Study spots around town

Like it or not, studying is a part of college life. It can't all be parties and procrastination. Eventually, you're going to have to buckle down and do some actual work.

The option of staying in your dorm room or apartment is always there. When your roommate won't stop blasting his awful music, however, you're probably going to want to get away.

Leela European Cafe is an oasis. Open 24 hours, it boasts free Wi-Fi, free refills on coffee, and a casual atmosphere in which to complete projects.

"It's a great place for late-night studying," says Andrew R. Dunbar, a Metro student who frequents Leela. "You can cram out a paper through the night and turn it in the next morning."

The cafe offers students free coffee, soda, or Italian soda with the purchase of a meal from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

When the traffic picks up around finals week, additional student discounts are available. Nothing on the menu is over $8, so the prices are budget-friendly.

Paris On The Platte, another cafe with free Wi-Fi, is no stranger to the college crowd.

"I studied here all the time, so I got a job here," says server Gina Mumma, attesting to the cafe's ability to bring back repeat customers. "I was already in here so much."

Dim lighting makes the interior less conducive to reading, but Paris On The Platte features patios both in front and in back. With a small garden and fairly secluded feeling, the back patio would be an ideal choice for studying in a relaxed setting.

"It's a nice place to come study or bring a date," says server Justin Schnauber, noting that the cafe features "good music and good food."

Paris On The Platte closes its doors at 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday night and  1 a.m. the rest of the week.

Often the loudest of the three, due to an ever-bustling clientele, City O' City is still a fine choice for studying students.

With local artwork on the walls and eclectic items, like quirky gold rifle-shaped lamps, the restaurant features a hip, laid-back environment.

"We cater more to the restaurant crowd," says hostess Kalindi Defrancis, "but we always welcome studiers, and there's usually a fair portion of them."

Students who enjoy gnawing on steak while writing reports will have to go elsewhere. City O' City is a completely vegetarian restaurant, with a multitude of meatless meals available for purchase. The kitchen closes at 1 a.m., but the doors remain open for another hour.

With free refills on coffee, students who don't care about what's on the dinner menu can continue working. The Wi-Fi is password-protected, but still free.

These three locations might be conducive to studying, but there are undoubtedly many more spots just like them throughout the city.

Peek around, you never know what other great places you might find.

Leela European Cafe

820 15th Street

Denver, CO 80202-3209

Paris on the Platte

1553 Platte Street

Denver, CO 80202

City O' City

206 East 13th Avenue

Denver, CO 80203