Most coffee shops with free wifi cater to the morning crowds and afternoon workers. They fill up with students, bloggers, and writers from early morning until they run … out of sprout sandwiches at 4 p.m. Ambrosia caters to these types, but it's also a haven for night owls -- they don't close until 1 a.m. Their menu includes excellent paninis and Mediterranean spreads as well as pastries. It's BYOB, but there's a $3 corkage fee.
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The Argo chain is Chicago's runaway favorite among wifi cafe lizards. Getting a seat is often problematic, but if you get lucky, you can camp out for the day. The walls … are decorated with black-and-white photos and lines of teapots. Since it gets quite crowded, this isn't your best bet for quiet work or study.
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Big and bohemian Mercury Cafe was an instant hit with Chicago's wifi-and-caffeine junkies. The friendly waitstaff, eatable sandwiches, and optimal neighborhood location … guaranteed success. For the wifi, ask the barista for the password.
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This hipster coffee shop is often overcrowded with grungy artist and writer types, but if you can get a table, go for it. The friendly atmosphere and fun sense of … community make it a local favorite. Fresh homemade sandwiches made with excellent ingredients are on offer, in addition to the usual pastries and coffee.
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Lined with bookshelves spilling out disheveled fictions and thick volumes of text, decked out in crystal chandeliers and various knickknacks -- the Bourgeois Pig is an … eclectic and homey spot for tea and free wifi. It's mostly a hangout for students and academics from the nearby universities, and you'll often see coeds studying round the upstairs fireplace.
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Bright and decked out with large windows and spacious tables, the Stubbs is an ideal place for getting work done. They have great drinks as well as delicious grilled sammichery, and their coffee beans come from local Fratelli Coffee Company in Schiller Park.
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