Visiting Seattle... where can I plug in?

May 31, 2017 7:34 AM

I will be visiting Seattle soon, and I would like a decent place to set up my laptop and get some work done for a few hours per day. It looks like most of the coworking spaces require membership. Any recommendations? I'm not keen on a coffee shop, and since I may need to call the office, I think a library might be inappropriate. Definitely willing to pay for the space.
posted by joebakes to Work & Money (9 answers total)

Hotel lobbies work well for this. Where are you staying?
posted by crazycanuck at 7:50 AM on May 31, 2017

If you're not being super loud, the public library should be fine. Just familiarize yourself with their noise policies & stay out of designated quiet areas.
posted by willpie at 8:14 AM on May 31, 2017

The main branch of the Seattle public library is gorgeous, and there are cafe spaces and bustlier areas on the ground floors where reasonable phone conversations should be OK. It was renovated with a more contemporary idea of what the purpose of a library is, and I thought it was worth a visit in its own right.
posted by yeahlikethat at 8:53 AM on May 31, 2017

Yeah, it depends a fair amount on where you're staying, but most libraries would work just fine.

There used to be plenty of coworking spaces in the area as well that allow a non-member drop-in, depending on where you're at, although admittedly I don't have a need for them anymore so I'm out of date on what's available. I'm 99% sure Ballard Labs and The Pioneer Collective still do dropins.

I'm trying to think of indoor public spaces that may have outlets too. There's a large atrium in the Columbia Tower that may have outlets (if not, I know you didn't want coffee, but the Starbucks up on the 40th floor isn't crazy loud and has some spectacular views for the price of a coffee).
posted by chillin411 at 8:58 AM on May 31, 2017

Works Progress has a $25/day rate. I worked there from 2013-2015, great space in a fun neighborhood and easy to access if you're staying anywhere north of the canal.

If there are others that look more convenient but don't advertise a day rate give them a call anyway, they probably offer one or will invent one for you. Most of these spaces are run by pretty flexible people who are happy to have customers!
posted by rouftop at 9:07 AM on May 31, 2017

In the past I've used malls for this purpose. They all have free wifi, and during the workday they'll be fairly quiet, as long as you stay away from the food court area.
posted by COD at 9:56 AM on May 31, 2017

I've used Freshy's Downtown for this (not the one on California!). It's situated in a large building lobby with plenty of workspace that is in the lobby, so you can nurse a coffee away from the coffeeshop, but actually be in the lobby workspace. You get access to the building wifi and it's fine to make calls.
posted by einekleine at 11:22 AM on May 31, 2017

The Central Library really is perfect for this. Outlets everywhere. Talking/louder spaces. Don't leave anything unattended.
posted by tristeza at 11:26 AM on May 31, 2017

Ada's Books on Capitol Hill has a co-working space that rents by the day - I've never used it, but the bookstore is cool, and that neighborhood is great (bunch of good bars and restaurants on 15th) .
posted by aiglet at 1:44 PM on May 31, 2017 [1 favorite]