Coffeehouse Culture in Nepal

There was a time in the 18th century England where there were many coffeehouses. Those coffeehouses were the places where literature was discussed and even written. Those coffeehouses provided the writers and poets space and mood to create and write words there. The first recorded coffeehouse was opened in Oxford in 1650. The coffeehouses were very significant as inside their territory, excellent pieces of literature were written, scientific tests tried, conspiracies hatched, companies created and battles planned.

People gathered in coffeehouses to drink coffee, acquire knowledge of the happenings of the day and possibly to encounter with other local residents and hash out subjects of mutual concern. As the presence of alcohol was not found, the atmosphere was created to engage in serious conversation to a greater extent than in alehouses. The financial markets and newspapers were developed with the sprouting of the coffeehouses.

Discussing current issues was the main purpose for men to visit coffeehouses. The popularity of coffeehouses was possible due to famous poets and writers who frequented them. For example, Lloyds of London. It became famous due to John Dryden, an English poet. The coffeehouse made access to the relevant circles less formal and easier; it embraced the broader strata of the middle class, as well as craftsmen and shopkeepers.

The coffeehouses opened in the 1700’s were places for heated debates and discussions. All topics were up for discussion, and noted writers, journalists, and political figures ordinarily frequented their local coffeehouses. Men were all welcome whereas women were prohibited from most coffeehouses. When they serve alcoholic beverages sometimes, the atmosphere could get terribly rowdy. In contrast, coffeehouses these days are totally different. They only serve beverages like coffee and tea, and food like cookies and bagels. There are some well-known chains Himalayan Java and Lavazza in K-town, and each city usually features a local shop as well.

Noted people still head to coffeehouses, though the atmosphere is completely different. For example, individuals head to do work or to speak with an acquaintance. There are no loud or tempered debates as coffeehouses these days are usually quiet places. Now, we can find the loss of the public sphere, including no space for the coffeehouses. The coffeehouses these days are expensive for writers to sit, brainstorm and write for some hours. The charges are high and the spaces are too narrow to do some work. Hotel entrepreneurs can take this concept and start the business by learning the brief history of how it operated in the 18th century London. This would foster both business and literature in our domain.

Published in the himalayan times: 2014-08-08