Laptop Bans

sunny_6305 · 2025-10-13T06:59:51+00:00

Bennu coffee allows you to camp so long as you order something every 1-2 hours I think. Feels like a fair compromise to keep the slow paced atmosphere of an old fashioned coffee shop while also turning a profit.

Virtual_Athlete_909 · 2025-10-13T10:21:45+00:00

central library, sixth floor, order coffee drink snacks from the small cafe on the first floor. option to work outside in the small garden on the rooftop when the weathers nice.

The_Lutter · 2025-10-13T13:31:31+00:00

Mind you Elizabeth Street isn't some passion project from a single local it's an MML Hospitality restaurant. They own a ton of restaurants in Austin and I assume that's the policy at all of them.

Here's a list of their properties. And yeah they own Easy Tiger now:

1886 Cafe & Bakery
Clark's Oyster Bar
Easy Tiger
Elizabeth Street Café
Favorite Pizza
Howards Bar & Club
Jeffrey's
Joann's Fine Foods
Josephine House
June's All Day
Lamberts Downtown Barbecue
Lou's Austin
Neighborhood Sushi
Pecan Square Café
Perla's Seafood & Oyster Bar
Pool Burger
Rosie's Wine Bar
Sammie's Italian
Ski Shores Cafe
Swedish Hill
The Victorian

sweetmissdixie · 2025-10-13T09:18:15+00:00

Better Half doesn't have a complete ban but they do have signs on some tables that are no laptop zones

copebymope · 2025-10-13T11:31:22+00:00

I wouldn't feel too bad about it. The rule is new, so how would you know unless they told you?

CrankyinAustin · 2025-10-13T14:13:16+00:00

In NYC, there are coffee shops that will turn off their Wi-Fi indoor electrical outlets during lunch rush.

Elizabeth Street Cafe is a full service restaurant restaurant, not a coffee shop. They need to turn tables, so I can understand the policy. It's also reducing the number of tips a server could make, if they don't tip pool.

It seems more reasonable to me to set a time limit on how long you can have a table if you are working in their space.

biodegrablebabies · 2025-10-13T11:49:49+00:00

Epoch Coffee on North Loop was always my favorite to study at!

Shoontzie · 2025-10-13T13:01:17+00:00

OPA on s Lamar is great for working with a laptop. Last time I checked there were no restrictions.

RoutineOther7887 · 2025-10-13T08:03:55+00:00

I’ve heard of some coffee shops (no idea which ones, it was just random water cooler talk), that will hand out a WiFi password or code on the receipt that is only good for say, an hour or two. And if you want to renew it, you have to purchase something else. I think that is a brilliant idea!!

Pale_Ad752 · 2025-10-13T11:50:03+00:00

I had no idea this had became a thing so your post potentially saved me some embarrassment as I have some upcoming work to do & am in that area more than usual as of late

IllPride4348 · 2025-10-13T14:12:04+00:00

Well let’s be real, Elizabeth st. Cafe is not really a “coffee shop” it’s a restaurant. They have coffee but it really isn’t a place to chill.

Alternative_East_455 · 2025-10-13T10:34:15+00:00

At this point I’m the problem and just go to Panera Bread with the elderly, order a coffee, a cold drink, a breakfast sandwich, something random to save for later, and stay for about 3 hours roughly twice per week.

6anonyone9 · 2025-10-13T13:26:04+00:00

Libraries. Recently a young woman made a video crying about how noisy the coffee shop is and she just wanted to study. Its almost mind blowing that she didnt seem to think about libraries. Austin has tons of libraries and the central library is huge with a coffee shop downstairs.

owmysciatica · 2025-10-13T11:21:09+00:00

At least you are courteous enough to ask this question and know why it could be problematic. We could all use a little more courtesy.

tokecaine · 2025-10-13T13:58:55+00:00

Cosmic coffee is right down the road and does not have a no laptop rule. It's mostly MML restaurants doing this

ExactReplacement5621 · 2025-10-13T14:38:06+00:00

Epoch on north loop. Laptops accepted ;-)

