How London’s 1675 Coffeehouse Ban Was Overturned

In 1675, London’s tavern owners—furious at losing customers to coffeehouses—launched a smear campaign. They took out ads calling coffee a mysterious, black-as-slops, charcoal-like brew that smelled like old shoes. Meanwhile, the British brewing industry, once quiet, stepped forward with a formal protest: the “Wives’ Petition Against Coffee,” which painted coffeehouses as dens of subversion. But the real clash came when the monarchy itself tried to shut the coffeehouses down.

The answer is 11 days: that’s how long King Charles II’s 1675 coffeehouse ban lasted before public pressure forced him to lift it. The attempt to silence coffeehouse talk failed spectacularly.

The Tavern Owners’ Smear Campaign

By the 1670s, London’s coffeehouses were thriving, drawing patrons away from traditional taverns. In response, tavern owners ran aggressive advertisements attacking coffee’s appearance and smell. They described it as “black as slops,” “burnt like charcoal,” and smelling “like a pair of old shoes.” These attacks were designed to turn the public against coffee and bring customers back to alcohol-serving establishments.

The Brewing Industry’s Formal Protest

The British brewing industry escalated the fight. They published a document titled “The Wives’ Petition Against Coffee,” which claimed coffee was ruining the nation’s health and morals. This was a coordinated effort to protect their business interests by discrediting coffeehouses. The petition framed coffee as a threat, aligning with the concerns of tavern owners who were losing revenue.

King Charles II’s Ban and Its Swift Reversal

In 1672, King Charles II had already warned that coffeehouses were becoming hotbeds for discussing sensitive political issues. By 1675, he issued a decree to close all coffeehouses in London, citing the “Wives’ Petition Against Coffee” as justification. However, the public reaction was immediate and intense. The enforcement required military intervention, and the backlash was so severe that the ban was lifted after just 11 days. This swift reversal marked a significant victory for the free exchange of ideas in public spaces.

Why This Matters to Coffee History

This event is now recognized by British historians as a landmark moment in the fight for public discourse. Coffeehouses had become spaces where people could debate politics and share ideas freely—something the monarchy sought to control. The failure of the ban affirmed the importance of these venues as hubs of open conversation, setting a precedent for future protections of public speech.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the 1675 coffee ban in London aim to achieve?

The ban, ordered by King Charles II, aimed to close all coffeehouses in London to suppress the political discussions taking place in them. The monarchy, citing the “Wives’ Petition Against Coffee,” claimed coffeehouses were centers of dissent and moral decay.

How long did the 1675 coffeehouse ban last?

The ban lasted only 11 days. The public backlash was so strong that the government had to use military force to try to enforce it, but the resistance was overwhelming, leading to the quick lifting of the ban.

What was the “Wives’ Petition Against Coffee”?

The “Wives’ Petition Against Coffee” was a formal protest published by the British brewing industry that criticized coffee for its negative effects on health and society. It was used as justification for the coffeehouse ban and reflected the industry’s efforts to discredit coffee and protect their own business interests.

Why did the public oppose the coffeehouse ban?

The public opposed the ban because coffeehouses had become important spaces for social interaction, political debate, and the free exchange of ideas. The sudden attempt to close them was seen as an attack on these freedoms, leading to widespread resistance.

What role did tavern owners play in the coffee ban?

Tavern owners, threatened by the loss of business to coffeehouses, launched a smear campaign against coffee. They advertised it as unpleasant and unhealthy, trying to drive customers back to alcoholic beverages and undermine the growing popularity of coffeehouses.

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