Hey there,
With 2024 winding down let’s take a look at our top five picks for the year:
Nook
NEIGHBORHOOD: Bushwick
ADDRESS: 45 Irving Av.
PLUG SITUATION: That’s prime real estate here. There are a handful at one end of the table. There is one set near the four person table as well as handful in some in the little nooks
SEATING: This is this place’s strong suit. There are a lot of places to sit. There is a big communal table in the center of the main space. There are four other two person tables and one for four. THere are two sets of window sidebar style seating options. There are three coves with various other seating options including couches, lounge and even a rocking chair. There is one other space to sit on the ground. That’s just inside.
WIFI: Overall it is fast but in my experience it can go in and out.
BATHROOM SITUATION: It has a single one person bathroom in the back of the establishment
NOISE LEVEL: It’s not too loud but it's not a quiet place by any means. There is music overhead.
LIGHTING: It’s pretty warmly lit with lamps over the bar and some sconces on the wall. There are large floor to ceiling windows that dominate the space’s lighting. Honestly that can be overbearing especially in the afternoon sun. For some reason they don’t have curtains. This really impacts the large communal table. It’s almost impossible to see. I personally prefer this place on a cloudy day.
FOOD: There are a lot of good options here from their avocado toast to their yogurt parfait. They have a handful of sandwiches on the menu including the spicy nook. Def worth a try. The size options for their sandwiches honestly are quite confusing: “half” equals one whole sandwich and “full” is two sandwiches. This place also serves alcohol and has events in the evening.
OVERALL: This place has some faults but the ample seating, friendly service, good food make up for it.
Conwell Coffee House
NEIGHBORHOOD: Financial District
ADDRESS: 6 Hanover Square
SEATING: Conwell Coffee Hall is in a former bank lobby — an art deco masterpiece that’s a shrine to an architectural era that is very truly New York in its essence. As you walk through the gold rotating door you enter a large atrium. That leads to a long bar that used to be where bank tellers would sit. Now it’s home to the baristas.
On each side of the bar there are two large seating areas.
To the right, there are three tables intended for four people and three seats of welcoming leather couches.
The left hand side has less couches but more tables. There are three communal tables that can seat eight people each as well as a handful of two-person tables. There is also one couch with a coffee table on this side as well.
WIFI: It’s fast. No problems to report.
BATHROOM SITUATION: There are two both of which are intended for one person at a time.
NOISE LEVEL: This is not a quiet space. If you need that, this may not be the place for you. It has high ceilings that carry sound. Put on your headphones if you really want some quiet. If you thrive in a noisy environment, this is a solid choice.
PLUG SITUATION: No problem here! I was able to find a plug option next to nearly every seating cluster next to an outer wall.
LIGHTING: The space is well lit with inviting warm table lamps, stunning overhead chandeliers and enormous windows throughout the space.
FOOD: Conwell has quality coffee, top notch cocktails (not to mention a full bar), decadent pastries and a cafe menu others would (and should) be envious of. I splurged for a crab toast and I’m glad I did. There’s also everything ranging from avocado toasts and salad nicoise to monkey bread and oversized chocolate chip cookies.
OVERALL: This is a solid option with good food and more than enough seating. It’s great for a meeting and for plugging away on your laptop as long as you’re prepared for a little bit of noise.
About Coffee UWS
NEIGHBORHOOD: Upper West Side
PLUG SITUATION: There are a few along the walls – not a lot but fairly standard.
SEATING: Four tables for two people, one couch, one six personal communal table and two high top tables for two people near the window. On a nice day there is also seating outside.
BATHROOM SITUATION: There isn’t one. I am not entirely sure that is legal. Regardless, don’t come here with a full bladder.
NOISE LEVEL: It’s not super loud. Comfortable amount of background noise. You can have a conversation with someone and not be afraid that everyone around you can hear you.
LIGHTING: Warm lights overhead but the floor to ceiling windows bring in a good amount of natural light.
FOOD: Coffee, tea and some pastries
INTERNET: works well, no complaints
OVERALL: This is a solid option as long as you don’t have a full bladder.
Recreation At Moxy Downtown
NEIGHBORHOOD: Financial District
ADDRESS: 26 Ann St. 3rd Floor
PLUG SITUATION: There’s a lot. This is a very big space. There are spots underneath the bar, next to a couch on the far wall, in another set of bar style seats and a handful on the floor.
SEATING: There is a lot here. There is a row of eight two person tables near the elevator bank. Five two person tables that look like chess boards and a long table with room for 12 people. There’s two lounge areas with couches and lounge chairs. One is closest to the entrance and the other on the far side. There is also a bar and a row of six bar top tables for two people.
WIFI: Works well. It's an open network.
BATHROOM SITUATION: There are two single person gender neutral bathrooms.
NOISE LEVEL: This place can be loud. It is also a restaurant, hotel lobby and bar with bar games in the lobby space. There is skeeball, shuffle boards, and a giant connect four. If you cannot work through the noise, this isn’t the place for you.
LIGHTING: It’s warmly lit with a good amount of natural light from the far wall plus a skylight.
FOOD: This is also a bar and restaurant with light eats so you can grab a flatbread, salad or sandwich while you work or maybe some guac or a cheese board. The options are endless. They have a coffee selection and a full bar.
OVERALL: This is a solid option to get some work done in the Financial District. This place is ideal for a meeting especially if you are (or want to come off as) the swanky and trendy type. This place can get loud so if you are the type that needs quiet, this place may not be for you.
Brooklyn Kolache
NEIGHBORHOOD: Bed Stuy
ADDRESS: 520 Dekalb Avenue (DeKalb and Beford)
PLUG SITUATION: There are lots of power strips and plugs next to the shared tables but not so much on the opposite wall. There are also a handful in the backyard but seem to only be accessible by two tables.
SEATING: There are three shared tables in the backroom. Each of them have a series of plugs near them. On the opposite wall there is a bench along the wall and a set of smaller tables intended for individual groups. There are tables both in front of the cafe in a small overhang and in the backyard.
WIFI: It works well. No complaints. Here’s the speed test:
BATHROOM SITUATION: There is one bathroom in the front. It’s intended for one person.
Beware, the tiles on the floor and wall are the same. Honestly, it was quite disorienting.
NOISE LEVEL: The noise level is comfortable in both the main indoor space and outdoor as well.
LIGHTING: It’s comfortable and reliant on the natural light.
FOOD: The food here is awesome. As the name suggests this place is known for its Kolaches — an iconic pastry by way of the Texas Hill Country’s Czech community — filed with either sweet or savory fillings inside (or atop a sweet roll). If you’re not familiar — it’s kind of like an empanada or even a danish. You can’t go wrong.
OVERALL: I highly recommend this place especially in the spring and summer months.