Best study spots in Smithdown:

For the past few weeks I’ve gone around to most of the cafes in Smithdown, and compiled a list of what I think are the best study spots. These spots are for the days you can’t be bothered to fight for a spot in the Sydney Jones, or need to get out of your room and are sick of going to the same place again. Enjoy!

Sips&Stories: 4/5

Past Tesco lies a little coffee shop called sips and stories. It’s a relaxed and clean environment, with a friendly server who can recite to you all their many different syrups off by heart. I had a coffee from here for £3.35, with a student discount, decent sized coffee with incredibly thick foam. Music was playing in the background but it was non-invasive, light jazz music that i found didn’t distract me too much. But also provides more noise for those who can’t work in silence. The only thing that stops me from rating this higher is the fact the Wifi wasn’t very good, I couldn’t connect and neither could others in the cafe, but this might’ve been dependent on the day and fixed later on.

Cafe Oro: 3.5/5

A cheap place to go, for coffees around £3.30, a cosy atmosphere that is usually less busy than other places closer to the brookie. They make a very good chai latte and the woman at the front of the house is very friendly. However it plays loud music that if you find it hard to work in noise is quite distracting. There is also not enough smaller table seating, and is a better place to go if you are studying as a group.

The Black Cat, Smithdown Road 4.5/5

This very popular student spot is both a bar and a coffee shop, opening at 1pm you usually find hordes of students studying here. I managed to get a seat just after opening on monday, in a small booth. The black cat offers a student discount of 20% so my coffee cost me only £3.33. The vibe is very cosy and cool, the walls are plastered in different posters and pictures, it is the epitome of the student vibe. Light jazzy music played in the background, a little distracting but not awful. If you plan on studying here I would aim to get here as early as possible, as i have had to turn away before when every space was filled. Wifi is good and fast too. There are some spots in the cafe are not very well lit, and is a little harder to do work in, so if it is not busy I suggest staying in the main room.

Nomad: 3.5/5

This is a very popular spot for students in Smithdown, they don’t offer a student disocunt but the prices aren’t too bad. £3.50 for coffees. The food is more expensive but if you are only here for a drink and studying it is reasonable. music not too loud, good playlist.

Bean there Coffee shop: 4/5

Near Penny Lane this cafe is the ultimate hipster-barista vibe. Wooden tables with booths big windows ideal to people watch and many many cushions. Very quiet non-disturbing back ground music. Lovely place to work except that a drink costs £4 and they offer no student discount. Ultimately too expensive for me on a student budget.

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