What was a coffee house like 300 years ago

Around 300 years ago, at the beginning of the 18th century, coffee houses were already prominent centres of social and intellectual life. Although very different from the modern coffee shops we know today, they played just as central a role in society. People came to drink coffee, of course, but also to talk, exchange ideas, read newspapers and debate politics or philosophy.

Exploring the world of coffee houses three centuries ago reveals places that were both simple and lively, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the buzz of conversation.

Simple but welcoming places

Unlike contemporary cafés with their carefully designed interiors, 18th-century coffee houses were often modest establishments. The furniture generally consisted of wooden tables, benches or simple chairs, sometimes worn with age.

The walls might be wood-panelled or simply whitewashed. Lighting came from candles or oil lamps, which gave off a warm but fairly dim light. The atmosphere was often smoky, as customers smoked pipes or tobacco.

The floor, often stone or wood, might be covered with sawdust to absorb spills and make cleaning easier. All of this created a rustic but convivial atmosphere.

Despite their simplicity, these places were full of life. Laughter, passionate discussions and the clinking of cups and spoons filled the air.

Coffee very different from today's

The coffee people drank 300 years ago was not prepared as it is today. Espresso machines obviously did not exist, and brewing relied on much more basic methods.

Coffee was often boiled in large coffee pots or prepared in metal pots. In some regions, people used methods similar to what we now call Turkish coffee, using very finely ground coffee.

The drink was generally served black and very strong. Sugar was becoming more widespread in Europe, but remained expensive. Milk was rarely added.

The cups were smaller than modern mugs. In some coffee houses, coffee was even served in bowls or pewter cups.

Places for meeting and debate

One of the most striking features of coffee houses in the past was their social role. They were far more than simply places to have a hot drink.

In Paris, London and Vienna, coffee houses were popular meeting places for intellectuals, writers, merchants and sometimes politicians. People came to discuss the latest news, comment on political events or debate philosophy.

In London, some coffee houses were even nicknamed ‘penny universities’. For the price of a cup of coffee — often a penny — people could join fascinating discussions and meet well-educated people.

These establishments thus helped spread ideas and circulate information.

Newspapers and information

Coffee houses also played an important role in spreading information. Many provided newspapers for customers to read.

At a time when few people could subscribe to publications, coffee houses became places where people came to read the day's news. Newspapers were sometimes attached to wooden holders or hung up to prevent them from disappearing.

Customers would read certain articles aloud, which then fuelled discussions in the room.

The coffee house thus became a real hub for exchanging ideas and information.

A predominantly male clientele

It is also worth remembering that 300 years ago, coffee house customers were overwhelmingly male. In many European cities, women were rarely seen in these establishments.

Coffee houses were considered places for men to socialise, where merchants, craftspeople, writers and students would gather. Discussions could be lively, sometimes noisy, and the atmosphere fairly uninhibited.

It was only much later that coffee houses would become places open to everyone, as we know them today.

Coffee houses with distinct clienteles

Over time, some coffee houses developed particular clienteles.

In London, for example, some establishments were frequented mainly by merchants or insurers. Others tended to attract writers or scientists.

You could almost guess the type of clientele a coffee house attracted simply by stepping through the door. Some were known for their intellectual debates, others for their business discussions.

These coffee houses sometimes even helped give rise to important institutions. For example, Lloyd’s of London, now a famous insurance market, has its origins in a 17th-century London coffee house.

A drink that was still exotic

Three hundred years ago, coffee was still a relatively new drink in Europe. Introduced from the Middle East in the 17th century, it had quickly grown in popularity but retained an air of exoticism.

The beans came mainly from Yemen or the first colonial plantations. Transporting them to Europe was slow and expensive.

Despite this, demand kept growing. Coffee was seen as a stimulating drink that helped people stay awake and think. Unlike beer or wine, both widely consumed at the time, it allowed people to keep a clear head.

Indeed, this is why coffee houses became favoured venues for intellectual discussion.

A lively and sometimes chaotic atmosphere

Coffee houses 300 years ago were often very lively. Conversations could be loud, and the atmosphere sometimes chaotic.

Some establishments welcomed musicians or chess players. Others were frequented by card players or gamblers.

The mixture of smells — coffee, tobacco and candle wax — created a very distinctive atmosphere.

For a traveller at the time, entering a coffee house was an intense sensory experience, very different from the calm atmosphere and designer interiors of many establishments today.

The ancestor of our coffee shops

Although their appearance and the way people use them have evolved, today's cafés remain the direct descendants of those establishments from three centuries ago.

The principle remains the same: a place to meet over a cup of coffee, talk, work or relax.

Today, cafés offer a multitude of drinks, sophisticated brewing methods and carefully designed settings. Yet fundamentally, their social role remains very similar to that of 18th-century coffee houses.

These places continue to be spaces for meeting, creativity and exchange.

A tradition spanning the centuries

For more than 300 years, coffee has accompanied everyday moments and major discussions about society. From the smoky coffee houses of the 18th century to modern coffee shops, this drink has never stopped bringing people together.

If you could travel back in time and step into a coffee house in the year 1725, you would no doubt be surprised by the atmosphere and the simplicity of the surroundings. Yet you would immediately find something familiar: the pleasure of sharing a coffee and a conversation.

A tradition that, clearly, has never gone out of fashion.