The Forgotten History of British Coffeehouses

Ever wondered why your morning coffee routine feels so normal today — yet centuries ago, men in Britain drank it in secret, women weren’t allowed, and the government nearly banned coffeehouses altogether? The story behind Britain’s complicated relationship with coffee is full of political intrigue, social rebellion, and a surprising villain: tea.

In short: In 1674, British women protested coffee for making their husbands less manly, leading to a 1675 royal attempt to ban coffeehouses — which failed spectacularly after just two days. By the 1700s, tea replaced coffee. Coffee made a 20th-century comeback via Italian espresso and American instant coffee, ultimately reshaping British drinking habits — but tea never fully lost its crown.

The Great Coffeehouse Gender Ban of 1674

In 17th-century Britain, coffeehouses were vibrant hubs for political debate, business, and socialising — but exclusively for men. Women (except the wives of owners) were strictly barred. This exclusion angered many, leading to a bold public protest.

In 1674, a group of British women published a document titled The Women’s Petition Against Coffee. They argued that their husbands had become “debauched” and lost their traditional vigour due to excessive consumption of what they called a “noxious” and “foreign” drink: coffee. Essentially, they blamed coffee for emasculating the nation’s men.

The Failed Royal Coffeehouse Ban

King Charles II took notice — though his motives remain unclear. Some believe he acted to appease the protesting women. Others suspect he was more concerned about the subversive political talk swirling in coffeehouse corners. Either way, in 1675, he issued a Proclamation for the Suppression of Coffee Houses.

The ban, however, was wildly unpopular. Citizens, including many women who feared a return to their husbands’ drunken ways, protested loudly. Just a week after the proclamation, civil unrest was rampant. Fearing for his throne, Charles II backed down — and rescinded the ban just two days before it was due to take effect.

How Tea Replaced Coffee in 18th-Century Britain

Despite surviving the ban, coffee’s golden age didn’t last. By the 1700s, tea had taken over as Britain’s favourite drink — and coffee culture faded.

This shift happened for multiple reasons. While European powers expanded coffee farming in their colonies, the British made a fateful decision in India: they converted thriving coffee plantations into tea estates. This was partly due to a devastating wave of coffee leaf rust that wiped out crops, but also reflected changing tastes. Tea gardens became refined spaces, initially popular with women and children — then quickly adopted by men too. Over time, coffeehouses devolved into little more than fast-food joints or were repurposed entirely.

The 20th-Century Coffee Comeback

Coffee staged a dramatic return in the 1950s — but not without complications. The British love affair with “pure” tea was challenged by two foreign imports: Italian espresso and American instant coffee.

After World War II, stylish Italian-style espresso bars sprang up across London. By 1955, these venues — serving coffee made with moka pots — were all the rage, and for the first time, women were welcome. Coffeehouses became fashionable social spaces for both sexes. Yet, tea remained deeply ingrained in British life.

That changed with the end of tea rationing in 1956. But rather than a tea revival, Britons turned in large numbers to instant coffee — heavily promoted through television ads. By the late 1950s, instant coffee dominated 90% of the market. Traditional tea drinkers were shocked. Even the British tea industry had to adapt, switching from whole-leaf tea to crushed, teabag-friendly leaves to compete. Though tea stayed central to British identity, coffee — especially the instant kind — left a permanent mark on the culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were women banned from British coffeehouses in the 1600s?

Women were not explicitly banned everywhere, but most coffeehouses in 17th-century Britain were male-only spaces. The 1674 Women’s Petition Against Coffee claimed that coffee made men weak and less masculine, which reflected broader social frustrations. While the petition wasn’t a legal ban, it led to broader cultural and political tension around who could access coffeehouses.

Did King Charles II really try to ban coffeehouses?

Yes. In 1675, King Charles II issued a proclamation to suppress coffeehouses, allegedly due to concerns over political dissent and possibly influenced by the anti-coffee sentiment among women. The ban was supposed to take effect but was cancelled just two days before implementation because of widespread public opposition, including protests from women who didn’t want their husbands returning to heavy drinking.

When did tea replace coffee in Britain?

Tea overtook coffee as the dominant drink in Britain during the 18th century. This shift was driven by a combination of factors: the destruction of coffee crops in India by leaf rust, the British decision to convert coffee farms to tea plantations, and shifting social preferences. Tea became associated with refinement and was widely adopted by all social classes.

What brought coffee back to Britain in the 1950s?

Coffee returned to prominence in 1950s Britain thanks to the rise of Italian espresso bars and American instant coffee. Stylish London espresso bars attracted both men and women starting around 1955. Soon after, instant coffee — heavily marketed on TV — gained massive popularity, eventually capturing 90% of the market and fundamentally altering British coffee consumption habits.

Why did British tea drinkers switch to teabags?

The boom in instant coffee during the 1950s threatened traditional tea consumption. In response, British tea producers shifted from selling whole leaf tea to crushed tea suitable for teabags. This change, aimed at competing with the convenience of instant coffee, marked a major shift in how Britons brewed and consumed tea.

How popular was instant coffee in 1950s Britain?

By the late 1950s, instant coffee dominated the British coffee market, accounting for around 90% of coffee sales. Its convenience and heavy promotion through television advertising helped it surpass traditional brewing methods and deeply affect tea’s cultural dominance as well.

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