Want to work remotely in LA coffee shops without annoying others or the staff? Here’s a quick guide to help you balance productivity and respect for shared spaces:
- Spend responsibly: Buy something every 1.5 hours (at least $5) to support the café.
- Be considerate: Keep noise down, share tables, and avoid peak hours (e.g., mornings and lunch).
- Use WiFi and outlets wisely: Avoid heavy internet use and bring a power backup.
- Tidy up: Clean your space and tip staff 20% to show appreciation.
- Know where to go: Cafes like Verve Coffee, Maru Coffee, and Espresso Profeta are great for remote work.
Whether you’re in Downtown LA or Silver Lake, these tips ensure you stay productive without overstaying your welcome.
Top 5 LA Coffee Shops To Work From
Working in LA Coffee Shops
LA coffee shops have become hubs for remote workers, blending the traditional community vibe with the needs of modern work setups.
Respecting Shared Spaces
Working remotely in a coffee shop requires balancing your own productivity with respect for others around you. As Wayne Saucier Jr. puts it, "If you're being an asshat in a coffee shop, then your contribution is a net negative, and you're validating the stereotypes that generate resentment toward all of us".
Here are a few key tips for being a considerate cafe worker:
- Choose your spot wisely: Opt for smaller or shared tables to leave larger ones available for groups.
- Support the business: Make a purchase every couple of hours to justify your stay.
- Keep the noise down: Use headphones for calls or videos.
- Be mindful of peak times: If the cafe gets crowded, consider moving on to free up space.
- Use Wi-Fi responsibly: Avoid activities that require heavy bandwidth, like large file uploads or streaming.
Next, let’s explore some LA coffee shops that are especially welcoming to remote workers.
LA's Work-Friendly Cafes
Many cafes across LA have embraced the remote work culture, offering spaces that cater to both productivity and comfort:
- Downtown LA: Verve Coffee Roasters provides plenty of seating, free Wi-Fi, and restrooms. Capital One Café combines workspace amenities with discounts for cardholders.
- Arts District & Echo Park: Maru Coffee offers free Wi-Fi but limited seating, while Eightfold Coffee has diverse seating options and closes at 4:30 PM.
- West Side & Silver Lake: La La Land Kind Cafe has free Wi-Fi but limited power outlets, and Intelligentsia Coffee in Silver Lake remains a favorite for remote workers.
"Coffee shops are a post-pandemic proxy for the social environment offices used to provide and tons of professionals use them as a regular workspace."
– Alyssa Wiens
However, some cafes have introduced stricter laptop or Wi-Fi policies. For example, Highly Likely Cafe and Swork have specific rules in place. When choosing a spot, look for cafes with plenty of outlets, comfortable seating, and an atmosphere that encourages productivity.
Basic Rules for Remote Work in Cafes
Buying Food and Drinks
Plan to spend at least $5 every 90 minutes, including a tip, to show support for the café. Keeping an active order not only signals your patronage but also helps maintain good relations with the staff. If you're staying for a while, try different menu items to mix things up. Once you've placed your order, pick your seating carefully.
Seating and Time Management
Choose your spot wisely to stay productive while being considerate of others:
- Pick the smallest table that fits your needs.
- Keep your belongings within your space to avoid taking up more room than necessary.
- If you're at a larger table, be open to sharing with others.
- Be flexible and ready to move if the café gets busier or someone else needs the space.
Managing Sound Levels
Keeping the café atmosphere calm is key. Here's how to do your part:
- Use noise-canceling headphones for any audio.
- Step outside if you need to take a long call.
- Keep your voice low during any conversations.
"Using headphones for calls and keeping your voice down is crucial to maintaining a peaceful environment within coffee shops when remote working." – Luke Dalton, Author at Working From Coffee Shops
Using Power and WiFi
Shared spaces mean shared resources, so be mindful when using power and WiFi:
- Sit near outlets but don’t block them from others.
- Bring a small power strip to share outlets if needed.
- Avoid activities that use a lot of bandwidth, like streaming.
- Carry a battery backup to stay charged during busy times.
Some cafés have specific rules about laptop use and time limits. For example, they might change WiFi passwords regularly or restrict access during peak hours, so check the policies before settling in.
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Managing Busy Hours
Peak Hours to Avoid
If you're planning to work at a café, it's considerate to steer clear of these high-traffic times:
Weekdays:
- Morning: 7–9 AM
- Lunch: 12–2 PM
- Afternoon: 4–6 PM
Weekends:
- Morning: 9–11 AM
- Evening: 7–9 PM
Off-peak hours are ideal for finding space and practicing good space-sharing habits.
Table Sharing Tips
When the café is bustling, it’s essential to use space thoughtfully:
For Solo Workers:
- Pick the smallest table that fits your needs.
