ACROSS
 7. <removes> SUBTRACTS = ←ST CAR _T_ BUS←
 9. <path> ROUTE = ←OR← UTE
10. <having hit rock bottom> AGROUND = AG ROUND
11. <beginners> NOVICES = NO VICES
12. PEE V_E = PEEVE <irritation>
13. <frothy drink> MILKSHAKE = HAKE after M ILKS
15. <confirmation> ACKNOWLEDGEMENT = (LONG-WEEKEND MATC_)*
18. (I SEEM DAFT)* = DEFEATISM
20. ←MOOR + B← = BROOM <shrub>
21. <tube> CANNULA = C_ A_ N_ N_ U_ L_ A_
22. <medic> SURGEON = GROUSE* N
23. POLIS[-h] = POLIS <city-state>
24. SO + CIA LIST = SOCIALIST <left-wing person>

DOWN
 1. (BEER E.G.)* inside UK = UBERGEEK <enthusiast>
 2. <moorfowl> GROUSE <beef>
 3. <sour-tempered> ACID = A CID
 4. <crack> CREVASSE = (VERSACE'S)*
 5. (.r)FUL CRA(n.) = FULCRA <lever supports>
 6. <military canteen> MESS <hash>
 7. <bog> SWAMPLAND = SWAM + PLAN + D
 8. SING ←MODEL← = SINGLEDOM <bachelorhood?>
13. MULL I ←SNAG← = MULLIGANS <second chances>
14. <French café> ESTAMINET = ESTA MINE _T
16. <most impenetrable> OPAQUEST = OP + A QUEST
17. <occult> ESOTERIC = COTERIES*
19. FINAGLE - G = FINALE <ending>
20. <in pub he serves> BARMAN = BARM + A N_
21. <point> CAPE = C APE
22. <lay off> SACK <Spanish wine>