Page 69 - Ian Marshall - London Coffe Houses - Standing Display January 2016

Limmer's Hotel

Corner of Conduit Street and George Street
(1790s -1901)

Limmer's is variously described as a hotel or as a coffee-house but is
usually referred to as Limmer's. The house is celebrated in song in
Sheridan's Lyrical Musings (1830):

My name is John Collins, head waiter at Limmer's,
Comer of Conduit Street, Hanover Square;

My chief occupation is filling of brimmers
For spicy young gentlemen frequenting there.

The premises were frequented by "the more fashionable members of the
prize-ring" and, early in the 19th Century, by people interested in horse-
racing. In 1815 it was described as; "the evening resort for the sporting
world; in fact, it was a midnight Tattersall's where you heard nothing but
the language of the turf." John Collins gave his name to a gin punch,
formulated with gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur and soda water
which became celebrated the world over as a "Collins". Around 1825
Limmer's appears to have merged with the Prince of Wales Coffee House
at George Street, Hanover Square under the proprietorship of C. Renaud.
In 1891 Limmer's Hotel, at 25 Conduit Street, is described as "a first-
class private hotel, recently re-built.

ri - - - · - -...

= -- '-·----'

A free front posted in Bangor on 4th September 1825 addressed to John
Collins (the celebrated head-waiter!) at Limmer's Hotel, Conduit Street
written by Lord Boston (1777-1856) who succeeded to the title 4th Baron
Boston, of Boston, Lines on 23rd March 1825.