Freelance writer exploring Melbourne and beyond. If you enjoy the following article click on the Like button, Facebook it to your friends or subscribe. I'll update you with yummy and often free events. Like my photos? I instagram @redbagwilltravel
Published July 23rd 2018
Turning restaurants into coworking spaces
A new coworking space opening in Melbourne - Image Twospace Facebook
Not sure how much introduction coworking spaces need for readers. Basically, they are workspaces you share with others while you work outside your home or office.
You might be a freelance writer or designer, part of a start-up company with a few members, or a digital nomad who finances their long-term travel by working online.
Coworking spaces offer a comfortable space to work, reliable wifi, plenty of powerpoints and a collegiate atmosphere it includes social aspects such as lunches and social drinks.
The best also offer training in the form of a program of talks or workshops. The topics might be how to boost your Instagram followers, Facebook for business, or how to set up ticketing on Eventbrite to name a few.
The only problem is that many of the coworking spaces can be expensive with some charging up to $400 -$600 per month.
Cheaper than an office but you would have to be earning a good whack from your online work to afford this.
But there is another new and innovative option – TwoSpace.
The business model originated in Sydney with Tashi Dorjee and Rob Walker.
It must have been a light globe moment. They could see all these great spaces, such as restaurants and rooftop bars that were only open during the night and vacant during the daytime.
So they came up with this great idea. Why not turn them into inexpensive co-working spaces during the hours that most people like to work?
So that is what they did. Costs are kept minimal.TwoSpace provides Optus internet and brings in a host to check members in.
Members can either sign up for a day pass or pay $199 a month to use the space every workday. And the beauty is that users are not limited to working at just one of the venues. You can use any of the spaces in your city or around Australia that are part of the TwoSpace network. So this is great for people who get bored with the same old places or digital nomads touring around, especially as the spaces are in some iconic tourist locations.
And to my mind the fact that you can work in restaurants or bars and not feel as if you have to move on every few hours because you are taking up a table, as I do in coffee shops, would be a real boon. It becomes your space!
This Manly venue overlooks the beach. Image source TwoSpace Facebook
Manly's Havana Beach was the first venue to join TwoSpace. The two-level beachfront restaurant operates as a downstairs cafe during the day but on weekdays the upstairs accommodates up to 40 workers from 7 am to 4 pm. It is 20 steps away from Manly Beach has panoramic ocean views an in-house barista and is dog-friendly.
Rocker (North Bondi)
Wed - Sun 9am - 4pm
A neighbourhood restaurant with lots of natural light, plush wood panels with a chic industrial feel. Another pet-friendly option. A number of discounts on food.
Located in Potts Point opposite the iconic Coca-Cola sign. Lots of natural light and exotic pot plants. Indoor and outdoor seating that includes standing desks, stools, communal desks and couches and it is opposite Fitness First Kings Cross so you can fit in your workout as well. Open kitchen with diverse menu offerings.
Working upstairs Kings Cross Hotel - Source TwoSpace Facebook
Storehouse Sydney, Rushcutters Bay is inside the hotel. Its a green zone with a jungle of potted plants and panoramic walls of windows. Coffee available and perks such as discounted hotel rooms and parking for $15 per day.
Lots of natural light, and a retro & chic industrial style interior. A short walk to cafes, bars, pubs, restaurants. Option to upgrade to work & dine package with daily lunches from in-house chefs cooking up feasts.The only stand-up boardroom in Sydney and a lounge style meeting room for hire. Free snacks, fruits, juice, coffee & tea all day. Monthly wine & whisky tasting sessions. Friday drinks & BBQ for lunch.
Ovolo Woolloomooloo
This space is presently undergoing renovations but I have included it as there is a great little video below that shows the venue and what it is like to work in a TwoSpace environment.
Ovola is a waterfront boutique lifestyle hotel situated on Woolloomooloo Wharf. Working locations include lounge seating and communal working tables and café style seating.
TwoSpace members have 24/7 access Mon-Fri to the lounge area and 1 x free drink per week during happy hour. Complimentary tea and coffee are also provided. See the video below.
Melbourne
Ladro Gertrude Fitzroy
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
A softly industrial light-filled venue with plentiful space for meetings and solo-sessions. Meeting spaces for a group of up to 20 people. Discounts on Ladro's famous wood-fired pizzas. A range of seating including standing desks and outdoor tables. Great views of Gertrude's vibrant street scene.
Sir Basil- Docklands VIC 3008
Mon - Sun 7:30am - 4pm
Close to the water and situated in the buzzing Docklands. Wooden ceiling and chairs combined with an endless view over the harbour. TwoSpacers get 20% discount on food and coffee. Indoor and outdoor seating so you can work in the sunshine. Open 7 days a week with early starts.
A vibrant artsy venue just as you would expect in Brunswick. A bit like working in an art gallery with its cosy indoor and outdoor spots. Premium Five Senses Coffee, community & social impact-driven events, and a boardroom. Often runs free drop-in Fridays so keep an eye out for these on Eventbrite.
There are also some options coming up in Perth,Canberra and Hong Kong. As well as others in the pipeline in Sydney and Melbourne.
TwoSpace makes it quite easy for interested people to come and check out the workspaces with week-long free trials.
If you end up enjoying it and signing up the prices are quite good. It is $69 a month if you will only be using the space once a week, if twice a week it is $129 for the month or $199 for a whole month where you can attend every day.
Cost:If you end up enjoying it and signing up the prices are quite good. It is $69 a month if you will only be using the space once a week, if twice a week it is $129 for the month, or $199 for a whole month.
