Top 5 Coffee Shop Study Spots in Ann Arbor
Places to go when you need a warm cup of coffee to accompany your studying
—By Tavleen Gill, Neha Gogineni, and Marina Khreizat
Have you ever been looking for a study spot on campus and not been able to find a single open area? Coffee shops are a great place to sit and get some work done. But sometimes, after spending $6 on a latte, you realize there are no outlets or that the Wi-Fi isn’t working. Because most coffee shops in Ann Arbor have relatively high-quality coffee, we focus here on how good they are as study spots. After visiting most of the local coffee shops in Ann Arbor, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most reliable coffee shop study spots for all your finals-cramming needs.
The Common Cup
Address: 1511 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Rating: 9/10
If you’re looking for a reliable spot and friendly environment to get some work done, Common Cup is the place to be. With warm lighting, a display of new artwork on the walls each week, and chill background music, Common Cup has a vibe that’s perfect for zoning into your work and enjoying the atmosphere. It is also located just off-campus on Washtenaw Ave. and Hill St. and has ample space for parking, but it is still a walkable distance for those without a car. It is open pretty late each day, which is nice for those who like the late-night coffee shop vibes: 8:30am-10pm Monday through Friday, 8:30am-6pm on Saturday, and 7:30-10pm on Sunday. It also is spacious and has plenty of outlets lined against the walls, and there are usually spots available. Given their affiliation with the University Lutheran Chapel upstairs, though, Sundays are usually their busiest day and might be the one time you are not able to find a table. On a regular basis, though, they’re a reliable spot. One more perk of this coffee shop is that they cater to the UMich students they know visit them often. Every semester during finals week, Common Cup hosts an event called “Finals Fix” that gifts the stressed students 3 levels of study space, a free drink, and a breakfast buffet late into the night. It’s an event we always look forward to.
Dozer Coffee
Address: 112 Jackson Plaza, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Rating: 9/10
Dozer Coffee is the newest addition to the west side of Ann Arbor. This spot provides a unique study ambiance in a warehouse-type building with a bright green architectural design. Conveniently a 10 minute drive outside of central campus, this space will allow you to embrace an environment with both students and Ann Arbor community members alike. Dozer Coffee is open daily from 7am-5pm and serves a wide variety of coffee, breakfast/lunch options, with an added bonus of scratch donuts made fresh daily at the cafe. Although it can get crowded, Dozer Coffee has a wide variety of seating options including tables, wooden booths, and counter spaces. At this study spot, you will not run into issues finding outlets or connecting to Wi-Fi. The cafe also plays chill music to provide a great ambiance for studying or group work. In addition, there is outdoor seating available with fire pits to gather around during the colder months. During the summer months, Dozer Coffee opens their garage doors to allow an open-air experience. If you’re looking for a spot that incorporates chill vibes, incredible lattes, and ample space, Dozer Coffee is the right study spot for you.
Drip House Coffee
Address: 1336 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Rating: 7/10
Drip House Coffee provides a modern atmosphere with a minimalist white and black interior. There are lots of different plants located throughout the small coffee shop to bring color to the space. An added bonus of this study spot are the views of the Big House located directly across the street. Drip House is conveniently located 5 minutes away from central campus, but has very limited parking availability, especially during peak hours. On weekdays, Drip House is open from 6:30am-8pm and serves a variety of seasonal drinks and pastry items like croissants and crêpes. While there is not much seating space available indoors, Drip House does offer heated outdoor seating in igloo tents (without outlets). If you can find a spot to sit indoors, this location makes a great study spot as it has plenty of charging ports at the edge of each high-top table and is quiet enough to allow you to concentrate. Be aware that the Wi-Fi connection can be spotty at times, so this may not be the best spot to attend a virtual meeting!
Mighty Good
Address: 3010 Washtenaw Ave #111, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Rating: 8/10
Located about a 10 minute drive outside of central campus, Mighty Good is the place to study if you are trying to escape campus. Mighty Good provides a well-lit, relaxing atmosphere. However, finding an open table with an outlet can be difficult, as this spot tends to get quite busy, especially on the weekends, proving to be one of the louder spots on our list. Also, Mighty Good’s hours can be unreliable at times as they tend to not adhere to the times listed online (open until 5 pm). However, the overall ambiance makes up for its shortfalls. During warmer weather, Mighty Good provides outdoor seating. In addition, they offer a variety of flavors of coffee (you have to try their seasonal drinks), along with great service. Mighty Good attracts a variety of people beyond just students, creating a space full of great energy and conversations. So next time you want to study somewhere with stable Wi-Fi and lively energy, try out Mighty Good!
Vertex Coffee Roasters
Address: 1335 S University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Rating: 7/10
Located conveniently at the corner of South U. and Washtenaw, Vertex is a walkable distance and a great spot to study for those without a car. This spot gets busy fast and cramped due to it being quite small. Although there are only a few tables available, Vertex has recently announced a reservation option that allows customers to make a free 90-minute reservation on their website. If you are able to find a table, you do not need to worry about charging your laptop, as there are more than enough outlets spread throughout the coffee shop. Vertex Coffee Roasters is open 7:30am-5pm on weekdays and 8am-4pm on weekends. At the moment, indoor seating is only available for those with proof of Covid-19 vaccination. Vertex offers a great aesthetic for studying as it is sleek and stylish, full of plants and huge windows. If you are someone who needs vibrant lighting while you study, then Vertex is definitely for you! Because it’s located at such a busy intersection, it is also a great location for those who love people-watching.
Feature photo by Petr Sevcovic on Unsplash