Where shall we meet?
Where shall we meet?
If, like me, you’re constantly out and about meeting with people, pitching ideas or generally networking, then you’ll know that one of the most mind numbing questions is… where shall we meet?
It’s particularly important for freelancers, or those of us not wanting to spend big money on prime, grade A office space, to be able to have a good short-list of options at our disposal. Places that will give the right impression, will have the right impact, and will help us get serious work done.
While there are numerous flexible meeting spaces available that can be hired for short-term requirements, these are generally soulless and will further add to your cost-base, therefore freelancers and the ‘non-desk bound’ are increasingly opting for a good cafe, restaurant or hotel lobby as an alternative meeting space.
I have a few general criteria that I look out for when searching for a suitable place to work and meet people, including:
Size - too small and you get zero privacy and are likely to have over-eager waiters hovering over you whilst you nurse your latte
Noise – too quiet and you’ll have people ‘earwigging’, too loud and you can’t hear yourself think
Location – it needs to be mutually convenient for both you and your guest
Quality – the coffee needs to be perfect and if eating, the food options need to be straightforward and not too expensive
Wifi – a must and very easy to access and use
Here are a couple of my current favorites.
Ace Hotel, 100 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6JQ
This ticks a lot of boxes, especially if you need somewhere on the East side of the city. There are a few different spaces depending on the type of meeting that you’re having - the lobby bar has work benches and sofas, the cafe has casual tables; or the restaurant (Hoi Polloi) has booths and a killer brunch menu. Wifi, power outlets, good coffee and professional services available throughout.
The Hoxton, 199-206 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7BD
The name is slightly misleading as this hotel is one of the best meeting options in Mid-town. There’s lots of sofas and workspaces in the lobby bar but it can get fairly busy after work. They do good cocktails here for a later, more informal affair
Riverfront Café, BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XT
The Riverfront Cafe at the British Film Institute is an ideal meeting point during the day. A mixture of tables and sofas, they also have a great range of sandwiches and snacks at reasonable prices. If the weather is good there is a large terrace overlooking the river and an ideal people watching spot! They also do a great pint of Meantime Pale Ale.
Grand Cafe - The Royal Exchange, London, EC3V 3LR
If you need a location in the heart of The City, then it is hard to beat the Grand Cafe at the Royal Exchange. Adjacent to Bank tube, this has real wow factor but also works surprisingly well as a meeting point. Avoid lunchtimes which gets very busy.
Karpo, 23-27 Euston Road, London, NW1 2SD
Just opposite Kings Cross station is Karpo - they do great breakfasts and lunches, but you can also use this just for a coffee. With free wifi and great service this colourful local establishment will undoubtedly impress your guests.
Ozone Coffee, 11 Leonard Street, London, EC2A 4AQ
If you need a meeting point near Old Street then Ozone does great coffee (they roast their own beans) and has all the food options you could need. Busy at lunchtimes and if you’re meeting someone who fancies themselves as a ‘coffee snob’ then this will definitely leave a lasting impression on them.
Choosing the right meeting venue can really get your meeting off to a great start. Showing your guests, be them clients, potential clients or just colleagues that you have your finger on the pulse and that you have a creative solution to a stuffy office and (perhaps most importantly) that you appreciate the importance of an excellent coffee.