Cork coffee shops to stay open late as part of citywide initiative

Independent coffee shops in Cork city are being invited to take part in ‘Coffee House Lates’, a citywide event that aims to turn coffee shops into vibrant social hubs after hours.

The event facilitated by the Cork Business Association (CBA) is part of the Night-Time Economy Strategy for Cork city designed to transform the city into a thriving 24-hour destination with a focus on improving the city’s offerings from 6pm to 6am.

The strategy aims to boost tourism, enhance local business opportunities, and create a safe, dynamic environment for both residents and visitors alike.

The Coffee House Lates event will take place on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 and participating coffee shops will stay open late until 9pm and host unique events for people seeking an alternative evening out in Cork.

The event is an opportunity for coffee shops to showcase Cork’s coffee culture, attract new customers, test their night-time market, and strengthen the sense of community in a non-alcoholic, inclusive setting.

President of Cork Business Association, Aaron Mansworth, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to highlight our unique independent coffee shops across the city and offer people an alternative night-time activity.

“We’re inviting people to submit their ideas for consideration and look forward to working with businesses on this exciting evening of coffee culture.” 

Night-time economy advisor Fiona Collins said the hope is that coffee shops will see the benefit in opening late and that it will become a regular fixture which she said would greatly add to the city’s night-time offering.

“Cork City is already a vibrant hub in the evenings but there is very little for locals and visitors to do if they are not drinking. Our coffee shops are really unique and we want to celebrate that,” she said.

Speaking to The Echo about the approval of the wider Night-Time Economy Strategy, Mr Mansworth said: “Over the past few months, we’ve been collaborating closely with Fiona on innovative initiatives like Coffee House Lates, Leave a Light On, and others, which are creating valuable opportunities for local businesses in the evening. We’re also pleased to see the emphasis on making the city safer and more inclusive at night.”