The Nightingale
Balham
Tucked away on a leafy stretch of Nightingale Lane beside Wandsworth Common, The Nightingale is exactly the kind of pub you hope to stumble across when exploring south London. Built in 1853, this Grade II listed mid-Victorian cottage-style pub has been pulling pints for over 170 years.
It is first and foremost a proper community local. The kind of place where you can settle in with a pint of Young’s, catch the match on a Saturday, or linger over a Sunday roast. The food is a genuine draw — seasonal British pub fare with quality cuts and all the trimmings.
Behind the pub there is a hidden beer garden off Nightingale Lane that fills up quickly in warmer months. A dartboard here means you can combine a proper afternoon session with some quality throwing.
Open daily from 11am, with food served through the evening.