In a previous post , I told you about how I love to surf the Internet at the Books First Ukay cybercafé because it’s quiet, inexpensive, and a place where I can focus and concentrate when I need to get some work done. Sometimes, although I need to get online, I am in the mood to do so in a more social and relaxed atmosphere. When I feel this way, I choose instead to head to the Dagoretti Corner area, to the Nairobi Java House at The Junction Shopping Complex, more commonly referred to as Java Junction.
I love Java Junction. I go there often to eat, meet friends over coffee, and surf. I love its high ceilings, bright lights, and brightly colored artwork. When I go to surf at Java Junction, I usually do so in the evening when the crowds have died down a bit and all the pretty lights are on. :-) I usually sit at one of the indoor booths because they are more comfortable and have power outlets. I order a hot Mocha (for my sweet tooth), curl my feet under me, and surf away on my laptop. Java Junction, you see, offers a free Internet hotspot.
Connecting to the Internet at Java Junction is extremly simple. All you need is a laptop with a wireless adapter – standard fare for most laptops today - which will automatically detect the free Wi-Fi network (sometimes you might have to select a network manually). Once you connect to the network (no passwords needed), that’s it – you can surf the net, free of charge. (If you experience any trouble getting started, I am sure one of the ever-helpful members of staff at Java would be pleased to help you out.) The Internet speed is not extremely fast, but with a good laptop and a mutli-tab browser, you never have to wait for pages to load.
I did say free of charge, didn’t I? Well, I don’t think that is a completely accurate statement. Although Java does not charge its customers anything extra to connect to the Net, I still find it awkward to surf at Java without at least consuming a beverage. Allow me to correct myself and say then that the cost of surfing at Java is at least the cost of a beverage or a small snack.
Although Java Junction is open for most of the day, starting early in the day until very late at night, the Internet hotspot is not continuously available during the day. At lunchtime (12pm-3pm on weekdays) and on the weekends, when Java is packed to capacity, the Internet hotspot is switched off. That’s perfectly understandable to me, though, because Java’s core business is as a restaurant/coffee house not as an Internet café.
I am not sure how many people know about Wi-Fi being available at Java Junction (apparently it is also available at the new Java Upper Hill) - I came across the information purely by accident (albeit quite a while ago). I thought I’d share this information with you, in case you might be interested but hadn’t come across it yet.
If this information comes in handy for you, well and good; if on the other hand, I am reiterating old information, please excuse me for that.
I wish you happy surfing wherever you choose to do it.
Biche
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Biche, I have also noticed Wi-Fi available at Java Mama Ngina, Java Upper Hill and Java Gigiri. Maybe all Nairobi Java Houses have it?
Also, Artcaffe Westgate has Wi-Fi. Maybe we should do an inventory of free Wi-Fi locations in Nairobi?
Do you also charge your laptop battery while at Java Junction? If yes, you are following one of my electricity bill cutting tips which I just published on my blog.
I have used the Java Junction for browsing only thing is that they don’t provide power points for charging the laptop but as you said their core business is food. There is also a Hotspot at the Prestige Plaza foodcourt and it is empty most of the day so you can browse for longer without inconveniencing dinners
Just confirmed: Java Adams Arcade is also a Hotspot. Very soon the whole of Nairobi may be hot….
Hi Rafiki and Kirima,
Thanks for your feedback!
Rafiki – I wonder if all Java’s have hotspots? That’s what I assumed until I went to Java Uniafric with my laptop and couldn’t get a signal. Are you sure that Java Downtown and Java Gigiri are indeed hotspots, or did you conclude this from seeing people working there on their laptops? The Java website only mentions Java Adams, Java Junction, and Java Upper Hill as having internet access. (Thanks for pointing me to your post on saving electricity. I read it and really enjoyed it. Cold Showers??!!!!
)
Kirima – That’s great news about the Prestige Plaza Food Court! It actually is empty often in the day, so that would be a great place to surf for free for long hours. I’ll definitely have to try that out some time. (Rafiki, thanks for sharing about ArtCaffe Westgate too.) Kirima, there are power points at Java Junction; you just have to look for them. I always use the ones in the booths that have two benches facing each other (the power outlet is against the wall, under the table), but you can also find some near the circular seating outside. Do you understand the one I mean?
Biche
FYI – there is also a free hotspot at sippers in hurlingham. nice outdoor patio, jamaican jerk chicken, and good west african music!
Hi BB!
Welcome to ChickAboutTown!
Thanks so much for sharing this piece of information. I have been to Sippers a couple of times in the evening, but have never eaten there and definitely didn’t know about the free hotspost.
I will check it out some time soon!
Cheers,
Biche
Biche: Yes, I am sure about the Java Gigiri hotspot, I tried it out myself. At Java Downtown I also used to get access, although it could be through another link rather than the Java one.
Hi Rafiki,
Thanks for the feedback. Ok, then we will take your word for it: Java Gigiri and Downtown have free hotspots though the one at Downtown may or may not be offered by Java itself (given it’s location in the CBD, I see how that could happen).
Thanks for sharing.
Biche