WiFi CityStates: Seattle, WA
September 6th, 2006 (7:46pm) Jackson West 4 CommentsTweet This
Seattle can take credit for two of the key components to living the bedouin lifestyle. Love them or hate them, Microsoft did play a key role in the personal computing revolution (and made a heap of money in the process). And of course, Seattle also brought fine coffee to the American public consciousness, with Starbucks synthesizing the European cafe concept with the McDonald’s fast food model (and made a heap of money in the process).
Rick Spencer, an information architect who lives in Seattle, says that the WiFi cafe scene is, unsurprisingly, quit vital:
I frequent the Zoka’s and Revolutions (not Revolution Coffee and Art). I’m a connoisseur of the wifi cafe, but I have not been to all of them, because there are too many. If you want a serious workspace, don’t expect the best coffee. If you want great coffee expect to either pay for the wifi, get spotty reception, or be surrounded by coffee patrons who hate you and your laptop, and don’t understand why you can’t just read a book.Because so many places have both and do both ok, I think you can find a good place in most neighborhoods.
Zokas and Revolutions are both near Greenlake, on the northern side of the city. South of Lake Union, Capitol Hill has long been a center for Seattle coffee culture, and I’m happy to see that bohemian mecca Bauhaus Books and Coffee is still foaming milk and fomenting conversation. Rick suggested a quick browse of the Coffee and Wireless in Seattle Wiki to find somewhere close to home.
Cafes aren’t your only options. Pagliaci Pizza, who offer one of the best slices in town, is experimenting with offering WiFi at their location near the University of Washington. And my sentimental favorite, down the street from my parent’s house, is the Philly Fevre Steak & Hoagie Shop. With messy-delicious cheesesteaks named after stars on the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, it’s about the least likely place you’d ever think to check your email.
A rare sighting of Macintoshes in the heart of Microsoft Country at Zoka’s cafe by Flickr user Macartisan.
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Seattle rocks for cafe Wifi working… spent many a long hour at many a Seattle cafe. btw, i live walking distance from Zoka and you see macs there *all* the time… its a student hang out, what would you expect?
Other cool places are sureshot on the ave and the new donought shop in belltown. Crap, its endless… Thai food, mountains, coffee, wifi everywhere… what else do you need?
Thanks for the lead on the philly steak shop. I had no idea Seattle was blessed with such a place. Been on the road a long time and I am looking forward to getting back.
There are lots of wifi cafes in Seattle that I haven’t checked out, because there’s such a great one right in my neighborhood: Victrola Coffee & Art of Capitol Hill. Excellent coffee, reliable free wireless service (except on weekends), lots of sturdy tables, and a good vibe that welcomes people doing all kinds of work. It’s one of my favorite cafes anywhere.
aaron is right… seattle is loaded with macs and wifi.
if you’re looking for philly cheesesteaks, you have to check out Tat’s in pioneer square… best sub in town.
there’s also free wifi at Fado, where you can get a pint of guiness while you work.
Bauhaus is terrific…good call.