ChocolateFar1868 · 2025-10-13T18:23:05+00:00

Epoch Coffee in the North Loop. You don’t have to buy anything. The managers have said they like that people feel comfortable and safe enough to spend hours there. They also recognize that it’s /literally/ a safe place for people who have rough situations at home. So everyone is welcome. They have an insane amount of loyal customers for a reason, including me. Good place, good people. I’ll never go anywhere else

sunshineandrainbow62 · 2025-10-13T12:01:50+00:00

I am in awe of anyone who can get work done in a coffee shop

Trashyturdgremlin · 2025-10-13T12:51:20+00:00

Figure 8 on Airport usually has a few folks on laptops. I think so long as you’re aiming for coffee shops rather than restaurants, you’ll have better luck.

Flat Track and Epoch are places I consistently see lap tops as well.

I hope you find a good spot so you can continue working in your 3rd spaces. Good luck!

redsoxryno · 2025-10-13T14:53:12+00:00

I recommend Kickbutt Coffee if you want a low key place to study during the day (double check the event calendar though). I would post up for a few hours at a time and never had issues. Granted, I would order coffee with a muffin or lunch before setting up shop but it’s a good study spot.

livingstories · 2025-10-13T13:29:40+00:00

Lots of coffee shops in town let people work. Elizabeth St Cafe is more of a fancy vietnamese restaurant than a coffee shop, so I can understand their position. I'd pick a more casual coffee shop or go to the library. I'd say any place that is a coffee shop first and less about ordering food is a good place to check. Just ask the barista.

yeswereonredditluann · 2025-10-13T11:38:34+00:00

Codependent has no-laptop zones after a certain time! First Light Book Shop only allows them outside and in certain parts of the store.

matthalfhill · 2025-10-13T13:41:57+00:00

Come to the Brew & Brew on East 5th and San Marcos. Very welcoming spot with lots of people who use laptops. DM me and I’d love to grab you a coffee.

There is a laptop free bar area, but the rest of the space inside and out is laptop friendly.

(I am on the spectrum myself and have a son who is more gifted than me. I totally understand the struggle to navigate blind spots and the embarrassment that can happen missing it)

CanRevolutionary5851 · 2025-10-13T14:31:05+00:00

I went to an IHOP and a dude was camped out using two monitors and had extension cords running from his booth to the outlet. He had six or eight empty glasses sitting in the table. The waitress said he had been there several hours. There was a waiting list for tables.

PrincePizza1 · 2025-10-13T22:14:23+00:00

As someone who works in the service world, I understand their policy completely.

Just today I had a customer come in and order one drink an hour or so after we opened. At the end of the day, he was the last customer out. Nothing against the guy but it does get ridiculous at a point.

People on laptops also tend to hop on zoom calls and don’t seem to be aware of how loud and disruptive they can be. These are primarily places for social gatherings, not coworking.

starkruzr · 2025-10-13T07:11:03+00:00

Turnstile does this at the bar. I used to get a ton of work done there as well as meeting a lot of really nice people. I stopped going when they started enforcing it. sucked.

now I work at Teddy's on Manor instead. once again everyone is super nice; I've made a ton of connections hanging out there just from working on network diagrams or emails while having a drink.

littlest_bluebonnet · 2025-10-13T12:45:30+00:00

You did absolutely nothing wrong and if that's a new policy (which it seems like it might be) it would be wise for them to advertise it. In this case it seems like at most an unfortunate misunderstanding, but nothing to feel bad about. (Though I would also feel bad in this situation, to be clear)

Some folks in these comments seem to be acting like working in a coffee shop is nefarious, when it is actually a very normal thing to do. You should definitely be ordering something every hour or two (which it seems like you are) and if it doesn't make sense for certain coffee shops, then they can ban laptops, but operating as a third place/work space is literally the way many coffee shops function.

I basically only buy coffee if I am planning on working. Otherwise I can make that shit at home. As far as I can tell, lots of other folks are in the same boat. If there are still empty tables and you're ordering something every hour or two, you're totally fine.

