Betsey Trotwood

It isn't only Clerkenwell's media types who are thankful for the Betsey Trotwood's long-overdue facelift. The Victorian pub's spruce-up includes fresh flowers, retro lighting and crazy, coppery wallpaper, though thankfully not much has changed on the music front. The upstairs bar still hosts great soul nights, the downstairs box still shoehorns in indie outfits and the soundtrack appears to be Bob Dylan on a loop. Spitfire and Bishops Finger ales are joined by guest Whitstable Bay behind the bar; there's also a decent choice of wines by the glass, a dozen malt whiskies, 'special' bloody Marys (glass or pitcher), coffees and herbal teas. Appetites can be sated with regularly changing menus (sandwiches and home-made comfort food) that are 'not gastro, just good'.