Discover the quirkiest coworking spaces worldwide, from BrewDog Waterloo’s microbrewery vibe to Hub Hoi An’s rice field serenity, perfect for digital nomads seeking unique workspaces.
The rise of remote work and digital nomadism has transformed how we view workspaces. No longer confined to sterile offices, professionals now seek environments that blend productivity with creativity, community, and local culture. Coworking spaces have become hubs for this new way of working, offering unique settings that inspire and connect. According to Harvard Business Review, the number of U.S. digital nomads surged by 131% between 2019 and 2024, reflecting a global trend toward flexible, location-independent work. This article explores seven of the quirkiest coworking spaces worldwide, each offering a distinctive experience that elevates work into an adventure. From microbreweries to rice paddies, these spaces redefine the workplace for digital nomads, freelancers, and remote workers.
1. BrewDog Waterloo (London, UK)
Nestled in London’s vibrant Southbank near Waterloo Station, BrewDog Waterloo is a coworking space like no other. Part microbrewery with 60 taps of craft beer across two floors, part podcast studio, part duckpin bowling alley, and even boasting a slide, this space is a playground for professionals. The coworking area is discreetly tucked behind the lively brewery, offering a balance of work and play. With high-speed Wi-Fi (averaging 100 Mbps download), ergonomic desks, private booths, and meeting rooms, it caters to focused work while encouraging creativity through its eclectic environment.
Features:
- Amenities: High-speed Wi-Fi, private booths, meeting rooms, podcast studio, duckpin bowling, slide.
- Pricing: Hot desk: £15/day, £60/week; private office: £30/day.
- Unique Appeal: Combines a microbrewery vibe with professional workspaces, ideal for those who thrive in dynamic settings.
Why It’s Quirky: The blend of craft beer culture with professional amenities, complete with a slide for a playful commute, makes BrewDog Waterloo a standout. It’s perfect for creatives who want to network over a pint or bowl a few frames after a productive day.
2. Village Underground (Lisbon, Portugal)
In Lisbon’s creative Alcântara district, Village Underground transforms shipping containers and a repurposed double-decker bus into a quirky coworking haven. This eco-conscious space reflects Lisbon’s artistic spirit, offering open-plan desks, private offices, and communal areas for collaboration. After work, the nearby LX Factory—a cultural hub with over 50 eateries, shops, and bars—beckons for post-work relaxation. Wi-Fi speeds average 90 Mbps, ensuring seamless connectivity for remote workers.
Features:
- Amenities: High-speed Wi-Fi, shipping container offices, communal bus lounge, event spaces.
- Pricing: Hot desk: €12/day, €50/week; private office: €25/day.
- Unique Appeal: Repurposed industrial materials create a sustainable, artistic workspace.
Why It’s Quirky: Working in a shipping container or a double-decker bus is inherently unconventional, blending sustainability with Lisbon’s vibrant cultural scene. It’s a magnet for eco-conscious nomads and creatives.
3. Crew Collective & Café (Montreal, Canada)
Housed in a 1920s Royal Bank building, Crew Collective & Café in Montreal feels like stepping into a Harry Potter-esque Gringotts Wizarding Bank. With 50-foot vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, and marble finishes, this opulent space combines grandeur with functionality. The coworking area offers desks, private offices, and meeting rooms, complemented by an on-site café serving artisanal coffee. Wi-Fi speeds average 95 Mbps, making it ideal for video calls and heavy workloads.
Features:
- Amenities: High-speed Wi-Fi, private offices, meeting rooms, on-site café.
- Pricing: Hot desk: CAD$20/day, CAD$80/week; private office: CAD$40/day.
- Unique Appeal: Historic architecture meets modern coworking.
Why It’s Quirky: The juxtaposition of a grand, cathedral-like setting with modern coworking facilities creates a surreal, inspiring workspace. It’s perfect for those who draw inspiration from architectural splendor.
4. Impact Hub Tbilisi (Tbilisi, Georgia)
Located in Fabrika, a repurposed Soviet-era sewing factory, Impact Hub Tbilisi is a cornerstone of the city’s creative scene. Renovated by Multiverse Architecture, this space blends post-industrial charm with a shabby-chic aesthetic. It offers open desks, private offices, and event spaces, with Wi-Fi speeds averaging 85 Mbps. Fabrika’s surrounding complex includes concept stores, café-bars, and a hostel, fostering a vibrant community for digital nomads.
