Occupying a similar position to the coffee houses of the same period, chocolate houses were the haunts of the elite and upper classes. The first of these establishments opened in 1657 but was soon followed by a number of others, some of the most famous being The Cocoa Tree and Ozinda’s. Like the aforementioned coffee houses, they became a hotbed of discourse and political debate.

Chocolate was not the only drink available and members could also purchase drinks such as coffee, tea and cock ale (ale with pieces of fowl, fruit and spices). However, for