The Brick Coffee & Bar

531 5th Avenue S
Naples, Fl  34102
(239)692-8755


A nice coffee house along Naples sheshe 5th Avenue.  Nice size tables with a few outlets.  In the window are two large sofas with an outlet but when I visited the Christmas tree was plugged in there.  The coffee is pretty good, they serve Lavazza which is not my favorite (not that I consider myself a coffee snob).  There is also beer and wine, sandwiches and pastries and ice cream novelties.  Outside are several tables under large umbrellas but didn't see any outlets there.  Since I visited in season, there were far too many Europeans for my taste but they were not the obnoxious types usually seen haunting the Starbucks downtown.  Despite being on the main drag of Naples, it was not overrun and did not feel like I was in the middle of tourist season.
The Brick

United Cafe, Bar & Bistro

2236 1st Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901
(239) 362-1831

Located in the revitalized downtown/river district of Ft Myers, this corner bistro has taken over the old location of Cafe Matisse.  The decor has changed, the theme honors a USA and UK connection.  There's seating outside (if you can bear the heat) but I couldn't see any outlets. Inside are approx 10 tables, with outlets along the wall, and a small bar at the window. There's also a leather couch and a couple of chairs in the middle of the space but no apparent outlets there. I have only been a few times, in the evening for the Thursday night open mic so not sure how the new menu is but seems to comprise the usual bar food.  Service at the bar was quick and friendly and the beer was cold.
The crowd that has been there comprised a great cross section of SWFL.  The open mic really promotes a vibrant scene and was quite a contrast from the empty Patio De Leon around the corner.
United Cafe  (Google warns the link may harm your computer.  I've included it here only to be complete in this review)

Summary:

• Free WiFi
• Adequate outlets
• Outdoor seating
• Comfortable staff
• Reasonably priced food & drink
• No jazz music

Bayshore Coffee House

Alas, The Bayshore has closed.

2727 Bayshore Drive
Naples, fl 34112
239-775-5676

The Bayshore Coffee House is almost a throwback to the bohemian, hippie coffee hangouts we always imagined that WE would open but haven't yet. Incongruously, they sit in a standard strip mall just off busy 41. The menu offers soups, salads, sandwiches and baked goods along with coffee, beer and wine by the glass.
A huge draw, and in the spirit of this listing, is that they are all about living local.
They feature local artist's works on display, an open mic a couple of nights a week and local musicians other nights. Even the walls are local; painted by customers and the owners when they changed locations suddenly.
The decor offers lots of bistro tables, booths, comfy chairs and sofa. The whole atmosphere is an invite to "sit a while and linger" and to make yourself a regular.

Cgrape Coffee & Wine Bar

Alas, Cgrape has closed.

4450 Bonita Beach Rd
Bonita Springs, FL 34134-3989
(239) 221-7388

Straddling a blurry line between traditional coffee house and upscale wine bar, the Cgrape offers a sophisticated atmosphere to go with it's free WiFi. However, this a place that offers tapas as opposed to appetizers so be prepared for a little too much atmosphere. The menu of food runs the gamut from breakfast to the usual array of paninis and wraps with smoothies, beer, wine and coffee for beverages. The food is good, fairly priced and well presented. There is an outside patio with umbrellas for a pleasant place to enjoy the afternoon with a couple of outlets available. Inside, the chairs are comfortable though they are all at tables. No overstuffed wing chairs to curl up in.
I could see making use of the outdoor seating for a semi-regular outpost during the day but not regularly since it still had the feeling of a chic bistro. In the evening, they try to turn into a wine bar and that is certainly not the style that invites working on the web.
If, however, you're having a business lunch I would highly recommend the Cgrape for it's tasty eats, free WiFi and friendly staff.

Third Street South

Covering several blocks in the heart of old Naples, this open access WiFi allows users to log in from anywhere in the area.
Third St. South is dotted with art galleries, fine restaurants and shopping. There are plenty of public benches to sit at around the fountains and flowers and outdoor seating at the numerous restaurants. However, this being old Naples, don't expect to find a cheap eats. The restaurants cater to the older, wealthier and oh-so sophisticated crowd that descend upon the city in their Aston-Martins and Mercedes-Benz.
In it's own way, though, there is much less pretension at all the cafes than in your typical shopping center Starbucks. Perhaps it's open air of the whole area, moving from Handsome Harry's to Tony's Off Third to Tommy Bahama's, that allows the hot air to rise above it all. Yes, a cynical eye can scowl after the beautiful people and their well-to-do world but they seem to not be out and about to impress.
As always, the open and wide-ranging access means that finding seating runs the gamut and it is definitely hit or miss when looking for an outlet. But if you can find a seat, plug yourself in and settle back it is one of the most beautiful areas to just sit and take care of your online world.

The French Connection Cafe

2282 1st Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901-2955
(239) 332-4443

Does not offer free WiFi.
www.frenchconnectioncafe.com/

Calistoga Bakery Cafe

7941 Airport Pulling Road North,
Naples, FL
239-596-8840

9924 Gulf Coast Main Street,
Fort Myers, FL
239-466-8642

1860 Tamiami Trail North,
Naples, FL
239-352-8642
I hesitate to include Calistoga in this listing simply because it is not that dissimilar to Panera Bread. There are three locations, they offer sandwiches, salads, soups, baked goods and coffee all of which you order at the counter and pick up. Another entry into the fast casual restaurant category of blandness.
I will say that the food is a little bit more interesting than Panera, they seem to be less prefab in the atmosphere and just a more comfortable chain. All three locations offer outdoor seating, the usual comfy chairs by a faux fireplace and plenty of booths. The Gulf Coast location, in particular, has a huge area in front of the fireplace with generous chairs and wide "coffee table" seating for four.
Again, there is free WiFi, decent access to outlets and no one seems to notice if you sit for hours. If I had only Starbucks, Panera or Calistoga to choose from I would definitely choose the latter.