I’m in Harlem this week and the first thing I looked for was a coffee house. It’s the the same search that I make when I’m in a new city. I need a place to work and I’ve always liked coffee shops.
However, it can be a challenge finding a great one in a changing city like Harlem. First, let me say that this is not the Harlem that I remember hearing about when I was younger.
A few days ago I stumbled into Muddy Waters Cafe and it’s been my home ever since. It meets all the requirements of what I look for in a place to work, that includes:
1. Free Wi-fi: I hate Starbucks. Ok, I don’t hate the place, but because they don’t offer free wi-fi, I dislike them strongly. I digress, this is my first requirement for a good coffee house.. If I can’t access the internet, it’s really going to take a lot for me to stick around. Lie. I won’t stay.
2. Comfort: As soon as I stepped into Muddy Waters, I felt comfortable. Simple black leather couches, dark hardwood floors, warm lights, high bar stools, quality photographs on the wall…it all felt like a cozy living room that I could relax for in a few hours. Modern+cozy=win
3. Tea: Even though I like coffee shops, I don’t drink coffee. I need quality tea and lots of variety. Actually, I don’t need that much variety. If there is earl grey or english breakfast and peppermint or green tea, I’ll be ok. That’s if the quality is also there. My first stop in Harlem brought me to a place that sold Celestial Seasonings. Sorry, that just doesn’t work for me. Neither will Lipton. I need something like Stash, Tazo, Harney & Sons or Mighty Leaf.
4. Good food: I’m very easy to please when it comes to this one. I just need to be able to eat something if I’m going to be in a place for 4-10 hours. A bagel with cream cheese will satisfy this need.
4. Proximity: Granted, it’s not the coffee shops’ fault if I’m far away. However, the closest place that can offer me all these things generally wins. I sometimes make exceptions to this one.
*Bonus- Inspiration. Being surrounded by other artsy people never hurts. There’s something about being in a place where other people are creating that encourages me to tighten my thinking cap a little bit tighter. Inspiration can also come from good conversation, as has been the case with Muddy Waters. I could sit in a coffee shop and talk all day. It’s a nice way to learn.
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Rhona
2 years ago
Interesting but I have only heard of negative things about Harlem. I assume it is up and coming now?
For me, I find it a bit hard to sit in a coffee shop but I will try it sometime. I think I tend to think too much. However, these houses are very comforting and offer a soothing setting.
My favorite is Second Cup (Canadian) as I ABHORE Star Bucks.
I also hate coffee but love tea. As I write this comment I am sipping on STASH premium moroccan mint green tea at my desk at work. We seem to have a bit of things in common. However, I am so not artsy.
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shannon
2 years ago
Harlem is definitely up and coming. It’s not as diversified as Brooklyn, but it will get there. It probably won’t even take 5 years. Growing up, Harlem was just not somewhere you went, especially if you weren’t a New Yorker.
I must say, I’m having a good time exploring the area and learning the history of the place. And having a good coffee house to do it from is definitely helpful.
And yes, we definitely seem to have a lot in common. Who knows, you might be more artsy than you think. For the longest time, I never thought I was.