Better Lighting, Better Lattes: Study Spots Beyond the Basement

/ Sydney Byun

As we enter October, the weather will get colder, the leaves will get crispier, and law school will get spookier than ever. As someone who spent more hours in the Law Library basement last year than any sane person should, I can speak with authority when I say we’re approaching the point in the semester when it’s time to start considering alternatives. Luckily, BC Law students don’t have to travel far to find great study spots.

Revival Cafe+Kitchen

Watertown, MA

  • Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8am-3pm
  • Location: 99 Coolidge Avenue, Watertown, MA
  • Best Items: Brambleberry matcha latte (seasonal)

Just a 15 minute drive from campus, Revival’s Watertown location is an oasis for WFH warriors and downtrodden law students alike. I went last Friday after a harrowing week of trying to convince myself I understand how to classify collateral in Secured Transactions. The peaceful ambience gave me (possibly misplaced) confidence. 

This is a huge space with no shortage of seating; just make sure you scout the outlets before picking a table, otherwise you’ll do what I did and wander around like a lost child at the mall looking for somewhere to plug in your laptop.

Luna’s Cakes & Coffee

Newton Centre, MA

  • Hours: 
    • Monday-Saturday, 7am-6pm
    • Sunday, 8am-6pm
  • Location: 1269 Centre St, Newton Centre, MA
  • Best Items: Banana bread latte

A quick walk into Newton Centre gets you to Luna’s. After we submitted our second Law Practice memo last spring, two of my closest confidantes and I emerged from the depths of our memo-induced anxiety for a brisk walk and a caffeinated celebration. Since then, the banana bread latte has gotten me through some unprecedentedly trying times. Seating is fairly limited, but it’s a good fit for a solo study session or small groups.

Maruichi Select

Brookline, MA

  • Hours: Every day, 10am-9pm
  • Location: 299 Harvard St, Brookline, MA
  • Best Items: Onigiri, strawberry matcha latte 

Farther from campus but close to where many BC Law students live, Maruichi Select is a Coolidge Corner staple. I have fond (?) memories of teaching myself minimum contacts analysis here last fall before for the Civil Procedure final. 

Come for the aesthetically pleasing interior, high-quality matcha, and tasty food. A word of warning that the matcha here is on the pricier end, but worth the splurge if you’re willing. Personally, I’m having a liquidity crisis at the moment, so I haven’t stopped by in a while. Make sure to come with a fully charged laptop!

Arwa Yemeni Cafe

Brookline, MA

  • Hours:
    • Sunday, 9am-8pm
    • Monday-Wednesday, 7am-10pm
    • Thursday, 7am-11pm
    • Friday, 7am-12am
    • Saturday, 8am-12am
  • Location: 1333 Beacon St, Brookline, MA
  • Best Items: Iced mango matcha (half-sweet)

Once I unlocked the half-sweet option for my lattes, I knew I’d be a frequent visitor. Whether you’re studying alone or with a friend, I’ve rarely had trouble finding a seat. If you have energy left after your bout of studying, you can also stop at the nearby Trader Joe’s for groceries. I usually avoid combining the two trips, since entering the Coolidge Corner Trader Joe’s is like diving into Dante’s Inferno. But to each their own. 

Happy studying, and may you never have any difficulties finding outlets or the perfect amount of caffeine. For more study spots, check out this earlier BC Law: Impact post here!

Sydney Byun is a second-year student at BC Law. Contact her at byunsy@bc.edu.

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