6 Free Places to Work Remotely in New York City

January 29, 2022
Laptop, headphones and books on a table in a coffee shop

Visiting New York City and looking for a fun space to get some work without shelling out for a co-work space day pass? Here are 6 (free!) spaces I’ve stayed productive in across the city.

Devoción Coffee

Devoción Coffee has a strong following, as the coffee is sourced directly from Colombia and roasted on site immediately. There are three locations across NYC (in Flatiron, Williamsburg and Downtown Brooklyn) and each are spacious, filled with plants, and remote workers enjoying the free wifi. My favorite location for working purposes is in Williamsburg thanks to a massive sunroof window that will keep you from feeling like you’re stuck inside working all day!

Canal Street Market

If you find yourself downtown, have a working lunch at Canal Street Market’s Food Hall. There is open wifi and food vendors vary, but Joe’s Cantonese Steam Rice Rolls remain a cheap, local favorite. Follow it with a bubble tea Boba and check out the market’s mixed-use space that hosts podcasts recordings, artists in residence and retail pop-ups.

Starbucks Reserve Roastery New York

I know, I know but trust me. It’s not just any Starbucks. There are only three Starbucks Reserves across the country, and New York’s opened in Chelsea in 2018. The roastery is HUGE, and in addition to a cafe with its own special drink menu, retail space, and an espresso themed bar, the lower level offers ample working space surrounding a coffee flight bar. 

The Ace Hotel

This historic boutique hotel has a cozy lounge that screams old school New York yet has ample plugs and charging stations. You can settle into an old leather armchair or grab a seat in the bar area. They offer rotating cocktails, bar snacks and a weekday happy hour to keep you going. This lounge is fairly large, but can fill up quickly, as many come to work all day.

Paper Coffee in Made Hotel

Just around the corner from The Ace Hotel, I ended up here one day when Ace was full and actually may prefer it. There is both a coffee shop and hotel bar in the Made Hotel lobby, making it feel slightly like a (free!) coworking space. Grab a table in one of the front windows and look for the side lobby doors that lead you downstairs to Debajo tapas bar when in need of a bathroom break.

New York Public Library

There’s public libraries, and then there’s THE Rose Main Reading Room at the New York Public Library’s main campus, which is open to the public for research and quiet study. Not only do they keep it quiet and clean, you will feel like you are in a film, and may see a few tour groups pass by while you work. 

Reward yourself with a cocktail and view at one of my favorite nearby rooftop bars when you’re done.

One March in Paris

One March in Paris

March- the month in Paris where some days feel like spring and others forecast snow. One of the best parts of this ambivalent weather is the fact that Parisians end up unsure of what each day’s appropriate head attire should be, thus upping my odds of a few non-ironic...

One February in Paris

One February in Paris

I love February in Paris, and it has nothing to do with the allegedly love-filled holiday that occurs half way through it. February is the month I decided Paris was home. Paris feels quiet in January, but tinged with a lackluster air of recovery. The holidays have...

One January in Paris

One January in Paris

It feels a little funny to start here, as January is the one month of the year I *might* try to dissuade you from booking a ticket to Paris. It's just so gray. Seriously, the January I lived in Paris I saw the sun a grand total of 3 times in January. No, I'm not...

A Paris Cafe for Every Type of Traveler

A Paris Cafe for Every Type of Traveler

“Bonjour. Un café, s’il vous plaît.” If there is a single phrase that a tourist in Paris should make sure to store in even the most jetlagged of brains, this just might be it. Coffee. Café. Espresso. Noisette. Café Crème. The French take their coffee breaks quite...

24 Hours in Sorrento, Italy

24 Hours in Sorrento, Italy

Perched on the cliffs along the Bay of Naples, Sorrento is a coastal town overlooking sparkling waters dotted by the islands of Ischia, Capri and Mt. Vesuvius. For many, Sorrento is seen as the gateway to Amalfi, and may just be a quick transfer along the way to...

A Guide to Rome’s Trastevere Neighborhood

A Guide to Rome’s Trastevere Neighborhood

Trastevere is my absolute favorite Roman neighborhood - full of winding cobblestone streets dripping with ivy, local trattorias, and some of the coolest bars the city has to offer. This historically working class neighborhood still holds on to its roots, with a...

How to Eat Like a Local in Italy by Region

How to Eat Like a Local in Italy by Region

Italians are incredibly proud of their local gastronomy- and rightfully so! Those of us coming to visit are generally ready to devour every pizza, pasta and tiramisu in sight. However, if you are a tourist looking to eat and live like the locals, you need to know what...

6 Places to Visit in Rome with Beautiful City Views

6 Places to Visit in Rome with Beautiful City Views

Watch the sun rise or set over the Eternal City from any of these five gorgeous locations and you will soon understand why people are still saying "Rome wasn't built in a day" - its huge! Terrazza Piazza Garibaldi The focus of this terraced piazza is the Giuseppe...

Where to Eat with the Locals in Central Rome

Where to Eat with the Locals in Central Rome

The Eternal City is filled with trattorias and corner cafes that will make all your pasta and wine related dreams come true! However, in a city this busy and tourist laden, it can be hard to tap into the true local gems. Here are three options that will give you a...

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Central Park

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Central Park

Spending a perfect day in Central Park is bucket list material thanks to countless movies, books and television shows. The last time I was there, I got to chatting with the middle-aged woman sitting on the bench next to me, only to discover that this was not just her...