Sometimes it may be tricky to find a nice place with WiFi to work from while on the road or as a creative freelancer. There’s always something. Whether it’s the lack of space, the loud background music, the insanely high prices or the slow internet, you name it, it is hard to find a nice place to work. Well, that’s about to change.
During the past couple years a new format of café has been popping up all over the world with increasing popularity, the cafe workspace. Relaxed atmosphere, relatively affordable prices, super fast WiFi, extra big tables and lots of light make of these relatively new cafe workspace the perfect place for creatives and travellers alike to get their daily work done. A new form of office for those who don’t need (or don’t want) a regular office. Madrid has not stayed behind, providing some very good alternatives for those wanderers looking for a nice place to work. To make it a bit easier for you on your next visit to Madrid, I went on a research rampage and these are my top 5 cafe workspace in Madrid for the creative travellers.
Libreria Ocho y Medio
Calle Martín de los Heros 11, Madrid (Metro: Line 3 – Plaza de España, or take a stroll down Gran Vía)
Across from one of Madrid’s popular cinemas, Libreria Ocho y Medio is a cozy book store, café and workspace revolving around anything and everything cinema. Film posters, memorabilia and movie director chairs put together with sofas and a soft acoustic soundtrack create a calming atmosphere, perfect for an afternoon work. And afterwards you can always join one of the discussion sessions or events hosted regularly. Oh and you won’t be breaking the bank here, for a whole teapot you’ll pay 2’5€ and for a regular coffee 1’8€. Jackpot!
Lolina Vintage
Calle Espiritu Santo 9, 28004 Madrid (Metro: Line 1 – Tribunal)
Lolina Vintage is probably the smallest of the 5 options but still a catch. Try to get one of the tables by the window, you won’t regret it. This vintage retro café is perfect for working as well as people watching, at the very heart of Madrid’s rebellious and alternative neighbourhood: Malasaña. Besides the regular coffee and tea, here you can get home-made cakes and pies, and even after work cocktails (mojitos anyone?). An all-rounder.
La China Mandarina
Plaza de Cascorro, 17, 28005 Madrid (Metro: Line 1 – Tirso de Molina/ /Line 5 – La Latina)
La China Mandarina is not exactly a cafe workspace but as if it were. During the low hours (it’s a restaurant as well as a café) the big tables, free WiFi and soft background music in this modern chic local allow for the perfect work environment. And the location and prices don’t hurt either: 1’6€ for a café con leche (white coffee) and 2’5€ for a Fanta, right in the heart of the city. It is also one of the lesser known cafe workspace in Madrid, which is definitely not bad. Friendly staff and friendly in the pocket. And they host literary events from time to time.
La Casa Encendida
Ronda de Valencia 2, 28012 Madrid (Metro: Line 3 – Embajadores) – Closed on Monday
La Casa Encendida is above all a social and cultural center opened in 2002 offering courses, workshops, and events on a regular basis. But not just that, it’s also a library and one of the top cafe workspace in Madrid. With a big yet cozy café and stunning terrace for when the weather allows, La Casa Encendida will blow your mind if you’re looking for a place where you can not only work but also meet people and grow personally and professionally. This socially conscious center will leave you wanting more.
La Bicicleta Café & Workspace
Plaza de San Ildefonso, 9, 28004 Madrid (Metro: Line 3 – Callao//Line 1 – Tribunal)
And last but not least, La Bicicleta. A concept café with unique character and killer personality. Built around the owners’ passion for cycling, Oh and coffee, and art, and creativity. Inspiration breathes through every pore of this creatively decorated café. And their incredibly friendly staff are always open for a chat. If I lived and worked as a freelancer in Madrid I could probably be found here every morning enjoying the most delicious cup of hot cocoa ever, editing away clients projects at one of their many window high tables. Either way, I’m not surprised La Bicicleta is quickly becoming a staple among creatives looking for cafe workspace in Madrid to work from.
And these are the top 5 cafe workspace in Madrid for creative travellers and/or freelancers. I hope this list was useful, if so, please don’t forget to share it. In the meantime, I’ll keep researching, as I’m sure many more cafes workspace in Madrid will open their doors soon. Keep an eye on this space for updated lists sooner rather than later. And please let me know down in the comments if there are any other cafés workspace I have missed and should be added to this list!
2 Comments
Veera Bianca Papinoja
July 26, 2016 at 4:43 pmOh myyy I adore places like this soooo much!!!!!! I have never even been to Madrid :O
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