Host, Café in City of London, United Kingdom.
Host is a café located within St Mary Aldermary Church in the City of London, serving coffee, light meals, and providing workspaces in a welcoming setting with vaulted ceilings and historic Gothic details. The space is designed for office workers, freelancers, and visitors who want to work or simply spend time together.
St Mary Aldermary was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren following the Great Fire of 1666 and retains the Gothic architecture that defined his vision for London's renewal. The building now hosts a working café that has adapted the historic space for contemporary community use.
As a social enterprise, Host Café embraces inclusivity and non-discrimination policies, welcoming individuals regardless of background while operating a suspended coffee scheme that allows customers to pre-pay for beverages that people in need can later claim.
The café sits in the heart of London's business district and is easily accessible by public transport, with bus stops and the Underground nearby. Visitors should know that extended stays require table reservations, and weekday daytime visits tend to be less crowded than lunch hours.
This café uniquely combines a historic Christopher Wren church setting with modern social activism, allowing visitors to enjoy specialty coffee among Gothic architecture while supporting community outreach programs and professional development training for staff through Specialty Coffee Association courses.
Location: City of London
Address: Watling Street
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday 07:30-16:30; Friday 07:30-16:00
Phone: +447873438774
Website: http://moot.uk.net/host
GPS coordinates: 51.51272,-0.09344
Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:01
London houses a notable number of unconventional drinking establishments and concealed bars that extend well beyond the ordinary pub experience. In former Underground stations, converted Victorian lavatories and behind unassuming facades, resourceful operators have created spaces that transport visitors to different eras and worlds. These venues often require a degree of discovery: entrances hide behind refrigerator doors, in apparent detective agencies or through small red doors that only the informed notice. The range extends from historic vaulted cellars like Gordon's Wine Bar, which has existed since 1890, to themed concepts such as Cahoots, housed in a disused 1940s Underground shaft. The Attendant uses a former Victorian public toilet as a café, while bars like Evans & Peel Detective Agency guide their guests through a role-playing scenario before granting access to the actual establishment. At higher elevations, Duck & Waffle and the bar at Heron Tower offer views across the city from the 40th floor. Most of these establishments concentrate in neighborhoods such as Soho, Shoreditch and the West End, where traditional pubs sit alongside experimental cocktail bars and specialized coffeehouses.
St Mary-le-Bow
111 m
London Mithraeum
123 m
Mermaid Tavern
130 m
St Mary Aldermary
12 m
St Antholin, Budge Row
107 m
St Mildred, Bread Street
131 m
30 Cannon Street
96 m
St Pancras, Soper Lane
121 m
St Matthew Friday Street
176 m
St Benet Sherehog
152 m
All Hallows Bread Street
122 m
St Martin Pomary
157 m
St John the Evangelist Friday Street
92 m
St Nicholas Olave
92 m
St. Mary Magdalen, Milk Street
101 m
Sweetings
57 m
24-26, Watling Street Ec4
50 m
Statue of Captain John Smith
118 m
The Cordwainer
28 m
3, King Street Ec2
170 m
The Sugar Loaf Public House
68 m
74-82, Queen Victoria Street Ec4
19 m
68–72 Queen Victoria Street
36 m
19-21, Watling Street Ec4
70 m
27 And 28, Queen Street Ec4
85 m
Saint Thomas Becket
143 m
K2 Telephone Kiosk At Junction With Queen Street
122 m
22, Queen Street Ec4
59 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes