If there was a list of things that the capital city most certainly isn’t lacking in, pubs, coffee shops and historic hotspots would all be pretty close to the top. Very few London locales combine them all together, though. The Jamaica Wine House does. Please allow me to explain…
Tucked away down a surreptitious side street in the City of London is a watering hole with links that date all the way back to 1652. Arguably the starting source of London’s abundant coffee culture, the Jamaica Wine House actually started its life as a coffee house. The very first coffee house in London, in fact.
The history of the Jamaica Wine House
The Jamaica Wine House’s extensive past begins with an English Merchant (Daniel Edwards) and his manservant (Pasqua Rosee). Both were big fans of coffee and used to import it from Turkey. The pair went on to open London’s first coffee house, which kickstarted both the coffee and pub cultures that we have in the capital today. Known as Pasqua Rosee’s Head at the time (not entirely sure why he got all the credit, but sure), the spot became a regular meeting place for merchants to discuss business.
The original building burnt down in the Great Fire of London but was rebuilt in the 1670s and renamed the Jamaica Coffee House. And I know what you’re thinking. How did it go from being a coffee house to a wine house? Well, it essentially started serving wine and beer alongside the coffee. And, well… the rest is history, really.
The Jamaica Wine House nowadays
The 17th-century building no longer exists, either. It was replaced in the mid-1800s by the current structure. It’s a Grade II listed building and boasts a whole lot of dark wood paneling, cosy banquette seating, and historic charm by the pint-load.
Despite its mildly misleading name, it’s actually a pub nowadays. Albeit with a cosy wine bar beneath it. Slap-bang in the centre of the city, it attracts tourists and locals alike – serving up decent pints, brilliant vibes, and (in the famous words of Girls Aloud) a whole lotta history.
đź“Ť You’ll find the Jamaica Wine House down St Michael’s Alley, City of London, EC3V 9DS.
🚇 The nearest stations are Bank and Monument.