ACROSS
 7. <let's drink> BOTTOMS UP = (BLOTTO M SUP) - L
 9. <pilot> ACE = (.r)A CE(s.)
10. <how bats navigate> SONAR = SOAR outside _N_
11. E_ + C LAIRS = ECLAIRS <chocolatey treats>
12. HERE FORDS HIRE = HEREFORDSHIRE <Leominster region>
14. (FIVE SIMULCAST)* = MUSIC FESTIVAL <Reading?>
17. <damned> BLASTED = B LASTED
19. _R_U_ R_A_L_ = RURAL <in the provinces>
21. "DOCK" = DOC <medic>
22. <sponsor> GODPARENT = D inside GOP + A RENT

DOWN
 1. <goes out> EBBS = _E_ B_B_S
 2. <druggie> STONER = ST ONE R_
 3. <awful> HORRIFIC = (IF CHOIR + R_)*
 4. OP + A L = OPAL <gemstone>
 5. (IN THAI)* = TAHINI <seedy stuff>
 6. <one found at beach> SEASHELL = S_E (AS HELL)
 8. <did pioneer> SPEARHEADED = SPEED outside (A RHEA + D)
12. <one usually in> HOMEBODY = H [-s]OMEBODY
13. <part of week> SATURDAY = SAY outside (A_ + TURD)
15. <examine> SEARCH = S EAR + CH
16. T inside OVER* X = VORTEX <whirlpool>
18. <country> TOGO = T_O + GO
20. "LOOT" = LUTE <string instrument>