ONION CREEK
The other Creeks (Cedar and Canyon) also offer free Wi-Fi and certainly cater to tech types, but Onion Creek gets the nod because it's the most quaint of the three, as kind of a bar/restaurant/coffee shop hybrid). On a nice day (they’re coming at some point), Onion Creek’s patio is perfectly suited to those on their laptops, and its laid-back indoor space is ideal for those in the mood for a social-yet-understated spot to get some work done. (3106 White Oak, onioncreekcafe.com)

PUB FICTION
Pub Fiction has always been a favorite of locals looking to watch their team on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Now, thanks to a recent remodeling, it’s even more of a football-watching destination. Pub Fiction, which offers free Wi-Fi for fantasy enthusiasts, recently reopened after undergoing a three-month makeover. The result was an expanded patio (5,000 square feet), a new bar inside, updated indoor seating, and — because why stop with a building remodel? — an updated food menu. Pub Fiction isn’t exactly tailored to those looking for a quiet weeknight, but for people who want to bust out the laptop during the day (or even on a non-Thursday weeknight), its new and improved model does the job. (2303 Smith, pubfiction.com)

RIPCORD
Like Pub Fiction, Ripcord – one of Houston’s pre-eminent gay bars – isn’t exactly where you want to be on a Friday or Saturday night if you’re looking to finish up those TPS reports on your laptop. After all, that’s when the leather-infused joint becomes party central. But during the afternoon, and on certain weeknights, Ripcord and its free Wi-Fi are laid-back enough for you to get some work done on the laptop or tablet. And you don’t have to worry about the sun warping your view of the screen; Ripcord doesn’t have any windows. (715 Fairview, 713-521-2792)

WEST ALABAMA ICE HOUSE
Ample patio space. Bar games aplenty. Basketball hoop. Cheap beer. Kickass taco truck across the street. One of the best vibes among Houston-area bars. West Alabama has it all, including free Wi-Fi. That comes in handy during patio season, when locals venture out with their kids and dogs (both are welcome), laptops, tablets and smartphones in tow. (1919 West Alabama, facebook.com/walabama)