Ziferblat is an anti-café – a hybrid of café, co-working space and community lounge – where patrons pay by the minute rather than for food or drink. In its own words, it’s a place where “everything is free inside except the time you spend there”. In practice, customers literally “clock in” on arrival and “clock out” when they leave. All beverages (coffee, tea, water, soft drinks) and snacks (biscuits, pastries, fruit, etc.) are self-serve and included. The décor deliberately mimics a cozy living room – complete with sofas, bookshelves, board games, newspapers, a piano and craft supplies. According to Wikipedia, “Ziferblat is an anti-café chain where customers pay per minute for the time spent in the venue, with food and drink otherwise free of charge”. Visitors are encouraged to treat the space like home: there are no baristas or waiters, only hosts at the desk, and all guests are expected to help themselves and even clean up after use.
Definition: Anti-café – A time-based café model originating in Russia. Customers pay only for time spent on-premises; all refreshments and amenities are complementary. Unlike a traditional café, Ziferblat has no minimum consumption requirement – your only bill is the clock.
The Meaning of the Name: The word Ziferblat comes from the Russian/German zifferblatt, meaning “clock face”. The name reflects the core concept: time itself is the commodity. On arrival each guest takes a small timer or alarm clock to their table, which ticks up the minutes until check-out.
Ziferblat in Context: More than a café, Ziferblat is often described as a “public living room” or an informal coworking salon. The communal atmosphere fits into the modern sharing-economy ethos. Guests may mix with freelancers, artists, students and travelers; one observer noted patrons are “free to relax, work, study, hold a meeting or workshop, read a book, play piano, [or] get acquainted with good people” in this open space. All ages and backgrounds are welcome, and the no-alcohol policy creates a relaxed, family-friendly vibe. In short, Ziferblat is neither a typical coffee shop nor a formal workspace – it’s an experiment in community living.
On your first visit, you’ll step inside what looks like someone’s spacious lounge, find sofas or tables, and head to the hosts’ desk. A host (a Ziferblat staff member) will greet you and provide a small timer or clock. You note the start time with the host and take that clock to your seat. The clock ticks quietly on your table – this is how Ziferblat records your stay. No order is needed: you can immediately wander to the kitchen area and serve yourself.
Step-by-Step Visit:
1. Check-in: At the door, tell the host your name and take an alarm clock or timer. This marks your arrival time. (Note: there is no minimum time requirement – you can come and go at will.)
2. Enjoy: Pour yourself tea or coffee from the machines, and help yourself to snacks. Ziferblat’s pantry is open-access: pick cereals, fruit, pastries or any laid-out goodies. Use the free Wi-Fi and power outlets as needed. Relax on the couch or get to work on your laptop – it’s up to you.
3. Participate: Part of the culture is being considerate. If you use a cup or plate, rinse it at the sink before returning it to the shelf (many guests do this as courtesy). Feel free to mingle or join any ongoing activity – many locations host talks, book groups or live music that guests can join.
4. Clock-out: When you’re ready to leave, bring the clock back to the host. They will tally the elapsed minutes and calculate your fee. Since all food, drink and even Wi-Fi are free, your only charge is the time.
Unlike a regular coffeehouse, there is no barista to fetch your drink – everything is self-service. As one review noted, “you can help yourself to coffee, prepare your own food in the café’s kitchen or brew coffee with the machine provided”. All “staff” are simply hosts keeping the space running. The effect is egalitarian: host and guest titles replace server and customer, and everyone is on equal footing. The only rule of thumb is: treat others with consideration. In fact, there is one firm no-alcohol rule: founder Ivan Mitin explicitly banned alcohol sales so the mood stays bright and collaborative. (In Mitin’s words, he wanted “a social network in real life” – lively but not rowdy.)
