Coffee house was a type of cafe that served as a center of business, cultural, and political life in Britain (later also called the United Kingdom). Coffee houses thrived from about 1650 to 1850.
Londoners, especially, went to one or more coffee houses daily to learn the latest news. As newspapers developed, reporters also obtained information there.
Some men kept regular hours at coffee houses, so that friends and clients knew when and where to find them. Many houses developed a group of customers who had similar business, cultural, political, or religious interests. For example, writers, merchants, and politicians gathered at different coffee houses.
In 1730, London had about 500 coffee houses. During the 1800’s, they were gradually displaced by commercial institutions, private clubs, the home delivery of mail, and the growth of daily newspapers. Today, coffee houses continue to serve as popular gathering spots throughout the world.
