While many freelancers have the option of working from their couches or camping out at a Wi-Fi-equipped coffee shop, a coworking space with printing capabilities, available office supplies, conference rooms, and food & drink options make for an appealing alternative. Austinites in need of an open desk will find a variety of coworking spots in these three neighborhoods, complete with speedy internet connections, comfortable seating, and all the amenities they’ll need for a productive day’s work.

Downtown

Photo courtesy of Industrious

As Austin’s central business district, Downtown offers numerous options for co-working spaces. 

Industrious offers a convenient location just blocks from Republic Square, a choice of desks in a shared communal space or private offices for small businesses, unlimited free printing, an indoor parking garage, and a cafe serving local coffee, pastries, and beer.

If a more formal working environment is a priority, Firmspace provides offices with glass privacy walls, upscale conference rooms with state-of-the-art phone technology, fiber internet, a common space with impressive city views, and a location in the heart of Downtown.

Workers in the tech industry will find a welcoming community at Capital Factory, a coworking space near Congress Avenue focused on startups. Capital Factory includes membership options ranging from a “Hot Desk” in the common space to private offices, a VR lab, a kitchen offering unlimited draft beer and cold brew coffee, and a mentorship program pairing startups with established tech entrepreneurs and investors.

East Austin

Photo courtesy of Atmosphere

In the trendy neighborhood of East Austin, freelancers can choose from numerous coworking options, all of which embody the area’s funky charm.

With an industrial-chic vibe, an East Cesar Chavez Street address close to multiple bus stops, a chalkboard-painted “graffiti wall”, flexible pricing plans, private meeting rooms, outdoor seating, free coffee, tea and snacks, and weekly happy hour events, Atmosphere is a popular spot for individual remote workers.

Createscape on Tillery Street appeals to clients with unconventional work schedules, thanks to its 24/7 access for members. It also features a bright and vibrant decor scheme with quirky touches like a nested loft, an open space with natural light and communal desks, a full kitchen with free coffee and tea, outdoor picnic tables, and a dog-friendly policy.

For a work-from-home vibe with the amenities of an office, DwellStronger on East Cesar Chavez Street is located within a historic home over 100 years old. For creative coworkers, DwellStronger offers dedicated desk spaces in rooms flooded by natural light, speedy WiFi, complimentary coffee and tea, a dog-friendly environment, and a quaint outdoor patio.

UT Campus

Photo courtesy of Patchwork

The neighborhoods surrounding the University of Texas’ campus contain plenty of coworking spaces for recent grads and professional residents.

In the Hancock neighborhood, just a few blocks from the university’s northern border, you’ll find WeWork University Park, one of Austin’s outposts of the original coworking juggernaut. WeWork’s membership choices include a Hot Desk option for individual freelancers and private offices that can accommodate up to 50 employees. In terms of amenities, WeWork members have access to micro-roasted coffee, pitchers of flavored water, high-speed Wi-Fi and Ethernet, private “phone booths” for calls, conference rooms, printing resources, and social events and on-site happy hours.

In nearby Mueller, Patchwork provides a full-service coworking space with the standard fast Wi-Fi, free coffee, and conference rooms, along with other lifestyle perks like a gym, two pools with cabanas, and a lounge area with a movie room and a billiards table.