What’s Included: In each Ziferblat, you’ll find a variety of refreshments at no extra cost. Common items include coffee (often a special house blend), a range of teas, bottled water and soft drinks. Free snacks typically include cereal, bread, cookies, pastries, fruit and sometimes soup or salad. For example, one London branch boasted that “tea, coffee, cereal, fruit and baked goods are plentiful”, and a Manchester review noted even cakes and biscuits are freely available. You can drink unlimited cups of coffee or refill your mug with tea as much as you like. (However, traditional barista drinks like cappuccinos may require pressing a machine button or making them yourself.) Everything from table sugar and milk to cookie jars and snack bars is unmetered.
Beyond food and drink, Ziferblat offers many amenities. The communal areas are stocked with board games, books, newspapers, and a piano or guitar. Soft seating and hard tables are mixed – some branches even have craft tables or legos – to encourage work or play. Strong Wi-Fi and charging ports are ubiquitous. Private meeting rooms are also available by reservation (often at a higher rate or with a minimum spend); these spaces – whimsically decorated as a vintage dining room or even a classroom – include all the same freebies (Wi-Fi, outlets, and refreshments) as the main room. If you have a workshop, tutoring session or business meeting in mind, Ziferblat will facilitate it: many branches invite guests to host events themselves, and managers often lend support or promotion to community-run classes and talks.
Amenities at a Glance:
– Unlimited self-serve hot drinks (coffee, tea, water) and snacks (cereal, fruit, pastries). (House coffee often comes from a local roaster – for instance, Manchester’s Ziferblat used Ancoats Coffee beans.)
– Relaxing “living room” space: sofas, chairs, board games, books, instruments and craft supplies.
– Free high-speed Wi-Fi and power outlets at every seat.
– Private meeting or event rooms (rented by hour/day) which include all tech and unlimited refreshments.
Pricing at Ziferblat is always metered by time, but the rate typically drops the longer you stay. In London’s latest incarnation (as of 2020) the scheme is tiered: 8p per minute for the first hour, then 5p/min for hours 2–3 and 4p/min for hours 3–4. After four hours the cost tops out: you’d pay £12.60 total for any time beyond that (effectively ~3p/minute). Other cities and periods have had different rates; notably when the first London Ziferblat opened in 2014 it charged only 3p/minute. (Always check the local branch rates – they may update seasonally.) Crucially, there are no hidden add-ons: every tea bag, coffee pod, or cake you consume is included in that time fee. One guide sums it up: “the longer you stay, the cheaper it gets” – up to the daily cap.
For context, Ziferblat reported that most customers stayed about an hour or so. One Manchester branch noted an average visit of ~75 minutes for a bill around £4.50. If you’re comparing to a cafe, remember you’d likely spend that much on two or three drinks at a chain. In fact, Ziferblat’s all-inclusive approach can be very economical for long stays – after four hours you effectively pay only ~3p per minute.
Insider Tip: Plan your visit to maximize time: the per-minute charge decreases each hour, so longer stays cost proportionally less. For example, a 3-hour session in London runs ~ £7.20 (8p + 5p + 4p), whereas a 4-hour day is capped at £12.60 (only 3p/min). If you need a lot of work time, it often pays to stay past 3–4 hours to hit the daily cap.
There are no memberships or contracts; you simply pay per visit. (Some branches experimented with monthly plans or all-day passes, but these vary by location.) At present Ziferblat does not typically offer discounts, though students occasionally receive special rates if announced locally. To evaluate worth, compare the flat daily rate (~£12–13) to a full day of coworking, which often runs £20+. For many freelancers and students, the trade-off of self-service in exchange for low cost makes Ziferblat appealing.
Every Ziferblat aims to justify its name by lavishing free refreshments on guests. You’ll usually find coffee of the day (often an organic or Fairtrade house blend) from a self-service machine, plus kettles or tea taps stocked with many varieties of tea. There’s no charge for refills. Across branches one finds at least dozens of tea options and a signature “Ziferblend” coffee (a mix of Brazilian and Colombian beans) – though menu details may be in Russian or English depending on location. Milk, sugar, syrups and condiments (cinnamon, cocoa, etc.) are freely available so you can make lattes, mochas or chai-spiced drinks yourself.
