck in a hotel room all day.

What's a/anybody found a, good friendly place within walking distance of the convention centre. Where I can plug in to get power, get online and hang out. I dont want to be a deadbeat, so I will be ordering a steady supply of food and drink, and happy to pay for a reliably connection. Thanks.

posted by RevDanCatt to computers & internet (6 comments total)

Check this map of wireless hotspots.

Also, Jessica says: "And one other little place that I'll suggest is just across I-35 from the Hilton. Progress Coffee on East 5th is a great little coffee shop with WiFi, coffee and healthy snacks. I'm in there at least once a day - they're next door to my office, but it is a good little quiet get-away if you need some go-juice and internet access."

(Plug: More tips and SXSW stuff at SXSWbaby, the unofficial community weblog born of MetaFilter years ago.)
posted by bradlands at 7:59 AM on March 10, 2006

Hmmm. I'd go with Little City on Congress, or Halcyon on 4th and Lavaca. I'd go with the Halcyon for ambiance alone. It's seven blocks away from the Hilton, to the west.

There's a lot of wifi going on downtown, so that should be available almost no matter where you go. I'm not sure why yours is acting so spotty.

I'll be down in that area this afternoon, if anything else occurs to me I'll pop back in and do an update.
posted by zueod at 8:04 AM on March 10, 2006

You'll pass the Hideout on your way to Little City. Try there, too.
posted by zonkout at 8:10 AM on March 10, 2006

It is on congress and 7th, east side of the street.
posted by zonkout at 8:11 AM on March 10, 2006

Lovejoy's is a pretty cool brewpub at 6th and Neches. They have free wifi.
posted by sanko at 8:30 AM on March 10, 2006

Ok Halcyon wins for today. As you say it has a lovely ambiance. And this post will attest that the wireless works :)


posted by RevDanCatt at 12:04 PM on March 10, 2006