1. 

   Peter
   

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   So I just started working from home full-time and I'm wondering where the best coffee shop in Ballard is to work from. I have internet access at home of course, but it's nice to get out once and a while and be around people. My basic requirements are that there is an open Wi-Fi network and outlets I can plug my laptop into. Quality coffee/pastries would also be a bonus.

   So far I've tried:

   1) Verite coffee - nice, lots of outlets, but a little too loud/crowded by 10am.
   2) Aster - best coffee in Ballard IMHO, lots of plugs but closed WiFi (boo).
   3) Cafe Fiore - Ok coffee, ok pasteries, great work space with lots of plugs. Wi-Fi is spotty as their router seems to go down a lot and the staff is helpless to prevent it.
   4) Miro - Tea. Plugs, but closed Wi-Fi.

   Where else can I try?

   Posted 4 years ago #
2. 

   bamm314
   

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   What about the Java Bean? I am not sure of their wifi status but I can check when I walk by later today.

   Interesting about the Aster having the best coffee. I dont drink but I am always curious to see what is the best regarded.

   Posted 4 years ago #
3. 

   csabers
   

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   I like Herkimer Coffee on Phinney. Great coffee and a lovely place to work:
   http://www.herkimercoffee.com/index.html

   Posted 4 years ago #
4. 

   Peter
   

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   I agree that Herkimer is great, but like you said it's on Phinney. If I feel like making the climb on the bike then I'll go. Gets me closer to 74th st Ale House for once I knock-off work.

   Posted 4 years ago #
5. 

   CaffinatorX
   

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   I used to work at Herkimer despite the long walk, but too loud/too distracting music (lots of hip hop, which doesn't work for me) drove me away. Agree about Fiore, would love to work there but spotty wi-fi drove me out, I'll try again once the condos around them are done. I frequent Aster even though it can be a bit gloomy in there -- the wifi isn't "open" (annoying) but if you get the password just once, your computer should remember it indefiniately (my windows xp box does, at least). And their coffee is dynamite.
   I've been going to Verite a lot as well, though. There's almost alwasys SOMEWHERE to sit and it can be a bit loud but it's a murmuring kind of loud, which doesn't bother me.
   Java Bean has few tables and I think they're a bit uncomfortable. Seems stuffy in there too.
   I've tried the library a few times but it's cold...

   Posted 4 years ago #
6. 

   shantiani
   

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   Have you tried Mr. Spots Chai House? It's a little funky and you'll have to pick one of the tables near a plug, but they have good food and good coffee and, although I've only worked in there once, the wifi was solid all day.

   Posted 4 years ago #
7. 

   gooner
   

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   i like herkimer.... often called "workimer" given the large number of people working. other than that i go to fiore on 85th.

   Posted 4 years ago #
8. 

   karikas
   

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   I work at Mr. Spot's Chai House occasionally, it's great in there if you're into the chai vibe. I work at the Ballard library too, easy to concentrate and quiet if you need that. No coffee there though!

   Posted 4 years ago #
9. 

   Peter
   

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   I'm going to have to revise my initial post...Aster does indeed have wifi, so it's the spot for me. I guess it was just down/not working the first time I went.

   I should go to Mr. Spots. It just I don't like chai, and it has this weird "hippy" vibe which has always been a little off-putting to me. Not that there's anything wrong with that. This is really just a problem with me. People tell me Grateful Bread has awesome cookies but I just....can't.

   Posted 4 years ago #
10. 

    brian
    

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    Fiore's network is super-flaky, it's a pity as the place is otherwise ideal.

    Cugino Cafe on Ballard Ave has free wifi, though the seating isn't super comfy. I've spent an afternoon there but no longer than that.

    But don't forget the library - free wifi, lots of plugs, and you'll never feel guilty about staying there without buying something :)

    Posted 4 years ago #
11. 

    mvericson
    

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    The library, Mr. Chai's, Aster and the coffee shop at 15th and 70th that I can't remember the name of are all good places to work. Does the Cafe Fiore on 85th even have wi fi?

