Places to write in NYC

December 9, 2022 10:07 AM

Where in NYC can I both use a laptop and eat until 11pm or midnight on a weekday?

I'm trying to get some serious writing done, and would like to find a place I can go camp out for several hours between work and home on weeknights once or twice a week. (I work in Midtown and live in south Bed-Stuy off the A/C, but would go a bit out of my way for this.) Any ideas? It's difficult to find places that hit all three criteria, especially since so many businesses have closed or changed their hours since covid started.

posted by showbiz_liz to Grab Bag (11 answers total)

You want a nice hotel lobby. I've done a lot of hanging out at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square because it's huge, but there are lots of nice ones around that have big lounge areas where you can order from the bar, plug in and sit in a comfy chair as long as you want. They're open 24 hours, so as long as you look like you could conceivably be or know a guest, they're generally happy with people making the place look busy and cool.
posted by Mchelly at 10:39 AM on December 9, 2022 [11 favorites]

Hungarian Pastry Shop is open til 11 pm. It's the wrong way but at least you'll be right on the A/C?
posted by praemunire at 10:44 AM on December 9, 2022 [2 favorites]

Seconding hotel lobbies. Ace Hotel in particular I think is pretty good for this.
posted by wesleyac at 11:16 AM on December 9, 2022 [5 favorites]

Spitballing that an irish pub might be good for this. Don't see how they'd care about a laptop, they're open late and have food. Plenty around Penn station.
posted by rdnnyc at 11:21 AM on December 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

A co-worker space?
posted by olopua at 11:31 AM on December 9, 2022

The new Ace Hotel in downtown Brooklyn off the Schermerhorn A/C. Likely less busy/scene-y than the one in Manhattan. I've been, it's really nice, but not sure of the vibe during late evenings. May be worth a try.
posted by greta simone at 1:28 PM on December 9, 2022 [2 favorites]

I've also done this somewhat consistently at the Arlo Soho but it seems to have caught on. When I've been recently it's just a lobby full of laptops, but again, not sure how late evenings look.
posted by greta simone at 1:30 PM on December 9, 2022

Le express on park ave south. Still Open 24 hours I think
posted by pmaxwell at 6:13 AM on December 10, 2022

In my brief time in NYC, I worked here – https://www.paragraphny.com/space – it was absolutely brilliant for writing. It was a good few years ago and I can see now that the prices are high, unfortunately, but it really is a wonderful place – a total haven for writers in the middle of the city. It's 24/7 and near Union Square, I think.

Edited: have just converted the current rate into pounds and it's bloody expensive now! I'm sorry. I guess they know they're onto a good thing :\
posted by Ella_Bella at 3:31 PM on December 10, 2022

The lobby lounge at the Marlton Hotel on 8th Street is excellent for this, and it's one block from the north exit of the W 4th St A/C station.
posted by nicwolff at 4:21 PM on December 11, 2022

Response by poster: So glad I asked this question. Just spent a couple hours in the Ace Brooklyn lobby, editing by literal firelight. This rules. I am gonna become such a lobby rat. Thanks everyone!
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:04 PM on December 12, 2022 [3 favorites]