14 best coffee shops in Calgary for studying and working

Mar 13 2018, 12:27 pm

The coffee shop grind seems to be a growing trend amongst young professionals and even long time nine to fivers looking to switch things up.

Cafes are beginning to see more and more affluent people taking on the world remotely from their laptops. Luckily, Calgary is keeping up with this booming trend, as there seems to be a new coffee shop opening up every other month. Let’s be honest, there is no such thing of having too many caffeinated spots to choose from!

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It’s a glorious feeling when you find a place that not only inspires you, but has working (and fast) wifi, lots of seating, copious plugins, access to unlimited water, and is easily accessible by all modes of transportation – including decent parking. That isn’t a whole lot to ask for, right?

Thankfully, there are many coffee shops in Calgary that tick off all of those boxes! They’re also designed with your work needs in mind by some of the most talented and creative designers in the city.

We have put together a list of some of the best coffee shops to kill it as a self-employed boss (babe):

Analog Coffee – 17th Avenue

  • What: It’s no secret that this spot is the hub for all freelancers, creatives, and small business owners. This spot is always filled to the brim with the city’s hustling movers-and-shakers. However, aside from its affluent clientele and well-known delicious baked goods from Corbeaux Bakery, it’s also perfect in that it’s open until midnight. Yup, you read that correctly! You can quite literally come at almost all hours of the day and be guaranteed a warm beverage, a comfy, seat and an inspiring vibe to crush any project you have on your to-do list.
  • Where: 740 17th Avenue SW
  • Hours: 6 am to midnight everyday

Alforno Cafe

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  • What: If you’re looking for a space to truly get inspired you’ve got to head down to Alforno, located in the heart of Eau Claire. Designed with comfort in-mind, you’ll be able to take advantage of it’s variety of seating, from prime spots on their patio in the summer to comfy couches by a real wood burning fireplace on a chillier day. With golden details and a rustic, eco-modern decor, there are a million Instagrammable moments to capture when entering this space. Not to mention their brunch, lunch, and dinner options (and don’t forget dessert!) selection will ensure your tummy is happy as you slay your work away. They also have a bike rack and a place to fill up your tires if you’re running low for your ride home.
  • Where: 222 7th Street SW, Eau Claire
  • Hours:
    • Monday to Friday: 7 am to 9 pm
    • Saturday: 8 am to 9 pm
    • Sunday: 8 am to 6 pm

Gravity Espresso and Wine Bar

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  • What: Clusters of plugins – now we’re talking! Being a family-owned business, the people here get it, meaning that this spot is essentially made for freelancers! With a relaxing ambient environment serving cups of hot coffee, tea, and even wine to go along with the high end menu containing wholesome savoury and sweet options, you’ll have something to munch on all day long. There are also bike racks available and loads of parking out front so getting to the cafe will be the least of your worries.
  • Where: 909 10th Street SE, Inglewood
  • Hours:
    • Monday:  7am to 5pm
    • Tuesday – Friday:  7am to 10pm
    • Saturday:  8am to 10pm
    • Sunday:  8am to 5pm

Euphoria Cafe

  • What: Another family-owned business, this beautiful cafe is located in the heart of NW Calgary. Offering a variety of seating, lots of plug ins and strong wifi, this is the perfect weekend “get out of the house work destination.” Along with their fair trade coffee that is always brewing fresh, they were the first cafe to introduce Calgary to the high-performance Bulletproof Coffee aka butter coffee. Their other claim to fame is their notorious hot chocolate that was named one of the top 10 hot chocolates in Canada by The Food Network. Dang! Lastly , as if you need any more reason to pick up and move your laptop to this cafe permanently, is their freshly made Belgium waffles that are made in-house everyday. You can guarantee your tummy will leave more than happy on a trip to Euphoria!
  • Where: 5403 Crowchild Trail NW, Varsity
  • Hours:
    • Monday – Friday:  7am to 9pm
    • Saturday: 7am to 7pm
    • Sunday: 8am to 5pm

Velo Cafe

 