Snacks & Food: The pantry is usually well-stocked: think bowls of cookies, trays of pastries, stacks of bread and cereal boxes. One visitor described “all-you-can-eat” treats of cakes, biscuits, and even sweets like Nutella at the ready. Some Ziferblats have simple hot-food options – soup or oatmeal in the mornings, or pre-made sandwiches – while others leave meals to the guest. Many locations explicitly allow outside food deliveries (pizza, takeout) or have microwave and utensils so you can heat your own lunch. (Etiquette wise, just rinse any dishes or cutlery after use.) One report even notes breakfast items like pancakes and eggs in Moscow. In short: if you’re hungry, you won’t pay extra beyond your time. The main limit is that alcohol is never included – as a rule, no beer or wine is sold here.
Amenities: Ziferblat is built as a multi-purpose social space. Expect to find:
– Board games & entertainment: Chess sets, puzzles, card and board games on shelves (Scrabble, Jenga, etc. are common). Many guests play games together, or simply use puzzles and Legos provided.
– Books & crafts: A small library of books and magazines is usual, sometimes donated by patrons. Some branches also supply craft materials (paints, yarn) or art supplies for spontaneous projects.
– Music & creativity: Many cafes have a piano or guitar that guests may play – an open mic for anyone to add background tunes. In some locations you’ll also see artwork on the walls created by local community.
– Wi-Fi & outlets: Fast internet is standard. Every table has power outlets. (A common insight: Ziferblat wants you to work just as you would at home.)
– Meeting/event rooms: As noted above, most Ziferblats have at least one bookable room. These come “plug-and-play” – e.g. a projector, screen, whiteboard if needed – and all the free refreshments transfer in. It’s like renting a conference room inside a café.
Practical Information: Ziferblat’s offerings mean you can treat it like an office or club. Everything listed above (beverages, snacks, games, Wi-Fi, outlets) is included in your time fee – so help yourself liberally. The only personal expenses would be things like printing, photocopying, or special orders; even snacks are covered under the communal model.
Ziferblat’s reach has waxed and waned. Today (as of 2025) only the original Russian branches remain open. In Russia the brand has had outlets in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod and Rostov-on-Don. Currently only Moscow, St. Petersburg and Rostov-on-Don are listed as active. These Russian cafes continue to operate under the same model. Tourists visiting Moscow can locate Ziferblat on Tverskaya Street (Pushkin area) and others in shopping complexes, though their websites and signs may be in Russian only.
Elsewhere Closed: In the UK, all branches have shut. Ziferblat launched London (Shoreditch) in 2014, then opened Manchester, Liverpool and Coventry, but they eventually closed due to rent issues and the pandemic. For reference, the London branch was at 1 Vince Street, EC1V 9HB (near Old Street Tube), and Manchester’s was at 23 Edge Street, M4 1HW. (Neither is open now.) Slovenia and Ukraine once had Ziferblat spots in Ljubljana and Kyiv, respectively, but these are not currently operating. In short, if you want to experience Ziferblat in person today, plan a trip to Russia.
Tip: If traveling, double-check a branch’s status. UK guides and Google listings may still show old addresses. Real-time info is best found via the official Ziferblat website or local expat forums for Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Many visitors come to Ziferblat hoping for a flexible workspace. In some ways it delivers: it is explicitly designed as an alternative to working from home, offering a “public sitting room” environment on a pay-as-you-go basis. The space has Wi-Fi and desks like any coworking café, but with a looser feel. Indeed, Ziferblat is often cited as a model of changing work habits. They even experimented with monthly membership passes and fixed “all-day” fees so regulars could use the space for full workdays.
The advantages for remote workers are tangible: you get free coffee and high-speed internet without the caffeinated sting of overpriced lattes, and you can stay exactly as long as you need. For example, one travel article notes: “everything, from hot drinks and snacks to sockets and super-fast Wi-Fi is free; except the time you spend there”. Outlets are readily available at every table, and the mix of seating (sofas for brainstorming, workstations for focus) suits various work styles. There are also private meeting rooms if you need to make a phone call or give a presentation – Mitin pointed out that Ziferblat’s meeting rooms offer the “confidential” space that a coffee shop like Costa cannot.
