• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!

  • Things To Do This Weekend
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

The Best Places to Work Remotely in Austin

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Andrew Chase

Radio Coffee and Beer Outdoor Patio
The patio at Radio Coffee & Beer is the perfect spot to be productive (Credit: Reagan Hackleman)

Step aside, Starbucks. I know you think you’re cool because you supposedly started the whole “blogger at a coffee shop” movement, but we’re in Austin, bucko. We’ve been laptopping with lattes since before you even thought it was a thing. Busted.

Seriously though, we’re millennials in tech start-up heaven. Who needs a cubicle in this day and age of flexible work environments and seamless connectivity? There’s a healthy plethora of Wi-Fi spots around town in the way of coffee shops, quiet bars or, my personal favorite, both at the same time. For the record, I do not drink during work hours. I drink on my lunch break like a responsible adult.

Whether you work remotely or just show up at a coffee shop with fake glasses to pretend you’re working when, in reality, you just sit there and spiral on YouTube until your latte’s done, I’ve got you covered. Here are a few of the best places to “work from home” in Austin.

#1 Monkey Nest Coffee

Monkey Nest Coffee in Austin
Monkey Nest Coffee on Burnet Road (Credit: Jim Nix/Nomadic Pursuits via Flickr CC)

For me, a good place to work remotely is one that offers a work-friendly environment, while also providing a unique experience, fun atmosphere and exceptional menu items. With that said, Monkey Nest Coffee on Burnet nails it on all accounts.

Monkey Nest, open 24 hours per day, has it all. And when I say “all,” I mean like they have Mario Kart 64 tournaments sometimes. When you’re not getting your game on, you can enjoy the spacious interior, plentiful menu and frequent live music. Don’t worry, if you need things quiet, they also offer a private room in the corner with plenty of seating.

I personally found the live music to be helpful when concentrating. It’s never overbearing, but more like a background tone you can look up and enjoy when you need a break.

5353 Burnet Road – Website

#2 Halcyon

https://instagram.com/p/W4qHbyMfvG/?taken-by=halcyonaustin

If you’re looking to get your hipster on, Halcyon is your spot. I mean that in the nicest way possible, as you won’t find a better place to work downtown. Offering a lively crowd, impressively sophisticated cocktails and high-quality coffee, Halcyon is best during nighttime hours when you need to finish up a few things. I say that for two reasons:

  1. It’s super loud in there, so bring your noise-cancelers.
  2. There’s another really cool bar right around the corner (Lavaca Street Bar) for when you’re done and want a little nightcap.

As a bonus, Halcyon even has an humidor inside. You can almost literally have a smoke and a pancake while working. Name that movie reference!

218 W 4th Street – Website

#3 Spider House Cafe

https://instagram.com/p/5A7cBviYRm/?taken-by=spiderhouseparties

There’s no way I can leave this off my list. Spider House is not only one of the best cafés in town, but it’s one of the best places to hang out in general. Despite how distracting its antique décor and steady traffic may appear, the commodious patio and cozy lounge serve as a perfect backdrop for a busy workday.

Whether you need to be caffeinated, nourished or inspired, Spider House’s jam-packed menu covers all the bases with style. Its history-rich atmosphere makes it easy to camp out and marathon your way through your daily to-dos. And you’ll never feel like you’re being pushed out the door because the staff members are exceedingly accommodating.

When you’re done, check out the ballroom next door. Its event calendar is all over the place, featuring everything from DJ Battles to slam poetry to comedy roasts that target animal species.

2906 and 2908 Fruth Street – Website

#4 Wright Bros. Brew & Brew

https://instagram.com/p/2Rl7oQMcNY/?taken-by=thebrewandbrew

Well, I’m here as I’m writing this, so I’ll just look around and point stuff out. I’m at the bar, and up here on the left is a wall of 38 craft beer options, organized in a light-to-dark, smooth-to-hoppy matrix of sorts. There’s a wide range of seating, and the overall design is kept simple, to the point that it feels like I’m in a rundown art studio. Hold on; let me grab my coffee and head next door into the Companion Art Gallery to check it out.

Okay, I’m back. In addition to the art exhibits and vintage novelty items sold here, there’s plenty of seating that encourages Brew and Brew customers to make themselves comfortable. There’s a casual vibe everyone is cognizant of, making this spot appealing to those who don’t want distractions. Even though I just finished my beer, err…coffee, I’m welcome to stay as long as I want.

I actually come here quite often. Not only is the coffee delicious, but Brew and Brew offers the most consistent experience out of all the places I’ve mentioned.

