How 17th-Century London Fell in Love With Coffee—Then Forgot It

Ask any modern coffee drinker about Britain’s coffee scene, and you’ll likely hear about flat whites and high-street chains. But centuries ago, London’s coffeehouses weren’t just places to sip—it was where men (yes, mostly men) debated politics, published books, and built entire social orders over a cup of black brew. So what happened to Britain’s great coffee moment?

Between 1650 and 1800, London hosted over 2,000 coffeehouses—each a hub for specific groups like lawyers, merchants, or writers—before tea and cultural shifts sidelined coffee for good.

The Birth of London’s Coffeehouse Scene

Britain’s love affair with coffee began in 1650, when a Lebanese Jew opened the country’s first coffeehouse in Oxford. Just two years later, a Greek named Pasqua Roseé launched one in London. By 1700, the city boasted more than 2,000 coffeehouses, scattered across every district. These weren’t just cafes—they were radical spaces where anyone (well, almost anyone) could pay a penny for admission, coffee, and access to news, ideas, and debate.

Coffeehouses as Social Laboratories

Early coffeehouses were famously stratified by interest. Whether you were a Puritan, a merchant, a doctor, or a writer, there was a coffeehouse that catered to your crowd. This “third space” broke down rigid class barriers of the time—but replaced them with new, self-selected communities. Writers and thinkers gathered to shape public opinion, while businessmen struck deals over steaming cups.

Notably, the coffeehouse was instrumental in early British publishing. At Will’s Coffee House in Covent Garden, hosted by poet John Dryden, literary standards were debated and set. Meanwhile, publications like The Tatler, The Spectator, and later The Guardian drew inspiration and information directly from coffeehouse conversations, turning gossip and debates into some of the era’s most influential journalism.

From Public Sphere to Private Club

Coffeehouses also gave rise to Britain’s club culture. The Oxford Coffee Club, founded in 1665 by academics who met at the university’s coffeehouse, evolved into the prestigious Royal Society by 1662. These spaces encouraged open discourse—but as elite groups formed exclusive clubs, the coffeehouses gradually lost their role as public forums.

The Women’s Protest and the 1675 Coffeehouse Ban

Despite their intellectual reputation, coffeehouses were strictly male domains. Women were barred entry (except as owners). This exclusion sparked outrage, leading to the 1674 publication of The Women’s Petition Against Coffee, which claimed coffee made men impotent and replaced traditional virility with jittery energy. In 1675, King Charles II issued a proclamation to suppress coffeehouses, allegedly worried about the spread of dissent. But the public—especially women, who feared a return to rampant alcoholism—protested so fiercely that the ban was lifted just two days before enforcement.

The Coffeehouse’s Decline and the Rise of Tea

By the late 1700s, coffee’s dominance had faded. The British East India Company, having taken control of India, replaced failing coffee plantations with tea fields—partly due to coffee leaf rust devastating crops, partly due to shifting tastes. Tea houses became the preferred venues for women and families, and coffeehouses devolved into cheap eateries or were repurposed entirely.

The 20th-Century Coffee Comeback

Coffee resurfaced in Britain after World War II, but its return wasn’t driven by tradition. In the 1950s, Italian espresso bars arrived, introducing Brits to mocha pot-brewed espresso. By 1955, stylish espresso joints dotted London, welcoming both men and women for the first time. Yet tea remained entrenched—until American instant coffee flooded the market alongside TV ads in the late 1950s. The 1956 lifting of tea rationing didn’t revive Britain’s tea habit as expected. Instead, instant coffee grabbed 90% of the market, pushing the British tea industry to repackage loose leaves into bags to compete. While tea stayed central, coffee—especially espresso and instant—fundamentally altered British drinking habits.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did coffee first arrive in Britain?

Coffee first appeared in Britain in 1650, with the opening of the first coffeehouse in Oxford by a Lebanese Jew, followed by a Greek-owned shop in London two years later.

How many coffeehouses were there in London by 1700?

By the year 1700, London had more than 2,000 coffeehouses, spread throughout the city and serving various social groups.

Why were women not allowed in British coffeehouses?

British coffeehouses were male-only spaces during their 17th-century heyday. Women were excluded, except for some who were owners, which led to protests like the 1674 Women’s Petition Against Coffee.

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

Coffeehouses declined due to a combination of factors: the shift toward tea drinking, the replacement of coffee farms with tea plantations in British-controlled India, crop diseases like coffee rust, and the privatization of once-public coffeehouse discussions into exclusive clubs.

What brought coffee back to Britain in the 20th century?

Coffee returned to Britain in the 1950s through Italian espresso bars and later American instant coffee. By the late 1950s, instant coffee dominated 90% of the market, significantly shaping British consumption habits.

Did the 1675 coffeehouse ban last long?

No, the ban on coffeehouses enacted by King Charles II in 1675 was repealed just two days before it was to take effect, due to widespread public opposition, including from women who feared a return to excessive alcohol consumption.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee History Fans

Revisit Britain’s coffee era with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui, offering bright citrus and floral notes reminiscent of early imported beans, or their Yirgacheffe for juicy berry tones that mirror the vibrant discussions once had in London coffeehouses. For a deeper, spicier profile akin to aged blends popular in 18th-century England, try their PWN Golden Mandheling. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.