I spend more of my free time either planning, or thinking about, sitting in a coffee shop with a charged iPad, a temperamental bluetooth keyboard and a notebook ready to create life changing written content to amuse, thrill and inspire others, than I actually spend doing it. As soon as I sit down to do it, I remember I'm me.
All jokes aside, I do spend a lot of time thinking about drinking coffee and writing, there’s something so soothing and comforting about inhaling a smooth coffee scent whilst listening to a good playlist and having fewer distractions to work than you would at home. The amount of time I actually spend putting this into practice is significantly less, sometimes I sit with my latte and wonder why I’d planned my day around this activity when I could not feel less creative than I could in that moment. With all of that being said, living in Manchester means there are plenty of places to grab a drink, take a seat, glance out of the window to watch the world go by and not feel disturbed when I want to actually get my fingers to my keyboard.
When I started to branch out of my regular Caffè Nero spots, I had no idea where the ideal places for working were, nor could I really find much online to guide me, so I figured I’d do my own research and make my own guide for anyone looking for something similar. There are many places I still want to try, something perfect for the spring/summer months when getting out of the flat is a necessity, but I’ve rounded up a few of my current faves that I love to work from.
Pot Kettle Black
Angel Gardens
1 Rochdale Rd
Manchester
M4 4GE
If there’s one thing I’ve made no secret about on Instagram (aside from my love of Manchester City), it’s my love of Pot Kettle Black. If I could go there daily and not go broke or put any weight on, best believe I would. The difference between both PKB in the city is stark, and the weather essentially makes my decision for me if I’m unsure which one to go to.
The Angel Gardens branch really is my favourite, especially when the sun is shining, the massive floor to ceiling windows makes it a gorgeous sun trap that has you glowing both inside and out. The furniture is all light wood and neutral, and it’s the lightest coffee shop I’ve been to that's calming and refreshing and doesn’t have decor to create distractions. It’s simple and my favourite place to tuck away for a few hours with a coffee and their stunning granola bowl.
In contrast, their Barton Arcade branch is much darker and the perfect spot to seek refuge from the perpetual Manchester drizzle, it feels like a rainy day place, if you’ve been you’ll know exactly what I mean. I took myself there a couple of times at the end of last year for lunch and writing, and it’s not hard to see why so many do and I’d call it a win if you manage to get a table, there’s alway queues out the door for their delicious brunches!
Price: £
Plug sockets: Yes (in both)
Wi-Fi: Yes
Environment: Busy but relaxing
Loyalty card: No
200 Degrees
75 Mosley St
Manchester
M2 3HR
As I write this, I’m sat on a high stool at a long bench, not somewhere I thought I’d be comfortable sitting whilst trying to write (my brightness is virtually non-existent, I'm not that comfortable in public), at this very 200 Degrees branch. The coffee is delicious, their pots of tea are the gift that keep on giving, there are plenty of tables and their pistachio cookies are absolutely not to be missed for that mid-morning treat. At 10am on a Tuesday morning it’s busy, business men popping in for a morning coffee, university students studying and at-home workers tapping away on their laptops. 10am on a Saturday morning has told a different tale, the one weekend morning I have spent here was quiet and comforting and ideal for planing my Lisbon trip itinerary.
You’ll find plug sockets a plenty, especially at the end of the long bench (preciously mentioned - although someone beat me to the punch and nabbed the ports before I arrived) and the row of tables along the back wall (to the right when you enter the shop, sockets are under the seats).
Price: £
Plug sockets: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Environment: Busy but relaxing
Loyalty card: Yes
Nomad
24 Lever St
Manchester
M1 1DW
Nomad is the workspace coffee spot. Created as a minimalist coffee shop to entice anyone and everyone needing an inexpensive workspace, it really does what it says on the tin. Following the recent refurbishment, the place is now twice the size and never have I had an issue finding somewhere to work from. It’s all bare wood, no-frills and not a distraction insight (unless you’re nosying at what everyone else is up to). Sometimes it can be a little too basic for me and I don’t tend to spend as long as I want to in there, however if you’ve got real work to be doing (and not just writing your blog posts), I can see how this spot can be a full workday space to really get stuff done.
Price: £
Plug sockets: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Environment: Quiet and minimalistic
Loyalty card: Yes
92 Degrees
Trinity Court
16 John Dalton St
Manchester
M2 6HY
I went there for the first time a month or so ago when I first downloaded the NeoTaste app, there was a great deal on a free coffee with a sweet treat purchase, I was sold. My first visit had me sat in there for hours because they were playing an elite selection of pop-punk songs, the second time there was a lot of Sam Fender, I love the vibe of the music in there but if you're working, pop your headphones on and it won't matter to you. I like being able to watch the world going by when I need a few minutes to reset when writing, however it's not too busy on the street so you won't be distracted, and the fact you can sit in the open space downstairs, or the cosier selection of tables and high benches upstairs. Their coffee is delicious, it's quiet in there, the staff are all lovely and the tasty baked goods are too good to resist!
Price: £
Plug sockets: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Environment: Quiet but good working vibe
Loyalty card: Yes
Northern Pour
Sevendale House
Lever Street
Manchester
M1 1JA
Located just across from Nomad, this branch of Northern Pour is a pretty large open coffee shop that smells delicious, is lowkey and somewhere I could definitely spend a day working. It seems to be a relatively popular spot to take your laptop and zero in on whatever your project may be. I've only been the once but immediately marked in on my Google Maps Manchester list as my new fave place to work from. Again, their coffee is delicious, as are their cookies (I can't comment on the rest of the food), and it feels like a homely, relaxed and chill place to get stuff done.
Price: £
Plug sockets: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Environment: Plenty of space, low-key and in a good location
Loyalty card: Unsure
Stay tuned for the next instalment of this when I try out more places! Where do you love to work from in Manchester and where should I try next?
S xo
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