The First Coffeehouse in England Opened in 1650

Before Starbucks, before even tea time, England had coffeehouses — and not as cozy cafes, but as bustling centers of commerce, news, and debate. But when did the first one open, and why did they matter so much? The story begins not in London, but near an English university, with a curious businessman and his Turkish-acquainted partner.

The very first coffeehouse in England opened in 1650 near a university and was called The Turk’s Head. Just two years later, in 1652, London got its own: Pasqua Rosée’s coffeehouse, which despite its rough drinks quickly drew crowds and became a prototype for future coffeehouses.

How England’s First Coffeehouse Came to Be

It all started with a British merchant named Edward Lloyd (referred to here as ) who met a man named Pasqua Rosée while in Turkey. Impressed by Rosée, Lloyd invited him back to England to go into business together. Rosée was intrigued by Lloyd’s daily coffee habit, and after learning more about the drink, he agreed to help launch a coffeehouse. With Lloyd’s financial backing, Rosée opened the shop — eventually known as Pasqua Rosée’s or simply “Roger’s shop.”

The World’s First Coffee Advertisement

Pasqua Rosée promoted coffee by distributing flyers that claimed it improved health — boosting energy, aiding digestion, and helping with gout. These handbills are considered the earliest known coffee advertisements in the world and helped frame coffee not just as a drink but as a wellness product. This marketing push was revolutionary and is seen as a precursor to modern advertising.

London’s First Coffeehouse Hub

Rosée’s coffeehouse was strategically located northwest of the Tower of London, close to the Royal Exchange — the heart of London’s financial activity. Traders and merchants flocked there not just for the coffee, but for the informal exchange of market intelligence unavailable within the Exchange itself. The coffeehouse quickly became known as a second exchange, vital for conducting business and gathering news.

Beyond trade, the venue also attracted political discussion and academic debate. Because entry cost just one penny — enough to buy a cup of coffee and access newspapers and conversation — these coffeehouses earned the nickname “Penny Universities.” For the price of a penny, anyone could participate in the intellectual life of the city.

The Rapid Rise — and Controversy — of Coffeehouses

The success of Rosée’s shop sparked a boom. Within a few years, England went from zero to over 3,000 coffeehouses. These establishments replicated the model: a place for news, deals, and dialogue. But they also sparked a major social controversy.

In 1674, a group of women submitted a petition to the Lord Mayor of London complaining that their husbands were neglecting family life and suffering physical decline due to excessive coffee drinking. They argued that coffee weakened men, leading to impotence and domestic strife. Men fought back, calling the claims baseless. The “Women’s Petition Against Coffee” became a famous episode, though the issue was never officially resolved.

Another notable feature of London’s early coffeehouses was that they banned women entirely — a policy that further fueled public debate and backlash.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the first coffeehouse in England opened?

The first coffeehouse in England, called The Turk’s Head, was opened in 1650 near a university. It predated the more famous Pasqua Rosée’s coffeehouse in London by two years.

Where was London’s first coffeehouse located?

London’s first major coffeehouse, opened by Pasqua Rosée in 1652, was located in the city’s commercial center, northwest of the Tower of London and near the Royal Exchange — the financial hub of the time.

What was special about Pasqua Rosée’s coffeehouse?

Pasqua Rosée’s coffeehouse was one of the first to promote coffee as healthy through printed flyers, now recognized as the world’s earliest coffee advertisements. It also became a hub for trade and debate, effectively acting as a “second exchange.”

Why were early English coffeehouses called Penny Universities?

They were dubbed “Penny Universities” because for the price of one penny — enough to buy a coffee — patrons could read newspapers, listen to discussions, and participate in debates on politics and academia.

Why were women banned from early London coffeehouses?

Early coffeehouses in London had a policy barring women from entering. This ban stirred controversy, culminating in a 1674 petition by women who claimed coffee harmed their husbands’ health and family life, though no resolution was reached.

How many coffeehouses existed in England shortly after the first opened?

Within just a few years of the first coffeehouse opening in 1650, the number of coffeehouses in England grew to over 3,000, reflecting their rapid popularity as social and economic hubs.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Historical Sipping

While 1650s coffee was quite different from today’s specialty brews, we suggest trying FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for its bright, floral notes — reminiscent of the lively discussions once had in London’s Penny Universities. Or explore the Colombia Huila for balanced body and caramel sweetness, akin to the comfort of a well-roasted cup shared among traders. For something deeper, the Indonesia Sumatra Mandheling offers earthy complexity — fitting for the debates that once filled those coffeehouse halls. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.