A cheap place (with Wifi) to sit and work all day.

Submitted by ParadoxicalGlutton t3_100rcvq in newhaven

As the title says I'm looking for a place to sit and work a full day in downtown New Haven. I've tried Starbucks but it's usually a busy place and it doesn't feel appropriate to be there for more than an hour. I also don't think their restroom is open for customers. I've looked up co-working spaces but I can't afford them on a daily basis. I've tried the Sterling memorial library but I'm a developer and their Wi-Fi doesn't allow anything other than http requests for guests. I'm not a Yale student. I know I'm being unreasonable but just wanted to check if there's any place like Starbucks where I can work a full day. Thanks!

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kppeterc15 t1_j2jbe42 wrote

Public library?

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ParadoxicalGlutton OP t1_j2kez3i wrote

I'm new to the country I'm sorry but looks like there are many public libraries, any one that you would recommend?

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flytweed t1_j2mdewq wrote

New Haven’s main (downtown) library branch on NH Green and also has a cafe section.

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kppeterc15 t1_j2mu47t wrote

Ives Branch is right on the Green downtown. I believe there's a small cafe now as well.

There are also branches in Westville and Fair Haven if either is more convenient.

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red-radiotwo t1_j2jp9ze wrote

NHFPL branches! Nhfpl.org

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berlinyachtclub t1_j2k3tk6 wrote

Graduate Hotel has a lot of places to sit all day and a coffee shop!

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DeskFan203 t1_j2k8yiz wrote

Public library. Some even have study rooms if you need a little more quiet for a few hours or need to take a call.

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ParadoxicalGlutton OP t1_j2kffez wrote

Looks like there are many public libraries, can you give me the name of the one that you have in mind? Thank you

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DeskFan203 t1_j2mn7a6 wrote

Oh, like any of them. That's what they're there for, basically the only place you can hang out without having to buy anything or being looked at weird for being there.

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Ecofre-33919 t1_j2kjp5q wrote

I’d pick the guilford public library. I know its not downtown new haven. The branford and east haven libraries would work too.

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Catlady_1001 t1_j2jz7w9 wrote

Booktraders cafe is great. One of the less noisy cafes and is a little spacious compared to other places.

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hamhead t1_j2kam3s wrote

Yeah that’s the same issue though… it’s not cool to take up a table all day there.

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HockeyandTrauma t1_j2jvgwo wrote

Library, book store, anywhere on yale campus (since almost all of it has free wifi), atrium of ynhh or cafeteria, same for src.

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DeskFan203 t1_j2k8tiq wrote

You can't get to atrium or any of the cafs @ ynhh/src just to use the wifi. You have to have a reason to get in or else security will turn you away.

Source: lived at both hospitals all summer and fall while my husband was inpatient (yup at both places 🙃)

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HockeyandTrauma t1_j2k94tm wrote

Ah fair enough. I feel like you can prolly just walk in, I've never really seen them fuss if someone just kinda keeps walking and doesn't go to the desk.

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XDserpa t1_j2kmm3r wrote

Go to 12% brewing, they open at 7 or 6 they serve coffee and welcome people to work from there. My girl has worked out of there on certain days

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brewski t1_j2molr5 wrote

If you want a quiet co-working office environment, I would suggest the space above Koffee? on Audubon. It's $8/day and a very nice environment. The coffee shop itself has free WiFi and some desk spaces but it often gets crowded.

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mpd763 t1_j2juriy wrote

Atticus Coffee?

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ParadoxicalGlutton OP t1_j2lb5xr wrote

I don't think it'll be appropriate to stay there for long hours as it's a busy place.

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Ecofre-33919 t1_j2k4fa9 wrote

Panera - can’t beat the bottomless coffee

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ParadoxicalGlutton OP t1_j2kfkil wrote

I think It's not appropriate to occupy a table there for an entire day since it's a restaurant

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Ecofre-33919 t1_j2khn5n wrote

I’m glad you asked. Actually that is not accurate. The truth is Panera is more like a coffee house cafeteria. You don’t have the server coming up to serve you and depending on your tip. You order your food at the counter. And the coffee is free all day all you have to do is order one cup of coffee and you can refill it as much as you want. I sometimes work remotely and what ever state I am in - if I know a panera is near by - i am confidant i’ll be able to work from there. I prefer this chain over starbucks because starbucks music is often too loud to concentrate and there are no free refills. But to your point - yes you should order something if you are going to study in a coffee house. I’ll get lunch or a pastry or two and of course the coffee. If you are not going to order anything at all it really is not polite to study in a coffee shop - in that case your default should be a library.

Edit - Consider the cafeteria too at ikea! Once again - its a cafeteria. Bottomless coffee. Only issue is bathroom is far from the cafeteria. No one will kick you out. Spacious area - nice view of the city.

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bluebird_on_skates t1_j2mqqv2 wrote

The Panera in North Haven closed. 😢

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Ecofre-33919 t1_j2nen8p wrote

Sad. I’ve worked there, studied there and had team meetings there for projects. The proximity to 91 and 95 plus the big parking lot…

Thanks for telling me i’ll edit

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brewski t1_j2plwro wrote

They're building a new one on Universal in front of the movie theater.

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RonnieRozbox t1_j2xkm5b wrote

Almost any public library would work for free. But I know there's a game store, Elm City Games thatt has day passes or monthly memberships and wi-fi and places to set up and do work, but I dunno what budget you actually would be willing to spend. A day pass is a little more than a coffee, (10$)

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