The first European coffee houses opened in the city of Venice in the early 17th century. Coffee drinking quickly became popular throughout Europe, and coffee houses soon became important social and intellectual meeting places. They were known as places for discussion, debate, and the exchange of ideas, and played a significant role in the development of European culture and politics. Coffee houses also influenced the development of modern journalism, with regular customers often discussing the news and current events of the day. Today, coffee houses remain popular gathering places around the world.