A unique new café bar is set to open within days.
Hera Social is set to become Yorkshire’s first women’s sports bar and café when they open their doors on Gillygate this Saturday (17 October).
Owners Hattie Dillon and Erin Draper have been working to get the new venue ready to welcome customers, despite having only received the keys to the building two weeks ago.
Speaking about the renovations, Hattie said: “It’s been quite a quick turnaround, but we are very nearly there.”
The Hera Social brand aims to fill a gap in the market by building on the growing popularity of women’s football in recent years.
“I don’t think other places kept up with it and prioritised continuing to push it,” the owner said.
Hera Social are taking over the building which was home for nine years to Osbornes@68. The owners of this popular family-owned café, Viv and Simon Osborne, decided to close down ahead of their retirement in August 2025.
As we previously reported, Hera will be a café and restaurant serving a variety of drinks.
It will open from Tuesday to Friday, 8.30am-10.30pm, and 9am-10.30pm on a Saturday and a Sunday.
And a rear courtyard would open from 8.30am and close at 9pm.
Having grown up in York, Hattie was excited to have the opportunity to build a business in York City Centre: “it was a no brainer, finding a spot in the city centre… we are really lucky to have a spot right next to York St John Uni.”
However, getting the venue ready for the opening had not been without its challenges, with the owners facing some difficulties along the way.
Reflecting on the challenges they faced, Hattie explained: “it’s definitely not been easy, people tell you it’s an emotional roller coaster – which it is.”
After initially hoping to open earlier, they faced some delays but are now happy with the opening date they have set for this weekend.
“We would have liked to be open that bit earlier, but we are quite happy with the timing now that the students are back and the York Christmas markets will be starting soon,” they said.
Alongside creating a dedicated space for fans of women’s sport, they recently sponsored Honeyball United’s new team Honeyball Heras, York’s only women’s football club led entirely by women.
Speaking on the collaboration Hera Social said: “Honeyball approached us very early on, and they were very keen, we worked out something that worked best for us both.”
The owners hope the partnership will be the first of many, with plans to support more local teams in the future.
“We definitely want to sponsor more the further we go,” they said
Looking ahead to the opening, the owners hope Hera Social will become a place more than just a place to watch sport, but a space where women’s football can be supported.
“We just want a space for people to celebrate women’s football, because it is important,” Hattie added.
Many can’t wait for the new café bar to open. Responses on social media to the opening date included “Soooooo excited!” and “Let’s go!”