As fall rolls around and homework amps up, students search for a quiet space abundant in pumpkin spice and charging outlets. Seattle cafes are just the place to find it, within the bustling of the city, these studying sanctuaries are crawling with procrastinating students looking for an excuse to buy yet another sweet treat. Although there’s surely no shortage of Seattle coffee houses, it’s certainly hard to find your perfect match. With a little research and a lot of caffeine, you can find your perfect study spot for the rest of your highschool career. Or at least, until the sun comes back out.
If you’re searching for a true juxtaposition to the city’s hustle and bustle, check out Basecamp, a cafe located just off Broadway. After walking past the drag club, thrift stores, and food trucks, entering the doors has a way of transporting you. Basecamp has an authentic Seattleite vibe, and a menu to match it. They specialize in coffee, kombucha, and beer, but this certainly isn’t all they have to offer. Basecamp is certainly able to live up to its name, and offers rentals of various outdoor paraphernalia. Stacked against the back wall; Basecamp displays skis, snowboards, kayaks, paddleboards, available for rental or simply admiration. Open windows letting a natural light in, leather couches facing wooden tables, hand-drawn signs and calendars, complete the experience. Despite their multitude of books and board games, in the afternoon, Basecamp is not a place to chat with your friends. Music lightly drifts through the room, the clacking of keys and grinding of coffee beans is the most noise this place will hear in the light of day. On the contrary, when the sun goes down and the lights come on, Basecamp’s aglow with jazz, games, poetry, a whole new experience. If you are coming to study, leave by seven, sit by an outlet, enjoy the uninterrupted peace.
For some, a quiet, creative, drink dominant cafe may just be the end of their search, others may enjoy the simpler side of life, a hearty food and drink in a tried and true cafe. And for those people, God made Macrina. Maybe not exactly, but you might be fooled after your first bite of their chocolate chip cookie. If you are looking to get away from a crowd, this might not be the place. What you can find, however, is hundreds of St. Joe’s eighth graders demanding their after school iced vanilla lattes, seemingly possessing no spatial or social awareness. Luckily, that’s only if you prefer the Montlake location, which is great for a quick snack, but not as optimal for studying. Their SODO location has many tables, chairs, a quieter vibe and outlets to go around. Although not the most “out of the box” option, Macrina has been a long time Seattle classic for a reason.
The list goes on, we’re lucky to live in a city with essentially endless options. It’s true that some prefer a candle at a desk in the comfort of their own home, but there’s nothing beating a hot coffee and a new environment. Experiment with what you like, what you don’t, and you are sure to stumble upon the perfect spot.
