This pub is not only a grade II listed building, it is also a Three Star pub on the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) National Inventory with an interior of outstanding national historic importance, and the description is as follows: "Known colloquially as the Jam Pot this tucked-away pub is generally busy with local City workers at lunchtimes and early evening. It lies up a short alleyway off Cornhill beside St Michael’s church – look out for the massive, iron-bracketed lantern with the pub’s name. The pub is part of a red brick and sandstone block rebuilt in 1885 to designs by architect Banister Fletcher (don’t fall for the ‘Built 1652’ notices!).

There is an intriguing layout, which is not known to survive anywhere else. The rectangular space is divided up into four by three screens set at right angles to the counter. Originally there would have been no link between the two left-hand and the two right-hand compartments. The distinction between the two parts is emphasised by completely different ceiling treatments: that on the left, unusually, has panels of ceramic or enamelled metal. It is almost as though the pub was built in two stages but there is no evidence of this in the fabric of the building. The screens themselves are fine pieces of mahogany woodwork, decorated with square panels and some glazed parts. The counter is original but has been altered in the right-hand area. The bar-back and seating are modern.

There is a plain cellar bar, used for dining. History on the spot: This was the site of England’s first coffee house, established by a Turk, Pasqua Rosee, and in existence by 1654. Coffee houses played an important part in the social and business lives of the country’s better-off urban population in the 18th century. This one became the Jamaica Coffee House in 1674, changing into a wine house in 1869."

The listing description is as follows: " Late C19. Red brick and red stone. 3 storey section with garret storey, of 5 bays, and a single storey extension to the south. 3 storey, 3 bay symmetrical elevation to St Michael's Alley with central entrance to the wine house flanked by slightly projecting canted bays having slim Gothic colonettes as mullions. The 2 upper storeys are similar with carved ornamental panels above the windows. Access to these storeys is by a separate entrance marked 'Jamaica Buildings' in the bay to the north. A link block in similar style joins this building to the church of St Michael, Cornhill. This incorporates a vaulted passage at ground floor level which gives access through round-arched openings to the church and churchyard. This has Gothic detailing to match the church and is dated 1868. It forms part of the alterations to the church by Scott. Plain red brick rear elevation to churchyard. Single storey extension of the wine house to the south in 'art nouveau' style with slim piers of red sandstone. South elevation of 4 bays; 2 large arched windows separated by narrow bays with ornamented panels over containing circular lights."

The WhatPub link is here: WhatPub/Jamaica Wine House

The Pub Heritage Group link is here: PHG/Jamaica Wine House

The Jamaica Wine House featured on the Evening Crawl of EC2, EC3 and EC4 on 12 December 2003, and the Evening Crawl of the City of London and Borough on 2 August 2004.