In Restoration London the coffee shop became the centre of London's social, political and business life. In the thriving economy and time of great change and a rising middle class, famous writers, politicians, ambitious businessmen, ship's captains, busy merchants and young clerks all frequented these cosy haunts of civilization. Here for a penny charge they read the newsletters and gazettes of the day which were included in the price, and looked at the bulletins of sales, sailings and auctions which covered all the walls. Most importantly, however, they discussed the latest news, conducted business negotiations, or conversed about politics or the latest literature. Here they were able to sit in comfortable, well-furnished surroundings, smoke their pipes, get away from their women folk and relax as well as seeing to important affairs. The coffee shop was so important in London life of this time that Macauley called it 'the Londoner's home' and it was nicknamed 'the penny university' in a famous rhyme.
The first London coffee shop was established in 1652 by Pasqua Rosee from Smyrna, a port in Turkey. It became an immediate success and coffee shops mushroomed. London men liked this 'bitter brew' so much that it almost became more popular than the famous English ale. By 1700 there were probably over 2000 coffeehouses in London. Even the plague and the Great Fire failed to lessen its attraction.
The popularity of the coffee shop was controversial, however. As coffee came from the Ottoman Empire some were prejudiced against it arguing that it damaged the economy and lessened the demand for grain, the chief ingredient of ale and beer. Pamphleteers inferred that drinking coffee rather than ale was unpatriotic. However, London men took no notice, many preferring the warm and bright atmosphere of the coffee shop to the gloomy taverns.
Men frequented the coffee shops as a woman's role was to be a homemaker, not discuss business affairs. Some women took great exception to this and wrote a petition arguing that their husbands were wasting too much time in the coffee shops and even suggesting that this drink made them impotent!
There were also defenders, however. It was suggested by some pampheteers that coffee cured rheumatish, it was more economic and 'most intelligent society' frequented coffee houses.
Many important institutions had their origins in the coffee house. Stockbrokers used to meet at Garraways which became the London Stock Exchange. White's Chocolate House on St. James's Street, founded in 1693, was once a place where all men were equal but later became the very exclusive London Club. The most famous of these, however, was Lloyd's which had its origins in the coffee house owned by Edward Lloyd. Here ship owners, captains and merchants came to discuss the latest shipping news. Lloyd, seeing an opportunity here, started publishing a newsletter containing all the news, and Lloyds also became a place for obtaining marine insurance.
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