Remote working in Southsea: The Hideaway

June 10th, 2024

This is the second in my new series highlighting some of the best places for remote working in Southsea. If you missed the first one, you can read about how I visited Southsea Spirit.

Next up is a fun, dog-themed cafe on Highland Road with a calm working environment. I took my friend and fellow freelancer Charlotte Simonsen along for the ride.

The Hideaway – for dog lovers and everywhere!

This was my first time visiting this cafe, but I had heard great things about it through the grapevine. I know my friend Jessa recently painted the beautiful, colourful mural in the function room out back and runs regular Paint ‘N’ Sip classes there.

Function room depicting a paint splash mural, blue floor and high ceilings — Hideaway Cafe – Function Room

The first thing I noticed was the size of the place! It’s huge! The cafe is light and airy, thanks to the large floor-to-ceiling glass windows that surround half of the building, letting in a lot of natural sunlight.

Photo of the front of the cafe with dark blue velvet comfy chairs, a swing chair and dog chair in the window for photo opportunities, and lots of natural sunlight.

The next thing I noticed was the amazing amount of dog-themed elements, including a shop at the back where you can get treats and accessories for your four-legged friend. Dog lover or not, there’s a lot to like about this place as it’s not overly themed.

Shop inside the cafe selling dog harnesses, collars, merchanise, snacks and treats

How is it for remote working?

It’s clear that they welcome remote workers here. There are plenty of tables with plugs nearby, including an area that seems specifically built for working.

Desk area for remote working, with tall chairs and plug sockets available

They even offer 10% off for remote workers from 9:30 to 14:30, Monday to Friday!

The WiFi was perfectly good, and there is ample space for you to work with friends or conduct a casual meeting with anywhere from 2-6 people.

What kind of food/drink do they serve?

The menu has a lot to offer, serving all sorts of delicious-sounding breakfast items such as build-your-own waffles, full English breakfasts, and vegan options. They also have a build-your-own salad option, burgers, jacket potatoes, and weekly specials.

On the reverse of the menu, you can find even more, such as small plates and cheese & charcuterie. Charlotte is a vegan and says, “The vegan options are more impressive than you would usually get at a cafe! One of the few cafes in Portsmouth that will do a vegan cheese board.”

They also offer gluten-free options.

Drinks-wise, there is an extensive menu, serving all kinds of hot drinks such as coffees, teas, and hot chocolates, as well as soda floats, soft drinks, smoothies, and milkshakes. The cafe is licensed, so you can also find beer, spirits, wines, and cocktails.

If that wasn’t enough, there is also a dog menu for your furry pal to dine as well!

What else do they offer?

They really encourage parents with children, dog owners, and remote workers alike to come and enjoy the space with offers throughout the week.

There is a large function room out back available for hire, and they also have their very own in-house photography studio where you can book professional snaps with your dog.

What’s the vibe?

It’s a light, relaxed, and friendly environment with lots of opportunities for talking points (such as the many dog visitors!) and an exciting array of food and drinks on offer. There was background music, but it was not overbearing – just the right level to bring atmosphere while still allowing conversation.

We came in quite late in the day on a Thursday, so they were not far off from closing, but we could have easily stayed there for a good while longer. It’s a perfect place for a morning coffee and breakfast to get you started for a day of work, easily transitioning into the evening with a tasty tipple!