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I spend a lot of time working out of coffee shops. Yes, I do have an office. And I work from home a lot. But, sometimes I find the office too distracting and home just too quiet.
On these days, I go in search of a coffee shop with free WiFi so I can get some work done in an environment with energy & activity, but one where no one knows me and will stop by my table to chat.
I have a few favorites that I tend to hit over and over, but I’m always on the lookout for new places to try.
Free WiFi is Just a Start:
I have a list of requirements for my WiFi spots before I’ll grab my laptop and head out for a work session. My favorite places have all 5 of the features below.
- Free Wi-Fi (free)
- Good coffee with free unlimited refills (coffee)
- Good access to outlets (plugs)
- Real food…not just muffins & dessert (food)
- Easy parking (cars)
To help you decide where you want to take your computer, I am noting these features on my list below for the places that I’ve visited.
If you see any free WiFi spots I’ve missed, or can give us any information about the WiFi experience on any of the places I’ve listed below, leave a comment at the end of the post. And definitely let me know if the information is wrong…a place is closed or doesn’t actually offer free WiFi.
I also spend a lot of time in WiFi stops throughout St. Louis. See the complete list of St. Louis Free WiFi or check out the map I put together if you want to venture outside of UCity.
Free WiFi Spots in University City:
Meshuggah Cafe
free, plugs, food, cars
Another of my favorite coffee shops, Meshuggah has a post college hand-me-down furniture feel to it. There is pretty much seating with a small upstairs area which includes a couple of couches. The menu is somewhat limited, but the food is good and freshly made. My favorite is their pesto and fresh mozzarella covered bagel. They also serve beer and wine and are open late. My only gripe is that the espresso style coffee is too strong for me and doesn’t include free refills. Extension cords snake the floor and every table is typically filled late into the night with students, professors and an assortment of other laptop bearing customers.
St. Louis Bread Company (aka Panera Bread)
free, coffee, plugs, food, cars
With multiple locations all over town, Bread Co has become a clear choice for laptop bearing customers and business meetings. Every cafe has quite a few outlets plus enough seating that you can usually get a table near them. The only drawback – there is a 30 minute time limit on free WiFi from 11:30-2:00 pm. Given how busy they get at lunchtime, I can forgive this limitation. The UCity Loop location is one of my favorites. It has an energizing atmosphere with a nice mix of people…typical of the Loop. Most of the time you’ll find laptop users camped out in the area by the fireplace near the front door and the long table area just to the right of the entrance. The main seating area is typically full of diners.
University City Public Library
free, plugs, cars
I’m guessing on this one, since I have to admit that I’ve never taken my computer to the library and haven’t been inside in years. But I would assume that outlets are easy to find and I know that there is a free lot reserved for the library just behind the building.
Free WiFi Just Outside of University City:
There are a few places that are technically not in University City, but are close enough you could walk a few blocks and you would back back in our fair city. I’ve included these WiFi spots since they are good alternatives for UCity residents who want some variety.
Barnes & Noble Bookstores (Ladue)
free, food, cars
In 2009, Barnes & Noble dropped the fees for wifi, making the bookstore a great option for laptop users. They offer a limited menu and Starbucks coffee (no free refills). At the Ladue location (Ladue & 170 in the Schnucks center), I only saw a couple of outlets. I’m guessing that it might be hard to get an outlet and a table during busy times, but there are also a few chairs scattered throughout the store.
City Coffee House & Creperie (Clayton)
free, coffee, food
I’ve never taken my laptop with me here, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone sitting and working at this tasty cafe. They get a lively weekend brunch and weekday lunch crowd, and I wouldn’t plan on working during these hours. The tables are also a bit small for working. The highlight for me is the wonderful food (crepes, wraps, salads, waffles and quiche).
Culture Cafe (St. Louis City – Loop)
free, plugs, food
I was excited to see another option for free WiFi in the Loop, but left really disappointed after my visit to the Culture Cafe. After feeding my meter for 2 hours, I discovered that the WiFi wasn’t working and no one there seemed to have a clue about how to get it going. They did lead me to their router and let me reboot it (to no avail). The menu was overpriced and portions were very small, and even though I gave me order directly to the cook and told her twice I didn’t want my shrimp & curry rice spicy, she still sprinkled something across the shrimp that made it almost too hot for me to eat. When I asked if they had coffee, the response was ‘we can put it on’. And they don’t have an ice machine, so I ended up with a $1.50 Diet Coke out of the can. The staff could use some lessons in customer service, especially since I was the only diner there when I stopped in. As much as I hate to say it, if you are looking for a place to camp out with your computer, I would keep looking.
First Watch (Clayton)
free, plugs, food, cars
I’ve never taken my laptop into a First Watch, and I’m not sure that they would appreciate someone camping out for a few hours. First Watch is more of a diner style breakfast and lunch spot, with staff buzzing around turning over the tables as fast as they can during the busy times of day. Please note that though First Watch has unlimited free refills on coffee, I think they have some of the worst coffee in town. I think that First Watch could work if you wanted to check your email or conduct a business meeting using your Powerpoint presentation over lunch, but if you are looking for a 2nd office, I would pick another spot on the list.
Kaldi’s (Clayton)
free, coffee, plugs, food
Another of my favorites, Kaldi’s has 2 cozyClayton locations (DeMun and by the Ritz Hotel) plus large coffee shop/cafes in Kirkwood and Chesterfield. Kaldi’s is also a coffee roaster, so the coffee always tastes great. The menus are limited in Clayton, as are tables and outlets. WiFi is free for 2 hours with a purchase – you’ll need to ask for a WiFi code when you pay at the register. Need more time, ask for another code, or simply buy yourself a cookie and get another 2 hours.
Kayak’s (St. Louis City – Skinker & Forest Park Parkway)
free, coffee, plugs, food
Located on the edge of the Washington University campus and only a few feet from University City and Forest Park, Kayaks is normally filled with college students and a few professors. Still, I find the atmosphere energizing and love the extensive menu. I didn’t give them credit for easy parking since the lot behind the building has 24 hour meters…and in St. Louis most of us expect free parking unless we are in downtown St. Louis or downtown Clayton.
Northwest Coffee Roasting Company (Clayton)
free, plugs
Since Northwest Coffee doesn’t have food other than some granola bars and baked goods, and the coffee doesn’t come with free refills, I don’t tend to spend as much time at this coffee house. However, the small corner coffeehouse atmosphere and easy access to outlets makes it a good stop for me in mid-afternoon or early evening.
Stratton’s (Clayton) free, coffee, plugs, food
Located on the street leading to the Ritz Carlton, parking can be a pain at the Clayton location. There is a paid parking garage and Stratton’s will valid your parking ticket for a few hours, but you’ll still will have a good walk from your car. Stratton’s has a full breakfast and lunch menu available all day, with very reasonable prices. They serve Kaldi’s coffee with unlimited self-serve refills. It’s very easy to get a booth with an outlet, but the atmosphere feels more like a lunch spot than a place where people hang out.
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