Midterms are the worst. After the past few weeks, I don’t think that I am physically capable of spending five more minutes on the fourth floor of Butler. I have a strong suspicion that the multitudes of other people stuck in the on-campus libraries for hours feel about the same way. Luckily, we live in New York City, which means you can discover plenty of nice study spots off-campus with just a little searching! Here are my favorite study spots on the Upper West Side, because, although doing work inevitably sucks, it’s a little less terrible in a beautiful building or trendy coffee shop.
1. Aroma Espresso Bar (72nd and Broadway)
This coffee shop has delightful iced coffee (a midterm staple) and plenty of plush seating. Upstairs, there is an outdoor patio area so you can take full advantage of those fleeting sunrays this week. They also have a full menu including salads and sandwiches, so you don’t have the excuse to stop studying to “go get food.” Also, they have free Wi-Fi, which is hugely convenient.
Also, they serve wine and beer in the evenings, because sometimes you just get to that point during midterms (am I right?)
Downside: a little overpriced. But, they give you free chocolates with every order.
2. Irving Farm Coffee Roasters (79th between Broadway and Amsterdam)
This place is my favorite coffee shop of all time. Nestled away in one of those little buildings on 79th, Irving farm always feels comforting with its hardwood floors and perpetual smell of freshly roasted coffee. I always feel super artsy and hip when I sit in the comfy booths in the back and rub elbows with the artsy regulars. This is also a prime spot to have some quintessential New Yorker moments, like striking up a conversation with big-time screen-writer at the table next to you (this happened to me. It was amazing).
Downsides: the food is way overpriced and there is no Wi-Fi. But, the vanilla lattes more than make up for the shortcomings.
3. David Rubenstein Atrium (63rd and Broadway)
If you’re looking for a non-coffee shop venue that is located reasonably close to campus, this is the place. The atrium is a large, clean, public space complete with tables and interesting (read: kind of weird but kind of cool?) modern art. The best thing about this place is that you can sit as long as you want without paying for anything at all! Unlike coffee shops, the baristas won’t give you judgmental looks for sitting at a table for 3 hours and just buying a $3 cup of coffee. If you do get the munchies, Wichcraft has a booth inside that sells an assortment of breakfast options and sandwiches. The atrium also houses the Lincoln Center information desk if you decide to procrastinate studying by seeing a performance of some sort.
Downside: the Wi-Fi is unreliable at best.
http://atrium.lincolncenter.org/index.php/atrium
4. Hungarian Pastry Shop (111th and Amsterdam)
Can’t forget our own neighborhood spot! I always feel like I’m in a scene from a movie when sitting at a dimly lit table at Hungarian surrounded by artwork. Although it is right next to campus, Hungarian still seems like a little getaway to me. Obviously, the pastries and the coffee are unbelievably amazing.
Downside: Cash only (actually the most annoying thing in the world)
https://plus.google.com/115393413807091201685/about?gl=us&hl=en
Finally, not technically in the Upper West Side, but….
5. Bryant Park, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building of the New York Library, Bank of America Tower Public Space
This is three study spots in one block. THREE. Bryant Park is unbelievably beautiful in the fall and spring and hosts the Winter Park Village in the winter; so, it is worth visiting all times of the year. Little green tables, which are the perfect size for studying, are scattered over the park. The main branch of the New York Public Library is, in my opinion, the prettiest building in the city. If you don’t mind the occasional tour walking in, the reading rooms upstairs always have seats open. Right across the street from Bryant Park is the Bank of America Tower, which has a large public space on the ground floor. The space has huge windows and a lot of greenery, making it the perfect place to study when it is too cold to sit in the park. Another huge perk, it’s right across the street from a Starbucks for your caffeine fix and extremely close to a Chipotle.
Downside: NONE.