    Posted 4 years ago #
12. 

    girl
    

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    Just ask Miro for their password, they have really amazing tea and crèpes too.

    Posted 4 years ago #
13. 

    pven
    

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    I'd vote for Java Bean. It's close to my house, so there's bias, but it's anything but stuffy. They're friendly, from the owner on down, play good music, offer good baked goods (Besalu right up the street is famous in the pastry dept., but I'd say they are on the stuffy side), and Java Bean definitely has wi-fi. I see people in there with lap tops all the time.

    Posted 4 years ago #
14. 

    blueben
    

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    I know it isn't a coffee house, but I've heard The Old Peculiar has free wifi and real food. I bet they'll serve you a cup of joe too. ;)

    Posted 4 years ago #
15. 

    Cosmo
    

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    I asked the girl at the counter if Java Bean had internet, and she said, "No, we don't. Sometimes you can get the signal from the bar next door". I couldn't get any signal though.

    Posted 4 years ago #
16. 

    gordy
    

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    http://seattle.wifimug.org/ Check out this website for various coffee/wifi places

    Posted 4 years ago #
17. 

    Mystech
    

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    As far as I can tell, the Seattle WiFi Mug website is, regrettably, dead. Real shamed; it was a wonderful resource.

    Posted 4 years ago #
18. 

    ksheyman
    

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    this topic is pretty stale but it reminded me about a piece of inside info i heard. i used to live downtown and I'd go to Espresso Vivace, probably the most popular coffee place in Seattle. One time their network is down and I asked them about it. The worker said that they purposely shut off the wifi when it gets too busy so that the jerks who sit there for 3 hours mooching internet after buying one cup of coffee will leave and make room for paying customers. Sucks that they have to do that but perhaps that's going on at the places you guys have mentioned with 'spotty' internet!

    Posted 4 years ago #
19. 

    OingoBoingo
    

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    Stale..hm.m..
    Save some money. Drink the coffee at home or bring a thermos with coffee and go to the Ballard library and I would figure you could sit outside (if kicked out for the coffee) either under cover at the entrance or to the park across the street.

    Posted 4 years ago #
20. 

    ruby
    

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    My favorite is not exactly in Ballard -- but the Starbucks on Phinney Ridge is a great place to work. If you have a Starbucks card, you get free wifi.

    Posted 4 years ago #
21. 

    mc7
    

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    Posted 4 years ago #
22. 

    mc7
    

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    Cafe Keffa on 15th at the corner of 70th is never crowded, nice atmosphere.

    Posted 4 years ago #
23. 

    sipandship
    

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    Sip and Ship has had free wi-fi for years. We've also added more tables down front for folks to surf the net - in-case you don't want to hang with the kids in the loft. And now that the weather is getting better (fingers crossed!) you can surf ouside on our chairs if you so choose.

    Our Batdorf and Bronson coffee is by far the best in Ballard - okay I'm biased, but it does rock!

    Posted 4 years ago #
24. 

    BallardDINK
    

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    Just curious--would anyone be interested in paying a monthly fee (like $5/month) for unlimited free wifi, power, and table space at a coffee house?

    It'd be like a virtual office, in a sense. And there'd be zero guilt (of glares from staff) for "mooching" wifi and tablespace during busy rushes, since you've paid the monthly fee.

    Posted 4 years ago #
25. 

    Mondoman
    

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    I'm guessing that $5/day would be closer to the amount needed. There seem to be plenty of free or free-with-purchase places around already -- the libraries, coffee shops/Starbucks, etc. Personally, I find the hustle and bustle of the lunch rush in most coffee shops makes it harder to work then, but midmornings and afternoons are usually fine. (Maybe I'm just a bigger spender/tipper!)

    With the nice weather, I've even noticed people with their laptops using the Ballard Library's wifi on the chairs and other seating places outside.

    Posted 4 years ago #

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