London’s First Coffeehouses: Where It All Began

Ever wondered where the first coffeehouse in London stood, why it became such a busy spot, or how coffee culture started in England? The story goes back to the mid-1600s, when a simple drink sparked a social and economic revolution — all beginning with a chance meeting in Turkey.

The very first coffeehouse in England opened in 1650 near a university and was called The Sign of the Angel, though it’s better known as “The House of Pasqua Rosee” (operated by a man named Pasqua Rosee, employed by a merchant named Daniel Edwards). Two years later, in 1652, London got its own: “Pasqua Rosee’s establishment evolved into what we now recognise as the first major coffeehouse, soon followed by others like ‘Roger’s Coffee House’ in 1654. Though early brews were rough, these spots quickly drew crowds and changed London life.

The Birth of London’s First Coffeehouse

The story begins with an English merchant named Daniel Edwards, who met a Greek or Armenian man named Pasqua Rosee (or in some versions, a man named Roger) while in Turkey. Edwards was impressed by the local coffee culture and brought Rosee back to England around 1650 to help introduce coffee. With Edwards’s backing, Rosee opened the first coffeehouse in England in 1650 near a university, likely in Oxford. This was called The House of Pasqua Rosee, though often referred to simply as the first coffeehouse.

Two years later, in 1652, another key location opened in London: the establishment known as “Roger’s Coffee House,” set up by a man named Roger (possibly the same individual or under Edwards’s continued influence). Though the coffee wasn’t refined, the place was always crowded. Edwards funded Roger to start this London coffeehouse, seeing the business potential.

How Coffeehouses Became Information Hubs

Roger’s Coffee House promoted coffee using one of the world’s first coffee advertisements — a flyer claiming health benefits such as improved energy, aid for digestion, and relief from gout. This flyer is considered the earliest known coffee advertisement and a precursor to modern marketing.

Located near the Tower of London and the Royal Exchange, Roger’s Coffee House became a centre for merchants and traders. Since the exchange didn’t allow informal information sharing, people turned to coffeehouses to trade news and tips. These venues quickly evolved into de facto business centres, where deals and intelligence were as important as the drinks.

The layout and function of Roger’s Coffee House set the standard for future London coffeehouses. Its success led to an explosion in popularity. Within just a few years, London had around 3,000 coffeehouses.

The Birth of the ‘Penny University’

Coffeehouses weren’t just for business — they became social and intellectual spaces too. For the price of a penny, patrons could read newspapers, engage in debates, and discuss politics or academics. This led to the nickname “Penny University.”

These spaces welcomed people from various backgrounds to share ideas, making coffeehouses centres of enlightenment thought and public discourse well before modern cafes or universities adopted similar roles.

The Women’s Petition Against Coffee (1674)

A notable historical footnote is the 1674 “Women’s Petition Against Coffee,” in which a group of London wives protested the city’s coffeehouses. They claimed coffee made their husbands impotent and caused family strife. The petition argued that men, addicted to the drink, neglected their marital duties.

Men fought back, calling the claims baseless. The controversy became widely known but was never resolved officially. Despite the uproar, the coffeehouse trend continued growing.

Why Did Early Coffeehouses Matter?

Early London coffeehouses introduced a new model of social interaction, combining commerce, news, and debate. They helped shape modern public life, influenced the spread of information, and laid groundwork for financial and intellectual exchanges still relevant today.

The first coffeehouses also highlight how a single imported beverage — and the culture around it — can reshape social norms and business practices in just a few years.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the first coffeehouse in London opened?

The first recognised coffeehouse in London, known as “Roger’s Coffee House,” was established in 1652. However, the very first coffeehouse in England overall was opened in 1650 near a university, often referred to as The House of Pasqua Rosee, backed by merchant Daniel Edwards.

What was special about Roger’s Coffee House?

Roger’s Coffee House, opened around 1652 in London, was one of the first to promote coffee with a flyer advertising health benefits — considered the world’s first coffee advertisement. It was located near the Royal Exchange and became a hub for business and information exchange.

Why were coffeehouses called Penny Universities?

Coffeehouses were dubbed “Penny Universities” because, for the price of one penny, customers could access newspapers, engage in discussions, and take part in debates on politics, science, and philosophy — effectively gaining an informal education.

Did women go to coffeehouses in 17th-century London?

Women were generally not allowed in London coffeehouses during the 1600s. This led to a 1674 petition by a group of women protesting that coffee made their husbands neglectful and unhealthy, though the protest did not result in any official changes.

How many coffeehouses were there in London by the late 1600s?

By the 1660s, just a few years after the first coffeehouses opened, London had approximately 3,000 coffeehouses. Their rapid spread was driven by their roles as business centres and social hubs.

What health claims were made for coffee in early London coffeehouses?

Early coffee advertisements, such as those from Roger’s Coffee House, claimed that coffee could boost energy, aid digestion, and help with conditions like gout. These were among the first commercial health claims for coffee in England.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee History Fans

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