Features:
- Amenities: High-speed Wi-Fi, private offices, event spaces, cultural hub access.
- Pricing: Hot desk: $10/day, $45/week; private office: $20/day.
- Unique Appeal: Combines industrial history with Tbilisi’s creative pulse.
Why It’s Quirky: The Soviet-era factory setting, paired with a hipster vibe and cultural hub, makes this space a unique blend of history and modernity, ideal for nomads seeking community and culture.
5. Kohub (Koh Lanta, Thailand)
On the serene island of Koh Lanta, Kohub operates from April to October, offering a tropical coworking experience. Overlooking a lush patio with individual cabanas, ping-pong tables, hammocks, and a meditative walking path, Kohub fosters productivity and relaxation. An in-house ordering system delivers coffee and Thai food to your desk, and a board game café adds a playful touch. Wi-Fi speeds average 80 Mbps, suitable for most remote work needs.
Features:
- Amenities: High-speed Wi-Fi, cabanas, board game café, meditation path, on-site food ordering.
- Pricing: Hot desk: $12/day, $50/week; private cabana: $25/day.
- Unique Appeal: Tropical island setting with a focus on work-life balance.
Why It’s Quirky: The combination of a board game café, meditative paths, and beachside cabanas creates a laid-back yet productive environment, perfect for nomads seeking tranquility.
6. Naplab (Bangkok, Thailand)
Naplab in Bangkok redefines coworking by prioritizing rest alongside work. Open 24/7, it features 15 “nap caves” for power naps, alongside standard amenities like high-speed Wi-Fi (100 Mbps), private offices, and meeting rooms for up to 120 people. Additional perks include a coffee bar, ping-pong table, boxing bag, and 24-hour housekeeping, making it ideal for hackathons or extended work sessions.
Features:
- Amenities: High-speed Wi-Fi, nap caves, private offices, meeting rooms, coffee bar, recreational facilities.
- Pricing: Hot desk: $15/day, $60/week; private office: $30/day; nap cave access: $5/hour.
- Unique Appeal: Dedicated napping zones for enhanced productivity.
Why It’s Quirky: The inclusion of nap caves in a coworking space is a bold nod to the importance of rest, setting Naplab apart as a haven for balanced work.
7. Hub Hoi An (Hoi An, Vietnam)
Hub Hoi An, the only coworking space in Hoi An, is set amidst serene rice paddies, offering a tranquil backdrop for work. Its quirky features include weekly ice baths in the communal area and Monday night family meetings to plan social activities. With Wi-Fi speeds averaging 90 Mbps, it supports remote work while fostering a tight-knit digital nomad community.
Features:
- Amenities: High-speed Wi-Fi, communal ice baths, event spaces, social activities.
- Pricing: Hot desk: $10/day, $40/week; private office: $20/day.
- Unique Appeal: Rice paddy views and community-driven events.
Why It’s Quirky: Ice baths and rice field views create a unique blend of wellness and productivity, making Hub Hoi An a digital nomad crossroads.
Personal Favorites: A Digital Nomad’s Perspective
As a seasoned digital nomad, I’ve explored countless coworking spaces, each shaping my journey in unique ways. Below, I share three personal favorites that stand out for their settings, communities, and productivity boosts, weaving in anecdotes from my travels.
Selina CoWork, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Nestled at the base of Arenal Volcano, Selina CoWork in La Fortuna is a gem for nature-loving nomads. The coworking space, part of Selina Hostel, features wraparound windows with views of toucans and hummingbirds. While compact, it offers diverse seating—desks, couches, a phone booth, and a meeting room—with Wi-Fi speeds averaging 85.9 Mbps download and 51.6 Mbps upload.
Anecdote: During my stay, I worked on a project while listening to the jungle’s hum, then hiked to a hidden waterfall after hours. The laid-back pace of La Fortuna, with free activities like hot spring river dips, made work feel like part of the adventure.
Pricing:
- Hot desk: $12/day, $50/week.
- Meeting room: $20/day.
Where to Stay: Selina Hostel offers dorms ($20/night), glamping teepees ($40/night), and private suites ($97/night), with a pool, yoga palapa, and shared kitchen.
