Night-Time Economy Grassroots Venue Support Scheme
A €1 million fund. Stream A pays a maximum of €20,000 per venue with a minimum application of €7,000. Stream B pays a maximum of €8,000 with a minimum of €3,000. Both streams fund 90% of eligible costs, so you cover the other 10%. You can only apply under one stream, not both.
Last checked September 2026
What it is
A grant for small grassroots live music and entertainment venues, the rooms that put on gigs rather than the arenas. Stream A pays €7,000 to €20,000 to venues with a track record of ticketed events, Stream B pays €3,000 to €8,000. Both cover 90% of eligible costs. Your venue has to have a capacity of 500 or less and be liable for commercial rates. The 2026 round closed on 30 March and was the fourth year it has run, so expect the next one around March.
Who can get it
- You are a registered business and the venue is located in the State
- The venue operates with a capacity of 500 or less
- The venue is liable for rates under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended
- The business is tax compliant
- For Stream A, you can show a track record, defined as a minimum of 36 ticketed and advertised qualifying events across 2024 and 2025 together
- TRIBUTE ACTS AND COVER BANDS DO NOT COUNT towards the 36 events. The scheme says outright that it does not include events where tribute acts or cover bands perform, so a venue whose diary is mostly covers may not reach the Stream A threshold.
- Hotel bars are excluded. So are publicly funded venues such as arts centres, and any venue with a capacity over 500.
- A venue can only apply under ONE stream. Pick the one you qualify for rather than trying both.
- You have to send photographic evidence of the stage, the audience space and the equipment with the application.
- The 2026 round opened at noon on 6 March and closed at noon on 30 March, and recipients were announced on 25 May. This was the fourth iteration of the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme, so it has a track record of returning.
- It funds 90% of eligible costs, not 100%, so you need your own 10% ready.
How to apply
Applications go through Dept of Culture. The official page has the full eligibility rules and the application itself.
Go to the official page →Checked against the official source on 12 September 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
How much can a venue get?
Stream A pays €7,000 to €20,000 and Stream B pays €3,000 to €8,000, both covering 90% of eligible costs from a €1 million fund. A venue can only apply under one stream.
Is my venue small enough?
The venue must operate with a capacity of 500 or less. Anything over 500 is excluded, as are hotel bars and publicly funded venues such as arts centres.
What counts as a track record for Stream A?
A minimum of 36 ticketed and advertised qualifying events across 2024 and 2025 combined. Events where tribute acts or cover bands perform do not count towards that total.
When does the next round open?
No date is published yet. The 2026 round ran from 6 to 30 March and was the fourth year the scheme has run, so March is the month to watch.
Related guides
- Aosdána (the Cnuas)
- Music Generation
- Sound & Vision (broadcasting funding)
- Section 481 Film Tax Credit
- Per Cent for Art Scheme
Not sure if this one is you?
Describe your situation in your own words and the assistant shows every support you might qualify for, this one included. Free, no sign up, anonymous.
Check what you might qualify for →Grants change all the time.
Leave your email and I will tell you if the Night-Time Economy Grassroots Venue Support Scheme changes, or a new support opens that fits you. It is free and there is no spam.