Okay, we’ve all seen them: there they sit, compressed into the very deepest and darkest corners of Starbucks, corners just barely deep and dark enough to contain the black abysses of their tortured souls, pounding away, sweating through that woolly black turtleneck, on the keys of a Mac laptop, transforming their latest ex into the next Great American Novel…!

Alright, I can’t lie. One, I like Starbucks. Contrary to popular belief the baristas are always super-friendly, and their Frappuccinos are freakin’ awesome. Two, I like writing, and unless the weather is particularly gruesome, where better to write than… well, a coffeeshop?

And while Starbucks — ever easy to find, being located conveniently in three or four locations per block — is a good standby, sometimes you just need a different (pardon the pun) flavor. And when the need for a location change in the old writing routine strikes, where in Philadelphia can you go?

Well, I’ve found a few decent spots, and I’m just nice enough to share them with you.

Intermezzo on the edge of Drexel’s campus is my prime alternative to Starbies. (Yeah, Starbies. Take it or leave it.) Generally, the servers are decent, you can get sandwiches and (pre-made and pre-wrapped) muffins or cookies to go with your beverage of choice, and they tend to stay open to midnight – minimum. The hours change daily, so call ahead, but if you’re pulling an all-nighter and need to escape your roommate’s endless Guitar Hero renditions of Freebird, bank on this place.

Hausbrandt might serve up a little more pretension than some can stomach, but the atmosphere is airy and pleasant, and the menu, while a tinge pricy, is quite broad.

The Saturn Club Hair Salon & Café — don’t be put off by the name, it’s simply two businesses sharing a building around Penn’s campus, near Bubble House — is a cute, comfy little joint. On the opposite end of the spectrum from delightful Euro-pretension, Saturn is better described as (hate to use the word) “funky” or earthy.

Walnut Bridge Coffee House will be our last sampling for today. The space is tiny, but artsy decor with no expenses spared and a luxurious offering of chocolates and truffles behind an inviting glass case makes it feel cozy rather than cramped. The sofa and fat chairs that provide much of the limited seating adds to the homey atmosphere as well. The only caveat with this place is, the hours are somewhat short, so if you’re looking for a late-night experience, skip it and head back to Intermezzo.

At any rate, hope anyone who likes to read or write or god forbid chat with friends will find something enjoyable in at least one of these Philly coffeeshops. Happy hunting!