A former nightlife promoter is moving from dancing beats to coffee beans in a sign of the times.
Dubliner Neil Mulhern, 29, worked for almost a decade in the nightlife industry in Dublin for popular hotspots Krystle, Coppers and McGowan’s.
When the pandemic hit Ireland and shut down Ireland’s nightlife, he decided to diversify.
His friend and ex journalist Ruairi Cotter had returned from a year abroad in Australia and they decided to start their own coffee shop.
Neil said: “We met up and he said he’d love something with coffee and food.
“We’d talked about doing something together for years.
“I didn’t think I’d have time because I was involved with running Krystle nightclub and we started working on it but as things turned out, I did.”
Neil and Ruairi,28, have been friends since the age of five and set up their coffee trailer on the Mobhi Road in Glasnevin.
They are located at Home Farm’s juvenile pitch and right next to Neil's beloved GAA club Na Fianna where he plays and coaches.
It is also close to two primary schools that they attended.
Neil has lived in America and Australia where his brother Lorcan lives but set up shop close to home.
Neil said: “People feel safe in the open air and that’s a reason why they come so much.”
“We’ve made it more visible, there’s an area people can wait and chill out.
“Our coffee comes from roasted brown, ethically sourced from Brazil.
“We weigh every cup, get the grams and timing right.
“We’re proud of the taste of our coffee.”
The GAA community has been supportive.
GAA stars such as Neil Patrick Collins, Jonny Cooper, Brian Howard, Niall Scully, Seamie O’Shea and Kevin Cassidy all enjoy the spot.
Neil started nightclub promotion while he was still studying marketing at DCU.
He said: “That progressed into organising nights out in the Big Tree, McGowans, Krystle, Diceys and Copper Face Jacks.
“A lot of people have had to reinvent themselves during the last six months including me.”
Bua means win in Irish and their slogan is ‘first win of the day’.
Neil is adamant that with the support of the community around them, Bua will continue on a winning streak.