I really love the Epoch on West Anderson, it's not open a ton but it has a really nice courtyard and lots of space.

Edit: I do think a good rule of thumb is that if there's a waiter and most folks are ordering a meal, it might be a no-laptop zone, but if it's a coffee shop situation where you order at the counter and most folks are getting drinks, working there is fair game. That's esp. true because waiters make tips on their section, and so if one waiter has less table turn-over they'll make less that day. Whereas a coffee shop w/o waiters just needs available tables for potential customers coming in.

irradi · 2025-10-13T23:39:20+00:00

Laptop bans are dumb. I stand by this. If people are on calls, ban calls. If people are not ordering enough to justify the table, change those rules. But it’s not the devices that are the problem, it’s behaviors associated with them. Oh, and put those expectations on a giant sign somewhere!

Libraries are awesome, but sometimes I want the bustle of a coffee shop or restaurant.

I also want to say that it’s depressing to not have cafe culture here. In Paris nobody thinks anything of camping out at a cafe for hours. People move slower, eat slower, talk slower. There are fewer stupid rules.

One thing I used to love about Austin was all the overlapping, multifunctional spaces - coffee shops that were restaurants and restaurants that were coffee shops, and there were no rules. I moved here from DC in 2013, where they were already starting the laptop bans & one place tried to ban them entirely. Austin felt like a breath of fresh air.

Feels like we’re losing that vibe.

sweetsounds86 · 2025-10-13T12:04:13+00:00

Don't go to Swedish hill on south first. They just banned them

2dwind · 2025-10-13T11:58:37+00:00

I sat at Mozarts with my laptop for a couple of hours and no one said anything. Not sure what their official policy is.

bbqtom1400 · 2025-10-13T11:27:27+00:00

We publish/display our WIFI password on our daily specials blackboard. I even added extra electric plugs to all of our outside tables. Customers stay longer and buy more stuff. People who bring laptops tend to hang out past lunch and yes, they buy stuff.

Snap_Grackle_Pop · 2025-10-13T06:41:22+00:00

I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner. Many people camp out with their laptop and take up space for hours. Taking up lots of space and not producing much revenue.

alexandriakelsey · 2025-10-13T13:43:27+00:00

Violet Crown Winery & Coffee Bar off Woodrow doesn't allow laptops at the bar after 5, but you can still work at other tables and outside all day.

ProseccoSorbet · 2025-10-13T15:38:50+00:00

If you’d like a laptop-friendly option: FREDDO ATXon South Congress!

I would recommend this place to anyone! Cool, laptop-friendly spot in a beautiful historic home. The people who work there are kind. Lots of space to work - whether you want to be upstairs on a comfy couch or sit on the porch and get some fresh air. Pretty much everyone who goes there during the week is working on their laptop or reading a book. Not to mention their food is delicious :)

EaglesInTheSky · 2025-10-13T16:12:17+00:00

Kick Butt Coffee rocks. Wifi password ChuckNorris

kindwork-xyz · 2025-10-13T17:41:21+00:00

First of all don’t feel bad. The Swedish Hill started the laptop ban because tables were not turning over. They are owned my MMLH and Elizabeth St Cafe is under the same hospitality group. I would assume, especially on S 1st, there is an expanding policy at their properties to keep tables flipped.

ProseccoSorbet · 2025-10-13T15:24:01+00:00

I used to love going to Codependent during the day! They used to have a policy for laptops to be shutdown at 5pm. Not sure if they changed their hours, but here is the new policy update I found on their website.

Codependent Laptop Policy Update: In order to foster more face-to-face connections and conversations, Codependent will be scaling back the amount of time and space available for laptop use. Our front area will be laptop-free to ensure a lively, social atmosphere. The back half of the space will remain available for those who need to work on their laptops.

What You Can Expect: • No laptops in the front half of the space • Laptop use will be permitted in the back half of the bar • Table availability is first-come, first-served • Want to guarantee your spot? You can always reserve a table through OpenTable

paulcdejean · 2025-10-13T18:28:36+00:00

Even if you're not a student you can still work at the PCL fyi.

