<P> An Internet café, also known as a cybercafé, is a place which provides Internet access to the public, usually for a fee . These businesses usually provide snacks and drinks, hence the café in the name . The fee for using a computer is usually charged as a time - based rate . </P> <P> The first online café in South Korea called Electronic Café opened in front of Hongik University in March 1988 by Ahn Sang - Su and Keum Nuri in Seoul . It had two 16bit computers connected to Online service networks through telephone lines . Online service users' offline meetings were held in the Electronic Café, which served as a place that connected online and offline activities . The opening of the online café in Korea was 2--3 years ahead of other countries . </P> <P> The online café phenomenon in the United States was started in July 1991 by Wayne Gregori in San Francisco when he began SFnet Coffeehouse Network . Gregori designed, built and installed 25 coin - operated computer terminals in coffeehouses throughout the San Francisco Bay Area . The café terminals dialed into a 32 line Bulletin Board System that offered an array of electronic services including FIDOnet mail and, in 1992, Internet mail . </P> <P> The concept of a café with full Internet access (and the name Cybercafé) was invented in early 1994 by Ivan Pope . Commissioned to develop an Internet event for an arts weekend at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London, and inspired by the SFnet terminal based cafes, Pope wrote a proposal outlining the concept of a café with Internet access . </P>

Where was the first cybercafe in the united states opened