Why Buy WiFi?
Local Cafes Offer Free Internet Access -- and Atmosphere Aplenty

By Sacha Cohen
Special to The Washington Post
Sunday, April 2, 2006

There is something innately satisfying about surfing the Web unencumbered by wires and cables. For years, I've been chained to my desk, with only my little Buddha statue keeping me company. But now, with WiFi, I can just toss my laptop into my bag and hit the road.

Although the number of hotspots is proliferating faster than you can say plug-and-play (there are more than 100,000 worldwide, according to hotspot directory JiWire), only a fraction of those are free. It's tough for me to justify paying for service at home and then ponying up extra cash to get online at places such as Starbucks, where you'll pay $9.99 for a 24-hour T-Mobile day pass or $6 for a 60-minute pay-as-you-go option (which includes one free day).

That's why I started looking for cafes that offered WiFi gratis. My search led me to http://www.wififreespot.com/ , a state-by-state directory. The number of free WiFi spots is growing (the site lists more than 30 in the District alone, plus more in Maryland and Virginia). A few chains such as Panera and Caribou (some locations) have joined the pack. While chains are just fine, I'm keen on supporting the independent, neighborhood cafes that have a little more personality. Luckily, there are a number of places locally that let you get plugged in for free.

Nicholas Cho, owner of Murky Coffee in Arlington and Capitol Hill, started offering free WiFi in 2003 because he wanted to support the open access movement that was taking root in San Francisco and New York.

"It was a no-brainer to offer it," he says. "Whatever gets people in to try our coffee."

But his initiative came with a price: squatters. "My staff has a big problem with it, but I don't. Everyone else I know goes crazy when they see people sitting there for hours nursing one cup of coffee," Cho says.

If the challenge for cafe owners is loitering, the challenge for cafe customers is privacy. At many independent hotspots, data easily can be viewed by pretty much anyone, including those interested in stealing your passwords. The captive portal concept is an effort to curb this data free-for-all. Many cafes -- including Tryst, and Busboys and Poets -- require people to register before they can surf for free. It's typically as simple as picking a user name and entering your first and last name.

The advantage to requiring registration is that it helps cafe owners manage usage. They can tell how long customers are logging on as well as advertise special events or discounts on products. (Sort of like an electronic chalkboard.)

These days, depending on my mood or where my day takes me, I have a handful of destinations across the area to choose between in my quest to refuel and surf for free to my heart's content. Here are my top picks -- they're by no means the only spots around town, but each of them offers something a little different.

BUSBOYS AND POETS

WiFi Basics: This modern, cleverly designed newcomer has lots of outlets, especially by the front windows. Its growing popularity, however, means that space is at a premium on nights and weekends. You'll need to register with the WiFi provider before signing on for the first time.

The Vibe: With a bookstore featuring socially conscious tomes, a back-room performance space, a sleek bar and stylish decor, this is the most upscale of the bunch. A blend of cafe-style and communal seating, along with incredibly friendly service, make this the perfect place to while away the hours. There are open mic and music performances, film screenings and book release parties in the back Langston Room.

The Grub: More restaurant than cafe, B&P offers a full menu of salads, sandwiches, personal-size pizzas, burgers and dinner entrees, plus brunch on weekends and most holidays. A full bar and a selection of cakes round out the choices.

The Crowd: Diverse, urban sophisticates with a penchant for social activism, intellectual debate and the arts.

2021 14th St. NW, 202-387-7638, http://www.busboysandpoets.com/ .

CABOOSE CAFE & BAKERY

WiFi Basics: During weekdays, you'll likely be able to get a table near one of the several outlets in this friendly neighborhood cafe. No registration is required.

The Vibe: Bright and quaint, with murals and other works by local artists.

The Grub: Sandwiches, salads and soups, plus homemade goodies including muffins, tea breads, cakes and pies. There's beer and wine in addition to coffee and tea. Omelets are served on weekends. A full dinner menu includes chicken and fish entrees, options for kids and Ethiopian dishes. Artisanal bread -- baguettes, ciabatta, sourdough and more -- is baked fresh daily.

The Crowd: Young families, stay-at-home moms and dads, local business people and retirees.

2419 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, 703-566-1283, http://www.caboose-cafe.com/ .

