Cozy corners of nyc made for writing and rain

Spots that celebrate April showers

Trying to write in my New York City apartment usually includes (but is not limited to): checking my phone every four sentences written, cat running across keyboard, laundry basket blinking at me with overflowing disappointment [and clothing], and the faint smell of whatever I cooked last night that is desperatelyy trying to be masked by the candle I lit for ““ambience””.

Safe to say, it’s rare that I write and create anything within my own four walls. In fact, part of the luxury of putting pen to paper for this newsletter is all of the places I write it in. Replacing my plastic IKEA desk chair for velvet upholstery of a cafe’s worn-in couch, or swapping the courtyard view out of my window for the greenery of central park or a quiet side street- are all quite essential to the success of the sloppy writing in my wrinkled notebook.

I’ve built up my list of the most comforting crannies of the city from this recent winter of writing here on Substack, (and being a WFH patron for my first two years in the city) around a few principals:

1. Books or art required. Preferably old or historic. Something about the smell of bookcases sparks inspiration like no other.

2. A table you can claim for awhile. Always purchase something out of respect for the business, but there should be no rushed feeling of staying a bit after you finished your tea.

3. A neighborhood that isn’t your own. One of the best parts about living in New York is being able to quickly teleport to different scenery and feelings from a combination of new streets and avenues.

4. Dark interior with natural light. A very specific combo- the type where you can almost see the dust in the air from a bookshelf from sunlight.

5. Good coffee or matcha. No brainer- bonus points if you can finish with a cocktail.

6. Laptops, (but without the essence of corporate). Sometimes I don’t mind the no laptop policy (I know this sounds so pick-me) because it forces me to write with a pen and paper, but always a plus to have the flexibility of bringing one.

7. A place that always feels like a rainy day. Somewhere that swallows you up for hours with no temptation of the outside world.

Being pick me with my notebook

Something I’ve also thought about quite a bit since starting this newsletter in the freezing months of the year is how seasonal writing feels. I’d be lying if I didn’t wish for warmer weather, [mainly because of my dry skin and electric bill], but I swear the best writing comes out of a rainy or cold day when the only thing on the agenda is you, writing, and a few cups of coffee. I imagine that even on the hottest days I’ll be seeking out a cozy corner of the city from my below list:

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1. Hide and Seek

Greenpoint (allows laptops)

A true magic treehouse right in the heart of Greenpoint, Hide and Seek is a dream for writers who are also maximalists. The entrance is obscure from the street view, which I don’t think was done in a theatrical way, but more as an ode to how unexpected the interior is when you walk in. The walls are fully covered in geometric murals with massive shelves filled with little treasures- books, plants, and figurines for you to seek.

Once you get your coffee in one of their mismatched mugs, you can take a seat on their purple velvet couch or in your own little nook illuminated by a stained glass butterfly lamp. This is the epitome of a place that is very laptop/wifi friendly, but doesn’t draw in the annoying digital nomad crowd that subject you to their very important meetings being taken at a high decibel. Everyone is respectful, creative, and suddenly social when the spot turns from coffee → cocktail at 6pm.

2. Chai Spot

Nolita (laptop policy not disclosed)

This place is the essence of this entire newsletter, it’s the type of place I want to put in my pocket and protect forever and ever. I don’t mean to be sappy but- Chai Spot is so authentically itself that you couldn’t possibly produce bad writing or thoughts while being here.

Come on in and order some Pakistani Chai- my favorite is the cardamom, hot -with a tiny sprinkle of raw coconut sugar. Once you have your chai, take off your shoes (don’t forget to wear socks like I did one time) and step into the indoor secret garden where the flowers are ornate rugs and textiles on the floor to take a seat on. You never know what time it is at Chai Spot, the room is dimly lit by fairy lights at all hours of the day, so you can expect to walk in during daylight and out with the moon and stars.

3. Albertine

Upper East Side (allows laptops)

I’m not going to pretend like I didn’t find Albertine on social media. I’m pretty sure I saw some reel about it like 3 months ago and I, like thousands of others, am guilty of saving this spot due to its heaven-like painted ceilings of constellations and towering book shelves at the peak of spiral staircases. You’d expect this place to be absolutely packed on a rainy spring afternoon, but I can validate that I have been twice now and have enjoyed the ability to spread out and write here all day amongst a few leisurely browsers.

The top floor has multiple small rooms with tables and couches to camp out in, all with windows overlooking grand UES townhouses with full fledged backyards and carriage houses. The one main note is that this is a book store, not a cafe, so you’ll have to respectfully bring your caffeine with you from Variety Coffee nearby, but you’ll be plenty energized by the french literature and art around you.

