Essential Amenities for a Productive Coworking Experience: What to Look For

Why are restaurants putting their hats in the coworking ??

In between meetings, afes have long been a favourite makeshift work spot for freelancers and businesspeople. Now, a growing number of restaurants are attempting to expand on that setup by formally participating in the coworking scene.

Restaurant workspaces, like traditional coworking spaces, are equipped with the necessities power outlets, high-speed internet, and bottomless tea and coffee.

a restaurant whose ground floor is converted to coworking use from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, a membership includes 40% off food and drinks and a discount on private lounge hire.

"Coworking has been happening on an informal basis in the F&B sector for a long time,

coworking space

Let's get down to business

While some restaurants advertise their space on their own, others use services  , which provide a network of restaurants open for daytime coworking.

Members pay a monthly fee for access to all locations, usually between 8.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays when business is slow – and restaurants not only create a new revenue stream but also maintain a buzzy atmosphere, which can help attract customers.

Costs are generally lower than those of traditional coworking facilities, though this is reflected in fewer facilities and shorter hours.

Griffin claims that "restaurant coworking is less functional than a traditional coworking space, lacking printing facilities and large meeting spaces." "However, the restaurant's brand or ambience may be appealing to small groups or solo workers seeking a more business-focused environment than they might find in a regular cafe."

Coworkers who are models

Griffin observes that restaurants that provide coworking space are concentrated in prime city centre locations that are easily accessible.

"This particular type of space, where there isn't the option to expand to accommodate larger teams, for example," he says, "caters to a niche audience of freelancers and startups." "A lot of demand for casual desk space in the city centre has already been absorbed by coffee shops and other all-day venues that people can use on an informal basis."

Restaurant-based workspaces are also likely to appeal to those who do not require a central desk space on a regular basis, as well as out-of-town visitors. Martello Hall in East London, for example, has daily and weekly rates, while Workspott, which provides coworking space 

coworking space

As part of a larger plan

While working in a restaurant can have additional distractions, such as diners chatting or people moving around frequently, the benefits of leveraging underutilised space have led restaurants to address such productivity challenges.

However, not all restaurants can easily implement a work-friendly environment. Evening destinations, for example, are more likely to have dimmer lighting and furniture or design that is less conducive to work. With coworking space competition heating up a growing number of hotels are joining the mix alongside full-service coworking offices.