Nadia Gorodniakova in Loki Lounge, with customers gaming and working in the background.

Everything is free at Wellington's new Loki Lounge, except the time you spend there.

Owner Nadia Gorodniakova opened the lounge on December 2 in Abel Smith St, after struggling to secure a working visa with hospitality jobs.

Loki Lounge follows the Russian concept Ziferblat, which literally means 'clock face', and has blossomed into chains of communal venues across Europe.

At Loki Lounge, the phrase 'time is money' translates into: one hour is $5.

Once the customers are on the clock, everything thereafter is free.

Tea and coffee flows freely, and people can help themselves to bottomless biscuits and snacks.

Gorodniakova says the lounge is "not exactly a cafe", but more of a co-social space.

It provides a solution for people who feel pressured to order things to stay at cafes and bars.

"It's a place where waiters do not peek at you when your time to leave is kind of overdue."

Community is the central focus of the lounge, Gorodniakova says.

"It is about bringing people together, allowing them to do something they love in a company of like-minded personalities."

Gorodniakova says she noticed a few groups in Wellington struggling to find appropriate venues for their activities; finding it inappropriate to meet in cafes and bars.

"What about the rest of us? The ones who want to read books together, knit together, learn to play ukulele, sketch, or talk about design or origami?"

People can bring any hobby group meetings into the lounge, Gorodniakova says.

"We are happy to organise anything we are able to physically fit in here."

Pets are even allowed inside.

"No more feeling guilty for leaving your buddy at home, or tied up outside the cafe."

The lounge currently has a media room with a big screen, a small library area, and a gaming corner.

Gorodniakova has lived in Wellington for a year now, but is originally from Belarus.

She decided to open Loki Lounge after struggling to find a job that would help her get a two-year working visa.

"To get a new visa I had to move away from hospitality and find employment that would reflect my education, which is in business."

So she took a chance and opened the lounge, and has since secured a visa because she is using her business skills.

Wellington is the city she knew she wanted to settle down in.

"I was in love with the country, and Wellington in particular."

"I was really impressed with its funky atmosphere, bubbly people, and the huge range of personalities."

She also wants the lounge to cater for Wellington's under-18s, who don't have as many options as adults.

The lounge gives parents the opportunity to drop their children off for a few hours.

"Let them play board and video games, read, watch movies, browse the internet, and communicate with peers while [they] enjoy some time off."