4. Cafe Sabarsky

Upper East Side (laptop policy unknown- be fearless?)

I remember being in Vienna, Austria for the weekend when I was studying abroad in Prague for the semester in college- most of the weekend was spent drinking beer, but those of us who just wanted to actually learn a little somethin’ lined up outside of Cafe Mozart to get a table and taste of what it was like to be an “intellectual” during the enlightenment period. The blended scent of schnitzel and coffee, trailed by black forest cake is never to be forgotten- Vienna was literally built around the concept of a coffeehouse frequented by controversial figures like Zweig, Freud, and Trotsky.

Cafe Sabarsky simulates everything that is a Viennese coffehouse- a dark and enchanting cove to write and indulge in a slice of cake and espresso with whipped cream on virtually everything. In any other format, this would be way too sweet, but for some reason it’s juuuuuust right— you get all of your greens to cut the sweetness by simply looking out the window to see Central Park in bloom. You will most certainly have to wait in line, but you can’t miss the Neue Gallery that’s connected to the coffeehouse that has incredible Austrian and German art to digest.

5. Paquita Tea House

West Village

This is the only spot on the list that has a strong no laptop policy, so this is strictly for notebook-ing and reading. Sometimes you want the essence of a high tea without paying for a high tea, and Paquita allows you to choose your tea off of a never ending shelf of shiny brass canisters that match the molding of the shiny brass ceiling.

Most of the fun is going around and sniffing each tea in order to decide what you want to sip, which (as I write these words) I’m realizing feels a bit unsanitary? But quite the olfactory experience to open the mind a bit. You also get to choose a scone with clotted cream if you want, or another pastry from the pastry case, and you can sit there for hours up against the window and write with your personal teapot.

6. Bibliotheque

Soho (allows laptops)

Soho is one of those neighborhoods that I went to every single weekend when I moved here. I’m not sure if I thought I was required to go to Zara every Friday to look for an outfit for that weekend (lame), or felt like Sephora was somewhere I could hide within my comfort zone of suburbia as a new city dweller (lamer). Soho is now on my avoid list, as I do not go unless absolutely necessary to make some sort of return or get my hair cut, but I will make an exception to spend the day at Bibliotheque.

This is the closest you will get to the gothic university library feel, the hogwarts-esque bookcases with ladders up against them to uncover whatever mystery books are at the top if you decide to climb. You’ll probably be fighting for a seat here on the weekend, but there are so many books to peel off the shelf and read the backs of that you won’t even notice how long you’ve been waiting. It’s also a mutual understand that once you earn your spot on the couch, you’ll be there for hours.

7. Bakeri

Greenpoint (allows laptops)

Bakeri is the perfect place to write on a warmer day when you feel like you need to take advantage of warm weather and don’t want to be fully cooped up inside. The front door always seems to be open, sunlight and breeze spill right on in making the lamination on the croissants behind the counter look like patent leather.

Something I haven’t even touched on yet is the added bonus of good cafe food to a spot in which you’ll be spending most of your day. The Bakeri staff quite literally run a full-on bakery (open kitchen concept, you can see all the dough being kneaded) so the name isn’t at all deceiving because their baked goods are actually delicious.

Pay special attention to the mural painted up against one of the walls when you first walk in, it’s yet another place that embraces maximalism and the art of mismatched patterns, colors, and shapes- perfect for inspiration and creative thought.

8. Cafe MSMN

Williamsburg (allows laptops)

I don’t usually go for the trendy modern places, but MSMN is a cafe that doubles as an art gallery and has a rotating exhibition every few months. They also have what every cafe wants- space. There are lots of tables and chairs scattered throughout in the open and within small, more private alcoves. I also was dazzled by their metallic chrome coffee mugs and little matching chrome tray that is served to you like a packaged up gift from the barista, and can attest that the pistachio matcha is phenomenal with her perfect zing of almond extract.

9. Silence Please

Lower East Side (allows laptops)

Silence, please when walking into Silence Please. No but really, the whole place is pretty damn quiet and embraces the relaxing music being played on fancy expensive speakers that are probably “vintage”. The seating is spacious, but communal, feeling a bit like you’re right at the dining room table or couch in the living room of someone’s soho loft.

The matcha is good, and the pastries are from La Cabra, so I guess the reason this isn’t higher on my list is because the people are too cool for me here. I also…spilled that very good matcha all over their $10,000 Togo couch. While I probably shouldn’t be seen at Silence Please again, I highly recommend it for sceney writers who combine a fashion statement with the words they’re writing that day.

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Where do you like to read, write, or relax on a rainy day?

Also, if you love me and you love Crumbs, buy me a coffee <3 so I can continue to make most of my publications and chat resources free :)