How 17th-Century London Fell for Coffee—Then Forgot It

In 1650, a Lebanese Jewish entrepreneur opened the first coffeehouse in Oxford, England—kickstarting a caffeine-fueled revolution that would reshape British public life for over a century. For much of the 17th and early 18th centuries, London wasn’t a tea-drinking nation as we know it today; it was drowning in coffee. Men swapped ale for java—or alternated between the two, using coffeehouses to sober up before diving back into taverns. This was the golden age of the British coffeehouse, a time when caffeine, not tannins, fueled the nation’s intellectual and social engines.

The short answer? Between 1650 and 1700, London went from zero to 2,000+ coffeehouses, becoming a hub for equal-access debate, early media, and exclusive male networks—until tea, politics, and King Charles II intervened.

The Birth of London’s Coffeehouse Culture

The first coffeehouse in England appeared in 1650 at Oxford University, opened by a Lebanese Jew. Just two years later, a Greek named Pasqua Roseé launched one in London. By 1700, the city boasted over 2,000 coffeehouses, scattered across every corner. These weren’t just caffeine stops; they were revolutionary spaces where people from all walks of life—Puritans, Protestants, Catholics, Jews, writers, merchants, lawyers, and doctors—gathered. Each coffeehouse cultivated its own regular crowd, creating micro-communities within a larger, more open social structure that challenged rigid class hierarchies.

Coffeehouses as Hubs of Debate and Publishing

London’s coffeehouses laid the groundwork for modern publishing. At Will’s Coffee House, hosted by poet John Dryden, literary standards were debated and disseminated. Free-flowing discussions in these cafes fed early newspapers like The Tatler, The Spectator, and The Guardian. Editors observed conversations, gathered rumors, and synthesized public sentiment into the sharp, influential writing that defined the era. These spaces were incubators for ideas and the precursor to modern media.

From Public Forums to Private Clubs

Coffeehouses also birthed Britain’s club tradition. The Oxford coffeehouse quickly attracted academic elites, leading to the 1665 founding of the Oxford Coffee Club—membership reserved for scholars. By 1662, it evolved into the prestigious Royal Society. Coffeehouses were where news, commentary, and knowledge were shared freely. But as influential patrons formed exclusive clubs, the public lost access to these once-open forums, pushing discourse toward newspapers instead.

The Women’s Coffeehouse Protest and the 1675 Ban

Coffeehouses were men-only zones (except for proprietors). This exclusion enraged British women. In 1674, they published The Women’s Petition Against Coffee, complaining that their husbands had become “debauched” from drinking “that useless and harmful liquor.” In 1675, King Charles II issued a proclamation to suppress coffeehouses, possibly due to their role in political dissent—or to appease wives worried about their husbands’ sobriety. The ban sparked widespread unrest, nearly threatening his throne. Two days before enforcement, Charles II repealed it.

Tea’s Takeover: From Coffee to Earl Grey

Despite their early dominance, coffeehouses’ glory didn’t last. By the 18th century, tea and teahouses replaced them. While European powers expanded coffee plantations in their colonies, the British repurposed coffee farms in India into tea fields. Coffee trees in India were dying from rust disease, and British tastes were shifting. Teahouses, once favored by women and children, became popular with men too. Coffeehouses devolved into fast-food joints or were repurposed entirely.

The 1950s Coffee Revival: Espresso, Instant, and a New Order

Coffee resurfaced in Britain in the 1950s—but the landscape had changed. Italians brought espresso, and Americans introduced instant coffee. By 1955, stylish Italian-style cafés serving moka pot espresso drew crowds of both men and women. Yet tea remained entrenched. When Britain lifted its tea rationing in 1956, tea consumption didn’t rebound as expected. Trendsetters embraced Italian espresso, but the masses turned to instant coffee, which by the late 1950s dominated 90% of the market. Outraged British tea merchants eventually adopted tea bagging to compete, shredding premium leaves to fit into sachets. Coffee’s return reshaped British drinking habits—even if tea stayed the national staple.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did coffee first arrive in London?

Coffee first arrived in London in 1650, with the opening of the city’s first coffeehouse in Oxford in the same year, followed by a London location in 1652.

How many coffeehouses were there in London by 1700?

By 1700, London had over 2,000 coffeehouses, spread throughout the city and serving as hubs for various social groups.

Why were women banned from coffeehouses?

Women were banned from most coffeehouses (except as owners), which led to the 1674 Women’s Petition Against Coffee and the 1675 royal ban attempt by King Charles II.

What caused the decline of coffeehouses in the 18th century?

Coffeehouses declined due to the rise of tea, the conversion of Indian coffee farms to tea fields, and shifting British tastes away from coffee.

What happened during the 1950s coffee revival in Britain?

In the 1950s, Italian espresso and American instant coffee gained popularity. By 1956, instant coffee made up 90% of the market, while tea rationing ended but failed to revive traditional tea culture.

Did coffee ever fully replace tea in Britain?

No, despite coffee’s 17th-century dominance and 1950s revival, tea remained—and remains—a staple of British culture, though coffee significantly influenced drinking habits.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee History Fans

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