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Ask HN: What are some good public places to code?
23 points by smaili on June 24, 2015 | hide | past | favorite | 36 comments
Obviously "good" is subjective, but for me personally, I'm looking for any places that have outlets for charging computers, and a nice social vibe so it doesn't feel too lonely.

Answers can be either a type of place, e.g., coffee shops, or a specific place, e.g., Starbucks on University Ave in Palo Alto.



As other commenters have suggested, it's tough to beat public libraries (uni libraries often have late hours too if you can reach one).

In addition, I highly recommend https://workfrom.co/ the site lists places to work from (hehe) for a varied group of cities. You can either log in to add coffee shops or restaurants that haven't been added yet, or to suggest creating a page for your city (if it isn't already there).


If you're in SF or NY you should check out the AWS Loft:

http://aws.amazon.com/start-ups/loft/

Lots of people hang out here to code and work on their projects (and it doesn't have to be AWS related either). There's also free food and wifi.


I just checked the link. So it's basically a free place (no cover or membership fee), with free wifi, and free food, without any catch? Sounds a little too good to be true...


I'm assuming they slowly lure people into using AWS or Amazon products for something or other.


Come by some time and see :)

We also give free bootcamps and lectures here, as well as have occasional guest speakers (Chef, CoreOS, etc).

The only real downside is sometimes all the available seats/tables get occupied by people working on stuff, so it helps to get here when we open (10am).


I take it you work there? Would you mind sending me a message at me (at) smaili (dot) org? Thanks!


Any fine, tiny-font print claiming "they share the ownership of intellectual property invented using their resources"?


Nope! You can work on whatever you want, and keep it to yourself if you choose.


Oh wow, thanks for the heads up. Didn't even know this existed. I'll be sure to swing by in 2 weeks when I head to SF.


I tend to be pretty productive in a moderately busy Starbucks or other coffee shop. Something about having a lot of people nearby keeps me focused... probably because I don't really want to be the guy surfing facebook with my computer for hours at the coffee shop. Actually working seems much better.

If you opt for Starbucks, make sure to register a Starbucks card and use their app. Once you reach a certain level, you get free refills on drip coffee and teas.


My local Starbucks' connection speed deteriorated rapidly during the last 2 years up to being unusable in a peak hours.

Probably because as soon as local teenage patron opens his laptop - either youtube or FB videos starts playing non-stop.

I'd look for alternative, "undiscovered" spots.


>free refills

Woah ... that would be amazing. How much would it cost to get to this level? Is this also possible in Europe?


When I'm in the Bay Area I love working at the public libraries. If I remember correctly the San Francisco Public Library's main branch offers a free wifi connection at about 45mbps down and up; and they don't block port 22, so you can ssh all you want. There are also plenty of people working there, and you'll probably notice some other people coding.

The only downside of libraries are the hours (which are often very limited) and the lack of food. Also it's not a great place to take phone calls or work in groups.


If you come in with groups many places have study rooms. I've used these for team work in the past, works out pretty well.


http://www.yelp.com/biz/coffee-bar-san-francisco

http://www.yelp.com/biz/epicenter-cafe-san-francisco

http://www.yelp.com/biz/haus-coffee-san-francisco

http://www.yelp.com/biz/arlequin-cafe-and-food-to-go-san-fra...

http://www.yelp.com/biz/workshop-cafe-san-francisco


If you have a mifi device, a shady table in a park is hard to beat.


There should be an initiative to add free WiFi and power to parks. The power outlets could be current-limited and off at night to discourage freeloaders (e.g., people charging their cars).


" off at night to discourage freeloaders (e.g., people charging their cars)."

How is charging a laptop not freeloading?


I wouldn't go out of my way to charge my laptop in the park instead of in my house. There are no savings there.

However, charging a car in a park is obviously worth it.


Starbucks on El Camino real (near the intersection of El Camino and Wolfe) in Sunnyvale. Very fast internet, unlike the one down the road that serves 3 universities.


Just don't call the address "the El Camino road" which translates as "the the road road" which bugs the heck out of me.


I like "the La Brea tar pits" in LA. ("the the tar tar pits")


And The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.


In the Los Angeles area, the food court at the Westfield Topanaga Mall has high counters and tables with outlets at each seat, including USB chargers. It's an upscale food court with real plates and silverware if you get hungry, and there is plenty of people watching. It's also on the second floor, with plenty of natural light.


Be sure to check LiquidSpace. You can find some free workspaces and even reserve a spot. For example: https://liquidspace.com/US/TX/The%20Colony/DALTC/workspace-1


Just out of curiosity, how do they make money?


I'm a big fan of Panera in pretty much any city (though I spent a lot of time in the Mountain View location at El Monte and El Camino Real when I lived nearby). They always have decent wifi, available power outlets, and they bring the food to your table so you don't have to leave your computer sitting around.


My local Panera's free WiFi comes with complimentary man in the middle interception of HTTPS.


Panera near me (NYC suburbs) is pretty terrible. The staff are bordering on rude and unprofessional and the food is not really all that great once you have other options. The wifi was limited during peak hours as well.


They also typically have good coffee and food pretty much any time of the day. :)


In Tokyo I often go to caffice in shinjuku http://caffice.jp/ . Power outlets, free wifi, coffee, food, comfy chairs.


Wow, those photos are really impressive. Wish we had something like that in the Bay Area!


A lot of younger creatives seem to like working from the Ace Hotel here in NY.


Cafe Trieste is my favourite spot in SF. Really awesome vibe at this place.


The library.


My favorite place to work. Unfortunately they close at 7pm in my city. University libraries are even better if you happen to be near one.




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