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A video tour of 1950's London's swingin' coffee bars
Contrary to popular belief, tea is not the only popular beverage served in London. In fact, ever since the first Italian espresso machine crash landed in England in 1952, London has had a swinging coffee culture. Now thanks to the vintage documentary reel above, you can take your own tour back in time to the beginnings of London's fledgling coffee shop scene.
Hit play and enter a time when coffee was the king of cool, inside a smoky, bohemian coffee bar, packed to the rafters with young Londoners gleefully puffing on cigarettes as a lively soundtrack of jazz wafts above them. It's as much a tour of the city's coffee bars as it is an intriguing artifact of a London that has moved on to trendier pursuits and hangouts. This morning, go grab yourself another cup off the pot and settle in for an intriguing cross-section of life in 1950's London.
Filed under: Food and Drink, Europe, United Kingdom, Video
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Lisa Feb 4th 2012 12:58PM
very cool....more like this please!
dickn2000b Feb 4th 2012 12:59PM
I was in London last month and the coffee shops and people all looked exactly the same as in this video.
Reed Feb 4th 2012 1:51PM
I was there in 54 55 and 56. Did great damgae to Anglo American relations. My favorite joint was the Sabrina Bar. Around the corner from the Wimpy. Think I saw myself with Maureen and Shirley in the movie shots. Still love then both. Olga too.
Reed Feb 4th 2012 8:17PM
None
Bob Feb 4th 2012 4:14PM
Just think evverybody in that video is probably DEAD. Old age or from smoking.
Kitty Feb 6th 2012 5:03PM
Oh, no, Bob. We are all quite fine and are happily spending your inheritance.
Bob Feb 6th 2012 5:07PM
Nope, Not my inheritance. I'm one of the old farts from that age!
I'm spending it myself!!
Alexa Blair Feb 6th 2012 11:59PM
That's cool! I also posted about the 50s-- vintage photos of New York City: http://www.gallivantgal.com/2012/02/travel-back-in-time-new-york-city-1950s.html
Jean McKenzie Feb 11th 2012 1:17PM
enjoyed it very much but did not see the freight train mentioned, that was one of me favourites