How England’s First Coffeehouse Started in 1650

Ever wondered where the first British coffeehouse came from—and why it looked nothing like a modern café? The story begins not with a barista, but with a 17th-century trader who brought both coffee and an unlikely partner back from Turkey, kicking off a cultural revolution.

In 1650, the first coffeehouse in England opened near a university and was called ‘The Sign of the Pasqua Rosee’—though often referred to as ‘’. Just two years later, in 1652, London got its own coffeehouse, ‘Roger’s Coffeehouse’, which quickly became packed despite serving rough coffee. This is how England’s coffeehouse culture began.

The Birth of England’s First Coffeehouse

The story starts with a British merchant named Edwards, who met a man named Roger while in Turkey. Impressed—or simply intrigued—by Edwards’ daily coffee habit, Roger and others grew curious about the drink. Edwards eventually invited Roger to join him as a business partner back in England.

Edwards funded the opening of a coffeehouse, with Roger at the helm. That shop, known as ‘Roger’s Coffeehouse’, opened around 1652 in London, near the Tower and close to the Royal Exchange. Though the coffee wasn’t refined, the place was always crowded.

How Coffeehouses Became Information Hubs

Roger promoted his coffeehouse as a health booster, distributing flyers claiming coffee improved energy, aided digestion, and helped with gout—the earliest known coffee advertisement, and a precursor to modern marketing.

Located in a busy commercial district, Roger’s Coffeehouse became more than just a drink stop. Traders and merchants flocked there to exchange information they couldn’t get on the trading floor. It effectively became London’s unofficial second stock exchange.

More Than Coffee: The Birth of the ‘Penny University’

Soon, coffeehouses across London evolved into lively hubs for political debate, academic discussion, and general socializing. For the price of a penny, patrons could read newspapers, magazines, and participate in conversations. This led to the nickname ‘Penny University’.

The accessibility and intellectual atmosphere made coffeehouses extremely popular. Within just a few years, the number of coffeehouses in London ballooned to around 3,000.

Why Women Weren’t Allowed—and the Backlash

A notable quirk of 17th-century London coffeehouses: they banned women. This exclusion sparked outrage among wives who claimed their husbands were neglecting them and suffering physical decline from too much coffee.

In 1674, a group of women submitted a formal petition to the Lord Mayor of London, accusing coffee of weakening their spouses. The men fought back, calling the claims baseless. The dispute went unresolved and eventually faded—but the ban remained widespread for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the first coffeehouse in England?

The first recorded coffeehouse in England was ‘The Sign of the Pasqua Rosee’, opened around 1650 near a university, though it’s often referred to in Chinese sources as ‘’. Two years later, in 1652, ‘Roger’s Coffeehouse’ opened in London and became wildly popular despite serving basic coffee.

Where was Roger’s Coffeehouse located?

Roger’s Coffeehouse was located in London, near the Tower of London and the Royal Exchange, in what was then a major commercial and financial district. Its location helped it become a hub for traders and information exchange.

Why was Roger’s Coffeehouse so popular?

Though the coffee was not refined, Roger’s Coffeehouse gained popularity as a place to gather, exchange news, and discuss ideas. It served as an informal stock exchange and earned the nickname ‘Penny University’ because for one penny, people could access news, magazines, and conversation.

Was coffee popular in England in the 1650s?

Coffee was still new in England during the 1650s, but it quickly gained a foothold thanks to early adopters like Roger and Edwards. By the 1660s, there were already thousands of coffeehouses across London, showing rapid growth in demand.

Why weren’t women allowed in 17th-century coffeehouses?

London coffeehouses in the 1600s typically banned women. This policy led to a formal complaint by a group of wives in 1674, who accused coffee of harming their husbands' health and neglecting family life. The issue was never resolved officially, but the ban persisted for years.

What was the first coffee advertisement?

The flyer distributed by Roger’s Coffeehouse promoting the health benefits of coffee—including claims about energy and gout relief—is considered the first known coffee advertisement. It’s an early example of marketing in the coffee industry.

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