Paying for time spent instead of drinks ordered – Belgrade's anti-cafe Share Square functions as coworking space for sharing knowledge

A unique cafe has opened in Belgrade, offering a standard menu of coffee, waffles and muffins, but charging for the time spent inside instead of food and drinks ordered. Share Square has thereby become the first cafe in Serbia to operate using the principle of per hour usage.

Our portal was intrigued enough to take a peek inside the unusual cafe in Savamala. We were welcomed by Ryo Ragland, who got the idea to open this cafe at 4 Koce Popovica Street in early 2017.

– The concept of an anti-cafe, a place where you pay for the time spent, and not for drinks, has existed for a long time and is widespread globally. In Western Europe, the USA and Japan, these places are very popular and a part of everyday life, and Share Square is unique for the fact that, in addition to the cafe and the coworking space, we will also offer a space where people will be able to hold lectures and classes for each other – Ragland begins his interview for eKapija.

The non-profit organization behind Share Square is called Coordinaide. Its mission is to create a strong foundation for the strengthening of local communities by connecting individuals, groups, organizations and companies. One of the key principles of the organization is for communities to create and secure resources through the building and the coordination of strong social networks in the real world, achieving their goals though mutually beneficial cooperation, without any outside help.

Sharing knowledge offline

The 600-m2 space in Share Square Belgrade features four specialized lecture rooms, including a big kitchen, featuring modern equipment, an IT room, a professional makeup room and a music room. A multifunctional room that can be used for all other activities – from language learning to origami – has been secured as well.

– There's great demand for sharing skills and knowledge on social networks, and such a concept doesn't exist in reality. We want to change this and we will offer people the most attractive features on social networks: accessibility, simplicity and the possibility of experimenting and trying new things, without having to dedicate themselves to them in the long term or spend too much. For the time being, four lecture rooms are equipped – CookLab, StyleLab, TechLab and SoundLab – our interviewee explains.

As Ragland points out, in the modern world, people are connected online without anyone truly knowing anyone and this space is therefore meant to bring them back to reality and provide better communication and interaction than online platforms.

– Here, people will be able to find others with the same or completely different interests, learn something from them or share opinions with them, spend some quality time they used to spend on Facebook, Instagram or channel-surfing through content that doesn't interest them at all.

Ragland notes that Share Square provides companies with a space for team building, education courses and corporate events.

As he announces, if the concept proves to be successful and if people become interested in the programs they organize, there's a possibility of other cities in Serbia and the region getting such cafes as well.

First hour RSD 300, each next one RSD 100

The first hour spent in Share Square costs RSD 300, whereas each next one costs RSD 100. The cafe also requires registration on their website.

Classes will cost 600 to 800 dinars per hour.

– The price list is formed with an eye to attracting as many people as possible and making the place available to everybody. Out initial investments were not that large, as there were many of our friends willing to volunteer to help us realize this idea, including our excellent website, which we got for free – Ragland says.

Sanja Sojic

Coordinaide

Share Square

anti cafe

anti cafe in Belgrade

anti cafe Belgrade

coworking space

coworking space in Belgrade

Ryo Ragland

Savamala

CookLab

StyleLab

TechLab

SoundLab

cafes in Belgrade