Looking for pubs in Nunhead? Skehan’s is an independent, family-run Irish pub in the heart of Nunhead, offering much more than somewhere to enjoy a drink. Visitors can enjoy authentic Thai food, live music, live sport, quiz nights, pool, darts and a characterful multi-level beer garden.
Just a short distance from Peckham and Brockley, Skehan’s has been part of the local community for more than 25 years. It’s the sort of place where you can drop in for a quiet pint, meet friends for dinner or settle in for an evening of entertainment.
What Makes Skehan’s One of the Most Distinctive Nunhead Pubs?
A good local pub should feel comfortable whether you’re visiting for the first time or have been coming for years.
That’s something Skehan’s has always aimed to provide. As an independent family-run pub, it has retained the character of a traditional Irish local while developing into a lively meeting place for a diverse community.
Regulars chat at the bar, musicians meet before their sessions and friends gather for food, sport and entertainment. At the same time, first-time visitors are just as welcome.
The result is a pub with plenty happening, without losing the relaxed atmosphere that makes people want to come back.
What Can You Do at Skehan’s?
One reason Skehan’s stands out among Nunhead pubs is the sheer variety of things you can do during a visit.
You could:
- Enjoy a pint of award-winning Guinness.
- Play pool or darts with friends.
- Watch Premier League football, rugby or GAA.
- Take part in the popular Thursday pub quiz.
- Sing Karaoke on the second Friday of every month
- Listen to Irish and English traditional music.
- Join one of the regular jam sessions.
- Enjoy live rock’n’roll or Saturday night gigs.
- Relax in the hidden beer garden.
- Enjoy authentic Thai food from Chai’s Garden.
The atmosphere changes throughout the week, so a Tuesday evening can feel very different from a Saturday night.
Looking for Irish Pubs Near You?
Have you been searching online for “Irish pubs near me”?
If you’re based in Nunhead, Peckham, Brockley or the surrounding areas, Skehan’s offers a traditional Irish pub experience without having to travel into central London.
You’ll find Guinness on the bar, live music throughout the week and the friendly, informal atmosphere associated with a proper neighbourhood pub.
However, Skehan’s has developed its own identity over the years. Alongside the Irish pub traditions, you’ll find Thai cooking, local musicians, live sport and a garden unlike most pub gardens in the area.
A Nunhead Pub With Food That’s a Little Different
Skehans isn’t just somewhere to drink.
Behind the pub, Chai’s Garden is a peaceful glasshouse restaurant serving authentic Thai food, freshly prepared by Madam Chai and her team.
You can choose to eat in the restaurant or order from the same menu inside the pub. That means you could enjoy Thai food during a lively evening of music, settle in for dinner before the quiz or share dishes with friends while watching the match.
It’s an unusual combination, but it’s become an important part of the Skehan’s experience.
A Hidden Garden With Plenty of Character
The garden is another reason people return to Skehan’s.
Rather than being a simple row of outdoor tables, it spreads across several levels, with sunny areas, shaded corners and plenty of seating.
There are outdoor TVs for watching the big match, while seasonal planting gives the garden a different feel throughout the year.
You’ll also find traditional Thai huts brought over by Madam Chai many years ago, alongside antiques and personal touches collected over the history of the pub.
It’s an outdoor space with a story behind it, as well as somewhere to enjoy a drink on a sunny afternoon.
A Local Pub Where Music Is Part of the Community
Music has been part of Skehan’s for decades, but the programme goes well beyond occasional live performances.
The weekly schedule includes traditional Irish and English folk sessions, open jam nights, the South London Jam, Writers Circle, karaoke, live rock’n’roll and the Big Saturday Gig.
For musicians, Skehan’s offers opportunities to perform and collaborate. For everyone else, it provides a reason to stay for another drink and enjoy something unexpected.
That sense of participation is part of what makes the pub feel like a community rather than simply a venue.
Why Do People Keep Coming Back?
There are plenty of pubs in Nunhead, but not every pub offers the same combination of food, music, sport, entertainment and community.
Skehan’s has spent more than 25 years building its reputation as an independent local. Its history is important, but so is the fact that the pub continues to evolve.
One evening might mean a quiet drink in the garden. Another could involve Thai food, a quiz, live music and a packed pub.
That’s the appeal of Skehan’s. You don’t have to visit for one particular reason.
You can simply come in, see what’s happening and make yourself at home.
Discover Skehan’s in Nunhead
If you’re exploring Nunhead pubs, searching for an Irish pub near you or looking for somewhere with a little more character, Skehan’s is worth discovering.
It’s a traditional Irish pub with its own personality, shaped by more than two decades of family involvement and the community around it.
Come for the Guinness, the Thai food, the music, the match or the garden. Stay because you’ve found somewhere that feels welcoming.
FAQs
Where is Skehan’s?
Skehan’s is an independent family-run Irish pub in Nunhead, South East London, close to Peckham and Brockley.
Is Skehan’s a traditional Irish pub?
Yes. Skehan’s is a traditional Irish pub with more than 25 years of history in the local community.
What can you do at Skehan’s?
You can enjoy food and drinks, live music, live sport, quiz nights, pool, darts and the pub’s multi-level garden.
Does Skehan’s serve Thai food?
Yes. Chai’s Garden serves authentic Thai food, with customers able to dine in the restaurant or enjoy the same menu inside the pub.
Can I watch live sport at Skehan’s?
Yes. Skehan’s shows Premier League football, rugby, GAA and other major sporting events across multiple screens.
Does Skehan’s have a beer garden?
Yes. Skehan’s has a hidden multi-level garden with sunny and shaded seating, seasonal planting, Thai huts and outdoor TVs.