500 San Marcos Street – Website

#5 Radio Coffee & Beer

Radio Coffee and Beer Patio
Who wants to be cooped up in an office when there are “work” spaces like this? (Credit: Reagan Hackleman)

Radio Coffee & Beer is relatively new, but it has already made a huge splash in Austin. Once again, you’re getting a healthy balance of work and play here, as Radio boasts an extensive beer menu, as well as probably the best coffee I’ve had in Austin thus far. If you’re starting to notice a theme with my workplaces of choice, you’re right.

What I like best about this place is the outside setup. Of course there’s a patio with plenty of seating, but there’s also a large lawn area. I brought a blanket and worked in picnic-mode, and I was surprised by how productive I was. It was a fun and different way to work, and I highly recommend it.

When the work is done, stick around for live music and the occasional outdoor movie screening featuring classic films.

4204 Manchaca Road – Website

Andrew Chase Working Remotely in Austin
The author working remotely

As “working from home” becomes more and more the norm, it’s important to find reliable spots where you can sit down and enjoy the experience, while also being able to put your head down and get things done. It’s important to take breaks during the workday, and I personally find myself most productive in environments that give those breaks a little flavor.

While this is only a limited representation of all the work-friendly locations in Austin, these establishments offer the perfect balance between work and play, and are highly reputable among us remote folks. Plus, as you probably noticed, none of them are Starbucks. So there’s that.

@AndyChuckChase wants to know:

What is your favorite place to work remotely in Austin?

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Andrew Chase
Andrew Chase
Andrew Chase
Latest posts by Andrew Chase (see all)
  • Is The Driskill Hotel Really Haunted? - January 29, 2016
  • The Domain Creates Mass Appeal With Infusion of Local Austin Businesses - January 14, 2016
  • Clay Campania Band Mixes Blues, Reggae, R&B for Stimulating Rock Sound - December 31, 2015

Filed Under: Discoveries, Local Business Tagged With: coffee shops, craft beer

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Comments

  1. Elizabeth says

    October 6, 2015 at 10:07 am

    All of these places are absolutely fantastic! I would like to make sure that everyone knows, before you purchase a glorious kambucha on draft, find yourself a comfy outdoor spot, and try to get some work done, *****RADIO COFFEE AND BEER ONLY OFFERS WIFI UNTIL 5PM MONDAY-FRIDAY. NOT ON WEEKENDS.****** I absolutely love the place, and the wonderful “South” location, the people and the energy but have recently discovered this the hard way, when I had a deadline on a Saturday ha ha

    Log in to Reply
  2. Raine says

    December 28, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    Radio coffee bar, where the mocha cappuccinos taste like dirt and everyone in there looks like they are field hands from my Grand Father’s farm in Southern Missouri circa 1975.

    I’m completely baffled by the dirty grunge look that even ended in Seattle in the 90s.

    Austin, the town that thinks its hip, but in reality is just respinning someone else’s vinyl from days gone by.

    Log in to Reply
  3. Christa Freeland says

    July 1, 2020 at 12:35 am

    Sometimes coffee shops are so popular during the day with people trying to be productive. There might be issues with wifi/finding an outlet, crowdedness/difficult parking, obligations to buy more things, and lack of community (that a more expensive coworking space provides).

    Switch Cowork remedies this by creating the perfect environment for those who believe: it’s not about the fancy coffee, it’s not about the fancy coworking space… it’s about the people. We provide coffee/cold brew, snacks, wifi, tons of space/desk space, casual environment and more parking than we know what to do with 🙂 http://www.switchcowork.com

    Log in to Reply
  4. Jessica Miller-Merrell says

    July 1, 2020 at 12:35 am

    Hi There. I’d like to suggest Duo Works as a coworking and reserved desk option in North Austin at Mopac and 183. We’re located at 8920 Business Park Dr. Suite 250, Austin, TX 78759. Go to http://duo.works.

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Popular Right Now

Thrift Stores in Austin - Collage

Best Thrift Stores in Austin, TX – 20 Resale & Consignment Shops Near You

Best Events in Austin in July 2025

Celebrate Summer Right: Best July Events in Austin 2025

Things to do in Austin this Summer

Keep It Cool: 2025’s Hottest Things to Do in Austin This Summer

Summer Camps in Austin 2025

Summer Camps in Austin 2025 – STEM, Sports, Arts & More Top Programs Your Kids Will Love

Things To Do in Austin With Teens

50 Things to do in Austin with Teens| Fun Teenager Activities

Recent Posts

  • Best Thrift Stores in Austin, TX – 20 Resale & Consignment Shops Near You
  • Free and Cheap Events in Austin: August 1 – 3
  • National Cheesecake Day Austin 2025 – Deals & Free Cheesecake Near You!
  • National Chicken Wing Day Austin 2025 – Deals & Free Wings Near You!
  • 35 Coffee Shops to Visit in Austin (2025) – Best Local Roasters Near You

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in