When searching for pubs in Peckham, you might be looking for somewhere to meet friends, watch the football, enjoy a meal or find some live music. But what makes a pub somewhere you want to return to, rather than simply somewhere to have a drink?
Often, it comes down to variety, character and a welcoming atmosphere.
Just beyond Peckham, in neighbouring Nunhead, Skehan’s is an independent, family-run Irish pub that has been part of the local community for more than 25 years. With Guinness, pool, darts, live sport, regular music sessions, Thai food and a hidden garden, it offers several reasons to visit.
The appeal isn’t that you have to enjoy everything the pub offers. It’s that you can choose a different experience each time you walk through the door.
Pubs Peckham: What Should You Look for in a Local Pub?
Choosing a local pub isn’t always about finding the nearest one. People often want somewhere that suits the occasion, whether that’s a quiet drink after work or a lively evening with friends.
There are several things worth considering when exploring pubs in Peckham and the surrounding neighbourhoods.
- Character: Does the pub have its own identity, or could it be anywhere?
- Entertainment: Is there something to enjoy beyond the bar?
- Food: Can you make an evening of it without needing to visit somewhere else for dinner?
- Space: Is there somewhere to sit with friends, play a game or enjoy the outdoors?
- Community: Does the pub feel welcoming to both regulars and first-time visitors?
Not every pub needs to offer all these things. However, finding somewhere that combines several of them gives you more flexibility when planning a visit.
Pubs Nunhead: Discover an Independent Pub With Its Own Character
Skehan’s is located in Nunhead, close to Peckham, Peckham Rye and Brockley.
As an independent, family-run Irish pub, it has developed its own identity over more than two decades. Rather than focusing on just one type of customer or occasion, it brings together different aspects of traditional pub life.
The front bar has a pool table and darts, while a wood-burning stove provides a cosy focal point during the winter months. Behind the pub, a hidden garden offers another place to spend time when the weather is suitable.
It’s a combination that makes Skehan’s worth considering if you’re exploring pubs in Peckham but are happy to venture a little further into the neighbouring area.
Best Pubs Peckham: What Makes Somewhere Worth Returning To?
Searching for the best pubs in Peckham is a personal exercise. One person might prioritise a good pint and somewhere to watch the match, while another wants live music, interesting food or somewhere with outdoor space.
Rather than claiming one pub is objectively the best, it’s more useful to consider what makes a venue right for you.
At Skehan’s, the choice of activities means that a visit doesn’t have to follow the same pattern every time.
You might come in for a game of pool, return with friends to watch rugby, or arrange to meet someone for dinner before enjoying the evening’s entertainment.
That flexibility is part of the appeal of an independent local pub.
More Than a Pint: Pool, Darts and the Traditional Pub Atmosphere
Sometimes, the simplest reason to visit a pub is that you want something to do while catching up with friends.
Skehan’s retains some of the traditional features that make pub visits sociable.
A Game of Pool or Darts
The front bar has both a pool table and darts, providing an alternative to simply sitting at a table with a drink.
A friendly game can turn a quick visit into a longer catch-up, whether you’re meeting old friends or introducing someone to your local.
A Pint of Guinness
Guinness is an important part of Skehan’s Irish pub identity. The venue has also been recognised in the Guinness Harp Guide, which celebrates pubs representing the best of British pub culture.
For visitors who appreciate a traditional Irish pub atmosphere, it’s another reason to put Skehan’s on the list.
Pubs Peckham: Where Food Is Part of the Experience
Food can make a significant difference when deciding where to meet.
Some people want a quick drink before heading home, while others prefer somewhere they can spend an entire evening without moving between venues.
Skehan’s offers two distinctive food experiences.
Thai Food at Chai’s Garden
Chai’s Garden serves authentic Thai food, prepared by Madam Chai and her team.
The restaurant provides a different atmosphere from the main bar, but customers can also enjoy the same menu inside the pub.
It’s an unusual combination: a traditional Irish pub with a Thai restaurant as part of its identity.
Sunday Roast at Skehan’s
On Sundays, Chico’s serves a traditional roast between 12pm and 4pm.
It’s an option for people who want to meet family or friends for lunch rather than simply dropping in for a drink.
