Coffee shops are the “third place”: an integral part of society where people can meet and interact in a number of ways. But in an increasingly digital world, they have also become important spaces for remote workers.

The conversation about how coffee shops have become the new co-working space has been ongoing for some time now, especially following the pandemic. But opinions very much remain divided, and for good reason. 

From a business owner’s perspective, remote workers can decrease revenue, increase monthly bills, and impede the natural social dynamic of coffee shops. In turn, a growing number of them are choosing to go “offline” – ranging from no wifi to total bans on laptops. 

On the other hand, cafés need to cater to a diverse range of customers – and this should (within reason) include people who want to use their laptops and phones.

To find out whether offline coffee shops have a place in the industry, I spoke to Ralf Rüller, founder of The Barn Coffee Roasters, and Raf Młodzianowski, founder of Raf & Co.

You may also like our article on whether coffee shops should ban laptops.

Why technology has a place in coffee shops

Since the 17th century, coffee shops have embodied many characteristics of the third place. But it wasn’t until 1989 that sociologist Ray Oldenburg officially coined the term. With home being the first place and work as the second place, coffee shops (and other hospitality businesses) serve as the third place: a relaxed public environment that encourages social interaction.

There are eight defining characteristics, according to Oldenburg:

• Neutral ground
• No focus on an individual’s social or economic status
• A home away from home
• Conversation as the main activity
• A playful mood
• A low profile
• Accessibility
• Regular patrons

Many coffee shops certainly meet this criteria. Looking specifically at “conversation as the main activity”, however, it can be argued that this has changed in recent years, with more and more remote workers posting up in cafés across the world.

For example, based on data from a recent Forbes article, only 4.7% of UK employees worked from home prior to the pandemic. In 2024, an estimated 14% of people in the country continue to work remotely. 

While many of these workers may prefer the comfort of their own homes, coffee shops also provide a reliable and more affordable alternative to co-working spaces – especially those with adequate seating, power outlets, and stable wifi.

Moreover, when remote workers are mindful of how long they stay in coffee shops, they can provide a steady revenue stream on a regular basis, and can even help strengthen the sense of community in these spaces – as long as they engage with the people around them.

Considering business’ needs: The backlash against laptops

It’s a common belief that a busy coffee shop will attract more customers – indicating that the food, drinks, and service are all high quality. A café full of remote workers, however, can create an entirely different atmosphere that is much less inviting.

In response to this, some coffee shops have taken measures to minimise the number of remote workers, including:

• Signs on tables which encourage people to not “overstay”
• Not providing wifi to deter people from using laptops
• Reserving a few seats or tables for laptop use
• Total bans on laptops
• Offering dedicated subscription services for seat reservations

While these efforts can seem alienating, coffee shop operators and baristas have good reason to implement them.

Ralf Rüller is the founder of The Barn in Berlin, Germany – a pioneering specialty coffee roaster.

“From a business perspective, it’s not sustainable to run a coffee shop if your seats and tables are occupied for hours for one cup of coffee in return,” he tells me. “Rents are simply too high, and staff costs have doubled in the past ten years, while the price of a flat white has not.”

Customer turnover is crucial

Now more than ever, it’s become even more important for café operators to manage costs and margins effectively. According to data from the BBC, UK food prices reached a 45-year high in 2023, while the US and Europe also experienced rising inflation rates.

For coffee shop operators and staff, this is a real concern. As many businesses have to absorb some of these rising food and energy costs – tightening already slim profit margins – their customers have also started paying higher prices, too.

With this in mind, maintaining regular customer turnover is essential, but remote workers can certainly hinder these efforts.

Raf Młodzianowski is the founder of coffee consultancy Raf & Co. He is also a Q grader and the territory sales manager for green coffee importer Omwani Coffee Company.

“Digital workers often stay in their seats for long periods and have very low spend,” he points out. “This means a table that could have two to four customers with approximately one-hour rotations is used by one person for multiple hours.”

Going offline: Reclaiming social culture in coffee shops

In response to the growing nomadic working culture, a handful of coffee shops around the world have decided to go “offline”. This means no wifi and laptops, and in some cases, no screens at all – including phones and tablets.

There is certainly a case for making this decision, as Raf tells me.

“For the purpose of meeting friends or enjoying free time, offline coffee shops work best,” he says. “They also make a great third space and encourage more discussion and socialising.”

Ralf adds to this, stating: “In a world where face-to-face interaction has become less prevalent, coffee shops play a key role acting as a third place. Physical exchange with voice, tone, expression, emotion, and empathy are crucial to customer satisfaction.”

Although deciding to go offline can help strengthen the sense of community in a coffee shop, there are still many important factors to account for.

Raf acknowledges that some digital workers are regulars who provide steady income to cafés, so operators may risk losing these customers. 

“I sometimes find myself falling into this category, mainly due to travelling for work,” he tells me. “I don’t like working remotely, but if I need to, I will find a café with stable wifi and it will become my go-to place while I’m in the area.”

Is there a middle ground?

Limiting wifi or banning screens has the potential to alienate certain customers, so is it possible for coffee shops to remain inclusive?

“I know of many coffee shops that have ‘offline’ hours,” Raf says. “These places will happily let customers work outside of rush hours, which many guests are happy to accommodate.”

Ralf mentions that at The Barn, there are dedicated spaces for laptop users, which helps to create a welcoming environment for all types of customers.

“We have always tried to find a balance,” he explains. “The best option for us is to have designated laptop tables and seats to serve all types of customers and not completely exclude remote workers.”

Why location is essential

The decision to go “offline” is one that needs to be made carefully, but a coffee shop’s location will have a huge impact on whether they find success.

Cafés in residential neighbourhoods, tourist hotspots, and more rural areas are likely to see positive results, as customers will inevitably value social interaction more in these locations.

On the other hand, coffee businesses in university towns could experience some backlash to going offline. Students often look for places to work, and coffee shops can be some of the best options. For café operators in these areas, implementing laptop bans or not providing wifi might not work in their favour.

It’s a similar situation for coffee shops in bigger cities. Most customers visiting these locations will expect stable wifi and staff that are happy for them to use laptops, phones, and tablets. If not, cafés would risk losing out on significant revenue.

Laptops in coffee shops will always divide the opinion of both baristas and customers. But for business operators, choosing to go “offline” requires careful consideration.

For some, providing a space free from screens and remote workers could prove successful. Conversely, it may not be the best decision for others. Either way, offline coffee shops are definitely a reality, and serve an important purpose in the industry.

Enjoyed this? Then read our article on our article on the reemergence of the neighbourhood coffee shop.

Photo credits: The Barn Coffee Roasters

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