Tbilisi, Georgia is a top destination for digital nomads, and LOKAL CoWork plays a large role in that. While the number of coworking spaces took a dip in 2020 – no surprise there – the city has quickly picked back up for digital nomads in search of a place to get work done. LOKAL is one of the best.
I had the pleasure of working at LOKAL a while back, so I’m here to give my honest, unbiased opinion on what the space has to offer. In this review, I’ll cover everything you need to know about LOKAL, including amenities, location, pros, cons, and more.
LOKAL Basics
LOKAL Tbilisi is a coworking, coliving community that’s geared specifically towards digital nomads. The team here describes it as “an engaged community of digital nomads, expats, and locals coming together to work, play, and learn.” And that’s exactly what you can expect to find.
This space was founded by a former digital nomad, which means it has basically everything you’d want from a shared office. The main goal here is to instill an environment of openness and creativity while experiencing the benefits of having a community around you.
As of 2022, there are about 90 active members who regularly use LOKAL as their office. There are currently 10 coliving rooms, but of course, you don’t need to rent a room at LOKAL to use the coworking facilities.
Coworking Amenities
My first impression of the coworking space was a good one. It offers a warm, clean environment that’s equipped with cozy indoor and outdoor work areas.
The outside area has individual desks, while the indoor space feels more like a cafe (inside is where you’ll find the most comfortable seating). At all times, members can access free tea and coffee. If you want something fancier than a basic Americano, you’ll have to pay extra.
Unfortunately, there’s no kitchen, no fridge, no standing desks, and no Skype/phone booths. However, there are bookable meeting rooms if you need a quiet space. Each desk has its own outlet, and the building has the fastest Wi-Fi available in Tbilisi (100MBPS).
LOKAL CoWork Pricing
You’ve got 3 options for your LOKAL membership: Daily Hot Desk, Monthly Hot Desk, and the 10-pack Hot Desk package.
Booking a Daily Hot Desk is 9.50 USD per day, but you can save a bit of cash by doing the 10-pack option, which costs 80 USD. If you know that you’ll be working most days, the better value is to book for the month. This is 160 USD, and it gives you full access for 30 days.
Coliving Options at LOKAL
For anyone who wants a short commute to the office, it’s worth booking a LOKAL coliving space. You’ll get your own room or suite, private bathroom, and access to the common kitchen space. Just keep in mind the minimum stay is 7 days.
The best part of coliving at LOKAL is that you’ll have full access to the coworking space at no extra cost. Colivers also get hefty discounts on events and extras, and the room rates start at only 21 USD per night.
Digital Nomad Events
One thing I loved most about working at LOKAL is the variety of events they offer. This makes it easy to engage with the community and meet other members outside of work hours.
There are social events, Georgian language courses, game nights, BBQs, and member-led gatherings. All in all, LOKAL does a really good job of encouraging members to share wisdom and gain perspective from their fellow co-workers.
About the Surrounding Area
Yet another thing I love about LOKAL is the surrounding area. It’s located in Tbilisi’s up-and-coming Vera neighborhood and is situated near hip bars, Georgian restaurants, and quaint cafes.
LOKAL is just a few streets away from Wine Factory, a cultural hub that was transformed from an old wine factory. That means you can easily walk to bars, restaurants, shops, and even an open-air cinema.