This post was written by Hatchet Reporter Jehan Morsi
Can’t find space in Gelman Library and stuck in the basement of Academic Center to finish your work? You’re not alone.
Lucky for you studious colonials, there is a wide array of free Wi-Fi and outlets just down the block. Each café or lounge listed offers food, beverages and free Wi-Fi. The sites are listed by distance from Gelman beginning with the closest location and ending with the farthest location.
Bourbon Coffee – www.bourboncoffeeusa.com – 2101 L Street (Foggy Bottom)
Distance: .4 miles from Gelman
Hours:
Mon – Fri, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sat – Sun, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Despite Bourbon’s proximity and cultural appeal, it comes up short on food quality and essentials. The coffee, depending on what you get, is either on par with or better than Starbucks. The deep African colors, high ceilings, and soft rock music create a welcoming environment, but prepare to find crumbs on the floor and a lack of seats and outlets.
Soho Tea & Coffee – www.sohoteaandcoffee.com – 2150 P Street (Dupont)
Distance: .8 miles from Gelman
Hours:
Mon – Wed, 6:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Thu, 6:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Fri – Sat, 7:30 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Sun, 7:30 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
The key to this café’s appeal lies in its plethora of plugs and seats during extended hours.The food is hit or miss: if you get a Soho Mocha or a slice of chocolate cake, it is a hit; but go for their latte and it is an over-milked miss. The background music is loud enough to provide a base beat but soft enough to facilitate work. In a busy New York-inspired vibe, the white lighting and blood red, dandelion yellow and royal blue art keeps you alert. If Soho accepted credit cards, they would win best study space within the area.
Baked & Wired – www.bakedandwired.com – 1052 Thomas Jefferson Street (Georgetown)
Distance: .9 miles from Gelman
Hours:
Mon –Thu, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Fri, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sat, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sun, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Want a sweet study break? This study spot’s claim to fame is its cupcakes–which are nearly 5 inches in diameter, topped with an inch and a half of icing and available in endless flavors. The white-walled, dark-wooded space clad with black and white furniture is split into five sections, three of which provide seats, tables and plugs for plenty of study space. The hip or techno background music provides just enough energy to keep you awake. If the space was larger and the hours were longer, Baked & Wired would be perfect for studying.
Zenobia Lounge – www.zenobialounge.com– 1025 31st Street (Georgetown)
Distance: .9 miles from Gelman
Hours:
Sun – Wed, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Thu, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Fri – Sat, 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Rating: 4 out of 5
With a $10 minimum purchase, studying in this nook requires a preference for setting over sustenance. The Middle Eastern library surrounding the tables enhances the atmosphere, with outside seating reserved mainly for Hookah. However, the loud Arabic music playing in the background can get a little distracting. More than half of the tables provide an outlet inside, but there are none outside.
Steam Café and Pizzeria – www.steamcafe-dc.com – 1700 17th Street (Dupont)
Distance: 1.2 miles from Gelman
Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun, 7:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Fri – Sat, 7:30 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
In a display of fluctuating food quality, the coffee is strong and the smoothies are watered down, while crepes and sandwiches are hits. The café’s extremely slow Wi-Fi seems to defeat its purpose as a study spot. Classical music compliments the sorbet orange walls, which are decorated with hanging star and moon ornaments. As far as tables, there are at least 30 inside and a couple more outside, but only about half of these wobbly tables have access to plugs.
