Ever since visiting the exhibition space, a few years ago, I don’t think I have ever missed one single show. It is one of the best exhibition spaces for contemporary art in London, in my opinion. The scale and the light feel right. The environment is not too overwhelming and not too small. In addition, the bookshop has a good selection of catalogues, art books and magazines.
The Nightingale is the antithesis of the hundreds of soulless gastropubs that a lot of decent pubs have recently become and remains everything a proper pub should be. Britain's pubs haven't had it easy lately. The smoking ban and the general effects of the recession have hammered the industry hard. The Nightingale continues to be what it has always been, a proper pub at the heart of the local community. Its annual charity walk has raised nearly £500,000 for good causes in over 30 years and it seems determined to do the things a pub should do and do them properly. Once inside you feel like you could be in a country pub instead of in the middle of South London. There's no jukebox and the TV is hardly ever on, but there’s a great atmosphere with a good set of locals and good drink and food. Bliss.
It is one of the most important business centres in London. Crowded of suits at daytime, perfectly deserted at night. It is so striking relaxing to walk in there enjoying the silence and the lights! It makes you feel pleasantly far from reality.