Spring Quarter is upon us!
In your last quarter of Maph, I recommend leaving Hyde Park and continuing to explore the city. Certainly, this can be hard to do. There are rainy days, thesis books, etc. But there are great places to study and work all over this amazing city.Image may be NSFW.
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Below are some great coffee shops and study spots. It is really worth it to get up early, hop on some public transport, and get a break from Hyde Park. Looking back, I wish I did this more last year. Although I am very much a coffee-minded person, these places also have great food, tea, etc.
For a Cozy Spot:
Ipsento– Guys, this place is incredible. They have the most phenomenal specialty and seasonal drinks (I recommend the chai), plus sandwiches named after authors. My Maph comrades and I went here a few times last year and it remains one of my favorite places!
(http://ipsento.com/ Right off the blue line)
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Café Mustache – this coffee shop is close to my heart. I am not much of a latter drinker, but they have amazing lattes. This place just has a great vibe, too. It is cozy and weird and as such feels very Maphy, but with the advantage of being off campus.
(http://www.cafemustache.com/ also right off the blue line)
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Bourgeois Pig Café- Known for its literary sandwiches and set in a lovely part of Lincoln Park, the BPC is a classic Chicago coffee shop. It can fill up quickly, but especially if weather is nice it is great to grab a table outside!
(http://bpigcafe.com/ off of the red line)
For Focus:
Gaslight: This is a work and laptop friendly place with a lot of natural light. Just be prepared to see a lot of hipsters with a lot of “cool” beards.
(http://gaslightcoffeeroasters.com/ off the blue line)
Big Shoulders– this great coffee shop was actually recommended to me by none other than Hilary Strang last year. It has a very mellow, open vibe that was a nice change of pace from my cubicle in the library. Also, amazing coffee.
(http://bigshoulderscoffee.com/ off of the blue line, Chicago stop)
When you are in it for the long haul:
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Filter: I first went to Filter with a group of friends this fall, and keep going back. This has become my favorite place to grade papers or do class readings. I am a sucker for mismatched coffee shop furniture and for sandwiches- both of which Filter champions excels in. There is always room in this surprisingly spacious location and it is relatively group-friendly and won’t pressure you to leave and make room for other customers.
(Map here… also off the blue line)
Alliance Bakery: Initially attracted to the cakes in their window front, I found Alliance to be a nice work spot. They have a separate room- apart from the counter and ordering customers- where you can read and write in relative silence. It is comfortable and I’ve never seen it overly packed or busy. This is also in a great spot, if you want to poke around Wicker Park and enjoy W Division and/or N Milwaukee.
(http://www.alliancebakery.com/, off of the blue line)
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Nitecap Coffee Bar– I have only been here once, but had a great time. One of my friends in Mapss drove us and we worked on our respective theses there. Their food and drinks are reasonably priced and Pilsen is a very close and cool neighborhood to check out (especially with a car, unfortunately public transporting there is still a hassle).
(http://nitecapcoffee.com/ accessible by bus or car)
Easily Accessed:
Café Descartes– with a slogan like “I Drink, Therefore I Am” this is place is worth checking out. They have a cozy interior, lots of pictures of philosophers to look and judge you if you are spending too much time on facebook or whatever it is the kids do these days. Vine? Is that still a thing? Perhaps best of all, this café is easy to get to- just hop on and off the #6 bus.
(http://www.cafedescartes.com/cafe-descartes-chicago off of the #6 bus)
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Cultural Center: The Cultural Center has a coffee shop and plenty of seating. I haven’t actually been to this coffee shop, but I do love the Cultural Center. There may be cool events up that would provide a good study break. Regardless, walking around and to the top of the building is fun.
(Info here, off of the #6 bus)
There, of course, many more places to explore! Go forth and do so, then let me know where you’d recommend!