Published February 24, 2023
The Best Places to Work Remotely in NYC
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by New York Bucket List
After years of working from cramped NYC apartments, New Yorkers are ready for a change of scenery. Instead of hustling from your bed slash office slash conference room for another day, why not take advantage of flexible work-from-home policies and try out a cool new remote work spot?
Bucket Listers has rounded some of the top cafes, coworking spots, and public spaces throughout the city. Take a look at our picks below:
Hungry Ghost
With 13 locations around the city, there’s bound to be a Hungry Ghost coffee shop near you. Head to one of their cafes, and you’ll find a bright, busy space with lots of seating and free WiFi, plus plenty of gourmet coffee. Hungry Ghost has its own line of coffee made in partnership with Stumptown Roasters, plus nitro brews and kombucha on tap, so you’ve got options to keep you going all day!
WiFi: Free WiFi
Where: Various - see all locations here.
Hours: Hours vary; see individual location for details.
Manhattanville Coffee
Harlem-based Manhattanville Coffee is more than just a coffee shop – its mission is to serve as a community hub for their neighborhood. The shop is perfect for remote workers, with cafe tables and communal tables, big picture windows so you can settle in and watch the world go by as you knock out a few hours of work, and of course, fantastic coffee. They serve up beans from Parlor Coffee and tea from Kilogram tea to keep you caffeinated. Don’t skip the berry scone or the cheddar chive biscuit for a delicious afternoon snack.
WiFi: Free
Where: 142 Edgecombe Ave, New York, NY 10030
Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Saturday - Sunday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Your Local Public Library
With all of the coffee shops and coworking places that have sprung up in recent years, it’s easy to forget one of the old standbys of students and remote workers alike: public libraries. Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens all have their own library systems with locations throughout the area, and libraries offer a quiet, distraction-free work environment with free WiFi. Can’t decide which one to choose from? We’d suggest the Rose Main Reading Room at the New York Public Library or the Central Library in Brooklyn.
WiFi: Free
Where: Various locations, including Manhattan Brooklyn Queens
Hours: Vary; Visit individual library websites for information.
For more information: Manhattan Brooklyn Queens
Cooper Hewitt Museum Terrace & Garden
If you need some fresh air, head to the Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden at the Cooper Hewitt Museum. While the museum requires tickets for entry, the garden and terrace are accessible to all. Connect to the museum’s free WiFi to get some work done while you enjoy a fresh breeze, or take a break and play on one of their ping pong tables. There is also a cafe on the grounds if you fancy a bite to eat while you work.
WiFi: Free museum WiFi
Where: 200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024
Hours: Thursday–Monday, 10:00 AM to Dusk
180 Maiden Lane Atrium
Have you heard of POPS? Also known as privately owned public spaces, developers in NYC are sometimes given additional zoning privileges in exchange for including these spaces in their buildings. It's an excellent perk for remote workers, as dozens of these spaces are tucked into skyscrapers dotting the city. One of our faves? The Atrium at 180 Maiden Lane. This space features tropical plants, astroturf, and plenty of picnic benches and cafe tables, making it a great escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown. There’s even a cafe on-site if you need a snack or a caffeine boost. As a bonus, if you need a breath of fresh air, you can pop across the street to the East River Greenway for a stroll with beautiful views of the river and the Brooklyn Bridge.
WiFi: unknown
Where: 180 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
Hours: Weekdays from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
The Ludlow Hotel
If you’re looking to mix things up a bit, The Ludlow Hotel has a stylish lobby open 24/7, welcoming digital nomads and creatives of all kinds to stop by and stay awhile. They’ve got free WiFi, hip decor, and a lush outdoor patio, all of which combine for a creative, inspiring space to work. Reward yourself after a long day with a cocktail served up by one of their skilled bartenders at the lobby bar.
WiFi: Free
Where: 180 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002
Hours: Open 24 hours
Book Club
Does working in a cozy cafe surrounded by books sound like a dream? Well, this reader’s paradise makes your dreams a reality! Book Club is a bookstore slash wine bar in Alphabet City that’s open to remote workers to set up camp during the day. They offer cozy armchairs and work tables tucked amongst the stacks of books or a patio if you need some fresh air and a change of scenery! Visitors are welcome to work for free until 7 PM, when it’s time to shut your laptop so the staff can prepare for evening events.
WiFi: Free and available until 7 PM
Where: 197 East 3rd Street, New York, NY 10009
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - Midnight, Saturday & Sunday 9:00 AM - Midnight
The Ace Hotel
Check in to your workday at the Ace Hotel, a trendy Midtown spot that not only welcomes remote workers but encourages them to settle in for the day. Their chic, thoughtfully designed lobby features large communal tables and comfortable leather couches, snack offerings for sale ranging from Stumptown coffee to mezze platters for noshing while you work, and plenty of outlets and USB ports.
The lobby usually fills with creative types, so it’s great for those looking to network – even more so as the day transitions into the evening and people close their computers and head to the bar as a DJ spins tunes. With free WiFi and plenty of people-watching, this might be your new favorite WFH spot!
WiFi: Free
Where: 20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001
Hours: Open 24 hours (see cafe hours for food service)
NeueHouse
NeueHouse is reimagining co-working for creatives with their elegantly designed community space in Madison Square. Members have access to many areas, including private studios, broadcast & podcast facilities, conference & screening rooms, and more. In addition to their thoughtfully designed workspaces, NeueHouse offers members access to refined cuisine and cultural programming to keep artists and entertainers engaged and thriving.
WiFi: Yes, included with membership
Where: 110 E 25th St, New York, NY 10010
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
The Farm Soho
A barn in the middle of NYC? Yep, you heard that right. The founders of The Farm found a century-old barn in Mississippi and reassembled it piece by piece to create a cozy coworking community space in the heart of the city. Dedicated coworking spaces are an excellent option for remote workers looking for fast WiFi, a guaranteed desk (no waiting for those girls to stop Instagramming their lattes and leave the coffee shop), and a community of other workers. The Farm offers a range of memberships from day passes to private offices, printing services, unlimited coffee & tea, and community events like happy hours and educational workshops. You can even bring your furry friend to keep you company!
WiFi: Yes, included with day pass or membership
Where: 447 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10013 (with other locations in Nolita and Nomad)
Hours: Open 24 hours
Devoción
If you can’t bear to look at your Keurig machine for one more day, get yourself over to Devoción Café for some of the best coffee in the city to enjoy while you work. Housed in a former warehouse with reclaimed wood and exposed brick, this cozy industrial-chic Brooklyn coffee shop offers workers comfy leather couches, free WiFi, and of course – a delicious supply of caffeinated beverages.
WiFi: Yes
Where: 69 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Hours: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM daily