Drogheda businesses taking part in trial late-night hours

RTÉ News​

16-05-2025

Four businesses with a café offering in Drogheda are to trial keeping their doors open late into the night as part of an initiative to promote and diversify the town's late-night entertainment offering.
It comes as the initial results of a survey conducted by Louth County Council have shown that people want more choice in how they spend their evenings.
Over 73% of the 1,238 people who responded to the Drogheda by Night 2025 public consultation have said they would like to see more late-opening cafés.
Meanwhile, 670 respondents said they would welcome more non-alcoholic or alcohol-light options in the town centre at night.
As a result, four local businesses with a café offering will stay open late into the night on Friday 30 May and Friday 20 June.
The local businesses are The Coffee Box, Il Forno, Loaf'd, and The Bare Food Café.
Each venue will host a free, curated evening of live music, poetry, spoken word, and conversation.
A spokesperson for Louth County Council has said: "These cafés are championing a more diverse night-time offering and helping trial what a more balanced evening economy might look like.
They added each business will create "welcoming, relaxed spaces where people can enjoy the town differently."
The 'Night Moves' initiative forms part of a new cultural programme led and produced by Droichead Arts Centre - curated by singer-songwriter SJ McArdle - in collaboration with Drogheda's Night-Time Economy Adviser and supported by the Purple Flag partnership group.
Purple Flag is an international accreditation programme that aims to reward those who "help create safe and thriving locations at night for all users."
The idea builds on a smaller 'Night Moves' trial that took place on Culture Night last year, when two cafés opened late with artistic performances. Il Forno hosted a pop-up opera night while The Coffee Box has continued to trial late-night events.
The Night-Time Economy Adviser for Drogheda at Louth County Council, Mark Davies said the move was an important step forward in further developing the town's night-life and was based on the feedback they had received from the public.
He said: "It's not about replacing anything - our pubs and bars are a vital part of Drogheda's nightlife - it's about adding to the mix and creating the kind of town centre where more people want to spend time.
"We're not just testing ideas, we're seeing real signs that a more varied evening economy will benefit everyone. Drogheda is helping lead the way, showing that when you listen to people, back local businesses, and bring in creativity, good things happen. We'd love people to come out, enjoy the cafés, and be part of it," he added.
Meanwhile, Collette Farrell, Director of Droichead Arts Centre, said: "There's something special about seeing familiar places take on a new energy after dark. These events are about working with local businesses and artists to bring warmth, creativity, connection, and a sense of possibility to the town at night."
Organisers hope the model will inspire other venues in the town to come on board and help lay the foundation for a "more vibrant, sustainable evening culture."
The 'Night Moves' cafés are being supported by the Drogheda Purple Flag group - a local partnership that brings together businesses, artists and public sector teams.
The group also includes other hospitality venues, Drogheda and District Chamber, Love Drogheda BID, Droichead Arts Centre, and various departments within Louth County Council, who host and support the work of the Night-Time Economy Adviser.
Drogheda is one of nine towns and cities across the country piloting new approaches to the night-time economy through a Government-funded initiative with Night-Time Economy Advisers testing ways to help these places adapt and thrive between 6pm and 6am.