Up until the building of the New Town in the mid-19 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.

Coffee Houses

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.

Edinburgh's Great Fire

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.

Who came to John's Coffee House?