What are coffee palaces?
‘Coffee palaces’ were majestic alcohol-free hotels that included ballrooms and other leisure facilities. Their target: middle and upper classes (hence why they were called ‘palaces’).
They were based on coffee houses in England.
History of the Federal Coffee Palace
In 1890, the Federal Coffee Palace the was opened. Located on the corner of Murray and Despard Streets in Hobart, it provided people with meals and accommodation.
It turned out to be a fad, like most of the other coffee palaces across Australia. Ironically, some of them turned into licensed hotels!
The Federal Coffee Palace is now bakery called Daci & Daci.
Other coffee palaces
There were other coffee palaces in Hobart.
- The Tasmanian Coffee Palace, located on the corner of Argyle and Macquarie Streets.
- The Hobart Coffee Palace, located in Collins Street.
- The Imperial Coffee Palace, located in Collins Street.
- The Tasma Coffee Palace, located on the corner of Macquarie and Hunter Streets.
Launceston also had its fair share of coffee palaces, including the Launceston Coffee Palace.
Photo gallery
Bibliography
- ‘Federal Coffee Palace, Hobart’ (On The Convict Trail).
- ‘Coffee? Do you want a room with that?’ (Hobart History).
- Daci & Daci Bakers.
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Tas That Was is a column that includes:
- anecdotes of life in Tasmania in the past;
- historical photographs of locations in Tasmania; and/or
- documentaries about locations in Tasmania.
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