Together, these food offerings mean Skehan’s can suit different occasions throughout the week.
Live Music: A Reason to Visit Beyond the Weekend
For some people, a pub becomes a favourite because of its music.
Skehan’s has a regular programme of live performances and musical gatherings, with different events throughout the week.
The programme includes:
- Monday jam sessions
- Tuesday Irish and English traditional music sessions, alternating between the two
- Wednesday South London Jam
- Friday karaoke or live rock’n’roll
- Saturday night live gigs
- Sunday evening folk sessions
The exact performers can vary, so it’s worth checking the current programme before visiting.
For anyone exploring pubs in Peckham and Nunhead, this regular schedule offers something different from a venue that only hosts the occasional band.
You can visit for a particular session or simply choose an evening when live music appeals.
Pubs in Peckham With Live Sport
Watching sport is another reason people choose one pub over another.
Some want a screen where they can follow the match while enjoying a drink. Others want to make an afternoon or evening of it with friends.
Skehan’s shows football, rugby, GAA and other sporting events, with indoor screens and outdoor TVs in the garden.
The pub has Sky, TNT Sports and RTÉ channels, although availability for a particular fixture should be confirmed directly with the venue.
If you’re planning to watch a specific match, check ahead to make sure it will be shown and that a suitable screen is available.
A Hidden Garden That Offers Something Different
Outdoor space can be a deciding factor when choosing a pub, particularly during the warmer months.
Skehan’s has a hidden garden behind the building, with multiple levels, planting, Thai-inspired features and outdoor TVs.
It offers a different setting from the traditional front bar, giving visitors another option for enjoying a drink, food or live sport.
The garden also adds to the pub’s character. It’s not simply a row of tables outside the entrance, but a separate space with its own atmosphere.
Naturally, the experience changes with the seasons, making it particularly appealing when the weather allows people to spend more time outdoors.
Why Consider Nunhead When Searching for Pubs Peckham?
Peckham and Nunhead are neighbouring areas, so looking beyond Peckham itself can introduce you to additional local venues without requiring a journey across London.
Skehan’s is based at 1 Kitto Road in Nunhead, making it an option for people exploring the wider Peckham and South East London pub scene.
Its combination of Irish pub traditions, live music, Thai food, sport and outdoor space gives it a distinctive identity.
And because the pub offers different activities on different days, you don’t have to visit for the same reason every time.
Discover Skehan’s: A Local Pub for Different Occasions
If you’re researching pubs in Peckham, think about what you actually want from your visit.
Perhaps it’s a place to watch the football, enjoy a meal, listen to live music or challenge your friends to a game of pool.
Or perhaps you simply want a pub with character, where you can meet people and spend a few hours without needing to plan anything elaborate.
Skehan’s in Nunhead brings these experiences together under one roof. It’s an independent, family-run Irish pub with more than 25 years of local history and a varied programme of food, music, sport and entertainment.
You don’t need a special occasion to visit. Sometimes, finding a pub that suits the way you want to spend your time is reason enough.
FAQs
Where can I find pubs near Peckham?
There are pubs in Peckham and neighbouring areas, including Nunhead. Skehan’s is an independent Irish pub in Nunhead, close to Peckham and Peckham Rye.
What makes Skehan’s different from other pubs in Peckham?
Skehan’s combines a traditional Irish pub atmosphere with a pool table, darts, live music, live sport, Thai food, Sunday roasts and a hidden garden.
Does Skehan’s serve food?
Yes. Chai’s Garden serves Thai food daily from 5pm to 9:30pm, and Chico’s Sunday Roast is available from 12pm to 4pm on Sundays.
Can I watch live sport at Skehan’s?
Yes. The pub shows football, rugby, GAA and other sporting events. Contact the pub to confirm whether a particular fixture will be shown.
Does Skehan’s have live music?
Yes. The weekly programme includes traditional music, jam sessions, folk music, live rock’n’roll and Saturday night gigs.
Does Skehan’s have a garden?
Yes. Skehan’s has a hidden, multi-level garden with planting, Thai-inspired features and outdoor TVs.
Where is Skehan’s located?
Skehan’s is at 1 Kitto Road, Nunhead, London SE14 5TW, close to Peckham and Peckham Rye.