South Bank's best out-of-office work spots

Grind at BrewDog Waterloo

The boutique coffee brand Grind has its own elegant coffee shop adjoining Brewdog Waterloo. The space presents a stylish and inviting atmosphere, perfect for light work tasks or meetings with colleagues. Attracting a diverse crowd, the atmosphere feels lively yet also comfortable enough to get focused on your work.

The cafe has a variety of seating options, from high window seats to tables of two or four, catering for solo workers, colleagues and small groups. Plug sockets are plentiful and conveniently available at the wall-side tables.

On the food and drink side of things, in addition to the excellent coffee, there's also a wide range of smoothies, iced matcha, interesting soft drinks, plus cocktails and, of course, Brewdog beers. Food options are equally wide-ranging, and include everything from small plates and bakery treats to brunch dishes and lush salads.
WHERE: Adjoining BrewDog Waterloo at The Sidings at Waterloo Station (access via Leake Street graffiti tunnel or through the station)

Caffè Nero, OXO Tower Wharf

A fantastic spot for being out of the office at all times of day. The location, right on the banks of the Thames, adds a refreshing, open feel to the space, while for those working into the evening it handily stays open late (until 10pm). With free Wi-Fi and plug sockets available at wall-side tables, this cafe is suited to both solo workers or casual meetings.

The seating options are varied and comfortable, ranging from long communal tables and cosy sofas, to intimate round tables with a riverside view. For warmer days, there is also outdoor seating at the front by the river and a large courtyard around the back of the café. On the food side of things, there are hot and cold sandwiches and paninis, salads and bakery items, while for drinks if you’re a fan of matcha, Caffè Nero have both vanilla and strawberry flavoured.

The atmosphere is calm and inviting, with smooth jazzy tunes playing in the background, making it a great place to get stuck into tasks and a low-key spot for an informal business meeting. 
WHERE: Ground floor of the Oxo Tower Wharf on the Queen's Walk (5-minute walk from Blackfriars Station)

Black Sheep Coffee, South Bank Central

Black Sheep Coffee offers a lively, modern space, perfect for a quick catch-up on work. With free Wi-Fi and plug sockets available along the wall seating, it is well equipped for remote working, either solo or in a team. The café has a mix of small tables for two or four, larger sofa-style seating and bar-style stools, giving you plenty of options.

The atmosphere is vibrant, with upbeat music and bold artistic wall designs, while the location itself is peaceful, set back from the street and a block behind the busy riverside promenade. The lighting is slightly dimmer than others, making it a great space to focus.

Food and drink options are excellent, with a variety of sandwiches, paninis and breakfast-friendly choices. Their extensive drinks menu offers a huge range of drinks, including coffee and Matcha, to suit every taste.

WHERE: Located in the South Bank Central complex, entrances via Upper Ground (behind Sea Containers) or Stamford Street

Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre

Southbank Centre's historic Royal Festival Hall offers plenty of space for catching up on some reading, meeting with partners or spending time on your laptop, and is one of central London's most beloved 'third spaces'.

If you're here for a meeting, there's a broad choice of seating options spread across the central core of this inspiring building. Facing onto the terrace is the Festival Bar & Kitchen with a choice of two or four-person tables or high tables with a view over the terrace, and a menu of homemade sourdough pizzas if you get hungry.

The Ballroom Café, meanwhile, serves a range of light lunches including sandwiches, snacks and bakery items and offers even more places to sit and catch up. If you find yourself seated in the Ballroom, you might even catch a lunch-time rehearsal or performance on the Ballroom stage!

When it comes to laptop working, the Festival Hall has specially dedicated counter spaces exactly for this purpose. Situated between the Festival Bar and Kitchen and the Ballroom and Box Office, these long counter tables are where you will find all the plugpoints if your devices are in need of power. 
WHERE: Royal Festival Hall Hall Level 2 (entrance via Riverside Terrace or Mandela Walk)

BFI Café, BFI Southbank

Located just inside the side entrance to the BFI cinema, this vibrant café and seating area is ideal for high-focus work. It is quiet, especially when first opening at 11am, and has plenty of comfortable areas to sit with lots of natural lighting. Seating options include comfy sofas, two-person tables and larger round tables - something for everyone!

The cafe is filled with greenery and film-themed artworks, giving it a unique, airy feel. You'll find you've got plenty of fellow solo-workers, and with free Wi-Fi and easily accessible plug sockets, you are sure to get some work done. As for the cafe options themselves, a choice of hot and cold drinks and tasty bakery items will make for the perfect quick pick-me-up. And when it's time to close the book on your working day, head over to the lively BFI bar for a drink before relaxing your mind with a movie in one of the cinemas.

Hayward Gallery Café

This small, peaceful café, just above the Hayward Gallery, has a charming atmosphere. Perfect for catching up on a light spot of work - especially something a bit more creative, the interiors are lovely with custom murals created by international contemporary artists. Catering to a mix of visitors from friends and family to solo workers, the cafe's glass walls provide lots of light and views of the outdoor artworks, while if you need a break, the Hayward Gallery is right downstairs!

There's a choice of spaces to sit, including communal, solo and bench-style seating, and a small conservatory and outdoor terrace area. The café itself provides a great choice of bakery options if you're looking for a sweet treat or snack, hot and soft drinks, plus beer and wine.

WiFi is free, although limited plug sockets mean this one's probably more suited to a screen-free work session. 
WHERE: Hayward Gallery at Southbank Centre - entrance via Hayward Gallery (head upstairs just before the entrance to the gallery)

National Theatre

The National Theatre's impressive lobbies offer an inviting spot to both relax and catch up on work. Located in the heart of South Bank, this iconic London landmark is an inspiring spot to make those routine tasks seem a little more enjoyable.

There are many different seating options spread across the various lobbies, including small, solo working tables, larger countertop-style tables that are ideal for collaborative work and sofas for more casual catch-ups. There are plenty of quiet corners ideal for deep concentration. Towards the front of the building, the huge windows lend a calm and airy ambience, while in the more secluded work spots, the lighting is softer, enhancing the focused environment. If you're looking for a livelier area, take a break at the cafe or grab a coffee from the Grind coffee bar.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout. However, the plug sockets are somewhat limited, so this is definitely a place better suited to work discussions, meetings and creative activities worked on away from a screen. If you're looking for some extra inspiration, don't forget to explore the charming bookshop in the lobby too.