Popular night time events to return to Kilkenny cafés
Four local premises will keep their doors open late for a wide range of evening activities
Following a successful pilot in 2025, Café Lates returns to Kilkenny City on Thursday, August 20 and Thursday, September 17.
Café Lates is an initiative under the Kilkenny Night Time Economy Action Plan supporting local cafés in Kilkenny City to extend their opening hours by offering innovative cultural events after 6pm.
Four cafés in Kilkenny City are taking part in this year’s Café Lates, offering a variety of exciting pop up events from 6pm on both evenings.
Kim Leahy, owner of participating café Wild Tails explained the attraction of Café Lates for her business.
“We’re excited to be part of Café Lates again in Kilkenny for 2026,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to trial new events here in the café and offer customers old and new a different experience to our daytime offering.”
“We really enjoyed being part of last year’s event and it’s great to see this night time economy initiative back in Kilkenny City again this year,” she added.
Night Time Economy Advisor for Kilkenny City, Feargus Dunne, remarked: “This Kilkenny Night Time Economy initiative celebrates café culture in the city and again offers participating cafés an opportunity to extend their opening hours by showcasing a night time experience for new and existing customers.”
“Café Lates forms part of a wider Night Time Economy diversification scheme in the city over the coming months, with 16 initiatives grant-funded across a diverse range of cafés, community groups, arts collectives, bars, walking tours and leisure related events.”
Booking is required for all events across the two nights.
Coffee and Print Club @ Low Lane (6pm-8.30pm)
Explore the craft of linocut printmaking with local artist Blaise Butler. A beginner-friendly, fun and relaxed workshop with all materials provided.
Wine & Charcuterie Night @ Wild Tails (6pm-9pm)
Join Wild Tails for an evening of great wine and artisan charcuterie. Guests will enjoy two carefully selected glasses of wine and a beautifully curated charcuterie board.
Fair Play Tabletop Thursdays @ Tower & Castle (6pm-9.30pm)
Fair Play Collectives Tabletop Thursdays - four evenings of board games and good times at Tower and Castle. Bring along your friends or come and make new ones, the huge boardgame library and organised play sessions will ensure you have a great night. Suitable for complete beginners to boardgame pros. This event runs August 20 and 27 along with September 10 and 17.
Paint and Sip - Chocolate Style! @ The Chocolate Garden Café (6.30pm-7.30pm)
Sip, create and taste your way through chocolate at The Chocolate Garden Café. Experience a guided tasting where you can discover the flavours of award-winning & single origin chocolates. Make and decorate your own chocolate figure, sip and enjoy a hot chocolate and uncover the journey behind chocolate, from cocoa pod to bar.
Check the participating cafés’ socials or websites for more information on their events and bookings.
Article funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme