Coffee hideaways
Ahh, yes, it’s spring semester and the only thing that I see is the snow on the ground, along with wind chills. It’s not pleasant but that’s nothing that a good cup of coffee can’t fix. I’ve decided to share with you all the best places I know that don’t just give you a good cup of coffee but give a perfect hideaway to be productive!
Pan Hellenic Pastry Shop
This cozy bakery is located close to campus in our neighboring Greektown, 322 S. Halsted. This shop is run by the lovely sibling duo of James and Athena, who graciously welcome you into their shop. Why is it so amazing? Well, it could be the fact you have free WiFi, delicious coffee that’s served to your table or the amazing baklava. Or the fact that this place is probably the only place where I know I’ll be productive.
Bru
Need something perhaps away from campus? Well, Bru is located right off the CTA Blue Line in the neighborhood of Wicker Park, 1562 N. Milwaukee Ave. What else could you ask for from this hip joint that not only serves crepes and macaroons, but also hosts free yoga at 7 p.m. Wednesdays? Did I mention that I’ve had a Nutella latte and a double mocha peppermint latte in this wondrous heaven?
Starbucks…Old Town…Night Owl
Yes, I know Starbucks is no new revelation when it comes to coffee but this Starbucks is a 24-hour Starbucks! With the kind of hectic schedule I have, sometime I’ll isolate myself up there until the sun rises (I’m a night owl). Be sure to call ahead to make sure they haven’t adjusted their time. This Starbucks, at 210 W. North Ave. is great — with various seating available, other undergrad/grad students studying, and of course there are some great places to grab food before you hit the books.
These are only some of the great places that I consistently visit when I need to get work done. Chicago holds so many more great places to study, so my piece of advice is to make sure you explore.
Kris Fuentes Cortes is a senior in communication, a Boston native, an active student around campus, and a dreamer of working in the world of music. She wants to become a tour manager for a band and travel internationally while she’s still young. She’s the assistant marketing director for UIC Radio.
