Update: September 2018 – Jigger & Pony has relocated
See details on new Jigger & Pony here
Contributing polished craftmanship in the emergent cocktail culture in Singapore
December 26th, 2012
A relatively recent arrival onto the burgeoning Singapore bar scene, Jigger & Pony served up their first cocktails in May 2012. Offering a fresh, contemporary interpretation of the classic cocktail bar, Jigger & Pony embraces the traditions of the “cocktail culture” with a focus on serving a well-crafted repertoire of classic cocktails- prepared to the meticulous standards demanded of the Japanese bartending technique adopted by the bar team. Impressed by the cheerful exuberance found in the tapas bars of Barcelona and Madrid, the founders of Jigger & Pony sought to overlay the classic art of cocktail preparation and service with an atmosphere of welcoming charm and relaxed enjoyment. A no-fuss approach sees all cocktails on the menu priced at an attractive S$20++ per drink. The concept has proven a hit with Singapore’s new breed of cocktail enthusiasts, and most nights sees the 65 seat room buzzing with a capacity crowd. Jigger & Pony is open daily (except Sundays) from 6pm – reservations are recommended- particularly for weekend nights.
Jigger & Pony takes its name from the double-coned measuring device first used by bartenders for liquor pours back in the 19th Century
The Design
Occupying the ground floor space of a restored heritage shophouse in the heart of the revitalised Chinatown precinct of downtown Singapore, the bar interior exudes a sleek, pared-back chic. A full height glass facade opens into a deep space with booth seating along one wall, with the bar and extended bar counter stretching down the other side. Guests can choose from the intimacy of the booth seating, a seat at the bar for direct interaction with the bartenders, or the large communal table towards the front of the room that is good for groups of up to 10 persons.
The large communal table- a massive slab of solid Suar timber- dominates the front section of the interior. Other seating options are booths along the wall facing the bar, and at the bar counter.
The solid teak timber bar counter extends along the wall from the bar itself, providing additional seating. The blackboard highlights the “Bartender’s Choice” cocktails of the day.
Looking towards the full height glass street frontage of the space- the tastefully understated interior features white walls and ceiling with some colorful artwork adorning the walls as visual highlights
The Bar Service
The drinks concept of Jigger & Pony pays homage to the “Golden Age” of classic cocktails, with a carefully curated selection of cocktails tabulated into a menu graphic that categorises the drinks under three headings- “Classic” ; “Forgotten”; and “Modern Twist”. With a menu total of 24 cocktails- each category has 8 varieties of cocktail listed- all priced at S$20++. Some examples in each category include- Classic: Old Fashioned- Bourbon whiskey, Angostura Bitters, sugar; Negroni- equal measures of Gin, Sweet Vermouth & Campari; and Sidecar- old-world French charm comprising Cognac, Cointreau, lemon juice. From the Forgotten are drinks such as – Maharajah’s Cup- Bitters-soaked sugar, Cognac topped with sparkling wine; Clover Club- Gin, lemon juice, homemade grenadine, egg white; and Vesper- Vodka, gin and Cocchi Americano. And from the Modern Twist– Morning Breeze- Gin, Cointreau, lime juice, tonic water; Planter’s Punch- Dark rum, lime juice, demerara sugar, grenadine, Angostura Bitters; and The Big Apple- Calvados, Cocchi Americano, Grand Marnier, Campari and orange bitters.
The drinks menu also features selections of Apertivos– served during “Apertivo Hours” of 6pm – 8pm at the special price of S$14++ ( at other times priced at S$20++) as the perfect pre-dinner cocktail to refresh and enhance the appetite. Classic Apertivos include Moscow Mule, Campari Aranciata, Americano, and Gin Fizz.
Other drinks include large Punch Bowls for sharing- holding 15 – 20 servings they include Red Wine Sangria, and Classic Rum Punch. For non-cocktail drinkers- a good selection of premium spirits are on hand- with a focus on Japanese and Scotch Whiskys. A concise selection of wines by the glass and bottle, plus some artisan Japanese beers offer further drinking options.
A Menu of “Shareable Bites”- prepared in the kitchen at Jigger & Pony– provide a good selection of snacks to help satiate the appetite and compliment the cocktails. In addition to items such as Cold Cut Platters, Cheese Platters and Orange Scented Olives, more substantial dishes include a Rib-Eye Steak Sandwich and Steak Tagliata & Rucola.
The action behind the well-stocked bar- with bartender Sam Wong (L), head bartender Anthony Zhong (R).
The meticulous techniques of cocktail preparation at Jigger & Pony follow the Japanese bartending style- learnt by Anthony Zhong in the years he spent working in Ginza cocktail bars. In addition to mixing techniques, details such as hand-cut ice and home-made ingredients add authenticity to the cocktail experience.
Selections from the Bar Menu
“Smallflower”– Reposado tequila, Islay whisky, orange bitters, agave nectar.
From the Aperitivo menu: Campari Aranciata- Campari, sparkling orange.
“Churchill”– JW Black Label Scotch whisky, Cinzano sweet vermouth, Cointreau and lime juice.
“Jack Rose”– Calvados, lime juice, sugar syrup, homemade grenadine.
From the Shareable Bites Menu
Assorted Bruschettas- Tapenade – Basil pesto – corn + ricotta- Sweet pea – Tomato + olive oil.
Mustard Baked Chicken- Chicken thigh, pommery mustard, bread crumbs, herbs.
Jigger & Pony – Cocktail Bar, Singapore
Address: 101 Amoy Street, Singapore 069921
MRT station: NE4 Chinatown, or NS26 Raffles Place
Reservations: +65. 6223 9101 / +65. 96211074
Website: www.jiggerandpony.com/
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/JiggerandPony
Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday 6:00 pm ~ 1:00 am
Fridays & Saturdays 6:00 pm~ 3:00 am Sundays – closed
