The five Galway businesses boosting city's late night scene with 'Cafe Lates' project
Cafe Lates will run until December and is part of the Council’s ‘Galway By Night’ initiative
Five Galway cafes will be part of the ‘Cafe Lates’ scheme in an attempt to boost after-hours business across the city.
The scheme, which can see cafes receive grants of between €500 and €2,000, was first brought into play in 2024 in the hope of copying late night cafe culture across European cities.
Galway City Council confirmed the five businesses extending their opening hours on Thursday evenings will be: Plámás on Dominick Street; 56 Central on Shop Street; Fairhill Café at Abbeygate Street; Little Lane Coffee Company in Bonham Quay and Limited Coffee Co. in Woodquay.
In order to secure the funding, cafés will have to assist in building a programme of events which the Council envisages will include live bands, acoustic performances and DJ sets.
These late night extensions will see a mix of workshops including DJ nights; spoken word events and other experiences to highlight the creativity of the city.
Cafe Lates will run until December and is part of the Council’s ‘Galway By Night’ initiative.
These events will showcase local creativity and provide opportunities for people to engage with arts and culture in relaxed and accessible settings, creating consistency in the city’s evening offer and strengthening Galway’s growing café culture.
A spokesman for Galway City Council said: “The demand for more evening café offerings emerged strongly during public consultation undertaken as part of Galway City’s Night-Time Economy programme.
“Café Lates responds to this demand by encouraging people into the city centre during the early evening, creating opportunities to socialise, experience culture and enjoy Galway in a relaxed and inclusive setting.
“Creating a welcoming environment from 6pm onwards helps build footfall for hospitality and retail businesses while making the city centre more attractive for residents and visitors.”
They added: “By providing alternative evening activities and experiences, Café Lates supports local businesses, encourages people to spend more time in the city, and contributes to a more balanced and sustainable Night-Time Economy.
“Small interventions, delivered consistently over time, can have a significant impact on how people experience the city after 6pm.”