Will's Coffee House facts for kids

Will's Coffee House was a very famous place in London a long time ago, in the late 1600s and early 1700s. It was a popular spot where people met to chat, share news, and discuss ideas. You could find it on Russell Street, between the City and Westminster. It was also known by other names like the Rose Tavern or the Wits' Coffee House. A man named Will Unwin started it.

Who Visited Will's Coffee House?

Will's Coffee House was a favorite meeting place for writers and clever people. They were often called "Wits." A very important writer named John Dryden was often there.

After some of the main "Wits" left, people noticed a change. For example, William Wycherley wrote that Will's was no longer the same. He said it became dull without the clever conversations. Later, Richard Steele also remembered how different it felt. He said people used to read poems and jokes there. But later, they just played cards.

Famous Visitors at Will's

Many well-known people visited Will's. Samuel Pepys, who wrote a famous diary, first visited in 1664. He wrote that he met Dryden the poet and other smart people there. Pepys thought it was a great place for "witty and pleasant discourse."

However, not everyone loved it. Jonathan Swift, another famous writer, had a different view. He once said that the worst conversations he ever heard were at Will's.

Why Were Coffee Houses Popular?

When coffeehouses first opened in London, they quickly became social centers. Each coffee house often attracted certain types of people. For example, some were for merchants, and others for lawyers. They were important places to get news and information.

At Will's, many gentlemen gathered who didn't have a specific job. They shared funny poems and sharp criticisms. They also talked about the newest plays and books. It was a lively place for discussing culture and ideas.

The Decline of Will's Popularity

After John Dryden passed away in May 1700, Will's Coffee House became less popular. Its reputation slowly faded. Even though it was still mentioned in books like Daniel Defoe's Journey Through England, things had changed.

In 1709, a newspaper called The Tatler even promised to share poetry from Will's. But soon after, Richard Steele wrote a critical review of it in The Tatler. People started to move on to other places. A new popular spot was Button's Coffee House, which opened around 1712. It was just across the street.