Earlier this year, I decided to scale back my work in the office and work part-time so I could focus on my biggest passion – writing. Despite only being in the office three days a week I felt like I still couldn’t keep up with the regular blog posts and urgent deadlines associated with freelance writing. It got to the point where I felt pressured to burn the midnight oil during the week and weekends just to make my deadlines. So I decided to take a massive plunge – quit my day job and be a full-time freelance writer and consultant.
This year I have searched far and wide to find freelance friendly cafes in Melbourne which offer free WiFi. After all, I’m not the type to stay at home in my pyjamas all day in a quiet house, it really inhibits my creative juices. I love working in cafes for their buzzing atmosphere and constant supply of food and coffee if needed.
Here are some of my favourite cafes in Melbourne which are freelance friendly and offer free WiFi. I am always looking for new spots to set up a mobile office for an hour or two so I would love to hear your tips too.
AUCTION ROOMS
This North Melbourne hot spot can get extremely packed on the weekends but weekdays are slightly calmer. Housed in an old auction house, this cafe has free WiFi and plenty of sockets to charge your laptop while you write. I could spend many hours here drinking their superb coffee and working my way through their brunch menu.
A 361 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
T (03) 9326 7749
W auctionroomscafe.com
REUNION & CO
Reunion & Co is the hottest new opening on shopping precinct Bridge Road. Offering breakfast and lunch classics and coffee by Allpress, it’s a great spot to cosy up to their fireplace in the winter months. Their WiFi is fast and free but has an hour time limit.
A 472 Bridge Rd, Richmond, VIC 3121
T 0433 775 900
W reunionco.com.au
1000 POUND BEND
Next time you’re in the CBD, make a beeline to this freelance and student friendly cafe on Little Lonsdale Street. This funky warehouse space is part cafe/part bar/part gallery and is a perfect spot to eat, drink and catch up on some work. You can’t go wrong with their premium Will & Co Coffee for just $3 during the morning rush.
A 472 Bridge Rd, Richmond, VIC 3121
W thousandpoundbend.com.au
PERCY’S AEROPLANE CAFE
Percy’s Aeroplane Cafe is a local institution in Kew. The light filled cafe has been beautifully converted into a cosy cafe with two front rooms and an alfresco garden at the rear. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy a nicely brewed coffee with one of their fantastic brunch options. The Wi-Fi is fast and available all day.
A 96 Denmark St, Kew VIC 3101
T (03) 9939 7642
W facebook.com/flywithpercys
TOUCHWOOD
Located on Bridge Road, right next to Reunion & Co, Touchwood is one of Richmond’s hottest brunch destinations. The sun soaked room is a perfect place to get those creative juices flowing. You won’t be disappointed by their all-day menu and superb coffee.
A 480 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC 3121
T (03) 9429 9347
W touchwoodcafe.com
MART 130
The folk at Middle Park are pretty lucky to have a cafe like MART 130 on their doorstep. They do a great brunch and coffee with a location to match. Nestled in a converted stationmaster’s building on the fringe of Albert Park, it’s a perfect spot to relax on the alfresco deck and watch the world go by. WiFi is free and available all day.
A 107A Canterbury Rd, Middle Park VIC 3206
T (03) 9690 8831
W mart130cafe.com.au
DEADMAN ESPRESSO
If you want quality coffee while you work, think no further than Dead Man Espresso in South Melbourne. At Dead Man they bring the best coffee going around – including St Ali, Sensory Lab and Market Lane, just to name a few. It’s a great place to catch up on some work during the week, when it’s a little quieter.
A 135 Market St, South Melbourne VIC 3205
T (03) 9696 3912
W deadmanespresso.com.au
MR TULK
Housed in a historic 19th Century building on Swanston Street, Mr Tulk has been brilliantly converted into a beautiful contemporary dining hall. Quite fittingly, the former State Library’s locker room is named after the State Library’s first librarian, Augustus Henry Tulk. And the State Library of Victoria is just next door if you need to catch up on some reading!
A State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston St, Melbourne City VIC 3000
T (03) 8660 5700
W mrtulk.com.au
JOURNAL CAFE
One of the original quintessential Melbourne cafes, Journal still continues to pull the crowds. The cafe is housed in the City Library and CAE building so is a popular destination for students and bookish types. Perch at the large communal table and mingle with the arty and business types over an espresso or two. It may even inspire you to get a journal of your own.
A 253 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
T (03) 9650 4399
W journalcafe.com.au
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Wow, that’s a huge and very brave step. Well done you! I will have to keep these cafes in mind next time I’m nearing my credit limit.
Author
Thanks lovely! I have been thinking about it for a while and finally decided to take the plunge 🙂
Good list for sure. I love Touchwood for breakfast.
Say, Thousand Pound closed. 🙁
Here’s a few places we’ve compiled: https://worcere.com/citysearch/melbourne-victoria
Hi Lisa, I love your photos and it’s quite clear that you have excellent taste in everything. One thing that I have noticed straight away is that your Leave a Reply comment box is minimalistic and requires the user to click on it after which it then expands with all the details. I have my own blog which I’m still working on and would like to have the same type of comment system. I haven’t allowed any comments on my blog yet but will one day. I would really appreciate it if you can tell me whether this is a standard option in WordPress or a specific plugin? I’m not sure why everyone with a blog doesn’t do the same because those large comment boxes at the end of posts spoil the look of a post. Anyway hope you can assist me. It would be much appreciated. All the best, John
Author
Hi John! Thanks so much for the lovely feedback, means a lot! This template is with Pip Digs – Blogger and Word Press templates, couldn’t recommend them higher enough. They use this minimalist look comment section on many of their designs. Any other questions let me know. Here’s the link for more info
https://www.pipdig.co
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