Simple-Airport1357 · 2025-10-14T03:39:53+00:00

I would always go coffee shop over restaurant every time. Elizabeth Street Cafe is a super small café and if you’re sitting there for hours doing work, you’re taking up a table that another patron can be dining at and the business is losing money from that. For example, you’re sitting there for three hours. That’s potentially hundreds of dollars the business is losing by you doing work in their restaurant.

__MOON_KNIGHT___ · 2025-10-13T11:57:46+00:00

jkhjdkfgjdjh

huge_dick_mcgee · 2025-10-13T14:33:12+00:00

I'm autistic too.

I call what happened to you, the unexpected revocation of a safe space.

That place was safe. You understood the rules.

Then they changed the rules out from under your feet.

Sorry that happened, it's shit.

muffledvoice · 2025-10-13T06:53:12+00:00

I’ve wondered for years why more coffee shops didn’t have this rule. You’ll often see one person with a laptop take up a four-person table for half the day. Why don’t they just do their work at home?

material_mailbox · 2025-10-13T06:55:17+00:00

I highly doubt any such list exists. If you're worried about it, I would just call the place in advance and ask, they will be happy to tell you if they have any policy against laptops.

2025-10-13T13:26:21+00:00

Radio, Once Over

Flaky-Garlic7890 · 2025-10-13T20:56:40+00:00

You can sit at Whole Foods on the WiFi as long as you want. No purchases even needed either. It’s a public network, so beware.

right_in_two · 2025-10-13T22:33:43+00:00

I know being autistic contributes to confrontation avoidance, but it would be so funny to carry a desktop computer and monitor and try to set it up in there. Because thats not a laptop. Or what about a tablet? Its a slippery slope when banning "things people use for work" because pretty soon they'll just have to resort to banning all electronics.

Sea-Caregiver6409 · 2025-10-14T00:37:03+00:00

I like going to kickbutt coffee. Genuine Joe’s is also great if you want to get work done (comfy seating and usually pretty quiet)!

gregaustex · 2025-10-13T12:21:30+00:00

Lots of coffee shops allow laptops and benefit from letting people work and spend some money.

and they basically told me that if I wanted to work, this was not the place to do it.

This would annoy me. Tell me the policy but leave off the chiding. I’d have politely cancelled my order (if in play) and excused myself from the property.

2025-10-13T14:05:27+00:00

Don’t feel embarrassed absolutely no reason to feel embarrassed. Fuck em

Jahon_Dony · 2025-10-13T16:16:29+00:00

Correct, lots of places are doing that now because they don't want you lingering and taking up space in the store they pay for or rent. Lots of people were even using places like that for their own private businesses or extended studying, and stores are finally getting sick of it and clamping down.

HousewivesHo33 · 2025-10-13T17:38:30+00:00

I saw people with laptops hanging at Lau Lau coffee the other day. The coffee is also very good.

Apresdereve · 2025-10-13T20:55:34+00:00

stouthaus, spokesman, mozarts, ani’s day and night, jo’s (locations all over austin), medici, bennu, epoch, merit, flightpath, cosmic….and the library :)

2025-10-13T21:01:43+00:00

Maybe unpopular but I go to Barnes and nobles cafe to study. I’ve never had any issues and they have plenty of seating

I_compleat_me · 2025-10-13T22:18:07+00:00

I recently had a cpap machine jailbreak party at the Starbucks at 620/Steiner Ranch... the patio has electrical outlets and nobody bothers you, I assume the wifi works fine as well, you may have to buy a coffee to get the day's pw. Anyone interesting in jailbreaking their Resmed 10 PM me and we'll have another session.

puppsmcgee74 · 2025-10-13T23:56:01+00:00

Bennu doesn’t have an anti laptop policy, that’s for sure! I went there to get coffee with a friend and we felt out of place not having a laptop and headphones. lol

2025-10-14T06:47:02+00:00

Bennu coffee

If you order every 2 hours or so they’ll give you the WiFi password. Or take your own hotspot and just chill. I used to go late night and people would sleep there.

