Café Lates Expression of Interest 2026

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Café Lates 2026 -  A Night-Time Economy Pilot Initiative

Galway City, one of nine pilot cities and towns nationwide supporting the development of Ireland’s night-time economy, is committed to enhancing the city’s after‑6.00pm offer.

The Café Lates initiative responds directly to feedback received during public consultation on the development of the Galway City Council Night-Time Economy Action Plan. The pilot supports cafés to trial extended evening opening through curated, non-alcohol focused programming that animates the city midweek.

Aim of the Café Lates Pilot

The Café Lates pilot aims to:

  • Expand evening and night-time offerings, with a strong emphasis on alcohol‑free activity

  • Support cafés in trialling extended opening hours

  • Stimulate revenue and increase footfall

  • Build a vibrant, inclusive evening café culture across the city

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Call for Expressions of Interest

Cafés are invited to submit Expressions of Interest to host a series of Thursday evening events, commencing anytime from 6.00pm.

Proposals may include:

  • A weekly Thursday programme delivered over a number of consecutive weeks, or

  • A monthly “Café Late”, taking place on the last Thursday of each month for a minimum of four months

Expressions of Interest are welcome from cafés located within Galway City Centre and Salthill (see Appendix 1 – Location Map).

Pilot Timeframes

The pilot will operate within the following periods:

  • 1 April – 30 June, and

  • 1 August – 3 December

Applicants are encouraged to consider periods when increased evening footfall would be most beneficial to their business operations. Programming that engages young people aged 16+ is encouraged.

Priority Criteria

Priority will be given to:

  • Cafés located off primary thoroughfares, supporting wider spatial distribution of night-time activity

  • Cafés that did not participate in the 2024/25 Café Lates pilot

Event Requirements

  • All events must take place on a Thursday evening

  • Events must commence no earlier than 6.00pm

  • A list of relevant festivals and key city events is provided in Appendix 1 to assist with scheduling and alignment

 

 

Key Considerations for Applicants

Based on learnings from the previous Café Lates pilot, strong communication and marketing are essential to success.

Businesses selected to participate will be required to:

  • Actively promote and market their Café Late events

  • Provide event information to the Galway City Council Night‑Time Economy Advisor at least four weeks in advance, to support coordinated communications

Where programming includes a workshop or ticketed element, cafés must also accommodate walk‑in customers, without requiring participation in the programmed activity.

Definition of a Café

For the purposes of this initiative, a café is defined as a premises that:

  • Primarily sells coffee, tea and other beverages

  • Provides seating for customers

  • Has sufficient space to accommodate the proposed activity

This initiative does not apply to shops or convenience stores that serve hot beverages.

How to Apply
Completed Expressions of Interest should be submitted by email to:

📧 Eimear Coleman
Galway City Council
Eimear.Coleman@galwaycity.ie

For queries, please contact:
Kate Howard
Night-Time Economy Advisor, Galway City Council
📧 Kate.Howard@GalwayCity.ie

🗓 Application deadline: 27 February

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