On a nondescript corner of Brixton sits a faithful homage to Tuscany’s Maremma province. As the sun sets behind wrap-around glass, perch at the quartz-topped bar to sip and nibble through the enticing aperitivo menu, which features multiple spritzes made with Maremma’s Picabon spumante as well as herb-laced riffs on hard classics — an oregano martini. Olives, focaccia, green anchovy and artichoke crostini, and regional salumi form the spuntini on offer as ballast.

Then on to… Nanban, Fish, Wings and Tings, Smoke & Salt.

Renowned for doing fiendish things to vegetables, Ottolenghi’s airy Fitzrovian space also has a serious drinks game. Come aperitivo hour, pop in for a Britz Spritz, boosted by Surrey’s Greyfriars Brut, or a cider-centric Sassy Suze. As for snacks, pick at padron peppers with almond cream and togarashi, or pickles and ferments with Valdeon cheese, before splitting an appetite-spiking lobster crumpet.

Then on to… Kyseri, Bao Fitzrovia, Clipstone.

Hush the Hackney traffic and the terrace of this first-rate, canal-side take on a Venetian baccaro has low-key transportive powers. In addition to standard spritzes such as Campari and Cynar, there’s a negroni sbagliato and Cocchi americano to take the edge off the working day. Being Venetian, drinks are accompanied by a rotating selection of cicchetti: think taleggio and summer truffle crostino, nduja crochetto and baccalà mantecato with polenta.

Then on to… Bright, Mao Chow, Campania

At Gergovie Wines’ unassuming bar and bistro, the focus is on a stellar selection of low intervention, chemical-free bottles that “let the land and the grape speak.” Whether fizz or rosé, skin contact or white, it’s a given that this London treasure will have the ideal thing to smooth the day-to-night transition. Look to the chalkboard to find a matching appetite-booster, like cheddar straws, chicken and ham terrine, aubergine fritters with chickpeas, or smoked cod’s roe and crudités.

Then on to… Flor, Santo Remedio, 40 Maltby Street

Cosy up to a wine barrel outside this smart bar from Harts Group (Barrafina, Parrillan, Quo Vadis and El Pastor), where a different wine region is highlighted via monthly specials, and there’s a mouthwatering list of vermouth and sherries to supplement the canny house list. Once full of marcona almonds, truffle crisps and Jersey oysters, move onto seasonal cheeses such as Guernsey’s Maida Vale or the fruity Old Winchester, well-seasoned fennel salami or pancetta con giovanni, or simply commit to the cheese and meat board.

Then on to… Coal Office, Kaki, Standard Hotel

Whether it’s oysters and rosé, signature prawns and manzanilla, marinated anchovies and Aperol — even an entire Padstow crab and bottle of Albariño brut, the cracking Cornish fishmonger and restaurant has the dream booze and seafood pairing to kickstart an epicurean escapade.

Then on to… Black Axe Mangal, Trullo, Westerns Laundry.

Faultless. And, thankfully, not all that tricky to nip into without a reservation come aperitivo-time. On a sunny day, bag the street-side table, otherwise the candlelit bar’ll more than do as the backdrop to a white negroni (white vermouth, Mondino, Suze and gin), glass of Pét-Nat, or any other natural marvel on that week’s boards. Invigorate the palate with sourdough and market pickles, labneh with dukkah, Jersey rock oysters, or pork collar under oil.

Then on to… Quo Vadis, Kiln, Wun’s, Ducksoup

Slide into the diminutive bar at the Holland Park haven of Terroirs’ provenance, and order a house negroni — enriched by their trading Campari for Contratto Bitter, to be savoured with the olives, bread and oil that greet every guest. Having chosen a low intervention fizz or wine from the deftly curated and expansive list, seek out a genuinely shareable starter on the daily-changing menu of Mediterranean fare, such as globe artichoke and vinaigrette or San Daniele ham, fresh peas and walnut.

Then on to… Hereford Road, Orasay, Core by Clare Smyth

A lazy oenophile’s paradise, 10 Cases’ cave à vin offers 25 reasonably priced, intrigue-piquing wines by the glass each night. Extensive cheese and charcuterie options and pick-at-able small plates, e.g. polenta chips with parmesan and Iberico croquetas, will ensure hunger soon stirs.
 

Then on to … Parsons, Barrafina Drury Lane, Terroirs

Despite the fuss — The Clove Club is #27 in 2019’s World’s 50 Best — it’s easy to forget the discreet grown up’s refuge at Shoreditch’s arrhythmic heart. Bar-chef Rob Simpson’s hyper-seasonal menu brims over with tantalising creations, including a London spritz, the Orange Line, made with Kanpai sake, Kamm & Sons aperitif, pickled blood orange, spent coffee and tonic. The alcohol-free concoctions are equally on-point. While the drinks are so well-balanced, it’s arguably possible to forgo the ‘bite’ element, Isaac McHale’s signature buttermilk fried chicken with pine salt is available.

Then on to… BRAT, Lyle’s, Brawn

Fancy aperitivo with that rare combo of vibe and view? Clamber Bold Tendencies’ rose-hued stairs, secure sunset-facing elbow room, and toast nightfall with a house negroni or hard rock shandy. If not into choice Levantine dips on pitta, Peckham Rye bread and butter, spicy snacks or padron peppers will fuel the stroll to dinner.

Then on to… Levan, Coal Rooms, Kudu