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Our favorite aperitifs to start the evening

An aperitivo is the first pour of an evening, designed to awaken the palate without arriving heavier than the meal ahead. A spritz, dry sherry or bitter soda can do the job beautifully, especially when the glass is balanced, chilled and served with something small to nibble.

At 31TEN Lounge on Main Street in Santa Monica, that opening sip becomes part of the setting as much as the drink itself. The craft cocktails, lounge seating and food menu make the venue equally suited to an early catch-up, a relaxed dinner or a late evening with friends.

From Australian pre-dinner to Main Street

Australians are accustomed to a dedicated window between work and dinner, whether they call it pre-dinner drinks, happy hour or simply a catch-up. Neighbourhood wine bars around Carlton, Surry Hills and Bondi often attract the same after-work crowd, so an Italian-style aperitivo feels familiar rather than formal or foreign.

The Australian ritual also has its own language. To “shout” someone means buying their round, while choosing wine by the glass keeps the evening flexible. Some Melbourne diners even expect BYO rights at local restaurants, a habit that does not carry to licensed American venues, where drinks must be ordered from the bar. The Main Street location page provides the practical details, including the published Thursday-to-Saturday hours of 6 PM to 2 AM.

Bright, bitter and citrus-led

The classic Aperol Spritz is our first recommendation for a reason. Bitter orange, sparkling wine and soda create a light, lively drink that feels festive without masking the food to come. At 31TEN, the wide lounge setting allows the glass to settle into the evening rather than demand immediate attention.

An Americano offers a more restrained alternative, combining bitter liqueur, sweet vermouth and soda over ice. It is savoury, dry enough for olives and equally comfortable beside a substantial plate. Guests can ask the bartender which bitters are pouring that evening, since a well-made Americano can shift considerably depending on the amaro used.

Bubbles that do not need to be sweet

Prosecco spritzes and Bellinis provide a softer route into the evening. Sparkling peach or blood orange works particularly well with salty snacks, while a dry spritz suits diners who want the fizz and citrus but prefer less sweetness. In Australia, sparkling wine is often chosen for celebrations, yet these combinations are just as effective for an unhurried Thursday.

The French 75 brings a little more structure, balancing gin, fresh lemon and sparkling wine. Its citrus and dry finish make it one of the most versatile aperitif cocktails, especially when dinner will include seafood or rich shared plates. Fino sherry is the quieter alternative: chilled, dry and served with olives, it delivers complexity without the sweetness of a conventional after-dinner drink.

Small plates make the first sip

An aperitivo works best when the first drink has something to accompany it. Olives, salted nuts, crostini, cured meats and small plates from the food menu give the bitter and fizzy flavours somewhere to land. The goal is not to replace dinner, but to arrive at the table ready to enjoy it.

A cheese board guide offers useful principles for a bar-friendly selection: contrast soft and firm cheeses, include something sharp and provide enough crackers for the group. At a lounge, a smaller board with two or three cheeses can be more elegant than an oversized spread, especially alongside an Americano or dry sherry.

The smart six-to-eight window

Happy hour is the easiest time to discover a new drink without committing to a full cocktail. The lounge is open from 6 PM, and its special happy-hour menu explains how reduced pricing creates an approachable start to the night. Arrive at 6 PM if you want the widest selection and a table before the room fills.

For groups, ordering one round of cocktails and one shared plate is more useful than trying every drink at once. That allows each person to identify a favourite before moving into dinner, rather than leaving with an unfamiliar half-finished glass. Guests planning a birthday, private gathering or other celebration should reserve ahead and ask about special events or VIP options.

Choosing a quieter lounge night

Santa Monica can be busy, but the right evening calls for a different approach to the crowd. The venue’s guide to quieter lounge nights is a better starting point than guessing. Thursday and the earlier part of the evening generally offer a more conversational atmosphere than a Friday or Saturday peak.

For visitors flying from Australia, booking the first available table also removes the temptation to wander Main Street after a long flight. Sydney and Melbourne change their clocks with daylight saving, and Los Angeles follows a different seasonal schedule, so a fixed time difference should not be assumed. Confirm the local time, reserve your space and let the aperitif begin without a rush.

Favorites for the first round

Our preferred drinks share a sense of freshness: citrus, dry bubbles, bitter herbs and restrained sweetness. They are crafted to complement one another rather than dominate the table. Availability may change, so the bartender can guide the group toward the closest match.

Treat these as starting points rather than rigid recipes. The best choice depends on whether the group wants something bright and sparkling, savoury and bitter, or almost sherry-like. Ordering two different styles also makes the table more interesting.

Make 31TEN Lounge the beginning of your Santa Monica evening by reserving a table for the 6 PM happy hour, choosing an aperitivo to suit the table and settling into the lounge with the first course to follow.