Situated in the heart of the City, Clause doesn’t just keep the local suits happy; it’s a venue that’s well equipped for all occasions.

The Venue
Lovat Lane is a lovely cobbled street by Monument station that’s more Paris than London. Clause is accessible via a large set of stairs that descend into a windowless basement: the norm in London for nightclubs, although not for bars. The space reminds you of a late night party venue, with its round dance floor surrounded by padded benches and a curved mirrored wall. The VIP area hides behind a heavy velvet curtain, before an L-shaped space with seats on a raised platform leads the way towards the bar. Colours are dark and manly and the lights are very dim: it’s good for dancing, although a little too dark when people are just drinking.

The Atmosphere
The clients are mostly local workers who stop for drinks. Unsurprisingly, Clause caters well for office functions and parties. However visible the suits are, there are also very casual outfits and people come here to let their hair down rather than show off with important clients. The one drawback is the music: it’s very loud at 8pm, a time when customers are still more interested in sipping drinks rather than taking over the dance floor. The volume can seriously impede conversation.

The Food
The menu is predictable but satisfactory: platters (£10-16), the usual starters (£3-4.75), burgers and sandwiches (£7-8.25) and a handful of desserts (£4). Don't expect restaurant treatment, but the selection is extensive and food is good for this type of venue. From the sandwich selection, you can pick from harissa lamb, Mexican chicken, honey roast salmon, cajun chicken wrap and more. The BBQ pork stack is what it promises to be: rich and savoury, while the falafel burger is a flavourful chickpea burger served with soft, chunky chips. For smaller appetites, you can pick from pitta and hummus, marinated olives, spicy potato wedges and more comfort food. Continuing the theme, the desserts include old favourites like baked cheesecake, knickerbocker glory and a sinfully good dark chocolate brownie. Indulge without holding back: you can sweat it all off on the dance floor as the evening progresses.

The Drink
Clause excels at cocktails (£7-9.50, selected jugs £22, shots £4). Their list is suitably long, mixing classics with twisted and new concoctions. Their English martinis (£9.50) are very good and there is a lot more to choose from. House swizzles (2 for 1 during their daily 5-7pm happy hour) include mojito martini, watermelon cosmopolitan and others, while the premium cocktails offer pimped out tipples like the Royal Burial (vodka, strawberry and raspberry purees and liqueurs topped with champagne). If you truly want to test their skills, ask for something not on the list, like a knowledgeably prepared old fashioned or their nameless pear liqueur flambé, a drink made by setting the alcohol alight and sprinkling it with cinnamon. For those office functions, you can rely on sharing cocktails (£25-100) and wine (£5-6.35 for a large glass or £15-41 per bottle), quality champagne (£36-205), and a good range of beers (£3.60-5).

The Last Word
Part bar and part nightclub, Clause is a good example of a City venue that caters for all.

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