  • What: Inspired by the owner’s love for cycling, this brightly lit cafe is dedicated to community and like-minded cyclists. Decked out in a French flair, you will never have a problem finding inspiration at this cafe, as it’s possible to forget you’re still in #yyc while hanging at this place. Bike or no bike, this spot is the perfect location to get away from the bustling crowds of downtown… and get some serious work done!
  • Where: 102, 2505 17th Avenue SW
  • Hours: Monday to Sunday: 7 am to 5 pm

Calgary Heritage Roasting Co. Pop Up in UNDRCARD Boxing Studio

  • What: What all started with a percolated cup of coffee on a backpacking trip in Calgary’s Rocky Mountais has now become a full fledged local coffee business, and, more recently, a café in UNDRCARD Boxing Studio. With notes of chocolate, toffee, and caramel, a hot cup of this steamy brew will be the perfect refresh after a sweat sesh in the ring. Even if you’re not there to work out, there’s plenty of seating to enjoy available for a meeting, or to simply get some work done in a different atmosphere!
  • Where: UNDRCARD Boxing Studio  – 349 10th Avenue SW
  • Hours:
    • Weekdays: 7 am to 6 pm
    • Weekend: 8 am to 1 pm

Monogram Coffee

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  • What: Monogram Coffee opened the doors to its third location in Calgary earlier this year. With its well known brand and minimalistic aesthetic, the entire shop is easy on the eyes. The Insta-worthy tiled backdrop accentuated by natural lighting and charming wooden benches means that this spot will inspire you to get on top of that latest creative endeavour! Whether there’s rain, sun, or snow, we highly recommend trying their new handcrafted coffee soft serve provided in collaboration with Made By Marcus.
  • Where:
    • Britannia:  800 49th Avenue SW
    • Fifth Avenue Place: 420 2nd Street SW
    • Altadore: 4814 16th Street SW
  • Hours:
    • Monday to Friday: 6 am to 9 pm
    • Saturday: 7 am to 9 pm
    • Sunday: 7 am to 6 pm

Deville Coffee – Brookfield Place 

  • What: For all you nine to fivers, there is now a local coffee option located centrally downtown in the new Brookfield Place that will give you a break from your regular caffeine watering hole! This is the sixth location of this Alberta coffee chain and will be serving up lots of their signature Nutella Latte, along with other specialty beverages and tasty pastries – all baked in-house every morning.
  • Where:  225 6th Avenue SW (1st level)
  • Hours:
    • Monday to Friday: 7 am to 5 pm
    • Weekends: Closed

Société Coffee Lounge

  • What: This new neighbourhood coffee shop is surely to become a staple in Beltline. With cozy leather couches, wooden benches, and timeless artwork, this coffee infused space is perfect for anyone looking for creative inspiration – writers of the city rejoice! You can always rely on a hot coffee brewed from Calgary’s Fratello Coffee Roasters alongside tasty baked-goods from Corbeaux Bakery. However, you can also find a second roaster feature that will change every few months, giving you the opportunity to try out a blend that you won’t find anywhere else in YYC. Lastly, their claim to fame so far has been their latte flights, which gives you the opportunity to try various types of espresso made in different ways. There’s no lack of caffeine here!
  • Where: 1223 11th Avenue SW
  • Hours:
    • Monday to Wednesday: 7 am to 7:30 pm
    • Thursday to Friday: 7 am to 9 pm
    • Saturday: 8 am to 9 pm
    • Sunday: 8 am to 6 pm

Cafe Rosso 

  • What: Marking the seventh location of this local Calgary favourite, you can expect the usual high standards in all of their locations. Amazing design, delicious coffee, and scrumptious breakfast, lunch, and pastry options – this café does it all exceptionally well. With hanging plants and a large outdoor patio, this space is nothing short of inspirational, especially in the summer. If you’re looking for something new to try from their menu, the breakfast sandwich is highly recommended.
  • Where:
    • Tuxedo: 2102 Centre Street N
    • Stephen: 140 8th Avenue SE
    • Victoria Park: 425 11th Avenue SE
    • Inglewood: 1402 9th Avenue SE
    • Studio Bell: 850 4th Street SE
    • 17 Avenue: 103 17th Avenue SE
  • Hours:
    • Monday to Friday: 7 am to 8 pm
    • Saturday: 7 am to 8 pm
    • Sunday: 8 am to 5 pm

