With the amount of bars, pubs and clubs in Galway it can sometimes feel overwhelming to find activities that don’t involve any alcohol that are still enjoyable. So whether it’s by yourself or with your friends, we hope you have fun exploring these non-drinking activities in Galway…
Enjoy a Night at the Movies
PÁLÁS Cinema has movies on movies for you to enjoy, from rescreening old movies to premiering the latest blockbusters. With themed movie nights/days such as doggy screenings, seasonal movies and interactive movie events there’s plenty of activity happening in the PÁLÁS Cinema.
Try Horse-Riding
A memorable riding experience for equestrians of all ages and abilities at Slieve Aughty Riding Centre. Ideal for both trail riding and horse riding treks, all trail riding is tailored to the rider’s ability, from beginners to advanced. Trail rides can be booked almost any day of the week for an hour or more. A shorter 35-40 minute lead rein can also be booked if an hour is too long for you or you wish to book riding for children and/or nervous riders who need to be on the lead. To book your lesson please tap here.
Go to an Activity Centre
Enjoy a non-drinking day filled with adventure at Wildlands Activity Centre in Moycullen. The centre has more than enough indoor/outdoor activities to keep you entertained for an entire day. Zip ‘ n’ Trek, fun climb, tag archery, archery and disc golf are just some of the activities up for offer at Wildlands.
Wildlands
Try an Escape Room
There’s no better way to get out of your head and be entertained than trying to puzzle out of an escape room. This non-drinking activity can be found at The Great Escape Rooms or Open the Door Escape Room with their challenging rooms. Spend 60 minutes working together to escape on time, or maybe try and set a new record by figuring it out the fastest.
Have a Bowling Night
Put on your bowling shoes and hit the lanes of The Planet Galway family entertainment centre. Have some healthy competition while at the 10 pin bowling alley in Galway, try and beat your own personal best or bring your friends and family to amp up the competition. Open all week long, The Planet Galway is the perfect place to socialise in a non-alcoholic environment but still have fun.
Go to a Pottery Class
Galway Pottery and Homebird Pottery are two of the only pottery classes in Galway. A nice and relaxing activity that still keeps you social but without the drink could be weekly pottery classes. Learn to handbuild, throw on the wheel, carve and glaze with the pottery classes that Galway has to offer.
Photo courtesy of Galway Pottery
Join a Club
There’s no better way to try a new non-drinking activity than with like-minded people. Take the stress out of finding a new activity and join a club that specialises in something you love and are comfortable with already. Galway has a number of clubs from sailing, running, books, art, dance and dogs, and there’s bound to be one out there that can occupy your sober time. Find a full list of clubs here.
Go on a Hike
Galway has an array of different walking trails to follow, both closer to the city and in the countryside. Forest walks, beach walks or Burren walks can all occupy your time outside of drinking and bring a packed lunch to make a day of it as you enjoy the nature Galway has to offer. Gort River Walk, Kilcornan Woods Trails, Salthill Promenade or Letterfrack Connemara paths could all be healthy substitutes for activities that don’t involve drinking.
Do a Yoga Class
Get your mind and body moving with a yoga class. Break your normal routine with a class full of stretching and breathing exercises. An Seomra Yoga, Hot Yoga, or Galway Yoga Centre all have classes that are accessible for beginners and advanced students. Take a break from daily life in order to focus on yourself and get clarity in a non-drinking activity.
Explore the Cafes of Galway
Whether it’s for coffee, tea or pastries, Galway has a number of cafes that you could explore as a drinking alternative. A pub crawl on a different level, pop in and out of the cafes trying their coffee specialities as you compare and contrast the produce they source. Start in Salthill with Kali Coffee Bar and Ré before moving into the city to Truffle, The Lighthouse Cafe and Coffeewerk + Press.
Kali Coffee Bar
Win a Quiz Night
(Or try to win one). Keep your brain sharp and enjoy an alcohol free night at one of Galway’s quiz nights. Charity and themed quizzes are a good way to meet up with friends, test your knowledge and enjoy an activity filled night. Pub quizzes tend to offer a free drink with your ticket, but don’t feel pressured to join in, keep your wits about you and bring home the gold for your team.
Attend a Food Tour
Explore another side to Galway's restaurants other than the drinks with a food tour. Follow the enthusiastic guides at Galway Food Tours around the city as you soak up the food and culture of our home. Their tours range from daytime, evening, and ‘sweet tooth’ tours so you’ll be sure to find the one that suits you. Walk, chat and eat your way through this non-drinking activity.
Galway Food Tours
Watch a Silent Movie
The Silent Cinema in Galway City is a truly unique experience and a definite non-drinking activity that will still be fun and entertaining. Watch silent movies accompanied by live music while surrounded with people with the same interests. With themed nights and events for special occasions, such as Halloween and Christmas, it is a different experience and promises to be an entertaining activity.
Catch a Show
Keep up to date with the latest shows being performed at the Town Hall Theatre. Music, comedy, dance, plays, poetry, talks and workshops are constantly going on at the theatre. Find something different and become a theatre buff instead of drinking with a show you might not have gone to otherwise.
Feature photo courtesy of Stephen Duffy
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