<p>Being a Vashon Island resident, I try to make myself available for meetings and appointments in Seattle each Wednesday. Since I don't have office space in Seattle, I've developed a keen (read: snobby) sense for what makes a good wife café from a web worker's perspective.<br />
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What are the ingredients to a good wifi café?<br />
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<b>1. Great Coffee</b><br />
If I'm going to feel compelled to buy coffee every couple hours, I want it to be <i>good</i> coffee. This is Seattle after all. Actually, <i>good</i> doesn't even really cut it - it's got to be <i>great</i>. I'm a coffee snob. There I said it.<br />
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<b>2. Fast, Stable and Free Wireless Connection</b><br />
This should go without saying, but I've been to many cafés in Seattle that supposedly offer free wifi, purchased coffee and a snack, found a table, plugged in and ... I couldn't connect. No good. If you're going to offer wifi, make sure it works well.<br />
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Also, I tend to avoid really large or crowded cafés whose connection will be crowded and slow (Ahem...Victrola...ahem...Bauhaus...ahem).<br />
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A minor note of annoyance for me is the log-in screen, where cafés force you to register an account or tunnel you through a terms and conditions page to access the Internet. Not a deal-breaker, just a minor annoyance.<br />
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<b>3. Comfortable Seating, Plenty of Power Outlets</b><br />
This is a big one for me. If I'm going to park myself somewhere for an extended period of time, I want to be comfortable and be able to plug in. It doesn't have to be a plush easy chair or anything, just a nice solid chair or stool, with an un-wobbly desk or bar within close range of a power outlet.<br />
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<b>4. Atmosphere</b><br />
This is a subjective intangible, but I personally like it when the music is not overbearingly loud, but loud enough that I can have a conversation with a friend or client and not feel like everyone in the room can hear me. The spacing of tables has a bit to do with this, as well.<br />
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All that said, here's a short list of my favorite caffeinated work environments in Seattle.<br />
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<a href="http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117610948199889174529.000444e16960818ee2488&ll=47.625603,-122.324867&spn=0.050674,0.113297&z=13&om=0&iwloc=000444e189a0b27243487">Stumptown Coffee Roasters</a><br />
1115 12th Ave (Near Seattle University)<br />
I am in deep smit with Stumptown right now. Their drip coffee, espresso and beans (my favorite - Guatemala Finca El Injerto) are heavenly. I like the narrow bar at the back of the café. They also have more bar seating downstairs.<br />
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<a href="http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117610948199889174529.000444e16960818ee2488&ll=47.625719,-122.324867&spn=0.050674,0.113297&z=13&om=0&iwloc=000444e18d3670965bf26">Presse</a><br />
1117 12th Avenue (Near Seattle University)<br />
The people who run Le Pichet opened this informal French restaurant. Not a typical wifi workplace, but they have wireless and they welcome laptops when it's not too busy. I often eat my <i>oeufs plats</i> for breakfast at the bar. They open at 7AM.<br />
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<a href="http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117610948199889174529.000444e16960818ee2488&ll=47.624331,-122.324867&spn=0.050676,0.113297&z=13&om=0&iwloc=000444e190cb9363e49c4">All City Coffee</a><br />
125 Prefontaine Pl S<br />
Lovely, industrial-chic place that is never that crowded. I think the fringe Pioneer Square location still keeps some people away. Their loss, your gain. The also carry Baguette Box sandwiches for lunch.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117610948199889174529.000444e16960818ee2488&ll=47.642839,-122.324867&spn=0.050658,0.113297&z=13&om=0&iwloc=000444e194662919ba829">Cafe Ladro</a><br />
435 15th Ave E<br />
I like the location on 15th for its warm, orange walls and lack of crowds. I can finally recommend it now that they've stopped charging for wifi.</p>
<p><br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117610948199889174529.000444e16960818ee2488&ll=47.646309,-122.324867&spn=0.050654,0.113297&z=13&om=0&iwloc=000444e1946643b66cee2">Liberty</a><br />
517 15th Ave E<br />
I think a lot of Biznik-ers are on to this place already, since they've hosted a bunch of events. Bonus - drinking in the AM!</p>
<p><br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117610948199889174529.000444e16960818ee2488&ll=47.597713,-122.324867&spn=0.050701,0.113297&z=13&om=0&iwloc=000444e1946708620d768">Galaxie</a><br />
3215 Beacon Ave S<br />
I love this little place on top of Beacon Hill. <i>Tip</i> - they have free street parking.<br />
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<a href="http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117610948199889174529.000444e16960818ee2488&ll=47.63509,-122.324867&spn=0.050665,0.113297&z=13&om=0&iwloc=000444e19754bdb4f4942">Top Pot Doughnuts</a><br />
2124 5th Ave<br />
Great place if you're going to be parked somewhere all day. I like the upstairs with the salvaged wall lamps.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117610948199889174529.000444e16960818ee2488&ll=47.618083,-122.323837&spn=0.050682,0.113297&z=13&om=0">Here's a Google Map with all of these locations mapped for reference.</a></p>
<p><br />
What caffeinated workplaces do you like? Let's discuss in the comments.</p>
2008-01-29T20:04:38Z
-27.1399
1194
166
true
5
3481
finding-the-perfect-seattle-wifi-caf
10
2008-01-29T23:31:17Z
2008-01-29T23:31:17Z
<p>Where do you go when you need to get work done, but are tired of sitting alone in your office? The wifi café, of course. What makes a good wifi café and which ones are the best for web workers?</p>
Finding The Perfect Seattle Wifi Café
0
2009-02-24T09:43:01Z