Betsey Trotwood bolts against the stuffiness of The City and becomes Clerkenwell's very own Cavern Club.

The Venue
If you venture down into the Smithfield area of Farringdon the crowds swarm and the music gets bleepier and bleepier. On the quieter side of Clerkenwell Road, Betsey Trotwood keeps the shell of an old public house around an intimate space of a rustic bar and assembly room.

Inside the old pub, an airy, modern approach is visible. Tables and chairs are spaced respectfully apart from each other and the basic wooden forms are as simple as it gets. A William Morris style floral covers the back wall and if you take into account the vases of flowers on the windowsills and bar then there’s quite a botanical feel to this City escape. Although it's a fairly loathed and squirming word to use, there is a kookiness that's pressed into the wood grain that supports everything inside. This is evident in the dangling chandeliers, the happenings in the assembly room and the bouncy informality of the chalkboards' language.

The Atmosphere
You don't see too many suits popping in here for lunchtime or after work drinks, instead you’ll find creative types, regulars and the occasional tourist who happens to stumble by. A young crowd is attracted by the live music and other events in the basement room. Team indie take over in the evenings and there's an atmosphere to rival similar muso bars with all sorts of bands rocking in the main room below. The staff are friendly and the community spirit extends beyond the music to the bar where it doesn’t seem impolite to lean into other people’s conversations and offer your opinion.

The Food
Betsey Trotwood resolves to keep an emphasis on British cuisine made from fresh, local ingredients. There are stews, specially sourced fish and chips and homemade burgers as well as some more interesting tidbits. Fresh Parpadelle pasta and the pork liver pate ploughman’s both look amazing.

The Drink
There’s an abstract array of beers at Betsey Trotwood to steer you away from the usual brands that tend to swallow your money. Oranjeboom, Holsten Export, Sternbrau and Asahi are all on draught, while there is a good range of ales, too. Spitfire and Bishops Finger are the regular two but there are usually a few guests in attendance. There’s a choice of six or seven wines of each colour plus rose and Champagne. As well as the usual spirit stocks, the pub carries a small selection of single malt whiskeys.

The Last Word
Betsey Trotwood is easily one of the most interesting and entertaining pubs in the area and offers everything you need from a modern public house.

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