Beer while working on my laptop? Difficulty level: PA liquor law
April 25, 2015 1:01 PM Subscribe
Where can I go in Philadelphia to get a beer to enjoy while working on my laptop? Strict quiet isn't required, but reasonably reliable wifi is a must. I'd be equally happy with a coffee shop that serves beer or a bar where laptop use wouldn't be weird. Outlets aren't necessary.
Brew/Ultimo on 15th is the only place I can think of, and it's great, just looking for variety. Capogiro's West Philly location no longer serves booze, not does Bar Cafe on 17th from what I've read. I know that various coworking spaces have booze, but that's not what I'm looking for.
Bonus points for something accessible from West Philly by MFL or trolley without transferring, so Fishtown, Kensington, Northern Liberties > South Philly (for the purposes of this question - south philly is great).
Brew/Ultimo on 15th is the only place I can think of, and it's great, just looking for variety. Capogiro's West Philly location no longer serves booze, not does Bar Cafe on 17th from what I've read. I know that various coworking spaces have booze, but that's not what I'm looking for.
Bonus points for something accessible from West Philly by MFL or trolley without transferring, so Fishtown, Kensington, Northern Liberties > South Philly (for the purposes of this question - south philly is great).
Response by poster: Thanks for these suggestions.
In terms of days/times, I'm mostly thinking daytime hours on weekends.
posted by brackish.line at 1:35 PM on April 25, 2015
In terms of days/times, I'm mostly thinking daytime hours on weekends.
posted by brackish.line at 1:35 PM on April 25, 2015
Not sure if the Corner Foodery at 17th and Sansom has WiFi, but it's close in feel to the Bottle Shop and should be okay for hanging out for some length of time. The other place that came to mind is National Mechanics on 3rd near Market, which is very tech-friendly, has hosted tech events for years, and is pretty mellow during the daytime (just be sure to clear out before a weekend evening).
posted by The Michael The at 2:29 PM on April 25, 2015
posted by The Michael The at 2:29 PM on April 25, 2015
So, Chipotle serves beer. And googling says some locations have wifi. Though I am not finding a way to find a specific location listed in Philly that says online it has wifi and I am wholly unfamiliar with Philly.
But I am thinking if you like Chipotle, you could use their online locator on their site, find a location convenient for you, call them and ask if they have wifi?
Assuming you are okay with their beer (I am not a beer drinker, so I have no idea if that is an offensive suggestion).
posted by Michele in California at 2:50 PM on April 25, 2015
But I am thinking if you like Chipotle, you could use their online locator on their site, find a location convenient for you, call them and ask if they have wifi?
Assuming you are okay with their beer (I am not a beer drinker, so I have no idea if that is an offensive suggestion).
posted by Michele in California at 2:50 PM on April 25, 2015
Chipotle in Philly does not serve beer because of restrictive PA liquor laws.
I've seen people working on their laptops at Grace Tavern at 23rd and Grey's Ferry, though I'm not sure if they were using the Internet (could've just been fiddling in a spreadsheet). Worth giving it a shot -- the food is excellent, and they generally have a good beer selection. Tends to be pretty dead during the daytime.
posted by coppermoss at 2:58 PM on April 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
I've seen people working on their laptops at Grace Tavern at 23rd and Grey's Ferry, though I'm not sure if they were using the Internet (could've just been fiddling in a spreadsheet). Worth giving it a shot -- the food is excellent, and they generally have a good beer selection. Tends to be pretty dead during the daytime.
posted by coppermoss at 2:58 PM on April 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
I really like Good Dog Bar, and their Yelp page suggests that they do have wi-fi. The last time I went (a year ago) was mid-day on a Saturday and it would have definitely been a good atmosphere for working. Their food is really good too.
posted by General Malaise at 5:46 PM on April 25, 2015
posted by General Malaise at 5:46 PM on April 25, 2015
MadMex, a small Pittsburgh based bar/restaurant chain, has location in Philly. I've never been to it there, but this would be acceptable in their Pittsburgh locations, all of which have wifi. I'm not a drinker, but apparently their beer selection is pretty good.
posted by buttercup at 5:00 AM on April 26, 2015
posted by buttercup at 5:00 AM on April 26, 2015
National Mechanics in Old City is a standby for this kind of thing; the building's actually owned by a dev shop, and it's not uncommon for their folks to spend part of their day there, sipping and hacking.
posted by Tomorrowful at 6:28 AM on April 26, 2015
posted by Tomorrowful at 6:28 AM on April 26, 2015
If you're willing to go out to the burbs, Tired Hands is a brewpub in Ardmore that has some of the best beer in the world, reliable wifi, and tons of table space for laptops. I wrote most of my undergrad thesis there.
posted by Itaxpica at 7:55 AM on April 26, 2015
posted by Itaxpica at 7:55 AM on April 26, 2015
Many places are fine for laptop working, especially on the early side, though this is not particularly common. I yelped "bar and wifi" near me [in S Philly], and though the results included several non-bars (e.g. obvious brunch places), there were many to choose. City Tap House on Penn campus is so large and university-community-oriented that you would not likely be the only one. Frankford Hall is also fine. The new La Colombe on Frankford has coffee + wine/beer. Tip!
posted by zachxman at 5:52 PM on April 26, 2015
posted by zachxman at 5:52 PM on April 26, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
My wife has spent many hours working at The Bards (20th and Walnut). They have wifi, great food, and it's generally not very busy.
posted by Diskeater at 1:22 PM on April 25, 2015