Laptop Friendly Spaces Open Past 10pm?

[MetroMan]

Hey all, I'm quite the night owl lately, often only ramping into my creative work after 7 or 8pm. I enjoy working around people so staying home to do this work isn't the best option. Unfortunately, my local cafés close at 10pm.

Is there a space at for example UofT that is open after hours? Study spaces? Libraries? Cafés?

Most places that are open past 10pm are bars or lounges so trying to work on a laptop there is not ideal.

Any tips?

 

[MetroMan]

I did some research and found that Robarts has Extended hours which basically means it's open around the clock:

http://link.library.utoronto.ca/library/hours/month.cfm?library_id=109

Why they differentiate between regular and extended I haven't found out yet. I wonder if I can get in as a non-student in that extended schedule.

 

[scarberiankhatru]

They do check your student card when the library closes (the stacks close during extended hours and only the computers and study rooms stay open). They can be pretty hawk-like in their vigilance, but maybe you can hide or bargain with them. I doubt it, though. Trin, St. Mike's and Vic's libraries are open till 11:45, but St. Mike's lounge room is the busiest/noisiest.

 

[MetroMan]

I don't mind the noise/business of a spot. Actually, I prefer it.

The problem with late night cafés/bars is that it really isn't socially acceptable to be there working on your laptop. I would look like a stiff..lol Also, people can get pretty rowdy which is different than the busy buzz you hear at a busy café during the day.

So it looks like I might just get a library card @ Robarts. Often, I'm wide awake at 2 or 3am and feel like going out to get some work done and just see people after being cooped up alone in my apartment all day.

 

[syn]

I'm the same way. I usually find it easy to work at home at night though. Here is a small list I've used before:

http://auth.wirelesstoronto.ca/hotspot_status.php

 

[urbandreamer]

How about Tim Horton's? Open all night, I often see students working at their laptops. There's one beside the copshop on Dundas West I used to frequent.

 

[adma]

Yeah, I love to start an urban legend that there's an underground donut conveyor belt between that Tim's and the cop station...

 

[scarberiankhatru]

So it looks like I might just get a library card @ Robarts. Often, I'm wide awake at 2 or 3am and feel like going out to get some work done and just see people after being cooped up alone in my apartment all day.

You need a student card to stay in Robarts during extended hours.

 

[MetroMan]

I did some extensive searching and I think I may have found a great space to work at:

The Ryerson Business building! The interior courtyard is a nice space to work outside and if it gets cold (although wind won't be a problem), there are plenty of couches inside surrounding the courtyard.

I'm not sure it's open past 10pm but I was there tonight well after 9 and nobody bothered me (even though the place looked deserted).

I was surprised at how I didn't need student ID to get into any of the common areas. It's very much open to the public I guess.

 

[vicente]

They do check your student card when the library closes (the stacks close during extended hours and only the computers and study rooms stay open). They can be pretty hawk-like in their vigilance, but maybe you can hide or bargain with them. I doubt it, though. Trin, St. Mike's and Vic's libraries are open till 11:45, but St. Mike's lounge room is the busiest/noisiest.

They usually check right after 11pm so you could hide in the bathroom until they leave. it usually takes them 5 min to check. You'll have to use the bathroom on the same floor as the room you're studying at because they have student ID-checkers at the entrance to each floor.

 

[scarberiankhatru]

They usually check right after 11pm so you could hide in the bathroom until they leave. it usually takes them 5 min to check. You'll have to use the bathroom on the same floor as the room you're studying at because they have student ID-checkers at the entrance to each floor.

They don't leave, though...they leisurely patrol all night, on the first floor, at least.

Great way to spend a great night: hiding on bathrooms, contemplating concrete triangles, breathing in Robarts' fresh and well-circulated air...