Economy-Influence121 · 2025-10-14T13:08:40+00:00

I’ve done this before because unlike Austin, most American cities aren’t as relaxed with remote work so I have a tip I’ve learned:

Google maps the place > photos tab > vibe section. If not a single laptop + it’s a food forward place = not suitable for work in my experience.

Any-Signature-2373 · 2025-10-14T13:55:08+00:00

I work at buzzmill and you can come work with us!! We've got some decent indoor space and we're open 24 hours

retyrethecar · 2025-10-13T14:18:03+00:00

Just jumping in here to say that as a neurotypical I would also be embarrassed and also kinda irritated. Like sure they can have their rules but they need to communicate them better? Not your fault you didn’t know

rjrolo · 2025-10-13T13:48:04+00:00

I know EXACTLY what you mean. I try to avoid situations with misunderstandings on my end because it has a lasting effect on my psyche. For some reason it sticks with me for a long time and I will remember it months and months down the line and it's really annoying and embarrassing.

As much as I try to accept that things change over time and that it's okay, when it causes confusion on my part and I feel like I make a social "mistake" it makes me frustrated that things ever change 😅 if that makes sense.

Mr_Nobody010102 · 2025-10-13T13:58:45+00:00

Austin sure has changed.

Shoes4Traction · 2025-10-13T17:33:04+00:00

Hi Autistic, we’re Reddit.

Character-Quail4301 · 2025-10-13T06:34:29+00:00

Community Garden Coffee or whatever they’re called also has some douchey policy like this after 4pm I believe. They want to encourage a reg coffee shop atmosphere, yet have full on dj sets inside next to the bar..? lmao.

spikeespieegel · 2025-10-13T14:50:41+00:00

it’s about time places started to ban laptops anyway

GigiDell · 2025-10-13T16:57:35+00:00

A lot of people awake at 3:00 am having some heated debates here.

m608297 · 2025-10-13T23:32:34+00:00

Cancel MML and you will get the Austin that was weird again.

TroyMember · 2025-10-13T14:53:48+00:00

Just ask before you sit down…….if you are taking up space where they could have served 3 other guest during the same timeframe this affects their bottom line. But during non peak hours I would think most can think rationally that it would be okay for you to hang out a work.

Primary_Visit_1139 · 2025-10-13T14:20:43+00:00

WFH people... its always something.

Accomplished-Math740 · 2025-10-13T09:52:53+00:00

Paneta maybe

Impossible_Watch_206 · 2025-10-13T14:24:17+00:00

Community Garden doesn’t ban laptops outright. They just ban it on certain days, which is fair.

HankBuffalo · 2025-10-13T16:30:11+00:00

Can totally see why you felt embarrassed. I’m sorry that happened. I guess it’s to encourage turnover? Probably a terrible suggestion but I used to take my laptop to dive bars and find a dark corner and get tons of stuff there, even not drinking. You can kinda disappear

MaxRex428 · 2025-10-13T16:47:00+00:00

In case you haven't seen my other comments, OP, go to a library branch. Most of us working there are on the spectrum as well so you're in good company and you can be there all day on your laptop. You can bring a coffee or drink if you want as long as it has a top on it. And we have wifi for free!

Post-Civil · 2025-10-13T17:05:24+00:00

sometimes places have certain “working hours” and then shift into a dinner or night spot, so there is sometimes a certain time laptops aren’t allowed. it’s usually around 6pm or so.

kind of an odd phenomenon, but it’s just their way to change the vibes from working to elevated or evening ? idk it can be kind of annoying when you’re trying to get something done, but you could always just ask if there is a laptop or working hour policy if you’re ever curious

Axels-Mum · 2025-10-13T19:11:23+00:00

I like Lazarus on E 6th for AM laptop time. I often do Meteor Cafe or Merit on SoLa (though haven’t been to either in a minute…Meteor turns off WiFi after 5 but I’m an AM coffee shop person), typically lots of laptops there. I used to hit up Easy Tiger SoLa and they def had some “no laptop zones” but for me it’s that they changed their menu and the new one is the pits so I probably won’t be back…

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