| 1 | Indulging Roman statesman outside the empty arena (8,2) |
| 2 | Bit of syrup on chocolatier's cloak (6) |
| 3 | Flirtation doesn't start relationship (8) |
| 4 | Monkey with island seafood dish (6) |
| 5 | Sweetheart prompt to pinch unclosed cravat clip (5-3) |
| 6 | Location where people draw with skill (4) |
| 9 | In speech, refers to spectacles (6) |
| 14 | "Least vivid" describes rogue's reused manuscript (10) |
| 16 | One often checked into identical swindle (4,4) |
| 18 | Almost ready with Aegean island's stashes (8) |
| 19 | Outline border in Southern California (6) |
| 21 | Snarl no good in yarn (6) |
| 23 | Bring back carbon absorbed by existing lake (6) |
| 25 | Exceptional Republican, live (4) |