Coworking spaces in New York City
July 29, 2012 7:50 AM Subscribe
Where can I find cheap/free working spaces in NYC?
I need a table, chair, power to charge my laptop and wifi, and no noise. I tried working in starbucks, but they are way too noisy, plus they don't like people staying there for 4-5 hours at a time (which is understandable).
Are there any cheap co-working places in NYC, that fit the above criteria?
I need a table, chair, power to charge my laptop and wifi, and no noise. I tried working in starbucks, but they are way too noisy, plus they don't like people staying there for 4-5 hours at a time (which is understandable).
Are there any cheap co-working places in NYC, that fit the above criteria?
Response by poster: @amro
Really? They don't mind people using their electricity and wifi?
posted by raghuram at 7:59 AM on July 29, 2012
Really? They don't mind people using their electricity and wifi?
posted by raghuram at 7:59 AM on July 29, 2012
That's pretty much what libraries are there for - not just to offer materials but to offer people a place to read, study, work, gather...
I don't know if they'll be completely quiet, though - you might have to try out a couple of different branches to find one that fits your particular needs.
posted by itsamermaid at 8:06 AM on July 29, 2012 [1 favorite]
I don't know if they'll be completely quiet, though - you might have to try out a couple of different branches to find one that fits your particular needs.
posted by itsamermaid at 8:06 AM on July 29, 2012 [1 favorite]
Seconding public libraries, they have wifi and electricity and you can stay as long as you want. There is no noise but there will be other people in the room. The Mid-Manhattan library is open until 11pm Mon-Thurs. but closes earlier the other days of the week.
An alternative would be a university library of some sort.
posted by dragonfruit at 8:06 AM on July 29, 2012
An alternative would be a university library of some sort.
posted by dragonfruit at 8:06 AM on July 29, 2012
Well, Not An Alternative rents desk space for this sorts of thing, but it isn't free: http://thechangeyouwanttosee.com/coworking and there are writing centers that offer similar options which you can google for.
posted by history is a weapon at 8:07 AM on July 29, 2012
posted by history is a weapon at 8:07 AM on July 29, 2012
If you really want it quite at the public libraries don't forget your earplugs.
posted by bswinburn at 8:21 AM on July 29, 2012
posted by bswinburn at 8:21 AM on July 29, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions, will check out public libraries
posted by raghuram at 8:23 AM on July 29, 2012
posted by raghuram at 8:23 AM on July 29, 2012
Libraries really do not mind. Some are noisier than others, however. My two favorite places are the magazine reading room in the main downtown library [on the first floor, go left as you enter the building, end of the hall] which is lovely and for some reason often totally empty [and VERY quiet, typing okay but that's about it]. You'll share big tables with other people but there are rarely a lot of people there, this may be different in the summertime. There is also SIBL branch which has more comfy chairs and cubbies to work in, a little noisier [i.e. people doing the work of the library but not being super loud] and they have ethernet as well as wifi which can sometimes be good if the wifi is a little oversubscribed. The Jefferson Market branch is in a funky old building and I have never seen there be more than a person or two down in the basement room there and it's cool in the summer.
posted by jessamyn at 8:25 AM on July 29, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by jessamyn at 8:25 AM on July 29, 2012 [1 favorite]
Wix Lounge is a totally free coworking space in manhattan, and is always packed but respectfully quiet.
The Ace Hotel lobby is essentially a coworking space. While their coffee and snacks are pricey, they really don't seem to mind people working there for hours at a time- I routinely go there for 5~6 hours a day to get work done, and everyone else around me is busy on their laptops as well.
posted by suedehead at 9:13 AM on July 29, 2012
The Ace Hotel lobby is essentially a coworking space. While their coffee and snacks are pricey, they really don't seem to mind people working there for hours at a time- I routinely go there for 5~6 hours a day to get work done, and everyone else around me is busy on their laptops as well.
posted by suedehead at 9:13 AM on July 29, 2012
Response by poster: Just checked out wix lounge website, looks cool. Not open on weekends, it looks like :(
posted by raghuram at 9:44 AM on July 29, 2012
posted by raghuram at 9:44 AM on July 29, 2012
Study Hall at Proteus Gowanus is $50/month or $125 for three months.
posted by oliverburkeman at 11:00 AM on July 29, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by oliverburkeman at 11:00 AM on July 29, 2012 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: @oliverburkeman
Awesome, thank you. 50/month is very affordable
posted by raghuram at 2:22 PM on July 29, 2012
Awesome, thank you. 50/month is very affordable
posted by raghuram at 2:22 PM on July 29, 2012
I am a librarian at a public library (not in NYC however) and I can say we don't mind that people use our electricity and Wi-Fi. We even have tables that have plugs for electricity AND data ports to make it easier for people using laptops. If you're unsure about the library you visit being as relaxed, ask a staff member.
posted by stampsgal at 6:21 AM on July 30, 2012
posted by stampsgal at 6:21 AM on July 30, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by amro at 7:57 AM on July 29, 2012 [2 favorites]