When I need to get out of the house but have some reading or work to catch up on, I like to visit the Theatre Centre Cafe, in the West Queen West neighbourhood in Toronto. With large windows that let in lots of natural light, free wifi and lots of tables and plugs, it’s a great environment that manages to make you both productive and relaxed. Whether you are a local looking for a new space to grab a working coffee, a visitor looking for somewhere to quickly plug in, or you just want to sit down and read a book alone, this is a stop with great vibes.

I like to make sure that I buy a few items when I get there, as I often end up staying for a couple hours (it’s all about that cafe etiquette! Although if you forget your wallet, there is a pay-it-forward program!). It’s not hard to; the in-house baker is often hard at work and the smell of freshly-baked scones or cookies can be irresistible. As well, it is always a treat to have someone else make coffee for you.

Cafe aside, the Theatre Centre is an interesting place. It is a live-arts incubator that serves as a research and development hub for the cultural sector. And of course, there’s a theatre. This is a vibrant little space that is worth checking out!