Spring has arrived! The days are longer, the grass is greener, the slush is slowly melting away. If you’re anything like me, you’ve been anxiously awaiting the sun’s arrival and the idea of studying while cooped up in a library seems less appealing than ever. My solution: Sip Cafe Boston!
Sip is about 20 minutes on the Green Line, and then it’s just a short walk from the Government Center station. It is located in Post Office Square, a large patch of greenery in the middle of glossy high-rise buildings in the Financial District. A long pergola guides the way to Sip, its columns decorated by twisting branches and cheery strung lights.
The cafe itself is in the style of a conservatory: its walls are made of glass paneling and its shape is similar to that of a greenhouse. Inside is a modern, minimalist interior, with leather brown chairs and sleek, cylindrical overhead lamps. The space is bright, the menu options are plentiful and the candies at the counter are offered at a very specific 54 cents. While I’m not a big coffee drinker, I appreciate that Sip brews a daily “featured coffee,” allowing customers to frequently try something new — as a fan of anything halloumi-related, I highly recommend the halloumi salad
While the cafe’s menu options are good, the true highlight of Sip for me is its outdoor seating. There is a large cluster of tables and chairs on both sides of the cafe, one of which is shaded by a large umbrella. Wooden benches, complete with blankets and pillows, are also offered. Inviting lights are strung from tree to tree, and the space is decorated with planter boxes and other greenery. Benches even line the pergola, should you want to sit in an atmosphere reminiscent of a fairy tale.
The level of care put into Sip’s outdoor atmosphere makes sense, as it seems to be the essence of the cafe. According to Sip’s website, the cafe’s design was inspired by European-style cafes, which are known for being located in bustling public spaces such as city streets or parks. As such, a cafe’s outdoor seating is often far more of the focus than its interior, inspiring people to sit outside and enjoy their surroundings.
I’m a big advocate for this model, especially on the warm spring days that are sure to come. It’s easy to get so buried in work that you’re unable to see anything in front of you. Sip gives you clarity, providing a tranquil space away from the library’s walls that, at least for me, become increasingly mind-numbing on sunny days. Sometimes locking yourself indoors and shutting out any external surroundings is necessary to study, but other times, sitting outside in the greenery and enjoying the world that exists beyond campus is just what you need.
