9 Best Working Cafés & Co-working Spaces in St Kilda
Working remotely in Melbourne? You’ve probably heard about St Kilda for the beach, bars, and live music — but it’s also a surprisingly great place to get stuff done. Whether you're deep in deadlines or just need a spot to check your emails, there are plenty of cafés and co-working spaces that totally get the remote work vibe.
From chill coffee shops with strong Wi-Fi and good energy, to flexible co-working spaces with all the essentials, St Kilda has something for every kind of workday. Here are the best places to plug in, sip something good, and stay productive without missing out on the local scene.
Must-visit Co-working Spaces & Cafés in St Kild
Looking for a place that feels like your second office — but with better coffee? These are the must-visit co-working spaces and working cafés in St Kilda that blend comfort, convenience, and community:
1. CoWork Me
Address: 245 St Kilda Rd, St Kilda VIC 3182
Opening hours: Mon - Fri (8:30 am - 5 pm)
Fee: Hot desk access for 2 days/week every month ($135AUD)
Distance from Pint on Punt Backpackers: 1.4 km, 3-min drive.
CoWork Me is a dedicated coworking space on St Kilda Road, suited to freelancers, remote workers and small teams needing a professional desk setup. It offers shared work areas, meeting rooms and a more structured environment than a café. Current day-pass and short-term membership options should be confirmed directly, particularly for travellers staying only a few days, as previous pricing may no longer be current.
2. Engine House St Kilda
Address: 105 Wellington St, St Kilda VIC 3182
Opening hours: Mon - Fri (9 am - 5 pm).
Fee: Varies, including day pass ($40AUD).
Distance from Pint on Punt Backpackers: 700m, 10-min walk.
Engine House is a strong option for digital nomads needing a reliable full-day workspace. The venue offers fast internet, furnished desks, breakout areas, meeting rooms, printing facilities and tea and coffee. A weekday day pass is available, while flexible and full-access memberships suit longer stays. It is particularly useful for video calls, interviews and focused work that requires a quieter, professional environment.
3. The Hive Milton House
Address: 123 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182
Opening hours: Mon - Thu (9 am - 5 pm), Fri (9 am - 3 pm)
Fee: varies from hot desk, dedicated desk to private offices, with hot desk access is $300AU/month per person).
Distance from Pint on Punt Backpackers: 850m, 13-min walk.
The Hive Milton House is a professional coworking space on Fitzroy Street offering hot desks, dedicated desks, private offices and meeting facilities. Its rooftop terrace and central location add flexibility for longer working stays. Monthly pricing makes it better suited to digital nomads based in St Kilda for several weeks rather than casual visitors. Short-term access, trial days and meeting-room inclusions should be confirmed before booking.
4. Space-cafe
Address: 183 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182
Opening hours: Mon - Sun (6:30 am - 4 pm)
Fee: $20 - $40 AUD per person
Distance from Pint on Punt Backpackers: 300m, 6-min walk.
Space Cafe on Fitzroy Street is best suited to short laptop sessions combined with breakfast, lunch or coffee. Its early opening hours make it useful for emails, travel planning and quiet morning tasks before the café becomes busier. Wi-Fi, charging access and laptop policies should be confirmed directly, especially for longer stays. Avoid peak dining periods and use a coworking space for calls requiring privacy or dependable internet.
5. Coffee Society
Address: 574 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004
Opening hours: Mon - Fri (7 am - 2:30 pm)
Fee: $1 - $20 AUD per person
Distance from Pint on Punt Backpackers: 1.4 km, 6-min drive
Coffee Society is located within a commercial building on St Kilda Road, giving it a more business-oriented atmosphere than many neighbourhood brunch cafés. Its weekday morning and lunchtime hours suit informal meetings, emails and short administrative sessions. The surrounding building includes professional facilities, but café customers should not assume these are included. Confirm guest Wi-Fi, power access and laptop use before planning an extended work session.
6. Ground Yourself Cafe
Address: Acland Court Plaza, Shop G1/158 Acland St, St Kilda VIC 3182
Opening hours: Mon - Sun (7 am - 4 pm)
Fee: $1 - $20 AUD per person
Distance from Pint on Punt Backpackers: 2.1 km, 6-min drive
Ground Yourself Cafe is located in Acland Court Plaza, close to shops, public transport and central St Kilda. Its breakfast and lunch menu makes it convenient for travellers combining a meal with light work such as emails, reading or itinerary planning. Public information does not clearly confirm Wi-Fi, power points or extended laptop use, so contact the café first if you need reliable connectivity or several hours at a table.
Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes Near St Kilda
If you’re a digital nomad chasing Wi-Fi and good flat whites, you’re in luck. St Kilda and its nearby neighbourhoods have a growing list of laptop-friendly cafés with chill vibes, strong coffee, and enough plugs to power your day:
7. Common Room Co
Address: 257 Alma Rd, Caulfield North VIC 3161
Opening hours: Mon - Fri (7 am - 3 pm), Sat/Sun (8 am - 3 pm)
Fee: $20 - $40 AUD per person
Distance from Pint on Punt Backpackers: 3 km, 7-min drive
Common Room Co in Caulfield North offers a bright daytime setting with indoor and outdoor seating, making it suitable for writing, planning and other low-noise tasks. It is primarily a dining café, so remote workers should visit outside busy brunch and lunch periods. Wi-Fi and power access are not clearly confirmed publicly, making a mobile hotspot and fully charged laptop useful for a short, flexible work session.
