Where could I work for an afternoon in Glasgow city centre?

[GargoylesofBeelzebub]

Any recommendations? Happy to pay but literally just need somewhere to work with WiFi for an afternoon.

Not sure if a coffee shop would have reliable enough wi fi or be happy do me to sit there for 3 hours.

Libraries usually have free WiFi and quiet spaces to work

I second the library. Try the Mitchell library, it isn’t far from the centre. Haven’t been there in years but used to go as a student.

Second the Mitchell, but I'd avoid the GOMA library, probably too busy for working. There are also co-working spaces you can pay for.

I occasionally have to do this and could not find a co-working space for just a few hours - if pp can share that would be great.

My solution is Wetherspoons. There is always a quiet table or booth up the back with screen facing away from people. As long as you don’t have to do any calls with your sound on, it’s ideal. The wifi is decent, you don’t have to feel guilty about taking up a table for a few hours, like in a small coffee shop, and you can order to your table from the app. Plus refillable coffee! The one near the bottom entrance of central is huge and my go to for this. With headphones on I’ve always been able to focus and work fine.

Where about in city centre? Try one of the tinderbox cafes.

Would never have thought of Wetherspoons! Do u not get any hassle from friendly day drinkers?

I love working in Mitchel library. The back of the cafe bit has long benches, there’s a water fountain and their lunches are totally affordable and nice. There are also loads of study spaces on other floors though if you need to make noise choose the cafe.

Not once! No one pays me any attention - it’s a massive place so feels very anonymous and it’s not like you are taking up a much needed table for anyone to care. Obviously if I stuck on a headset and started conducting meetings that might be somewhat antisocial - but quietly typing away in a corner, no one even notices.

Mitchell library sounds great, I’ve not been in there for a couple of decades! But I am usually on the train when in this situation so it’s not an ideal location.

https://www.thesocialhub.co/glasgow/co-working-space/

There’s the Social Hub in town too. You have to pay for the desk space but can get daily passes or pay an annual membership

Some of the hotels offer this (Hotel Indigo used to take £10 and you got unlimited pastries! Not sure if that’s still a thing). Maison in Princes Square.

Oh I second the weatherspoons suggestion @bexlou77. I go to my local one to write as the library is a bit depressing in my small town. I worked on something there for a couple of weeks once, and started realising that loads of people were there to write, there was even a wee book club of men discussing historical fiction in micro detail. The George square weatherspoons is excellent for working in as there are so many nooks and crannies and great views.

I was about to mention the Social Hub. I was in for an event in the last few weeks and was told that they let people use the booths and table space (with plug access) for free on the ground floor.

I had to find somewhere to do a Teams call in Glasgow. I hoped to get one of the curved chairs in the Mitchell but they were all taken (they curve around almost like a cocoon and deaden the sound). I remembered there were booths on some of the floors. I asked and they let me have one for a half day for a fiver! Really good.

I use an app called Swurf which finds you places to work - usually hotel lobbies or bars. They usually have music playing though which rules out calls and virtual meetings. The Novotel is pretty good though and often silent.

There are plenty co-working spaces in Glasgow which you can rent but I'm usually only looking for spaces between meetings.

Thanks everyone this has been really helpful. Lots of options for me to explore.

Mitchell library has private study rooms called carrels - about a £5 a day book in advance on website. Need to be a Glasgow libraries member