Clerkenwell Tavern, EC1

Tris C left this review about Clerkenwell Tavern

This pub dates from around the mid-19th century and has undergone a number of recent name changes, the original reinstated last November with the pub returning from bar/restaurant, to something more closely resembling a pub.
The floor is bare boarded, a white ceiling suspends filament bulbs in wire cages, walls are either rough bare brick or painted slate grey, matched by the studded peripheral banquette (chocolate brown and in bench formation to the rear dining area) and slightly scruffy retro modern tables with mismatched chairs. There’s much white tiling to an open kitchen area, though there’s an attractive bar back (original?) with embossed gold cornice; décor is virtually non-existent to the front room, though there are eclectic prints to the rear, all to a barely audible soundtrack from the likes of The Cardigans. There’s food of course, but it revolves around the salt beef sandwich (examples in abundance on their website) with no customers on my arrival, a mixed group of four leaving shortly after arrival upon finding out that food service had ended.
A cask choice was limited to just Landlord (clip reversed) and Five Points XPA at a reasonable £2.85 a half but very slightly on the turn – I’d not have ordered another – served by an efficient barman.
This place is a bit dead and lacking in ambience, but perhaps it’ll pick up when ‘Dry January’ moistens up, the weather improves and theatregoers at Sadler’s Wells discover it. Perhaps then with greater turnover, the beer won’t go off prematurely.

On 4^th January 2024 - rating: 4
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