Café Lates 2026 returns to add variety to your evening in Galway City

Galway City Council is delighted to announce the return of Café Lates 2026, an initiative designed to support the development of a vibrant evening café culture and contribute to a more welcoming, active and diverse city centre after 6pm.

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The demand for more evening café offerings emerged strongly during public consultation undertaken as part of Galway’s Night-Time Economy programme and continues to be identified as a priority by residents, businesses and visitors. 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. 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.

From August to December, five cafés across the city will extend their opening hours on Thursday evenings and present a variety of cultural activations. These events will showcase local creativity and provide opportunities for people to engage with arts and culture in relaxed and accessible settings. Programming will include workshops, DJ nights, spoken word events, and other creative experiences, with some cafés hosting events weekly and others on a monthly basis. Together, these regular events will help create consistency in the city’s evening offer and strengthen Galway’s growing café culture.

The participating cafés are Plámás in Galway's Westend, 56 Central on Shop Street, Fairhill Café on Abbeygate Street, Little Lane Coffee Company at Bonham Quay, and Limited Coffee Co. in Woodquay.

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.

For information on upcoming events and programme updates, follow @thisisgalway across social media.