LOVE CAFE

WiFi Basics: During the week, it's easy to find a cozy booth or table and work. Outlets are conveniently scattered throughout the small cafe, and there's plenty of light and free samples for the taking. Weekends, however, are another story: The place gets packed with those craving a sugar fix, so expect to wait for a prime spot. I had trouble sending e-mail using my Entourage software, so I was limited to Web-based e-mail. No registration is required.

The Vibe: Nothing fancy -- a laid-back mishmash of tables and chairs, with exposed brick and black-and-white photos of jazz and blues legends on the walls.

The Grub: This place is all about sweets made at CakeLove, its sister bakery across the street. You'll find an assortment of cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and pastries. (Drinks include tea, coffee and cold beverages.) You can also order simple fare such as a BLT or Caesar salad, and breakfast includes French toast and frittatas.

The Crowd: A mix of U Street denizens -- worker bees, students, yuppies and hungry shoppers.

1501 U St. NW, 202-265-9800, http://www.cakelove.com/ .

MAYORGA COFFEE FACTORY

WiFi Basics: The huge space, a former antiques warehouse, has plenty of outlets. Tables by the front windows provide especially good lighting for those who are in it for the long haul. No registration is required.

The Vibe: Silver Spring chic, with comfy chairs and good lighting during the day; decor courtesy of local artists and artisans; and live music on at least Friday and Saturday nights.

The Grub: Sandwiches and (big) salads, pastries and cakes, a full bar and coffee, which is roasted on-site. There's no table service -- you pick up your drinks at the counter.

The Crowd: Students, young families and weekend warriors.

8040 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, 301-562-9090, http://www.mayorgacoffee.com/ .

MURKY COFFEE

WiFi Basics: Two floors plus a couple of smaller rooms make finding an outlet a breeze (and there's enough privacy for you to get work done or snuggle with your study partner). No registration is required.

The Vibe: Remember the student union at your college? Well, that's pretty much Murky Coffee. Housed in the former Common Grounds Coffee and Tea House space, this rambling Victorian-style house in the heart of Clarendon screams "grunge." The company Web site claims that renovations are planned, pending approval from the historic preservation board. In nice weather, you can take your laptop out to the front deck for a little al fresco surfing.

The Grub: A limited assortment, including cakes and biscotti, plus the usual liquid suspects. While they do claim to have "the best damn coffee there is," I'd give it a B+.

The Crowd: Mostly Gen Yers with that just-rolled-out-of-bed look, either in smaller groups huddled over books or in bigger cram sessions.

3211 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-312-7001, http://www.murkycoffee.com/ .

TRYST

WiFi Basics: The sheer popularity of this Adams Morgan fave makes finding an outlet daunting. The good news? It provides a T1 connection to let you browse the Web with no limitations. On weeknights, when the lights go down, there's a constant glow from all the blue screens. WiFi gets turned off on weekends to deter those pesky squatters. Go early if you want to get a prime spot in the coveted (and in my opinion, too-small) non-smoking section. Registration is required.

The Vibe: Hipster funk meets Goodwill. Mismatched coffee tables, badly upholstered sofas, worn wood chairs and tables. A rotating art show features the work of local artists, and there's live jazz Monday through Wednesday from 8 to 11 p.m.

The Grub: Salads and sandwiches are named after regular customers; look for above-par waffles, and regular and spiked coffee drinks including the "Rude Boy" (espresso with a shot of Baileys). The full bar gets a good response most nights.

The Crowd: You name it, they're here: grad students, awkward first dates, mommies and their tots, free agents -- "diverse" is the word to describe it.

2459 18th St. NW, 202-232-5500, http://www.trystdc.com/ .

A Few Things to Keep in Mind Before You Go

· Arrive at your destination early to get a seat. Most of the places on this list fill up fast and finding a spot on the weekends can be next to impossible.

· Be prepared to deal with any technical difficulties on your own (don't expect the barista to help you when you can't get online).

· Charge your battery in case you can't find a place to plug in.

· Consider using Web-based e-mail. You may have trouble sending e-mail from Outlook or other software programs. For complete details on why this occurs, visit: http://www.jiwire.com/top-wireless-tips-hotspots-travel.htm .

· Don't conduct secure transactions over public hotspots. According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, many hotspots leave all security turned off to make it easier to access and get on the network in the first place.

· Keep an eye on your laptop at all times and take it with you if you need to use the restroom.