However, Ziferblat is not a silent library. The atmosphere is communal and often chatty, especially during organized events. You should feel comfortable with background activity and occasional noise (guests playing piano or discussing projects). That said, many users report it feels quieter and more respectful than a busy café; as the founder observed, in Ziferblat “people understand … they don’t bother each other with loud laughs when it’s quiet… and they wash much more dishes afterwards”. In practice, tech workers and students who tried it liked having a dedicated space without obligation to buy repeatedly. If your work depends on extended focus and social flexibility, Ziferblat can function much like a coworking day pass – especially given the low daily cap.
Ziferblat encourages community events. Branch calendars often list talks, workshops, and classes run by guests or partner organizations. For instance, a London Ziferblat promoted everything from Guardian newspaper tech talks to yoga, book clubs, knitting circles, film nights and acoustic gigs. Guests are welcome to organize their own meetups or clubs; if you have a hobby or professional skill to share, just ask the hosts – they’ll help spread the word.
For more formal gatherings, most Ziferblats offer rentable rooms. These can serve as meeting rooms, small conference halls or private party spaces. Rental prices vary by location and time, but typically follow the same pay-by-time model or a fixed-day fee. The benefit is that these rooms come with all the same perks as the main area: you get Wi-Fi, A/V equipment if needed, and unlimited refreshments as part of the booking. In other words, you could hold a 10-person workshop in a vintage dining-room-style space, and guests could snack freely while staying on the clock. It’s a compelling deal for small groups: much cheaper than hotel or cafe event spaces, and with a quirky vibe to boot. (To book a private space or inquire about event pricing, contact the local Ziferblat manager well in advance.)
What sets Ziferblat apart is its community spirit. There are no cashiers, tips or judgments – everyone from the 9-to-5 worker to the retired writer is simply a “guest” whose presence pays rent. This creates a friendly egalitarian mood. Visitors often describe it as “feeling at home” within minutes, striking up conversations across the communal tables. The hosts (guides at the desk) treat guests like friends, not transactions. Strangers can become collaborators: it’s common for someone writing code to chat with someone sketching art.
The atmosphere is generally warm and collaborative. As one long-time Ziferblat observer notes, “guests become a micro-tenant of the space, encouraged to kick their shoes off and treat it like home”. In fact, the term micro-tenant reflects the idea: each visitor is a small-time renter of the room. There’s an expectation of reciprocity – e.g. if someone helps another guest with a dish or offers a spare outlet, it enriches the experience for all. The only major restriction is the already-mentioned no-alcohol rule: this keeps the mood lively yet respectful. According to founder Mitin, removing alcohol and commercial pressure allows people to “be open with each other” and simply connect over coffee and ideas.
Insider Tip: Treat Ziferblat like your own lounge. Strike up a board game with the person next to you, or ask about the art on the wall. Many regulars quickly become part of the “village”; some even have their own mugs they bring each time (just don’t forget to wash them!). Remember, this isn’t a silent library but a shared studio, so conversations and activity (jam sessions, group workshops) happen naturally. If you need quiet, find a corner or book a meeting room, but otherwise enjoy the spontaneous serendipity of the crowd.
From the outside, Ziferblat’s model seems counterintuitive. How can a café give away so much? The secret is its low overhead and multiple income streams. According to one analysis, Ziferblat has “no trained baristas” or chefs, and very little labor cost. The host sits at a desk and handles clock-in/out, but most tasks (coffee-making, dishwashing, snack restocking) are done by the guests themselves. Founder Mitin explains that tea bags and coffee beans are cheap, so offering them free is not a big expense. In essence, Ziferblat monetizes space and time, not consumables. As a result, even a modest per-minute fee can cover rent and utilities when labor is minimal.
