Best Work // Study // Chill Spots in & Around Chicago 2013

The top 5 Study, Work, Chill Coffee Shops in Chicago

Looking for a comfy escape, where you can cozy up with a hot cup of coffee, and get some work done?

Needed:

Free Wi-Fi.

Good Coffee.

A place to call you own (seating).

We found the best (our favorites) in and around the Chicago area.

Ipsento Coffee House

A small Coffee Shop located in Chicago’s Bucktown Neighborhood. It has two seating sections, one is in the front of the shop with bar seating looking out of the window to the street. As you walk toward the back, go up a few stairs and you’re in the back section, which has more seating, bookshelves and boardgames.

This is a pretty popular little spot, but you’ll most likely be able to find a place to settle down and get some work done for a few hours. Another plus, plenty of plugs (they’re all over the place).

If good coffee is a high priority for you, this is where it’s at. The coffee is phenomenal and the staff takes much care and attention in making it so. It’s roasted on location, and ground before each brew, just for you. In addition, the staff is courteous, respectful and made up of genuinely nice people.

Good music, gentle, not too loud, perfect for concentration & conversation.

Gaslight Coffee Roasters

A light, open and airy space, with large windows and plenty of seating. Located in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. There’s been lots of complaining about snobby staff on Yelp, which has in turn caused the staff to be overly nice, smiley and generous.

This place can get pretty crowded at peak times, but it is big enough to handle the load so you should have no problem grabbing a seat. The coffee is very good, roasted on location, and ground on demand. Good music, not terribly loud.

Coffee Lab

Very small neighborhood shop. It’s located in Evanston, IL, and is super clean, neat and organized.

Only has a few tables, but it’s rarely full. A perfect spot to get your study on, and dive deep into your work. They serve Intelligentsia coffee, and I would say it is good, but not great. If magical coffee is not a must for you, this will do just fine.

Music maybe a little on the loud side. You’ll hear everything, from Lion King to Rent.

ArrivaDolce

The coffee gem of Higland Park, IL. If you live on the North Shore, in biking distance of the Green Bay Trail, you can take a scenic bike ride right on over to this little oasis.

Plenty of seating in this casual, open, airy and comfortable space. Its a great spot to meet up with friends, read the paper in the morning, or hunker down for a couple hours of work.

Oh and they have gelato, and stock *Alchemy scones (must arrive early to snag one before they sell out).

The Wormhole Coffee

Located in Chicago’s Wicker Park Neighborhood. Very much on the main drag, and almost always packed. If you find a spot, you are lucky, very lucky.

Each time I’ve visited it has been thoroughly packed, its not a very big place and has a great location, making it a busy spot. They brew HalfWit Coffee, which is roasted in Chicago, and is quite good. They make it with a lot of care and attention, and trust me you won’t be dissapointed.

A tiny bit of snob staff syndrome, but nothing a couple of comfy seats, wi-fi connection and perfect coffee can’t cure.

Side Note

*Alchemy Coffee House

Must have scones, in Wilmette, IL. It’s where the best scones you’ve ever had in your life reside. The coffee is good too. Not recommended for hanging around in, grab your crack scones, and head over to Gillson beach for a scenic snack.

Tip: In the event that there are no scones, customers will launch into rage mode.

Did we miss a spot? Let us know in the comments below!

Originally Posted to cleverly.co http://www.cleverly.co/blog/2013/11/11/best-work-study-chill-spots-in-around-chicago

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