Occupying a quiet corner of Clerkenwell behind Mount Pleasant sorting depot, with red postal vans regularly passing its sun-catching front terrace, the Pakenham is simply a thoroughly decent, and decent-sized, corner boozer.
Atop a long bar counter, taps of Greene King, Sambrook’s Wandle, Sharp’s Doom Bar and Sagres lager draw in a blokey clientele of posties and ale fans, some scarfing down a homemade pie of the day or a notable Pakenham burger topped with cheese, bacon and onion rings. Look out for the twofer meal deal for under a tenner on weekday lunchtimes.
Flatscreen TVs in diagonal corners of the expansive main saloon provide entertainment for sports fans but the Pakenham is best enjoyed by day, providing the epitome of the quiet pint beneath tasteful black-and-white shots of vintage London.