Where to Work Late in Austin, Texas
Austin is the live music capital of the world, but it’s not hard to find a quiet place to get some work done
A hot spot for music fans, Austin is open for business, with many locations rocking extended hours.
Austin, Texas, is proud of its “weird” reputation—and, yes, its live music.But it isn’t just full of music venues: it’s also bursting with hipster culture (the annual Remington Beard Boss World Beard & Moustache Championships are held here in early September), microbreweries, startup incubators and plenty of cowboy boots.
If you’re here for work and want a late-night work spot, you’ll have plenty of options. But while you won’t have trouble finding Wi-Fi spots anywhere in Austin, it can take a bit more effort to find work-friendly late-night spots that are also great for food, beverages and people-watching. We’ve done the legwork for you—including Austin coffee shops, breweries and cafes—with this list of favorite late-night work spots for the business traveler.
Late night ambiance at Radio Coffee & Beer
The gorgeous outdoor patio—and a strong Wi-Fi connection—makes this a popular remote work spot. (It doesn’t hurt that it’s open until midnight, seven days a week.) Bonus: the patio overlooks a lovely lawn. So if the live music is distracting, you can picnic.
Best bet for an all-nighter? Epoch Coffee
Austin’s North Loop was once nothing but strip malls, but today it’s a thriving hotspot for locals and visitors. This North Loop location of Epoch Coffee is rarely overcrowded, it has a great patio with plenty of outdoor outlets and its snack offerings include empanadas and thin-crust pizza from East Side Pies. Oh, and this Austin coffee shop is open 24 hours a day.
Get a reminder of college life at Monkey Nest Coffee
The 24-hour Monkey Nest Cafe is popular among students and those who love a little background music when they work.
Locals flock to this 24-hr. spot to grab a bite, a beverage and a table to get some work done. If you’re catching up on work over a weekend, you should know that Friday and Saturday nights feature live music; if the music is distracting, head to the quiet room in the back. You might have to wait for table space in the very late-night hours (after 2 a.m.) while school’s in session—you’ll have University of Texas students competing with you.
Make yourself at home at Caffé Medici
Yes, there are four locations, but the original spot on West Lynn Street (open weekdays until 8 p.m.) is exactly what you’d expect from Austin cafes: artisanal coffees, an eclectic crowd and excellent Wi-Fi. It’s a little bit like hanging out at your cool aunt’s house—except with great coffee and room for your laptop.
The brew of your choice at Wright Bros. Brew & Brew
This unique coffee-and-beer spot has plenty of tables and lots of space at the bar. It’s open until midnight every day, and the staff is at the ready to recommend the flat white or craft beer that will pair perfectly with your deadlines.
For the active crowd: Alta’s Cafe
Busy during daylight hours, in the evening, be sure to look up from your laptop to spot sunset lake views at Austin’s Alta’s Cafe.
This local-secret hideaway, open daily until 8 p.m., is off the hiking and biking trail overlooking Lady Bird Lake, so you’ll have an amazing sunset view on the outdoor patio (and plenty of outlets for your devices). Bonus: If you’re up for a hike or a bike ride before you crack open your laptop, you can park your car at the end of the trail and end your workout here.
Easy networking at Hops & Grain
This spot boasts large community tables—bring your earbuds if you’re not up for a chat—and plenty of craft beer options. It’s open until 10 p.m. daily, and if you need a 45-minute break, you can take a tour of the brewery.
Work and then play at Halcyon Coffee Bar & Lounge
This bar and lounge, open daily until 2 a.m., feels as though it were invented for late-night laptop time. Work pairs well with spirits when they’re mixed with cold-brewed coffee. A word of warning: the Long Island Iced Coffee is so potent that they limit customers to two servings: You may want to wait until you’ve put the laptop away to order one.
Need a home base on your business trip? Find hotels in Austin.
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