For the last six years my virtual office as a fabulous freelancer has often been the cafes around Melbourne's CBD, as I eat, drink and work my way through the day with some of the best service and food in town. In fact, I'm now more productive in a bustling cafe than I am in a bright, quiet, LED-lit, soulless office. And it seems the trend it catching on, as I'm asked more frequently than ever before, 'Little Miss, where can I find free wifi in Melbourne?'. Here are my go-to places for free wifi in Melbourne city with a side of coffee, breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, and possibly a vino while still, technically, 'at work'.
Little Sista - image via Yelp.com.au
Little Sista - central
Smack bang in the middle of the city, Hairy Little Sista offers comfy couches, tables for small to largish groups, indoor and outdoor seating plus service with a stylish smile. Great central space for a meeting, a drink, food, coffee, and of course, free wifi.
218-240 Little Collins St, Melbourne
7 days a week from early til late
www.facebook.com/HairyLittleSista
Coffee Exchange - Paris end
Located at the Spring Street end of town, you'll find comfy bench seats, attentive and humbling service, all day breakfast, gluten free options, generous portions and a large, unpretentious space at Coffee Exchange. It's a good hideaway from the world for a few hours.
Shop 9, 1 Little Collins Street
Open 7 days a week
www.coffeeexchange.com.au
Trunk Diner towards Carlton Gardens image via trunktown.com.au
Trunk Diner - north east corner
These friendly, funky guys are open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, dinner, inside, outside, diner or restaurant. The city's biggest and best beer garden, ideal for dappled sunlight.
275 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
7 days a week
Gluten free friendly
www.trunktown.com.au
Collins Square - Docklands area
This retail centre is a possibly one of the greatest saving graces of the Docklands area, growing in size and in popularity. There are multiple spots to logon, from the library nook with comfy couches to the food court below, and the increasing number of restaurants and bars in the vicinity. It provides a great refuge from the wind tunnel outside.
727 Collins Street
All the things
Best Monday to Friday
www.collinssquare.com.au
Bear Brass on Southbank image via bearbrass.com.au
Bear Brass - Southbank side
A casual spot to lap up some sunshine on Southbank with good wifi, breakfast, lunch, drinks and dinner, seven days a week. Standard pub fare that can take you pleasantly by surprise. Recently renovated and bigger and brighter as a result.
7 days a week
Southgate Plaza, Southbank
www.bearbrass.com.au
C&B Cafe - central
Found right on the corner of Block Arcade and Little Collins Street, it can get a bit touristy here but it's reliable nonetheless. The staff are always helpful and happy to help and it's large enough to find a nook if you need to focus. If you're a nightowl and love to get through some work on weekends it's a good spot after 5pm Wednesday to Sunday.
C&B Cafe
7 days a week (only to 5pm Monday/Tuesday)
Block Arcade
Got a fave place you love to work at? Give them a shout out below!