Philly is a big city fill of places to explore.
I am a busy gal who wears many hats.
I mean that figuratively — hats are not my accessory of choice.
In all seriousness, I am almost always working on (or procrastinating working on) something.
Whether it be assignments for class, content creation, freelance projects or general administrative labors of living, like scheduling dentist appointments. Juggling all of these roles and tasks can be tough. I’m sure many of you can relate!
I am most productive working outside of my house. There are days when I work from home but they tend to be centered around laundry, cleaning and cooking. Every so often the 1950’s housewife in me comes out — always a pleasant surprise!
However, it can be a tedious task to find good workplaces. This is why I’ve compiled a list of six of my favorite places to get sh*t done in the city! Don’t worry, these aren’t (all) your traditional coffeehouses.
Devil’s Alley, 1907 Chestnut Street
During my freshman year of college I worked as a waitress here and made some good friends I still keep in touch with.
When I’m not in the mood for a coffee and want to grab a beer or small bite, I go to Devil’s Alley. The high-ceilings and skylights above the bar makes my day — I am a huge fan of natural light!
The staff is always great and there is a rotating draft list!
The bar isn’t huge, and during the lunch rush (12pm – 2:30pm) it can get a little rowdy and loud.
If you cannot work in a noisy environment, this probably isn’t your place.
The wifi is kind of erratic, but you can claim a complimentary hour pass through Xfinity.
I set up my hotspot from my cell phone, seat myself near an electrical outlet and tackle my work.
I typically am here on Tuesdays or Wednesdays when Brett is bartending. Go see him and say Alex sent you — he hooks it up and is super personable!
Make sure you get fries! I opt for classic, but Old Bay are good too. Brain food, right??
Capital One Cafe, 135 South 17th Street
These spaces are located in major cities, including Philadelphia, Boston and Seattle.
The cafe offers free wifi for all visitors, a welcoming atmosphere, quality Peet’s Coffee and ample seating.
There are also tons of electrical and USB ports! Nothing is worse than a giant working space with nowhere to charge electronics. First world problems, I know.
Aside from the perks mentioned above, there is free financial coaching available to anyone! Capital One identified the divide between millennials and banking then moved towards bridging that gap with the introduction of Capital One Cafes.
Grab an incredibly cheap coffee (members get 50% off) and talk about how to better manage your money with an expert financial advisor? Yes please.
I have to admit I am partially biased since I am a Capital One member but hey, discounts on coffee are always appreciated. Plus there are time frames when members get free coffee! So yeah, being a member is great, I love it.
Herman’s Coffee, 1313 South 3rd Street
This former auto repair garage turned coffee shop is adorable with a wide variety of speciality espresso beverages, if you’re feeling adventurous! The aesthetic of this joint screams retro summer vibes.
Coffee choices range from simple black coffee to espresso tonic mixes.
The coffee is good and strong. Available seating options are large communal tables, solo bar seating or lawn chairs.
The inspiration behind this interior design concept comes from the owner’s grandfather, Herman, who was known for sitting in his lawn chair sipping a fresh cup of coffee. This space does more than just warm the heart with their story, they also are supportive of local business ventures! Over the summer they hosted pop-up shops with different Philly businesses, including 1-900-ICE-CREAM.
Follow Herman’s Coffee on Instagram for more information on future events!
Rittenhouse Square
I practically live in this park, I’m here so often! Growing up in the city, I have always found myself drawn to the park.
I really enjoy people watching. I can sit on a bench and observe everything around me for long periods without being bored. The range of people you will encounter during your time here is quite remarkable! This is one of the reasons why Rittenhouse is such an awesome place to hang around.
Some of my favorite stories of talking with strangers stems from this park, but that’s a whole different topic. Nonetheless, there is never a dull moment here!
On Tuesdays and Saturdays the park is lined with vendors selling fresh bouquets of flowers, produce, jellies, jams, bread and seasonal specialities. If I swing by on a Tuesday afternoon, I usually grab a mini pretzel from Lost Bread Co. Aside from food, artists and other creative spirits frequent the park. Although the weather is getting cooler, I would recommend spending some time in the park. It’s a great place to sit and recenter yourself, especially now that the crowds have thinned out from summer.
The downside to this spot is the lack of wifi and electricity. However, there is a complimentary hour of Xfinity wifi you can use. And when you need to charge up or use the restroom, there is a Barnes & Nobles directly across the street which is open to the public! Inside, on the second floor, there is also a Starbucks cafe which you could work at but I crave the fresh air.
Good Karma Cafe, 928 Pine Street
This fair-trade coffee chain has four locations around Philadelphia, but this one is the largest (and my favorite).
If I am going to be sitting in a coffee shop, then it has to hit all criteria: strong coffee, ample outlets and comfortable seating.
Plus you’ve got to offer more than just coffee — ya girl has to eat!
Good Karma has tons of tables, offers the option of seat cushions and has an entire menus of food choices, which is awesome. Another plus is that they have a few outdoor tables, but they are difficult to snag!
Pennsport Beer Boutique, 242 Wharton Street
I was at Herman’s Coffee one day working on some stuff. I got a bit hungry and this place was right next door attached to Charlie’s Roast Pork, a place that make bomb roast pork sandwiches. I decided on going there for lunch. I knew this little island of merchants has been in the Pennsport District for a while, but I am rarely ever by this part of South Philly — I spend a vast majority of my time in Center City.
Pennsport Beer Boutique offers 6 rotating draft beers, including a seasonal Cold Press Coffee Pumking by Southern Tier. (Which sounds AH-MAH-ZING!!) Aside from the draft list, there are an extensive variety of bottled options. Whatever you may choose, you’re allowed to drink it into Charlie’s Roast Pork. You bet I set myself up in the corner, ordered my food, ate and was incredibly nice to my waitress. 10/10 would recommend for good people, beer and food.
Where do you go to work in the city? Let me know in the comments below!
As always, thank you for reading. 🙂
Talk to y’all soon,
Alex
ALEXANDRA SWANSON 
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