8. Tone Coffee
Address: 7/121 High St, Prahran VIC 3181
Opening hours: Mon - Fri (7:30 am - 3:30 pm), Sat (8:30 am - 4:30 pm), Sun (9 am - 4 pm)
Fee: $1 - $20 AUD per person
Distance from Pint on Punt Backpackers: 1 km, 3-min drive
Located right by Albert Park, Tone Coffee is considered by locals to be something of a hidden gem. A wide, high-ceiling interior makes it a perfect setting to work in for a few hours while sampling some of their delicious food and drinks.
9. Fourth Chapter
Address: 385 High St, Prahran VIC 3181
Opening hours: Mon - Fri (7 am - 3:30 pm), Sat/ Sun (8 am - 3:30 pm)
Fee: $20 - $40 AUD per person
Distance from Pint on Punt Backpackers: 2 km, 6-min drive.
Turning Point Cafe near Ripponlea Station is a convenient option for combining breakfast or lunch with a short period of remote work. The venue operates primarily as a busy brunch café, so it is more suitable for emails, reading or travel administration than lengthy calls or full-day sessions. Wi-Fi, power points and laptop policies should be checked directly, and weekday off-peak hours will usually provide a more practical environment.
How to Choose These St Kilda Workspaces
Not every café with tables is suitable for remote work, and not every coworking membership is cost-effective for a short visit. Before choosing a venue, match its facilities with the length and importance of your task. For crucial meetings or deadlines, use a venue where the work conditions can be confirmed rather than relying on assumptions about public Wi-Fi or available seating.
Consider the following factors:
- Wi-Fi access: Confirm whether public Wi-Fi is available, whether it requires a purchase and whether it is suitable for video calls.
- Power points: Look for accessible outlets when working for more than one or two hours.
- Call suitability: Use meeting rooms or dedicated call areas for interviews, client discussions and confidential conversations.
- Laptop policy: Ask whether laptops are welcome and whether restrictions apply during breakfast or lunch periods.
- Session length: Use cafés for shorter tasks and coworking spaces for half-day or full-day work.
- Noise level: Choose quieter venues for writing and analysis, and avoid brunch cafés when concentration matters.
- Opening hours: Many cafés close by mid-afternoon, while some coworking memberships include evening or 24-hour access.
- Cost: Compare the cost of a café meal with a coworking day pass, particularly when you also require calls, printing or meeting-room access.
- Indoor comfort: During a St Kilda winter, prioritise heated indoor seating rather than relying on courtyards or outdoor tables.
- Public transport: Walking and tram access are generally more useful to backpackers than driving time.
Café or Coworking Space: Which Should You Choose?
A café is usually the more affordable choice when you only need to answer emails, organise your itinerary or work quietly for an hour or two. A dedicated coworking space costs more but provides a predictable desk, stronger work facilities and a more appropriate environment for full-day concentration, calls and meetings. The best choice depends on the task rather than simply choosing the closest venue.
Facilities relevant to longer working stays include:
| Your situation | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Checking emails for an hour | Café | A coffee or meal may be all you need for a short session |
| Writing or researching for two hours | Quiet café | Suitable when you do not require guaranteed power or privacy |
| Working for a full day | Coworking space | Proper desks and a work-focused environment are more comfortable |
| Attending an online job interview | Coworking space | A professional and controlled environment lowers the risk of background noise |
| Handling confidential information | Coworking space | Private rooms and more secure working conditions are preferable |
| Working on a limited budget | Café | Lower upfront cost, provided you order appropriately |
| Working at the weekend | Café or 24/7 membership | Many casual coworking passes are restricted to weekdays |
| Working with a team | Coworking space | Shared desks and meeting rooms are designed for collaboration |
BEST PLACE TO STAY IN ST KILDA FOR DIGITAL NOMADS?
Digital nomads do not necessarily need accommodation with an expensive in-house coworking office. Staying near several cafés and professional workspaces can provide more flexibility: use a low-cost café for light tasks, purchase a coworking pass for important work and return to affordable accommodation once the workday is finished. Pint on Punt Backpackers offers a practical base for travellers who want to remain close to St Kilda while managing accommodation and daily living costs.
Facilities relevant to longer working stays include:
- Complimentary guest Wi-Fi
- Free breakfast with toast and cereal
- A fully equipped guest kitchen
- Laundry and dryer facilities
- Lockers for securing personal belongings
- Early luggage storage
- Common areas with couches
- Heaters for colder Melbourne days
- Nearby tram and bus connections
- Approximately a 15-minute walk to St Kilda Beach
- Affordable meals, drink deals and social activities at the downstairs bar
Guests can choose a professional day pass when they need privacy and reliable facilities. During the current winter promotion, direct bookings of more than three nights may
receive 20%
off with the
code
WINTER20. A three-night minimum, full upfront payment.
