Looking for authentic Irish bars in London? While the city is home to plenty of Irish venues, few can match the warmth, character and community spirit of Skehan’s in Nunhead. As one of South East London’s few remaining independent, family-run Irish pubs, Skehan’s combines traditional hospitality with live music, award-winning Guinness, authentic Thai food and one of the capital’s most charming hidden beer gardens.
If you’re looking for a genuine Irish pub rather than a themed venue, Skehan’s offers an experience that’s been bringing people together for decades.
A Traditional Irish Pub With a Story to Tell
Many of the best Irish bars in London are, at heart, traditional Irish pubs where conversation, music and community come first.
That’s exactly what you’ll find at Skehan’s.
Step inside and you’ll discover a welcoming front bar with a roaring wood-burning stove during the winter months, friendly locals, award-winning Guinness, pool, darts and an atmosphere that immediately makes visitors feel at home.
But what really makes Skehan’s special is its history.
After running a successful Irish pub with a Thai kitchen in Islington, Bill Skehan and Madam Chai brought their unique partnership to Nunhead. The pub they took over looked very different from the one visitors enjoy today. There were only a handful of regular customers, parts of the building needed significant renovation and an old barn that once housed horses eventually became part of the beautiful garden visitors enjoy today.
Today, Bryan—Bill Skehan’s nephew—continues that family tradition, welcoming both familiar faces and first-time visitors into the same community-focused pub.
Looking for an Irish Pub Near You?
If you’re looking for an Irish pub near you, have you been searching online for “Irish pubs near me”?
Located in Nunhead, just a short distance from Peckham and Brockley, Skehan’s has become a destination for people across South East London who are looking for genuine hospitality rather than a chain pub experience.
Many visitors arrive for the first time, only to find themselves returning again and again, drawn back by the friendly atmosphere, live music and familiar faces behind the bar.
A Pub Beer Garden Full of Character
One of Skehan’s best-kept secrets lies behind the pub.
Its hidden pub beer garden is much more than a few tables outside. Spread across several levels, the garden offers sunny terraces, shaded corners beneath mature planting and peaceful spaces where you can easily lose track of time.
Traditional Thai huts, imported by Madam Chai many years ago, sit amongst seasonal planting, ornaments and personal touches collected over decades, giving the garden a character that’s entirely its own.
If there’s a big football or rugby match on, you don’t even have to leave the garden, thanks to outdoor TVs that let you enjoy the game in the sunshine.
The garden has recently been recognised by The Standard as one of London’s sunniest beer gardens, making it an even better destination during the warmer months.
Live Music, Great Food and a Warm Welcome
Skehan’s is much more than somewhere to enjoy a drink.
Live music fills the pub six days a week, with Irish and English Trad Sessions, folk nights, jam sessions, live rock’n’roll, karaoke and Saturday gigs creating an atmosphere that’s difficult to find elsewhere.
Hungry? Chai’s Garden serves authentic Thai food every evening, giving you the choice of dining in the peaceful glasshouse restaurant or enjoying exactly the same menu inside the lively pub—or out in the beer garden when the sun is shining.
It’s this combination of music, food and genuine hospitality that keeps customers returning time after time.
Why People Keep Coming Back to Skehan’s
The best Irish bars in London aren’t defined by their décor alone—they’re defined by the people who walk through the door.
At Skehan’s, visitors quickly become regulars thanks to the welcoming atmosphere created by Bryan, his family and the wider community that has grown around the pub over many years.
Spend a little time here and you’ll soon discover that Skehan’s is a place full of stories—from the remarkable journey of Madam Chai, who arrived in Britain from Thailand as a teenager speaking no English, to Michael Fitzsimons, Bryan’s father, who became known as “the man who pulled pints for Premiers” while managing the famous Press Bar at the House of Commons.
Whether you’re enjoying live music, watching the match, relaxing in the beer garden or simply catching up over a pint, you’ll always find a friendly face waiting to welcome you.
If you’re searching for authentic Irish bars in London or an Irish pub near you, make the short trip to Nunhead and discover why Skehan’s has become one of South East London’s favourite traditional Irish pubs.
FAQs
Where is Skehan’s?
Skehan’s is a family-run Irish pub in Nunhead, close to Peckham and Brockley in South East London.
Does Skehan’s have a beer garden?
Yes. Skehan’s has a spacious hidden beer garden, recently recognised as one of London’s sunniest beer gardens for the summer.
Is there live music at Skehan’s?
Yes. Live music takes place six days a week, including trad sessions, jam nights, folk sessions, karaoke and live gigs.
Does Skehan’s serve food?
Yes. Authentic Thai food from Chai’s Garden is served daily, with the option to dine in the restaurant or inside the pub.
Why is Skehan’s different from other Irish bars in London?
Skehan’s is an independent, family-run traditional Irish pub offering live music, great food, a welcoming atmosphere and a beautiful hidden beer garden.