Why can't I find a 'Chill' wifi coffee shop Hyde Park, Mt. Lookout, or downtown? (Cincinnati: real estate, to rent)

[5thgencincy]

I just returned from a business trip to Brooklyn, NY where I was reminded what a functional, quiet, mainstream wifi coffee shop really is. Professionals and students working quietly at their tables with headphones on. Little or no music "provided" by the shop. Perfect. Starbucks, just fine. When that one gets overcrowded, they go a few blocks away to an equally fine Starbucks. Appropriate bathroom-to-people ratio, no rushed feeling there.

LA, SF, Chgo same enjoyable story- evolved, sophisticated spots in the "right" neighborhoods.

I've exhausted my search in Cincinnati to no avail. Here's the disappointing list:

1. Ingredients at Westin- my favorite in Cincy, professionals like me, courteous, quiet, wifi always works. Cons- limited hours (esp. weekends), $2/hour parking adds up quick, bathrooms far away (to leave laptop unattended) and locked (must ask cashier for (soiled) key).

2. Starbucks Rookwood- perfect in every way, except the people. Total circus. Loudest place I've ever been. One table trying to talk louder than the next, some sort of ego stroke. "Look at us, we're yelling about our catering biz engagement this weekend." Or, "Look at us, we actually have enough money that we're yelling at each other about which real estate investment benefits us the most." Even the students are loud, yelling at each other whilst flailing arms and knocking books and papers to the floor. Starbucks has to turn the music up so loud that I literally had to leave in 20 minutes.

3. Coffee Emporium downtown- couldn't find it, after circling the block 3 time, too much hassle vehicle-wise.

4. Lookout Joe- awesome in every way, except there is only one (1) table functional as a wifi workspace. Obviously, they don't want customers spending hours there wifi'ing.

5. Coffee Emporium hyde park- I almost broke my neck on steep stairs to table area, only to discover wifi not working (confirmed by another customer who asked for it to be reset an hour earlier but it was not reset) after manager downstairs told me "oh yes, wifi area upstairs, works great, no password needed."

6. Awakenings hyde park- wifi did not work, kept disconnecting every few minutes. Too small room. The wifi customers were cool (and quiet). Non-wifi customers loudmouths.

7. Starbucks near kroger hyde park- strip mall hell, hodgepodge demographics, no identity.

I really wanted Starbucks rookwood or Lookout Joe's to work, as a place to spend 4 hours a day whilst looking for a house to rent in that area. I'll keep searching, where there's a will there's a way.

[TomJones123]

This is Cincinnati, not NYC, LA, Chicago, or SF. You have to take what you can get. I am a former New Yorker, dont' exaggerate yourself by trying to compare, just learn to appreciate what's here of it's own merits.

Starbucks on McMillan Street, perhaps? Panera Bread on Calhoun St?

Not sure how you missed Coffee Emporium. I walked right past it the other day heading for Main Street to catch a bus.

https://plus.google.com/105257043977...gl=US&hl=en-US

I get wifi in all my usual haunts, though I don't really go to coffee shops that often, but bars and restaurants.

[natininja]

Does Iris Book Cafe or 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab have WiFi?

What about Sitwell's?

The coffee shop scene in the city has gone downhill since the '90s. Of course, there was no WiFi then.

[5thgencincy]

Thanks Tom, for the info. and the advice.

FWIW, I'm never trying to exaggerate myself, it's just that geneology (and some current family) is from this area, and having recently moved here (partially to help aging parents), I wanted to find out just how "professional" Cincinnati is, for the longer haul for me. Thanks.

[BasinDweller]

Iris, 1215 and Sitwell's all have Wifi. Also, Redtree Gallery/Coffee Shop in Oakley is great for getting work done - plenty of good size tables.

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by 5thgencincy

FWIW, I'm never trying to exaggerate myself, it's just that geneology (and some current family) is from this area, and having recently moved here (partially to help aging parents), I wanted to find out just how "professional" Cincinnati is, for the longer haul for me. Thanks.

I would tap into Over The Rhine and uptown, including CUF, and Clifton. I haven't heard very good things about the corporate culture here. I am a freelancer and do ecommerce. So, my professional ties mostly are outside of Cincy. I do have friends who are entrenched very deeply in OTR and Prospect Hill. Overall, I have found them to be very welcoming people.

[progmac]

wait a minute.

downtown
tazza mia's (2 locations)
starbucks (3 locations)
lookout joe (1 location..not much sitting room)
coffee emporium (huge, on central parkway in base of huge building, not sure how you missed it)
cafe de paris
panera

i'm sure i'm missing some places

almost every neighborhood has a coffee shop like you're describing

[5thgencincy]

Originally Posted by progmac

coffee emporium (huge, on central parkway in base of huge building, not sure how you missed it)

Oh wow now I see it, Thanks!
Verizon maps has been screwing up lately and had it listed in the 1200 block of Vine.
Now I know.

[ProkNo5]

There are quite a few fantastic coffee shops in the downtown/uptown area. The best for studying IMO is Iris BookCafe. Still, I've read a few books at Coffee Emporium, Rohs Street Cafe, Starbucks on McMillan, and Tazza Mia (6th St).

I think you're better off parking and walking around. There are coffee shops scattered all over, but sometimes they're hidden in basements, old houses, or skywalks.

[TomJones123]

I forgot all about Rohs Street Cafe. Great place, and they used to have an open mic night on Fridays.