- Arrange your setup to signal that others can share the table.
- Stick to one side if you’re using a larger table.
- Keep your belongings tidy and within your area.
For Shared Spaces:
- Opt for community tables if they’re available.
- Choose seats that are less desirable to avoid monopolizing prime spots.
- Keep your workspace compact and organized.
- Be flexible and ready to adjust or relocate if necessary.
"If you are one person, use one table (or portion of a table) and one chair. Do not spread your things out and do not use up space that other people could use." - Alyssa Wiens, Freelancer
If the café environment isn’t working out, coworking spaces might be a better fit.
Other Places to Work
Here are some coworking spaces worth considering:
| Workspace | Daily Rate | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Second Home Hollywood | $25 | $400 |
| Epiphany Space | $20 | $75/week |
| Rita House | – | $275 |
| Phase Two | – | $325 |
| Soho Works 9000 Sunset | – | $450 |
| NeueHouse | – | $595 |
"The amenities, staff and common spaces are top tier" - Industrious Playa District Member
These coworking spaces offer reliable WiFi, dedicated work areas, and a professional atmosphere. Many also provide flexible options, whether you need a daily pass or a monthly membership.
Being a Good Customer
How you interact with staff, order, and share space can make your cafe visits more enjoyable and respectful.
Tips and Building Rapport with Staff
Show appreciation to cafe staff by tipping at least 20% and placing your orders in person whenever possible. This small effort fosters mutual respect. Also, make sure to clean up your space before leaving.
Exploring the Menu
Switch up your orders every 2–3 hours to contribute fairly to the cafe's revenue. It's also a great way to discover seasonal specials and local pastries that many LA cafes are known for. These thoughtful ordering habits help support the business and strengthen community connections.
Respecting Others Around You
Keep your conversations quiet and short; if you need to chat longer, step outside. At larger tables, sit in a way that invites others to share the space comfortably.
"Being polite is little more than taking other people's feelings, needs, and desires into account before you act." - Tim Bruno
For virtual meetings, use headphones and speak softly to avoid disturbing others.
"Just because the coffee shop people do not ask you to order something every few hours and allow you free and limitless access to their WiFi doesn't mean you should exploit their kindness." - Tarandeep Singh, Support Manager at JustCall
These habits help create the welcoming and cooperative vibe that makes LA's cafe culture so vibrant.
Best LA Cafes for Remote Work
If you're looking for a great spot to work remotely in Los Angeles, you're in luck. Many cafes in LA now provide what remote workers need - solid WiFi, plenty of power outlets, and comfortable seating.
Remote-Friendly Cafes by Area
Here's a quick list of some standout cafes for remote work:
| Neighborhood | Features |
|---|---|
| Westwood | Espresso Profeta: Free WiFi and a relaxing leafy patio |
| Hollywood | Stereoscope: Laid-back atmosphere perfect for focus |
| West Hollywood | Bonsai Coffee Bar: Plenty of outlets and great drinks |
For more options and the latest updates, visit BestCoffeeShopsLA.com.
Why Use BestCoffeeShopsLA.com?
BestCoffeeShopsLA.com is a handy resource for finding remote-work-friendly cafes across Los Angeles. It’s packed with features to make your search easy:
- Filter cafes by neighborhood and amenities like WiFi or outlets
- Read detailed descriptions of each location
- Submit your favorite spots to the directory
- Dive into blog posts about LA's coffee scene
The platform offers a free access plan, which includes viewing all listed cafes and using basic filters. Plus, the directory is updated often to reflect changes in hours, WiFi, and seating. Use the filters to find exactly what you need - fast.
Conclusion
Working remotely in LA coffee shops offers a mix of productivity and community connection. As these spaces increasingly double as shared work environments, remote workers take on new responsibilities to help maintain the balance.
Steve Sutton, owner of Devoción, shares an insightful perspective:
"There's no right or wrong. I can tell you that the space feels better when there's conversation, when there is reading, when there's less typing. When it's just a laptop heaven, the space tends to be a little bit colder in energy. We try to take a very balanced position and understand both sides."
This balance doesn't just shape the vibe of a cafe - it can also impact its bottom line. For example, data shows that remote workers using cafe WiFi spend approximately $70.16 per month, helping sustain these businesses during tough times.
Your actions as a remote worker influence the overall experience for everyone. As Wayne Saucier Jr. puts it:
"A warm, welcoming, socially receptive atmosphere is the gold standard for these kinds of spaces"
Whether you're enjoying a latte at Espresso Profeta or setting up your laptop at Stereoscope, your respectful presence helps these coffee shops thrive. Moses Lee, General Manager at Le Pain Quotidien, highlights the ongoing challenges:
"With the pandemic over, we were expecting it to get better, but we're still struggling"