Lukes Drug Mart – Killarney Location 

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  • What: This Calgary landmark has been a staple to the community since 1951 in Bridgeland, and now has a new location in Killarney. This location originally opened it’s doors in 2010, but has only recently seen the addition of coffee. Grab you’re favourite record, find your pharmacy needs, and leave with a hot cuppa joe – sounds good to us! Stay tuned for more information on their recent collaboration with the new Calgary Public Library.
  • Where: 3407 26th Avenue SW
  • Hours:
    • Monday to Friday: 9 am to 6 pm
    • Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm
    • Sunday: 10 am to 4 pm

Vendome Cafe

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  • What: Experience the warmth and charm of a European cafe as you step into this beautiful coffee shop located in the historic Vendome Block in the heart of Sunnyside. This mid-century cafe offers up one of the best binge-worthy brunches in the city, so you really can’t go wrong coming here for a morning meeting or early work sesh. With lots of seating surrounded by a beautiful artwork done by a variety of local artists, the creative juices are bound to be flowing after you have spent a little time here.
  • Where: 940 2nd Avenue NW
  • Hours:
    • Monday to Friday: 7 am to 8 pm
    • Saturday to Sunday: 8 am to 5 pm

Distilled Beauty Bar and Espresso Cafe

  • What: They say the best part of working for yourself is having the ability to work anywhere right? We challenge you to take advantage of that to its fullest extent. At Distilled, you can quite literally sit back and relax as you work on your latest big deadline, taking #treatyourself moments to a whole new level! Come in for a blow out, get your nails done, and tame those brows as you sip on a freshly brewed coffee or, depending on the week, a stiff cocktail. Even if you’re not looking to get any services, but are still searching for a relaxing atmosphere to make some headway, the front of this spot is set up as a regular cafe with plush seating and beautiful marble tables.
  • Where: 2408, 34th Avenue SW
  • Hours:
    • Monday to Friday: 7:30 am to 9 pm
    • Saturday: 8 am to 8 pm
    • Sunday: 8:30 am to 5 pm

Philosafy Coffee

  • What: This coffee shop is bright, rustic, and full of fresh greenery. It’s as if you’ve stepped into a greenhouse for humans, as you can feel the creativity growing like vines! Serving up coffee blends from Columbia, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia amongst an every changing gallery of local art, this spot is the artists’, writers’, and all around creatives’ dream location. Their golden-illustration of Socrates himself is placed on every cup, and he’s peering up at you just waiting to spark your next big Aha Moment. There is also a community library tucked away in the corner, making for a perfect pit of inspiration if you’re ever stumped!
  • Where: 632 17th Avenue SW
  • Hours:
    • Weekdays: 7 am to 11 pm
    • Weekends: 8 am to 11 pm

Phil and Sebastian Coffee Roasters 

  • What: With five locations spread out across the city’s core, you are never very far away from a cup of Phil & Seb’s brew. With their headquarters located in the historical Simmon’s building, there is no lack of creativity and inspiration to be had in these beautifully designed spaces, with their high ceilings and charming details. The minute you walk in, you’ll be hit with the aroma of a much needed caffeine fix – which will enable you to sit down and get straight to work. From individual tables that are perfect for those days when you want to tuck away and sink into the world of your head phones, to communal tables that will allow you to meet with colleagues or socialize… if you so desire. You can always guarantee that you’ll be meeting well-established and like-minded contacts that just may come in handy in the future!
  • Where;
    • HQ Simmons: 618 Comfluence Way SE
    • Marda Loop: 2043 33rd Avenue SW
    • Chinook Centre: 6355 Macleod Trial SW
    • Mission: 2207 4th Street SW
    • Stephen Avenue: 102 8th Avenue SW
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Kristy ArchibaldKristy Archibald

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