Clerkenwell & Social

Printing, a common Clerkenwell trade in Victorian times, inspires the bookish, if not novel, theme at this new duplex DJ bar from the owners of nearby Barsmith. Dickens had his Artful Dodger meet Oliver Twist on Clerkenwell Green adjacent, but the robbing rascal would need to pick more than a pocket or two to raise the £8.95 for a cocktail here. Best rock up at 5-8pm when drinks are currently two for one. Options include Breaking Good (a chilli pisco Sour), Beer New World (a pale ale and orange bourbon tribute to Aldous Huxley) and Black Luce (a gin and blackberry mint cup, dedicated to local brothel-keeper Lucy Negro, reputedly the inspiration for some of Shakespeare’s sonnets). Alfresco diners occupy tables facing cobbled St John’s Square, accompanying their Prosecco (£25) with pizzas (from £8) where toppings include ’nduja and pancetta, melanzane, or Portobello mushrooms, dolcelatte, pine nuts and truffle oil.