Clerkenwell & Social - Cocktail & Pizza Bar

Overall review: 5/5

Absolutely amazing.

Last week, I was invited down to a brand new and funky cocktail bar called Clerkenwell & Social.

Located in Farringdon and handily only a brisk five minute walk from the station, it's tucked away in St John Square.

A perfect little place for after work drinks or a mid-week date.

The bar itself was buzzing at 7pm on a Thursday night but had a really friendly atmosphere. Everyone was just enjoying themselves and laughing which was nice to see. It's dimly lit in there but has enough light to see what you are doing/drinking/eating.

Infact, it was cosy and I didn't want to leave.

I was kindly allowed to bring a guest so I thought who could be any better than my mother? Well, I did ask Josh but he wasn't keen. However, he soon regretted his awful decision.

Stay tuned to find out why.




We was greeted by a lovely friendly waitress and I was pleasantly surprised to see that a table had been reserved with my name on. Special treatment or what!

We was then handed the cocktail menu and was told it was Happy Hour which meant 2 for 1 drinks! The cocktail menu is designed to fit in around the literature of Shakespeare which I think is just lovely and very different compared to the bog standard cocktail names. (Oh hey Cosmopolitan, I'm looking at you!)

My Mother got a little excited and took to choosing her cocktail first.

We were both very tempted by the Pride and Passion Martini; a fruity and zingy passion fruit cocktail with a deliciously sharp vodka mix and mint leaves to accompany.

 I got a little excited and couldn't stop sipping it. It's literally now my favourite cocktail of all time.

Whoops, all gone. Dangerously yummy!

We then moved onto our next cocktail. Yep, this place sure knows how to treat its guests! Upon much deliberation, we both went for the Black Luce; a cocktail based on the famous lady of Clerkenwell. Wild berries, blackberry liqueur and gin are used to create this dark and wonderfully twisted cocktail with crushed ice, lime juice and mint to perfect everything. Very cheeky.

Next, it was time to order food. Yep, this amazing little hot spot also has a pizza menu. Obviously, this place was made for me. Cocktails and pizza; is there anything better?

For starters, we ordered the Mozzarella Cristini Sticks with Pesto Dipping Sauce which melted on our tongues with a warm sensation of the freshly cooked bread. We also got some Mozzarella Garlic Bread and Olives. I'm not a fan of olives but Mother D says these were just right.

YES, there is more. Are you hungry yet?

We both ordered a pizza each which I was so excited about getting stuck into. 

After even more deliberation (this place will have you spoilt for choice), I chose the Nduja pizza; featuring tomato, mozzarella, spicy nduja sausage and pancetta. It was perfect.

My mum ordered the Melanzane pizza; with tomato, mozzarella, roasted aubergines and parmesan. You literally cannot do any better than this place.

 After feeling extremely full and ready to burst our bellies, a cocktail bartender came over with a treasure chest of 8 different weird and wonderful shots. "The fun isn't over yet ladies", is what he said.

We both decided to live in the moment and DO IT.

We played a mini drinking game in which we chose a shot for each other and no matter what it was, you had to drink it!

Here's my mum with a weird surprise of a nutella flavoured vodka shot. 

I then had a citrus shot which warmed my chest up so much, I didn't know how to cope. Thankfully, I am still alive. 

Other flavours included coffee and... MUSHROOM FLAVOURED.

Oh, we didn't like that one!

We then ordered one of their famous cocktails; Love is a Smoke. A very different kind of cocktail made with merlot, aperol and home made bourbon. All of the ingredients are infused with smoked applewood chips giving it a unique smoky flavour.  A perfect cocktail if you like mulled wine.

A very smoky surprise; soon delivered in a blood orange colour with some dried fruit for decoration.

This place has only been open for two months and I predict big things for it. I reckon bookings will go sky high very soon so if you are looking for a great little hangout for drinks and food, you can book a table.

Clerkenwell & Social

2-5 St John Square

London

EC1M 4DE

0207-608-2117

The service we received was out of this world and I shall be recommending it to everyone. A huge thank you to Clerkenwell & Social for the food and drinks. I will no doubt be back soon for more pizza!

Disclaimer: I was invited down to review the restaurant but all opinions, words and photos are my own.