Galway is one of the best cities in Ireland for a night out. But if you're not in the mood for a drink this summer, there are loads of fun things you can do that don't involve alcohol.
There's nothing wrong with enjoying a few drinks, but sometimes you're just not feeling it.
So here are some alternatives to a night out on the pints.
Do an escape room
This is probably one of the funniest nights out you can have in Galway. Basically, you and your pals are trapped in a room and have to solve puzzles in order to get out. Now, you might end up killing each other, but you can laugh about it later.
And there are a few spots to do it around the city:
Great Escape Rooms on Upper Abbeygate Street,
Asyl Room on Dominick Street Lower and
Open The Door Escape Rooms at Prospect Hill.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZW7tKVBqW-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Go to a retro drive-in movie
A drive-in movie is a fantastic alternative evening out. Last summer,
Retro Drive-In Movies showed a series of favourites at Galway Racecourse. According to their website, they have "some exciting news coming very soon". So keep an eye out!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs9BO51H0pc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Spend the night at the funfair
Who says the funfair is just for kids?! Honestly, a night at the carnival is underrated.
Whether you're getting stellar views on top of the Ferris wheel or getting dizzy on the waltzers, you know you're going to have a laugh at the carnival.
Luckily,
Curry's Fun Park is open in Salthill throughout the summer.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxfQlZho7Fl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Spend the night at Ireland's Smallest Comedy Club
I always find that I'm less bothered with drinking when I'm being entertained somehow. And I get enough laughs out of a comedy gig that I don't feel the need to have a pint.
Ireland's Smallest Comedy Club in The Dew Drop Inn on Cross Street is perfect for just that.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjaYwJngEg5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Go on a food crawl
Like a pub crawl, but instead of drinking pints in different pubs, you try a variety of cuisines in different
restaurants.
A pub crawl isn’t all that enjoyable or exciting when you’re ordering diet coke at every bar. But give me a food crawl where I can have different cuisines all in the space of a few hours and I am there.
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Experience VR
If you've had a virtual reality experience before, you know how fun it is. If you haven't done it before, it's mental.
Open until 9pm,
VR World in Liosban Business Park on the Tuam Road offers over 50 kinds of VR experiences, such as driving simulations, multi-player escape rooms and specialised experiences for stag and hen parties.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByBSELoHzyr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Hang out at the Secret Garden Café
The
Secret Garden Tea Shop and Café on William Street West stays open until 11pm, and it's a fabulously quirky spot in Galway City to have a late-night non-alcoholic beverage and chats with your pals.
They also host art exhibitions, gigs and workshops that you should keep an eye out for.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRdX_jQDXbV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Spend the night in the arcade
The arcade is where we can all release our inner child. A great spot to do that in Galway City is The
Planet Galway on Headford Road. Open until 11pm, you can play a few games of pool, whip your friend's butt on the air hockey and basketball machines, spend hours bowling and even have a go at Oculus Virtual Reality.
Another favourite for visitors and Galwegians alike is Seapoint Leisure in Salthill.
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