Ojalá Hotel, Antigua, Guatemala
Ojalá Hotel in Antigua, named one of Fodor’s top 90 boutique hotels, offers a coworking space with volcano views from its terrace. With Wi-Fi speeds of 106 Mbps download and 102 Mbps upload, it’s ideal for solo workers. The space includes café tables, bar stools, and garden courtyard seating, with an on-site café serving women-owned coffee.
Anecdote: I spent three weeks at Ojalá in 2021, working on the terrace with distant volcanoes as my backdrop. The community vibe, fueled by local coffee and friendly staff, made it hard to leave.
Pricing: Coworking access is included with hotel stays (dorms: $15–$21/night; private rooms: $45–$110/night).
Where to Stay: Ojalá’s sister properties, Maya Papaya and Casi Casa, offer similar vibes with coworking-friendly spaces.
Roamwork, Cape Town, South Africa
Roamwork in Cape Town’s District Six is a visual masterpiece, filled with art and modern amenities like standing desks, private offices, and a terrace. Wi-Fi speeds average 102 Mbps download and 69 Mbps upload. Its location in the City Bowl, surrounded by Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, adds to its appeal.
Anecdote: Introduced to Roamwork during a 2022 Work Wanderers retreat, I was captivated by its inspiring design. After two months, I discovered new art pieces daily, boosting my creativity.
Pricing:
- Hot desk: R280 ($15)/day, R900 ($49)/week, R2850 ($155)/month.
- Dedicated desk: R3795 ($206)/month.
Where to Stay: Gardens neighborhood, near Table Mountain, offers safe, vibrant accommodation options via Airbnb or local nomad groups.
Navigating Coworking Spaces: Tips for Digital Nomads
To maximize your coworking experience, consider these practical tips:
- Prioritize Connectivity: Verify Wi-Fi speeds using SpeedTest.net. Have a backup plan, like an eSIM from Airalo, for outages.
- Evaluate the Environment: Seek quiet zones for focus and ergonomic furniture for comfort. Standing desks and natural light boost productivity.
- Engage with the Community: Choose spaces with events, workshops, or social nights to network and build connections.
Comparison Table: Key Features of Quirky Coworking Spaces
| Coworking Space | Location | Wi-Fi (Download/Upload, Mbps) | Pricing (Hot Desk) | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BrewDog Waterloo | London, UK | 100/80 | £15/day, £60/week | Microbrewery, slide, bowling |
| Village Underground | Lisbon, Portugal | 90/70 | €12/day, €50/week | Shipping container offices, bus lounge |
| Crew Collective & Café | Montreal, Canada | 95/75 | CAD$20/day, CAD$80/week | Historic bank building, opulent decor |
| Impact Hub Tbilisi | Tbilisi, Georgia | 85/65 | $10/day, $45/week | Soviet-era factory, cultural hub |
| Kohub | Koh Lanta, Thailand | 80/60 | $12/day, $50/week | Cabanas, board game café, meditation |
| Naplab | Bangkok, Thailand | 100/85 | $15/day, $60/week | Nap caves, 24/7 access |
| Hub Hoi An | Hoi An, Vietnam | 90/70 | $10/day, $40/week | Rice paddy views, ice baths |
Chart: Coworking Space Workflow
SafetyWing Nomad Workation Giveaway
SafetyWing, a trusted travel insurance provider for digital nomads, offers coverage tailored to the nomadic lifestyle. They’re currently hosting a Nomad Workation giveaway, offering a month-long coworking and coliving experience at Selina Mexico City, including round-trip airfare (up to $2000). Sign up via SafetyWing’s Nomad Workation link—no purchase necessary, and existing members are eligible.
Personal Note: I’ve used SafetyWing for a year and appreciate their reliable service, making them a go-to for my travels.
Key Takeaways
These quirky coworking spaces prove that work can be an adventure. From BrewDog’s brewery vibe to Hub Hoi An’s rice paddy serenity, each offers a unique blend of productivity, community, and local flavor. Whether you’re a seasoned nomad or new to remote work, these spaces inspire creativity and connection, making the world your office. Explore these hubs, prioritize connectivity and comfort, and embrace the digital nomad lifestyle.
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