ZOLTÁN SZABÓ: AN OUTPOST IN THE WEST
ZOLTÁN SZABÓ: AN OUTPOST IN THE WEST

Summary/Abstract: When ten thousand Hungarian refugees first set foot on British shores after the crushing of the 1956 Revolution they found out to their great disappointment that an important factor was missing from urban life in this otherwise hospitable country. There were plenty of pubs and tea rooms but no espresso bars. By 1957 this insufficiency was remedied, and continental type coffee houses were gradually opened in London. The first, in the Soho area, caused quite a sensation, and soon trendy South Kensington followed suit, a charming espresso bar called Hades was inaugurated near the underground station. It had a proper La Pavoni machine, and in the evenings the lights were dimmed, candles were placed on the tables, as the management hoped to attract lots of loving couples to chat over cups of coffee.

• Details
• Contents