Workday getaway: 7 scenic places to work remotely on Long Island
Dilemma: You work from home; it's a beautiful day, and you don't want to be stuck inside. Solution: You and your laptop will be welcomed in quiet cafes in a town with a Victorian vibe, peaceful bistros on the beach or in the woods, a cozy bookshop or a patio beside an art museum. Nearly all offer free Wi-Fi and food menus.
Kristin Moschetto brings her laptop to The Sunset Club at Tappen Beach in Sea Cliff. Credit: Dawn McCormick
One of those places, Campground Craft Beer & Coffee, is a Sea Cliff cafe nestled between streets lined with Victorian homes. "We’re happy to host anyone who wants to hang out with us and feel comfortable while doing their work," says Rory O’Connor, beverage manager. "One of our local regulars told me she feels Campground has become Sea Cliff’s living room. When I heard that, it put a smile on my face."
The Next Chapter bookstore owner Mallory Braun agrees, "I love when people come in with their laptops." Cafe in the Woods manager Paul Umansky adds, in the enchanting gardens, "Some people stay and work on their laptops from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Most come for a couple of hours. Everyone is welcome."
So, the question becomes: which location is the best fit for you and your laptop?
CAFES IN A VICTORIAN-STYLE TOWN
Campground Craft Beer & Coffee
208 Sea Cliff Ave., Sea Cliff
"We’re lucky enough to have both the upstairs and the downstairs that people can use to spread out and get some work done," O’Connor says. You’ll find long, laptop-friendly tables on the main level that can seat approximately 20, plus a comfy couch and coffee table. Upstairs, there are four additional spacious tables, a large couch and the café’s food counter.
"The laptop pattern usually starts at 8 or 8:30 in the morning. People who come here with their laptops are generally involved with their own work. So, I’ll have a little conversation with them while I’m pouring their coffee or lattes. Then, for the most part, they’ll sit down and get right to work. Sometimes people are here all the way to 4 o'clock," O’Connor says.
Veterinary student Celina Narajo, 26, of Glen Head, is a regular in the cafe. "I come here and study, especially in the afternoons," she says. "It’s quiet, I like the atmosphere, and it helps that the food is great." At the cafe counter, gourmet coffee, lattes and specialty iced drinks accompany award-winning biscuits, pastries and innovative bites for breakfast and lunch. There is free Wi-Fi and in the late afternoon the cafe transitions to a craft beer market for adults over 21.
MORE INFO 516-407-3153, campgroundbeer.com
The Sea Cliff Daily Grind
230 Sea Cliff Ave., Sea Cliff
This intimate cafe sits on Sea Cliff’s main street. "People with laptops usually come in around 8:30 or 9 and settle in," owner Terrence Cave says. "We have some regulars who bring their laptops, have breakfast, do their work, have lunch and then leave. One gentleman comes in and orders three large coffees, sets them up in front of him and keeps drinking till they’re gone."
Susan Azzarello, of Glen Cove, a senior loan officer at Cross Country Mortgage, brings her laptop to the Sea Cliff Daily Grind Cafe. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
You’ll find five tables inside the cafe and three in a backyard garden patio. "It’s nice that people with laptops are kind of regulars," Cave says.. "If they’re having a bad day or are frustrated, they can slam their laptop shut and have a conversation."
Cave is a high-end chef who prepares breakfast and lunch dishes on the cafe menu. "I’m here every day," Cave says. "It’s real food for real people made from scratch, made by me." The cafe has free Wi-Fi and favorites from the food menu include the bacon, egg and Cheddar cheese panini on sourdough bread, and the roast turkey, Brie and apple panini.
MORE INFO 516-675-1187, seacliffdailygrind.com
Patricia Schoeffler, of Huntington, works at the Sea Cliff Daily Grind Cafe. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
STEPS FROM THE BEACH
Cliffside Cafe
56 The Blvd., Sea Cliff
In the early morning, place your laptop on one of 12 tables in this beachside, very casual bistro. Since some tables are right on the sand, nuzzle your feet as you type. Victor Bianchi, of Sea Cliff, sits with his laptop under an umbrella-covered table and says, "Nothing beats this peaceful environment. It makes the work easier."
Bring your own food and keep in mind, Wi-Fi is not available; rely on your cellular hot spot.
Sunset Club at Tappen Beach
494 Prospect Ave., Sea Cliff
Get some work done in this contemporary outdoor cafe just steps from the shoreline. It will be open through late October. You'll wander through a wonderland of laptop-friendly lounge chairs with tables right on the sand, comfy tables and chairs on a U-shaped porch, plus sleek tables under a shaded roof.
Nicole Gleason works remotely at The Sunset Club at Tappen Beach in Sea Cliff. Credit: Dawn McCormick
The spot has free Wi-Fi, and the menu elevates the cafe experience to a new level. From the raw bar to shareables such as wild mushroom tacos, salads, handhelds including Maine lobster rolls, entrees and artisanal ice cream, prepare to type with one hand and eat with the other.
MORE INFO thesunsetclub.fun
BURIED IN A BOOKSHOP
The Next Chapter
204 New York Ave., Huntington
"When it’s hot outside, it’s nice to be in a cool bookstore," Braun says. "It never gets crowded because there are three rooms with tons of overstuffed chairs, big couches and a desk. People sit all over the place." The bookstore has free Wi-Fi for visitors.
Mallory Braun, owner of The Next Chapter in Huntington, welcomes remote workers. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
Braun continues, "When people take a break from work, they browse around the bookshelves. There’s also a restaurant two doors down, Stella Blue. So, you can step out, have some caffeine and come back." Customers are welcome to bring outside food into the store as well.
MORE INFO 631-482-5008, thenextchapterli.com
TUCKED IN A GARDEN
Cafe in the Woods
71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury
As you take a seat with your laptop in this cafe inside Old Westbury Gardens, you’ll be surrounded by glorious flowers and graceful trees. This shaded outdoor cafe features 25 laptop-friendly tables, and will be open through Oct. 31.
Take a break to stroll through the walled garden at Old Westbury Gardens. Credit: Old Westbury Gardens
"People who come and work with their laptops are mostly Old Westbury Gardens members. There are also people who just come for the day," Umansky says. During a break, all can enjoy strolling through paths of magical gardens. The spot offers free Wi-Fi and visitors can purchase tickets in advance online.
The menu of inventive sandwiches, salads, wraps and baked goods brighten the experience. A tarragon chicken sandwich and a snickerdoodle make a great pair.
MORE INFO 516-333-0048, oldwestburygardens.org
SURROUNDED BY ART
Nassau County Museum of Art
One Museum Dr., Roslyn
Guests capture moments among art installations at the Nassau County Museum of Art. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Beside the entrance to the museum, there are four laptop-friendly tables on a patio. Visitors are welcome to take a seat at no cost and bring refreshments. If you take a break, for the price of admission, check out the museum’s new exhibit, "At Play, Artists & Entertainment" (through Nov. 9). Keep in mind there is no Wi-Fi available.
MORE INFO 516-484-9338, nassaumuseum.org
