Wi-Fi study spots

Kiss Cafe will keep you wired between cram sessions.

Your dorm smells like well-worn gym shorts (at least you hope that's what that funk is), the common area is tainted by memories of some kid from the second floor (it's not an intimate spot, so why share intimate moments there?) and, frankly, heading home is not an option. Still, text books don't read themselves, and essays certainly don't write themselves. What are you gonna do? Thank the Web gods for Wi-Fi, that's what.

There are plenty of cafes (and an increasing number of bars) that offer wireless Internet. The idle hours between lunch and happy hour prove to be prime times to hunker down and put your very real nose to the virtual grindstone. We've graded a few spots around town based on study potential, so see which Wi-Fi hot spots make the grade. And feel free to leave comments below about your favorite study spots. (That is, if you're not trying to keep them secret.)

Asqual Coffee Shop
Wi-Fi service: Free; no time limit
Study amenities: This is your standard coffeehouse—quiet, mellow and a great place to get work done.
Study snack: There's a solid variety of quality paninis, and the free trade coffee will make you feel better about yourself as you read about the history of South America.
Overall grade: This is a great place to finish that essay: A

Barista Espresso Café
Wi-Fi service: Free; no time limit
Study amenities: After the morning rush, this café is nice and quiet. If you can snag an outside table you'll be treated to a great view of the nearby Harbor and a relaxing fall breeze.
Study snack: The Café touts its salads and its jerk chicken wrap. And there's nothing like a smoothie to soothe an overheated brain.
Overall grade: Well done! This place makes a solid effort with an excellent presentation: A-

Kiss Café
Wi-Fi service: Free; no time limit
Study amenities: Kiss has a more professional, business-oriented atmosphere during the day, but when the sun goes down it becomes a nightlife hot spot. Beware "Charm Sunday" DJ nights, if you've got a big essay due Monday.
Study snack: If you finish all your work before happy hour, Kiss' food specials—such as half-priced sandwiches on Wednesday and prime rib Mondays—are great for student budgets.
For the procrastinator: There's billiards upstairs, and some tables have leather couches that might make it a little too easy to doze off.
Overall grade: You can make it work, but you still might be better off in your dorm room: C+

The Harvest Table
Wi-Fi service: Free, but employees admit that Internet service is only reliable between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. (Too bad those are also the busiest hours.)
Study amenities: Very business-oriented, lunchtime is jam-packed.
Study snack: Specialties include the black bean burrito and turkey club panini.
Overall grade: Two and a half hours is barely enough time to visit Facebook: D-

iBar
Wi-Fi service: Free, no time limit
Study amenities: Despite its techy name, iBar is only a mediocre study spot. You get a few quiet hours in the mid-afternoon, but those are sandwiched between the mid-day lunch rush and the happy hour, which starts at 4 p.m.
Study snack: iBar's specialty is its Buffalo wings, which it claims are the best in Baltimore. But how can you eat them without getting your laptop sticky?
Overall grade: Between the wings and the bar atmosphere, we get the feeling this place wasn't really meant for studying: D

Mother's Federal Hill Grille
Wi-Fi service: Free; no time limit
Study amenities: Considering its well-known weekend keggers, Mother's might seem a little too rowdy to be a suitable study spot, but the patio on a nice day can be a surprisingly pleasant place to eat and work.
Study snack: Try the crab cakes, then have some homemade ice cream for dessert.
For the procrastinator: Mother's has no shortage of distractions: Pool tables, big screen HDTVs, oh yeah, and beer on tap. 
Overall grade: Mother's is good if you want to socialize while still feeling productive, but not if that essay is due tomorrow: B-

One World Cafe
Wi-Fi service: Free; no limit
Study amenities: Notoriously bad service means more time to concentrate!
Study snack: We can't recommend the burritos enough, especially on Tuesdays when they're half price.
For the procrastinator: If you're a Hopkins procrastinator, One World is just across University Parkway, so you won't even have to change out of your fuzzy bunny slippers.
Overall grade: There's al fresco options for fresh air, healthy food and plenty of quiet throughout the day: B+

Peace and a Cup of Joe
Wi-Fi service: Free; no time limit
Study amenities: The name of the café says it all. This coffee shop's New Age vibes are so calming, you might forget all about your organic chemistry test. The only problem is that there isn't a lot of seating.
For the procrastinator: Peace and a Cup of Joe offers massage therapy and spa days. Yes, you read that right.
Overall grade: A quiet atmosphere, good coffee and massages for the over-stressed? This place could turn you into an overachiever: A