Would anyone else like to see more in the way of late night cafes?

Stundon93 · 11-06-2024 01:39PM #1

Hello everyone.

so not sure if this is the right forum to post this or not but was just wondering if anyone else would like to see more places such as late evening cafes? I have traveled a lot with my parents and this is quite common in much of continental Europe.

I’m based near Limerick city centre and there are no places to go for a tea or coffee at night after 6 with the exception of Starbucks. As a nondrinker and someone who never really enjoyed socializing in pubs I find there are few places to go to meet friends after 6pm that have a quieter more mmellow atmosphere. I’m a blind person and for the most part I have often found pubs and nightclubs to be too noisy places. I also know that the city has been slipping for a while now but the decline in the city centre over the last few years has been vast, especially around cruises street.

I know a lot of it is probably due to lack of demand and that there probably aren’t enough non drinkers to keep these places open, but even in places like Dublin I think there are only 2 or 3 late night cafes?

I really miss places such as the stormy teacup which is sadly closed a long time now and so is Javas. Hook and ladder tried to stay open late a while back but ended up closing at regular hours because the business just wasn’t there.

rolling boh · 11-06-2024 01:51PM

If it was viable for these places to stay open late they would .They would need a good turnover of customers not people staying an hour over a cup of coffee,nice idea but just not viable .I don't think the alcohol free pub lasted long in Dublin kind of the same idea for people .

Stundon93 · 11-06-2024 01:56PM

Yeah, I read about the alcohol free bar in Dublin, I think they closed a few years ago?

Purple Mountain · 11-06-2024 02:05PM

As someone who doesn't frequent pubs much anymore, I'd love to see more options for late evening food being served.

It's impossible to get bar food/coffee and cake after 5pm in my local town. The only option is a restaurant formal meal.

It'd be nice to have the option of meeting a friend at 7 over coffee and a toasted sandwich or tapas type bite to eat.

rolling boh · 11-06-2024 02:05PM

From my own experience people who don't drink don't go to a pub as often usually go to meet up as part of going to something else and don't stay for hours like drinkers .

Stundon93 · 11-06-2024 02:54PM

That’s a shame to hear about your local town, but it is the same in much of Irelands coastal towns. I use to frequent Kilkee a lot both during winter and summer, and while I get that Kilkee is mostly a summer tourist town it’s a similar situation there . I think theres one or two pubs that do food in the evenings there but thats pretty much it.

JonBon27 · 14-09-2025 05:19PM

Yeah I would love to see that, in New York you can go to a cafe at almost any time of the day

Ruairi C · 23-09-2025 12:19PM

That’s a really good point. I’ve often thought the same once it’s past 6 or 7 in the evening, the options outside of pubs are basically non-existent. A late café scene would make a huge difference, especially for people who don’t drink or just want somewhere quieter to chat. It works so well in other European cities, so it’s a pity it never really took off here. Even one or two well-run places could bring a different atmosphere to the city centre.

The Venus Project · 15-10-2025 12:56PM

I find Dublin is a very inhospitable place in regards to civic public places and commercial public places for after 6pm activities, insofar as, I would say, if you're not doing an activity or in a club, society, learning or gym in some way, there are no public places open after 6pm barring a few hotels with lobbys big enough for a bar and seating area.

Other than that, I have considered opening a library/study business located around the city in small to medium office real estate, for studying, people watching and gaming and renting out that space per hour to customers. I had also considered a communal civic coffee shop for after 6pm hours also where you can rent a seat for laptop work.

There is going to increasing number of apartment dwelling citizens in coming decades and the need for public space outside the home is going to be more essential for children young adults who need space for their sanity. I find Dublin, with it's private property type laws and culture, very inhospitable to people who are not homeless but want to be around people and not stuck in a one bed with someone else.

Yeah Right · 15-10-2025 01:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123816216#Comment_123816216

Comparing NYC, and the wealth of after-hours cafes etc. with a local, rural, Irish town is absolutely bonkers.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122246199#Comment_122246199

As mentioned earlier, they're not open because there's no demand. Meeting your friend at 7 for two cups of coffee and two sambos/ tapas costs more in staff wages than it takes in, and that's before raw materials, light & heat, rent, insurance etc. is taken into consideration.

If there was money to be made, they'd all be at it. I mean, what's stopping you opening such a place yourself? If you think there's demand for such a place, sure give it a crack……

Purple Mountain · 15-10-2025 10:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123907582#Comment_123907582

Well given that I have a full time job and zero experience in running my own business and would probably be laughed at by a bank for looking for start up capital, I think I'll give it a skip but thanks for the suggestion.

JonBon27 · 22-10-2025 10:27PM

Ah I don't think it's bonkers, it's just perception. In Italy many small villages have late night cafes, same as Spain.

rolling boh · 27-10-2025 05:49PM

Would think the profit on coffee is made on take away ones not so much people sitting drinking a cup with all the costs involved .

JM2300 · 27-10-2025 05:54PM

Coffee shouldn't be consumed after 2pm, so couldn't see myself frequenting such late night establishments.

Would anyone else like to see more in the way of late night cafes?

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