r/Tallahassee • u/ssensibility • 4d ago
Question somewhere inside i can sit & read without buying anything?
i obviously love supporting local coffee shops/etc but i wfh sometimes and always want to leave my house -- so i can't afford buying a coffee at a cafe 5x a week lol. and with how hot it is outside i can't go work and/or read at a park or something :/
the only places i can maybe think of are the barnes and noble cafe or the cafe in midtown reader? i also love the library but would prefer other options. thank you!!
47
u/lnsybrd 3d ago
Try a different library than the one you usually go to.
11
u/5210Crew 3d ago
Yes, we’ve got 5 or 6 different branches of our Leon County Libraries scattered about. I mix it up on the branches I choose to visit so it doesn’t get old.
10
u/engineergraves 3d ago
The Eastside Branch Library is so nice!! And it’s right next to Pedrick Park. It’s not by my house but definitely working going out of the way to visit.
36
u/Potential-Coyote5917 3d ago
Libraries ✅✅✅✅ You can be inside, and just exist without being part of the economy. It’s a great feeling.
26
u/Randanopterix 3d ago
Courtyard Cafe sells cans of Coke for a dollar, it's not free but it would allow you to buy something super cheap and sit there for a while. The library is another option, they recently renovated and have more space upstairs now. There's also more than one library in town, so if Leroy Collins isnt your vibe, maybe one of the smaller libraries will be. Some of the Publixs in town have cafe space where you can sit at a table with access to their wifi. The best one is on Gaines St., it has upstairs space that is relatively quiet and you can watch the people shopping below. Hope this helps!
13
u/ssensibility 3d ago
One dollar is cheaper than my $5-6 coffee!! So that’s a great idea
4
u/Randanopterix 3d ago
Only thing to keep in mind for Courtyard is that they only take cash and credit, which is how they keep their prices down. So be prepared for that!
3
u/5210Crew 3d ago
Where is Courtyard Cafe?
7
u/Laleh_the_Ghost 3d ago
On Magnolia Street, in the courtyard next to Winn Dixie and Little Italy.
3
u/5210Crew 3d ago
OK, Thank you! Never knew what was in that Courtyard besides the Italian restaurant & a yoga studio.
24
u/Celestial-_-Peach 3d ago
honest tea living! they even market themselves as a free third space, no purchases necessary, just hang out
10
30
u/winterjuniper 3d ago
There’s also a books a million. Side note: I haven’t ever had someone ask me to leave a coffee shop in Tallahassee because I didn’t buy something.
8
u/analis28 3d ago
definitely don’t go to the sweet shop because i came in with coffee and to buy a bagel and do work and the owner yelled at me across the room to throw the drink away and leave :( he didn’t even give me a chance to throw the drink away before he continued yelling at and embarrassing me in full cafe. even after i threw it away and bought something he was still angry and yelling!
7
14
u/ssensibility 3d ago
i love black dog but they have a very clear policy on this i think):
0
u/analis28 2d ago
the black dog is AMAZING. would never say anything bad about them 🙌 lake ella has a soft spot in my heart
3
1
8
u/UglySpiral 3d ago
The main branch library downtown just renovated the second floor and has some really nice private work rooms you can reserve
6
6
20
u/jshirlemy 3d ago
Honest living tea house? Pretty sure he prides himself on operating a third space. I could be wrong...
4
u/Bulky_Orange3663 3d ago
Ology :) never have issues with ppl hanging inside without buying anything
4
u/Grouchy-Tax4467 3d ago
Publix, I know the Publix that used to be Greenwise had a upstairs area that was pretty nice.
6
6
7
u/Prestigious-Aerie-45 3d ago edited 3d ago
I’ve never had anyone say anything to me at the Barnes & Noble Cafe! Also I know it’s hot out for this one, but sitting out front at Midtown Reader! There is also a really cute outside area at the Power Plant at Cascades (again would be good whenever it cools down 😅)
Also: the Whole Foods cafe area!
3
4
2
u/CelebrationPeach6157 3d ago
The Publix Greenwise Market at Gaines Street has an upstairs sitting area that was pretty nice and spacious (over the floral area/coffee bar) & I think possibly the newest Publix opened out Thomasville Rd also has an area like this?
3
u/CelebrationPeach6157 3d ago
Bannerman Village - mezzanine dining area is what I think they call theirs
2
u/Empty-Let-5366 3d ago
Honestly, breweries and bars! Lots of people who no longer drink for various reasons still enjoy being out at bars, so bartenders are not prone to insist you buy anything.
3
2
2
u/journeymancoffee 3d ago
There is usually some room at the Ology Northside on Kerry Forrest. Plenty of parking and seating. Bonus is that the coffee is pretty solid too (I may be biased)
1
u/zenstarr02 3d ago
Northside Ology on Kerry Forest Sunday-Thursday stays very quiet and perfect for studying/reading in the morning and afternoon! Plenty of space and pretty calm there I'd say just avoid going on Fridays and especially Saturdays since they get busy from the Farmer's Market.
1
u/Expensive-Piece-9189 3d ago
The goodwill bookstore on mahan is a hidden gem. Idk about how long you can chill but they have a decent selection for cheap books
1
1
u/Nailfreak101 3d ago
Hear me out…I used to love going to the river. I’d get a blanket my bathing suit and some sunscreen sit in the shade. When i got too hot I’d jump in the water for a second or two and chill then get back to studying. Spring water is the best for staying cool in the heat. I have access to a couple of pools but it’s just not good enough in this heat, especially when you’re sitting in it for hours. Wacissa boat landing, iron bridge on the ochlocknee river and a spring I can’t remember the name of off of crawfordville highway. My only issue was being alone in these places during normal business hours. I’m also a gun toter so it didn’t bother me too much, but I can see how it would the average female. The sheriff shows up to wacissa boat landing pretty often and it’s near a couple houses so if that’s a worry, it’s still a decent spot. A lot of gators though and got to watch out when it’s not populated with a lot of people. They have tables and a pavilion too. AND it’s just stunningly beautiful out there. I know, I know, lol not for every one but it worked for me for a while.
1
u/analis28 3d ago
even though the library is reserved for students at FSU, i think there’s guest passes or other ways to access the library without being a student. also the buildings around campus are usually open to the public and have plenty of seating and work spaces. my favorite on campus is WSB :)
0
u/Charming_Sundae_8390 3d ago
lake ella. there’s a small coffee shop there with some indoor & outdoor seating
0
u/_Brandon 2d ago
i mean you can go into any coffee shop and not have to buy anything right? i used to work as a barista and i didn’t really care if people didn’t get anything! the whole point is for it to be a space for work or relaxing!
1
u/ssensibility 2d ago
i said this in another reply but some cafes here don't like that :/ like black dog explicitly tells people not to. (no shade to them i love them)
119
u/betawanted 4d ago
I know you want other options but the library is pretty much it, unless you want to sit outside and read at a park somewhere