Coffee reached many European cities during the 17th century. At first, some people were suspicious of the dark, bitter drink. Before long, however, coffee became fashionable, and new coffeehouses appeared in London, Paris, Vienna, and other growing cities.
These places offered something different from traditional taverns. Alcohol could make customers tired or noisy, while coffee helped them remain awake and alert. Visitors read newspapers, discussed politics, listened to the latest news, and exchanged ideas with people from different occupations. A person could enter alone and soon become part of a lively conversation.
Coffeehouses also influenced business. Merchants met customers, compared prices, and arranged deals. In London, some coffeehouses became meeting places for people in a particular trade. One famous example later developed into Lloyd’s of London, an important insurance market.
Writers, artists, and scientists used coffeehouses to present their work and debate new discoveries. Because one cup sometimes cost only a penny, these spaces became known as “penny universities.” The name suggested that curious visitors could gain knowledge for the small price of a drink.
Not everyone welcomed this new culture. Governments sometimes worried that political criticism could spread through coffeehouse conversations. Even so, the cafés continued to grow. They helped create a public space where information moved quickly, strangers could meet, and new ideas became part of everyday urban life.