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Opening Hours Today: 11am - 11pm
020 8673 1637
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  • The Nightingale, 
  • 97 Nightingale Lane, 
  • Balham, 
  • London, 
  • SW12 8NX
020 8673 1637
Opening Hours:
11am - 11pm
Food Service Times:
12pm - 10pm
Open Today: 11am - 11pm
A Warm Welcome

The Nightingale is a traditional British pub, perfectly situated on Nightingale Lane by the leafy Wandsworth Common. We pride ourselves on our excellent beer & wine and delicious pub food. Whether you're after a drink post work, an afternoon catch up with friends, or a Sunday dinner with family, the Nightingale is the place to be.

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Balham's Best Kept Secret

Our hidden beer garden is perfect for enjoying a tipple of your choice or a meal with friends. It's sheltered from the elements, with heaters throughout so you can enjoy al fresco drinks and dining year round. Book your favourite spot now.

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Christmas in Balham

Christmas at The 'Gale is all about good food, great company and that cosy pub atmosphere we all love during the festive season. Head to our Christmas page to have a look at this years menus.

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Food and Drink

Pair our warming winter cocktails and ales with hearty seasonal dishes, from comforting pub classics to sharing plates made for cosy evenings in Balham.

Our menus
Winter Cocktails

Our delicious new cocktails - perfect for the incoming cold weather. Crafted with seasonal flavours, they're perfect for a cosy evening in Balham.

Choose your tipple

Welcome to The Nightingale

We’re a proper community pub, proudly serving Balham locals. Built on the Old Park Estate in 1853, The ‘Gale is a mid-Victorian cottage-style pub and Grade II listed building.

As a pub that appears year after year in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, we take pride in serving a cracking pint of Young’s, alongside seasonal ales and modern favourites like Sambrook’s and St Austell. There’s a top-notch wine list too, plus a first-rate collection of rum, gin and whisky. Our hearty food is available every day, served by a friendly team who know how to look after you.

Whether it’s a Christmas party, a family get-together, or just a pint with mates, The ‘Gale is the place to celebrate. Cosy corners, festive drinks, winter menus, and a garden that works all year round – it’s all here.

Just a 5-minute walk from Clapham South Tube (Northern Line) or Wandsworth Common Train Station, we’re easy to find. Bring your appetite and a thirst for a proper pint – we’ll see you down here soon.

Cheers,
Ian

General Manager

An all-year-round garden…

Our garden is perfect for any weather, with a retractable roof and heaters to keep you warm through the autumn and winter months. Even when the nights draw in, you can relax in our hidden gem and enjoy seasonal serves – from mulled wine and winter cocktails to a crisp pint by the glow of our heaters.

Planning a garden party? From birthday gatherings to festive celebrations, engagement drinks to winter wedding receptions, our all-weather garden is the ideal space for your event. Get in touch with us to book your party in Balham today.

Check it out

Christmas in Balham

This Christmas, pull up a chair at The ‘Gale and enjoy the festive season the proper way. Whether it’s a party with mates, a family gathering, or just a cosy drink by the fire, we’ve got it sorted. Grab a pint of our finest Young’s or a seasonal ale, tuck into hearty winter dishes, and make the most of our all-weather garden.

Come and celebrate – Chat to our team today.

Our menus

Classic Pub Food

Serving up proper pub grub, our menu’s packed with all the classics to warm you through the colder months. From hearty fish & chips and juicy burgers to winter staples like sausage and mash and pies, there’s something for everyone. We stick to the freshest British ingredients, so you can be sure our take on pub favourites hits the mark all year round.

Food Menus

Sundays

Join us every Sunday for Balham’s best Sunday roasts. Prepared with classic British ingredients, our roasts are served with a double egg Yorkie, roast potatoes, all the trimmings and lashings of gravy. Why not bring the family along and let us do the cooking this Sunday? All you have to do is sit back, relax and we’ll do the rest. 

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Testimonials

I really like this little pub. Tucked round the back of Clapham South station (about 10 minutes walk), it’s quaint. It is a really cosy pub for rainy afternoons or when the sun is out you can sit in the garden or out the front. They have a moderate selection of draft beer and ale, good for a pub this size, and a kitchen producing tasty food.

 

Henry Harry

Best pub in SW London. Proper community feel, lovely looking food (definitely eating next time) and beautiful old building walking distance from Wandsworth common.

Joshua Van Haaren

Prior to coming here I had experienced a pretty rotten day, but stopping in here brightened things up. I was greeted warmly by a young woman behind the bar, who was very helpful and friendly and took my order promptly. The ambiance of the place is fantastic. The chairs are comfy and the tables are well appointed with everything you might need. My fish and chips were fantastic as well as a great bargain. Everyone working was warm and friendly. Such a nice way to end the day, I’ll definitely be back.

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