Los Angeles’ cafes provide the ideal study bastion

School’s been back in session for merely a week and a half, but sooner or later students will be back to the routine of heading to the library, writing research papers or reading pages for chemistry. Thankfully, not all students need to be tortured by the sickening salmon walls of Leavey Library. Los Angeles offers a splendid variety of intimate cafes perfect for studying and snacking.

Study time · Coffee shops like Bricks & Scones are great escapes from campus that are intriguing as tourist and homework spots. - Mollie McKenzie | Daily Trojan

Madeleine Coffee and Pastry 

Madeleine Coffee and Pastry opened only late last semester but is already transforming from a hidden secret to USC’s cafe around the corner. The prices are beyond reasonable, and the samples and Wi-Fi are free.

Besides the regular assortment of teas and coffees, Madeleine demonstrates a strong inventive spirit in signature drinks like the sinfully delectable Chewbacca, separating it from chains like Starbucks and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

Though the cafe is on the small side and has little sitting room as of right now, it plans to set up more seating soon, according to Rosie Leonie, a barista at Madeleine’s.

Also coming up is the first “Open Mic Night,” featuring Leonie and Geoffry J.

Friendly and personable service also offers students a pleasant and intimate studying experience. But the main attraction is neither the prices nor the service, but the proximity.

Located on the corner of Figueroa and 30th Streets it’s just a short five minute walk from school.

Bricks and Scones 

Bricks and Scones is not USC’s closest cafe, but it is surely worth the 10-15 minute drive. Situated just after the corner of Beverly Street and Larchmont Boulevard, parking is limited, but street parking is usually easy to find.

Partnering with Lupicia Fresh Tea and Intelligentsia, their drinks are first rate.  You can’t go wrong with their afternoon tea and scones deal, which includes a pot of tea and two of their freshly baked scones.  Their blueberry scones and champagne rose tea completes the deal.  Students also receive a 10 percent discount when they show their school ID.

Studying at Bricks and Scones can take on a variety of forms depending on one’s dedication. The patio serves as a prime study location. Shaded by ivy, trees and umbrellas during the day and lit by twinkling white lights and heaters at night, the brick patio might be a place to get lost in beauty rather than a textbook or paper.

There’s also indoor seating, comprised of an assortment of inviting couches and leather chairs on which one finds as wide an assortment of students, teachers and intellectuals.

Additionally, a quieter option for the serious student in the midst of midterms or finals is just up the staircase in a room called The Study.

Students can expect to focus without any distractions in a room that has one rule — no talking.  Each customer receives its own private workspace, including his own desk and lamp.

Whatever option you choose, free Wi-Fi is always available.

Café Mak 

Café Mak — mak meaning “king” or “throne” in Korean — is another cafe perfect for sitting down and getting some serious studying done.  Situated in Koreatown right off Wilshire Boulevard, this unique gem offers free Wi-Fi and a staggering amount of sitting space.  A sea of mismatched cushioned chairs around tile tables that starts in the brick courtyard and continues deep into the actual building.

The relaxing and comfortable décor isn’t the only reason it’s the perfect place for a study session.

The drinks are slightly pricey, a simple tea or coffee runs more than $5, but that can keep you more focused on your studies and less focused on socializing.

Intelligentsia

A cafe to avoid is the famed chain of the truly hipster connoisseur, Intelligentsia, which is expensive but carries supremely tasty espressos.  Unfortunately, it does not meet the criteria for a study cafe because the closest coffeebar is more than 15 minutes away in Silver Lake; it doesn’t have adequate seating but instead metal chairs and tables and it’s located on the noisy and traffic-heavy Sunset Boulevard.

Though September is only just beginning, it’s never too early to find a good study spot. Keep these cafes in mind when it’s time to crack down and really focus on what we’re all here for: academics.