Welcome to John's Coffee House
A place where some of the most influcial people in history came together. A place that was lost in the great fire of Edinburgh in 1824. A place that we are restoring to it’s former glory. A place where history can be revisited and new stories can be told.
You can now join the history of Coffee tour and learn more about Johns Coffee House!
In the below calendar you can find all our available tours and make a booking to secure your spot
What is John's Coffee House?
What?
John’s Coffee House was a key meeting establishment in the heart of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. While there were many coffee houses in the nooks and crannies of the old high street, John’s seemed to hold much sway over the legal gentry and local merchants.
Up until the building of the New Town in the mid-19th century, life in Edinburgh consisted of Old Town living, essentially cramped tall buildings with bustling small streets (closes). This meant that the community would meet in coffee houses which served not just coffee, but food, claret and ale.
John’s Coffee House, situated as it was in Parliament Square, was extremely popular and thus gained a long and characterful reputation.
Who came to John's Coffee House?
Who?
It is most interesting to note who frequented this establishment and thus give a flavour of the type of atmosphere.
Being so close to the highest Courts of Scotland, a power that maintained its independence despite the 1707 Act of Union, the place was a regular for judges and advocates. Robert Louis Stevenson wrote that many lawyers set off for John’s around midday to drink their “meridians” – an early alcoholic stiffener before retiring to Court in the afternoon.
Furthermore, the Enlightenment of the Age meant that such famous names as David Hume and Adam Smith had also frequented this engaging and convivial coffee house. It was clear this was a place where many could talk freely on all subjects. David Hume, a famous religious sceptic and Adam Smith, arguably the world’s first capitalist or certainly the most famous proponent of free market economics both drank there.
It was also a hide out for those that did not fully agree with the Act of Union with England and sought to discuss how best to make the most economically of this new situation.
David Hume
Scottish Enlightenment philosopher
David Hume was a Scottish Enlightenment philosopher, historian, economist, librarian and essayist, who is best known today for his highly influential system of philosophical empiricism, skepticism, and naturalism. Beginning with A Treatise of Human Nature, Hume strove to create a naturalistic science of man that examined the psychological basis of human nature. Hume argued against the existence of innate ideas, positing that all human knowledge derives solely from experience.
Adam Smith
The Father of Economics
Adam Smith FRSA was a Scottish economist, philosopher as well as a moral philosopher, a pioneer of political economy, and a key figure during the Scottish Enlightenment, also known as ”The Father of Economics” or ”The Father of Capitalism”. Smith wrote two classic works, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776). The latter, often abbreviated as The Wealth of Nations, is considered his magnum opus and the first modern work of economics. In his work, Adam Smith introduced his theory of absolute advantage.
Why do we want to restore John's Coffee House?
Why?
After the disastrous fire of 1824 John’s Coffee House never returned to Parliament Square. The location of this famous howf was replaced by the Police Station and associated court and jail cells designed and built in 1830.
While the history of the Police Station and cells can relay some interesting stories, it seems the patrons and history of John’s Coffee House should not be forgotten.
The Scottish Enlightenment was a grand period in the history of Scotland made more prevalent by the open debate of the highly educated in places such as John’s.
By bringing back to life the history of this rightly famous establishment, it is our hope that more open and free debate on the issues of the day can resume and hopefully with a glass of claret or fine Edinburgh ale in hand!
If you like the idea of rebuilding a part of Scottish history..
You can help!
If you’d like to hear more about John’s Coffee House, we are seeking planning permission to replicate the establishment at the top of the building in which it was replaced.
We envisage a bustling atmosphere with speakers invited and new discussions taking place combined with some fine local fayre.
If you’d like to host an event with us or become a local supplier please do not hesitate to get in touch. We will be providing updates on the venture regularly through social media so please like and share what you see!
