About This Pub
Ah, The Nightingale in Balham is one of those classic spots that really captures the essence of a good old British pub – it's tucked away near Wandsworth Common, making it perfect for a stroll and a pint. I love how it's got that mid-Victorian charm, being a Grade II listed building, and the beer garden is an absolute treat for soaking up the sun or even braving the cooler months with the heaters on. The drinks selection is spot on, with excellent beers from Young's and a solid wine list that keeps things interesting. It's also really welcoming for families and dogs, which is brilliant if you're out with little ones or your four-legged mate. On the downside, though, a few folks have mentioned that the food doesn't always live up to the hype – Sunday roasts in particular can be inconsistent, with complaints about dry meat or not-quite-right potatoes, and service can vary from attentive to a bit lacklustre. Still, it's a solid choice for a casual evening or a quick drink after work, and with an overall rating hovering around 4.4, it's clear most people leave with a smile. I'd say give it a go, but maybe stick to the drinks if you're not in the mood for any surprises.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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The atmosphere is just lovely – it's a proper traditional British pub with a warm, welcoming vibe that's perfect for a relaxed catch-up with friends.
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They've got a cracking selection of beers, wines, and spirits, including excellent Young's ales and some great gins and whiskies to choose from.
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The beer garden is a real highlight, sheltered and heated so you can enjoy it year-round, making it ideal for al fresco drinks or meals.
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It's super family and dog-friendly, with a great children's menu and a laid-back feel that's welcoming for everyone, including furry companions.
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The staff are generally friendly and attentive, adding to that community pub charm and making you feel right at home.
Cons
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Food quality can be a bit hit or miss, especially with Sunday roasts – some dishes like pork loin have been described as dry or undercooked, which is a shame.
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Service isn't always top-notch; a few have noted quiet or unresponsive staff, and things like unclean tables can put a damper on the experience.
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Menu options might feel limited at times, particularly during certain hours, so it could disappoint if you're after a wide variety.
Contact Information
97 Nightingale Ln, London SW12 8NX
+442086731637
Pub
Opens at 11:00
Opening Hours
| Monday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
| Tuesday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
| Wednesday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
| Thursday (Today) | 11:00 - 23:00 |
| Friday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
| Saturday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
| Sunday | 11:00 - 22:30 |
Recent Reviews
A great local pub. Four of us went for Sunday lunch. Three enjoyed their food (not roasts), but I found my pork loin dry and the roast potatoes still needed more cooking, no crackling. This is the third disappointing Sunday roast I have had here - I won't be doing that again.
(And I was so pleased to see that Young's have changed the disgusting, unhygienic gent's toilet door (at last)).
Had a really lovely time here with friends visiting from Bristol. Lovely family atmosphere for a Sunday, very dog friendly. Great service from attentive staff members, even when we had to change one of the menus items due to an allergy.
Would highly recommend visiting for a good old fashioned pub grub!
Such a lovely pub! The staff were so friendly and accommodating. The children’s menu was great for my kids and the normal menu was great with lots of options. A lovely outdoor area too! Will definitely be back. The girl who served us, Tash was lovely!!
The Nightingale pub is a great venue to host guests to the area. Next to Clapham Common and Wandsworth Park, it’s an ideal place for a roast after a Sunday walk.
A real shame. Me and my partner visited The Nightingale on New Year’s Eve for a few small plates in the afternoon. The chap serving us was rather quiet and didn’t say much. We sat at a table and nobody moved the empty drinks glasses here from previous visitors. When we looked at the menu, only a select few items were available through the Young’s app rather than the paper menu we requested which was confusing. We were initially shocked by the prices of the food - we are frequent visitors to this pub and the prices have definitely increased - although we often come here for drinks rather than food. I do not mind paying a bit more if the food is of good quality.
It was not.
The portion sizes in this place are an utter joke.
We ordered the following: sausage roll (tiny - and £7). Hummus & flatbread (again tiny). Crab salad (tasted horrible and not fresh in the slightest) and the one that really took the biscuit - calamari. This was terrible. Firstly, we received about 5 shoestring bits of rubbery calamari and for £9-9.50… come on, do better.
Nobody came over to see if the food was ok as I would have definitely complained. In the end, we were going to order mains and also desserts in addition to probably spending another £100 on alcohol but decided that we didn’t want this establishment to rip us off further.
Really disappointing. Won’t be back. So many better and higher quality pubs down the road either towards Balham or Wandsworth.
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