Five Galway businesses join third season of Café Lates to brew new life into the city’s night-time economy
Five Galway cafés are set to host the city’s newest season of Café Lates, an initiative aimed at bringing a fresh wave of night-time activity to the city.
Plámás, 56 Central, Fairhill Café, Little Lane Coffee Company and Limited Coffee Company have been announced as participants in this year’s third Café Lates programme.
Supported by Galway City’s Night-Time Economy programme through Galway City Council, Café Lates offers alternative evening experiences while supporting local businesses and artists.
From open mics to workshops, each participating café will host events after 6pm, offering something for everyone to enjoy outside the norm of pub life.
Little Lane Coffee Company, which opened a new location in Bonham Quay this summer, will take part in its first Café Lates season with a “Freshly Brewed” series, showcasing a variety of local entertainment acts.
The first evening will be held August 27 from 6pm to 8.30pm.
“Participating in Café Lates this year is a great opportunity to welcome people to our vibrant new space for something different,” a spokesperson for the café told the Irish Independent.
Meanwhile, 56 Central, on Shop Street, has teamed up with ceramicist and arts administrator Emma O’Toole for a programme titled Stillness and Spark.
Ms O’Toole and the owners of 56 Central are collaborating on a series of workshops designed to encourage creativity, connection and reflection during the autumn and winter months.
“The series is centred around creating space to slow down, connect and get creative during the darker months, bringing together creative workshops, live performance, movement, seasonal traditions, comedy and craft in the relaxed setting of the café,” Ms O’Toole told the Irish Independent.
The programme begins on August 27 with a Cyanotype Botanical Workshop running from 6.30pm to 8pm. Walk-ins are welcome, with further information available online.
The café will also host a special Halloween event on October 29 titled Held by the Dark - A Samhain Yin Yoga and Cacao Gathering by Candlelight, inspired by the Irish goddess An Cailleach Bhéara.
“From getting your hands dirty with cyanotype printing and ceramics, to sharing stories, laughter, movement and seasonal reflection, Stillness and Spark is about finding little moments of calm, strength, warmth, creativity, and resilience, reflecting the idea of finding a spark of connection and creativity during the darker months,” Ms O’Toole added.
“You can see this theme woven throughout the visual identity of the series, from the deep blue tones and glowing accents to the overall feeling of warmth, calm, and quiet energy.”
Fairhill on Abbeygate Street hosted a series of open mic late nights serving coffee and wine for Café Lates 2025. They were joined by Plámás in the Westend who were one of the pilot cafes when Café Lates was introduced in 2024.
Café Lates is funded by Galway City Council and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. It forms part of Galway’s wider commitment to developing a more diverse, inclusive and sustainable Night-Time Economy by supporting non-alcohol-focused evening experiences, increasing footfall across the city centre, and encouraging greater use of public spaces and local businesses after dark.