In addition to clock fees, Ziferblat earns from extras. If you stay the whole day at the capped rate, that is one source of steady revenue per guest. Regulars might pay for all-day or monthly passes if offered. Companies renting meeting rooms pay higher rates or minimums. Events or workshops sometimes have ticketed admissions or suggested donations (especially cultural events with outside partners). Merchandise (branded mugs or books) can also add a little. Altogether, these help subsidize the free offerings.
That said, the model has limits. High urban rents have posed problems: in 2018 Ziferblat London closed its Shoreditch location after landlords demanded hikes it couldn’t afford on its slim margins. A lease dispute revealed that charging only for time placed it in a grey legal zone between a coworking space and a food establishment. In general, Ziferblat requires a delicate balance of occupancy and community goodwill to sustain. As one reporter points out, it might be more accurate to think of Ziferblat as a cooperative workspace with perks. Founder Mitin even admits he considers it a social project rather than a conventional profit business. In practice, profitability comes from a mix of long-stay customers and cost-saving simplicity.
Insider Tip: Ziferblat survives by keeping it simple. With no baristas or paid servers, labor costs stay low. Your time fee mostly covers rent and utilities. In fact, one analysis concludes that the lack of trained cafe staff is exactly why Ziferblat can afford to give away free coffee. If you’re curious, think of your clock fee as “rent” for using a cozy office, and help yourself to the free goodies!
Ziferblat’s model has inspired similar venues around the globe. Notable examples include:
Each of these carries the same spirit: pay for time, not food. (There are many smaller or one-off anticafés in cities like Beijing, Moscow, Vancouver and beyond.) Visitors often compare them to co-working spaces or social clubs. Ziferblat stands out as one of the pioneers of this pay-per-minute concept, but the broader movement is spreading wherever freelancers and entrepreneurs seek alternatives to either formal offices or overpriced coffee shops.
– What to Bring: A laptop, notebook or tablet if you plan to work. Headphones for music or calls. A credit/debit card (many Ziferblats are cashless). Snacks if you think you’ll need more variety (though usually you won’t). Personal items like a jacket or shoes to kick off – it’s a relaxed place.
– On Arrival: Introduce yourself at the host desk and take the clock. Note or reset the time. Then feel free to help yourself to coffee or tea immediately – there’s no waiting. If you have questions (Wi-Fi password, location of things), the host will guide you.
– Duration: First-timers often stay 1–2 hours. You can literally leave any time. If you plan to stay 3+ hours, remember that the rate drops. Check the pricing list near the door so you know when you hit lower tiers. If you want a calm spot, try arriving mid-morning or mid-afternoon; early evenings and lunchtime can be busiest.
– Etiquette: Keep conversation at a friendly level. You can chat or network freely, but avoid very loud phone calls; meeting rooms are best for privacy. Wash your own cup/plate before putting it back – it’s polite and expected. Treat the furniture gently (it’s all donated or volunteer-staffed), and feel free to request items from hosts (additional sugar, napkins, or a pillow).
– Common Missteps to Avoid: Don’t leave without checking out at the desk – you must return the clock to pay. Likewise, never attempt to take food or mugs out the door without asking. No tipping is needed (treat yourself by paying for the time, not giving money to staff). And absolutely no alcohol; if you’re thirsty for more adult beverages, you’ll have to step out.
– Power Use: Outlets are plentiful but assume others may need them too. If your battery’s dying and outlets are scarce, use the hand-dryer outlet in the restroom – it’s a well-known Ziferblat hack. If you’re staying long, charge early.
– Meeting Rooms: If you want to book a room for a private session or call, ask when you arrive or contact ahead. Some sites let you reserve spaces via email or phone.
Planning Note: There is no “recommended donation” or buy-in beyond the timed fee, but seating is first-come-first-serve. If you need a particular spot (window table, quiet corner, meeting room), try to arrive early. Also, many branches are closed on Sundays or have shorter hours on Mondays – always verify opening times on their website or social media before making a special trip.
