In search of accessible third spaces that meet the criteria:
- Shaded or heat-resistant (preferably with AC, but not limited to)
- Equipped with proper chairs, not stools
- Casual dress-code: I can be seen dressed down in PJ-esque tops or athleisure and not feel ashamed
- Available 24/7 or till an hour after typical dinner time
- Permits dining, snacking, and drinking
soft drinks only - Supports a variety of ongoing activities eg., reading, board games, soft chatting
- Offers fully illuminated areas
Not a playground
・・・・・
🌟 Approved locations with ratings 🌟
Esoothman
- Rating: 9.1 / 10
- Price: Less than $10 for 3 hours per person
- Hours: Open 24/7
- Drinks: Unlimited drinks, fountains for coffee, tea, and soft drinks
- Seating: Dining chairs available only in open soft-spoken areas. Booths feature deep couches, not ideal for good posture, but has large windows overlooking the main street. Private rooms have desktop setups with half and full enclosures; good alternative for a night cap.
- Atmosphere: Extremely silent with barely-there soft piano
Louisa Coffee (Banqiao)
- Rating: 7.5 / 10
- Price: No minimum spend
- Hours: Open till 9:00 PM (2F open till 8:00 PM)
- Drinks: Latte grande under $4
- Seating: Couch seats and diner chairs line the walls, and double seaters are available in the center to form 4-seaters
- Atmosphere: Occasional laughter coming from studious high schoolers, and parenting noise
McDonald’s (Guting)
- Rating: 5.5 / 10
- Price: No minimum spend
- Hours: Open till 3:00 AM
- Food: Spent $13 for 2 burgers, 2 fries, orange juice, and an Evian bottle.
- Seating: 4-seaters along the walls with either dining chairs or curved benches with backs. Some tables can be separated into 2-seaters, and hungry diners will be eyeing them
- Atmosphere: Mostly tutors, college students, and parents with little kids