Looking for pubs with live music tonight in London? Skehan’s in Nunhead has live music six days a week, with everything from traditional Irish and English folk to open jam sessions, rock’n’roll, karaoke and Saturday night gigs.
The programme changes throughout the week, so there’s usually something different to discover. Whether you want to listen to traditional music, join a jam session, sing along at karaoke or simply enjoy a live band with a pint, Skehan’s offers a relaxed alternative to London’s larger music venues.
Just a short distance from Peckham and Brockley, it’s a local pub where live music is part of the atmosphere rather than something separate from it.
Looking for Pubs with Live Music Tonight in London?
If you’re searching for pubs with live music tonight in London, the first thing to check is what’s happening on the particular night you want to visit.
At Skehan’s, the weekly music programme includes:
- Monday: Monday Jam Session
- Tuesday: Traditional Irish and English Folk Session
- Wednesday: Writers Circle and South London Jam
- Friday: Karaoke (second Friday of the month) or live Rock’n’Roll
- Saturday: The Big Saturday Night Gig
- Sunday: Folk Session
The programme gives musicians, singers and music lovers plenty of opportunities to get involved or simply enjoy the atmosphere.
Because different nights have different styles, visiting Skehan’s on a Tuesday can feel very different from spending Saturday evening there.
Where Can You Hear Trad Music in London?
For anyone searching for Trad Music London venues, Tuesday is a particularly good night to discover Skehan’s.
The Tuesday Trad Session alternates between Irish and English folk music, bringing musicians together for an informal evening of traditional songs and tunes.
It’s open to everyone, whether you’re an experienced musician, a keen listener or simply curious about traditional music.
The atmosphere is informal and sociable, with the music becoming part of the evening rather than a formal performance that you simply sit and watch.
What Happens at the Monday Jam Session?
Monday evenings are all about getting involved.
The Monday Jam Session is open to musicians who want to bring an instrument, join in and see where the music takes them.
You don’t have to perform, though. Anyone who enjoys live music can simply come along and listen.
It’s an eclectic evening, with different musicians bringing their own styles and influences. That unpredictability is part of the appeal: you never quite know what combination of sounds you’ll hear.
Wednesday Is for Songwriters and Musicians
Wednesday offers two very different musical experiences.
The Writers Circle by Scotty Rockstar provides a collaborative space for sharing lyrics, melodies and ideas around musical storytelling.
Later, the South London Jam by Scotty Rockstar brings local musicians together for an energetic, spontaneous session.
For musicians, these events offer an opportunity to meet other creatives and experiment with ideas. For everyone else, they provide the chance to discover local talent in a relaxed pub setting.
Friday: Karaoke or Live Rock’n’Roll
Friday nights bring a change of pace.
Every second Friday, Skehan’s hosts its popular Karaoke, giving everyone the chance to take the microphone. The event was initiated by Eddie “Blue Moon” Wilcox and DJ Paul and has become a much-loved part of the pub’s entertainment.
On the other Fridays, the focus switches to live Rock’n’Roll, with classic and contemporary anthems filling the pub.
So if you’re looking for a lively Friday night with music, there’s usually a reason to stay out a little later.
The Big Saturday Night Gig
Saturday is when Skehan’s puts on its Big Saturday Night Gig.
The pub’s best musicians take to the stage, creating an energetic evening of live performance, melodies and rhythms.
It’s a chance to enjoy live music without the formality of a concert venue. You’re still in a traditional local pub, surrounded by friends, regulars and other music lovers.
For anyone looking for live music in South East London, Saturday is a good night to experience the atmosphere at its liveliest.
Sunday Folk Sessions: A More Relaxed Evening
The music doesn’t stop when the weekend starts winding down.
Sunday Folk Sessions offer a more relaxed atmosphere, with traditional acoustic music, familiar melodies and the occasional spontaneous jig or dance.
It’s a cosy way to finish the weekend and another example of the variety within Skehan’s weekly music programme.
More Than Just a Live Music Venue
One of the things that makes Skehan’s different from a conventional music venue is that the music is only part of the experience.
You can enjoy a pint of award-winning Guinness, meet friends for food or watch live sport on the pub’s multiple screens.
Chai’s Garden also serves authentic Thai food, freshly prepared every day. You can dine in the peaceful glasshouse restaurant or enjoy the same menu inside the pub.
When the weather is good, the hidden multi-level garden provides another place to relax, with plenty of seating and outdoor TVs.
It’s this combination that gives the music a distinctly local feel.
How to Choose the Right Night at Skehan’s
Not sure which evening suits you?
For traditional music: Try Tuesday’s Irish and English Trad Session or Sunday’s Folk Session.
For musicians: Monday’s Jam Session and Wednesday’s South London Jam are ideal for getting involved.
For songwriters: Wednesday’s Writers Circle offers a chance to share and develop ideas.
For karaoke: Come along on the second Friday of the month.
For rock: Check out Friday’s live Rock’n’Roll nights.
For a big live gig: Saturday is the night to choose.
Whatever your musical taste, there’s a good chance you’ll find a night that suits you.
Discover Live Music at Skehan’s
If you’ve been searching for pubs with live music tonight in London, Skehan’s offers something a little different.
Rather than one type of music on one night, the weekly programme brings together traditional folk, Irish music, acoustic sessions, jam nights, songwriting, karaoke and rock’n’roll.
And because it’s all happening within an independent, family-run pub in Nunhead, the atmosphere is as much about the people as the music.
Check what’s happening on the night you want to visit, bring your friends—or your instrument—and discover what’s playing at Skehan’s.
FAQs
Does Skehan’s have live music every night?
Skehan’s currently hosts live music and musical events six days a week, with different styles featured throughout the week.
Where can I find live music tonight in London?
Skehan’s in Nunhead offers live music and musical events six days a week, including traditional sessions, jam nights, karaoke, rock’n’roll and live gigs.
Where can I find Trad Music in London?
Skehan’s hosts a weekly Tuesday Trad Session, alternating between Irish and English folk music, as well as a Sunday Folk Session.
Can musicians join the jam sessions at Skehan’s?
Yes. The Monday Jam Session is open to musicians who want to bring an instrument and join in. Wednesday’s South London Jam also brings local musicians together.
What is the Writers Circle at Skehan’s?
The Writers Circle by Scotty Rockstar is a collaborative Wednesday event where musicians and writers can share lyrics, melodies and ideas around musical storytelling.
Does Skehan’s have karaoke?
Yes. Karaoke takes place every second Friday, alongside live Rock’n’Roll on the alternate Fridays.
Where is Skehan’s?
Skehan’s is an independent family-run Irish pub in Nunhead, South East London, close to Peckham and Brockley.