You are easily distracted. The concrete walls of your dorm or the paper thin walls of your apartment are both physical boundaries which limit your productivity.
“So go to the library, or the Tech Center!” HA and run into a million people you know? Especially Ashley, who never shuts TF up? Sorry Ash, tell me about your problems another time.
The library just isn’t a productive place for some people, and on-campus coffee shops are almost always as crowded as Broad Street during rush hour. So what is a diligent student like yourself to do? You’re desperate to get some work done, you just can’t find the right place to do it.
Luckily for you, I’ve compiled a list of awesome coffee shops in Philly, who offer free wifi, good beverages, and an environment conducive to getting sh** done.
Try them all out and see which one is the best fit for you!
Old City Coffee
221 Church St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Let’s start with one of the best cups of coffee in the city. I need good coffee to crank out top quality work. Bitter or foul-tasting coffee can throw off the entire morning, resulting in a B- paper at best. These beans are roasted in small batches, which results in a smooth and tasty cup of joe.
You may have spotted Old City Coffee in the Reading Terminal Market, a place I would NOT recommend going to be productive (or if you’re on a diet.) But they have another location in Old City, which is quaint and cozy. The shop also sells ice cream and shakes, so when all your sh** is finished, reward yourself with a scoop!
Menagerie
18th S 3rd Street, Old City
This place feels hip and low key the second you walk in the door. The space is bright and airy, with a touch of earthiness. The staff is super friendly, but no one will bug you after your order is up. The coffee is smooth and strong, but if you plan to stay for a while, order the green tea. After the tea steeps, you receive it in a small pot along with a tiny tea cup. It could potentially last for hours, or as long as it takes to get your sh** done!
Steap and Grind
1619 Frankford Ave, Fishtown
This is a great place to go for caffeine and a bite to eat. Although the outside has an industrial and commanding appearance, the inside is quiet and laid back. There’s also a park across the street if you have reading to catch up on or want to sit outside on a nice day. Steap and Grind prides themselves on a HUGE selection of teas, but the coffee is also flavorful and balanced. Grab a drink, write half of your report, take a sandwich break, then back to work. I cranked out the draft of an award-winning marketing proposal in this shop. Safe to say, you get sh** done here.
Elixir
207 S Sydenham St, Center City
Immediately when you enter Elixr, you’re welcomed by a quirky, yet rustic space. Sit wherever you please in this spacious shop, and don’t worry about premature laptop battery death: outlets are abundant. The coffee shop’s gigantic mural and art installations will get your creative juices flowing, and at the very least, those crazy patterns and pieces will keep you energized when the coffee wears off. Speaking of, this shop brews an amazing cup of coffee, with different roasts from around the world coming in every week. They sell baked goods from local (vegan!) vendor, Dottie’s Donuts, along with other menu items. With so much going on, it’s clear to see that this coffee shop gets sh** done; you can only hope that work ethic rubs off on you!
Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar
15 S 20th St, Rittenhouse Square
The best part about this charming coffee shop: it’s a bakery too! The atmosphere is cozy and calm. I usually come here alone, but it’s also ideal for small group projects. Although the space is a bit on the smaller side, there’s always an open seat. This is likely because most people in the area are working in the surrounding office buildings. The coffee is freshly roasted in small batches each day, resulting in an exceptional flavor. There is a wide variety of baked goods, served to you by friendly staff. They also have a to-die-for quiche on their limited lunch menu. Kill two birds with one stone, and go grocery shopping at the Trader Joe’s around the corner when you finish your work! How’s that for getting sh** done?
OCF Coffeehouse
2100 Fairmount Ave, Fairmount
Good news Temple! OCF Coffee House has multiple locations throughout the city, including this one that’s a quick bike/subway ride away on Fairmount Ave. Located directly across the street from the Eastern State Penitentiary, it’s scary how good the coffee is. OCF offers lunch, brunch, coffee, tea, and smoothies, but I recommend the pancakes. The contemporary and spacious design of this shop means you’re pretty much always guaranteed a seat! This coffee shop is nice because most of the other customers are there for the same reason as you: to get sh** done!
ReAnimator
1523 E Susquehanna St, Fishtown
I personally don’t like Re-Animator coffee. The fruity notes are too strong for my taste, but there are people out there who really enjoy it! The reason I included them on this list is because of the store’s awesome atmosphere in both the Fishtown and Kensington locations. Sit outside on a nice day, or inside at a table when the cold weather comes around. There’s free wifi, baked goods, and tea – another great source of caffeine! Your sh** will be done in no time.
The struggle is finally over. Your chatty friend and disgusting dining hall coffee are no longer valid excuses for your lack of productivity. Now that you know of all these great spots, you have no reason not to get sh** done!
Disclaimer: No sh** got done at the time of this photo.