Jigger and Pony

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The first floor interior of Jigger and Pony at Amara Hotel. Photo from Jigger and Pony's Facebook.

Opened on 8 May 2012, Jigger and Pony is an award-winning cocktail bar in Singapore. The bar is co-owned by ex-Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight attendant, Gan Guoyi and her husband, Indra Kantono.[1][2] In 2019, Jigger and Pony ranked 9th on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list. Improving 33 spots, Jigger and Pony was also given the Highest Climber Award.[3] Jigger and Pony operated from Amoy Street for 6 years before relocating to Amara Hotel in September 2018.

Background

Gan Guoyi (left) and Indra Kantono (right), the co-founders of Jigger and Pony. Photo from The Straits Times.
The Jigger and Pony logo.

Founding

Named after bartending measurement devices: “jigger” and “pony” denoting 1 ½ ounce and 1  ounce respectively, the contemporary bar was based on the couple’s intended ethos of creating a relaxing and safe space where people can unwind and hangout.[4] In addition to Jigger and Pony, the couple owns other food & beverage establishments such as: Humpback (an oyster bar), Flagship, Caffe Fernet and 2 other cocktail bars: Sugarhall (now permanently defunct) and Gibson. Both these bars have also made it into the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list in previous years.[5][6]


Drawing inspiration from co-founder Gan Guoyi’s past training experience at SIA, Jigger and Pony is a customer-centric bar which aims to create unique customer experiences through attention to detail and warm hospitality.[7] The bar serves a curated assemblage of reinterpreted classics, signature cocktails as well as various bar food.

Signature drinks

The front page of Jigger and Pony's first issued publication that marked their relocation to Amara Hotel.

Jigger and Pony has a dynamic drinks menu that still offers timeless classics such as the Japanese Whiskey Highball and the century-old Italian cocktail Negroni.[8][9]


Part of Jigger and Pony’s cocktail menu includes distinct in-house signatures such as the Little Red Dot — a lychee, raspberry and grapefruit based cocktail made by Bar Programme Director Aki Eguchi during the Global Finals of the Diageo Reserve World Class Competition in 2012. The drink was a tribute to Singapore and its growing cocktail industry.[10]

Bartenders

As of August 2019, Jigger and Pony has a line-up of bartenders and mixologists who have won multiple awards in the industry.

Name Position Awards
Aki Eguchi Bar Programme Director Best Bartender in 2014 Singapore Bar Industry Awards[11]

Winner of 2012 and 2011  Singapore Diageo Reserve World Class Competition[12]

Giovanni Graziadei Principal Bartender Finalist in 2019 Singapore Diageo Reserve World Class Competition[13]
Shigeru Nakamura Principal Bartender -
Boo Jing Heng Former Senior Bartender Winner of 2016 Singapore Diageo Reserve World Class Competition[14]

Won 2015 Team Challenge Trophy at Diageo Reserve World Class Competition SEA Finals[15]

Won 2015 Five Star Classic Challenge at Diageo Reserve World Class Competition[16]

Yinying Leow Senior Bartender Winner of 2014 Malaysia Diageo Reserve World Class Competition[17]
Silvio Daniele Senior Bartender Finalist in 2019 Singapore Diageo Reserve World Class Competition[18]
Wonho Jang “Uno” Senior Bartender Finalist in 2017 Singapore Bacardi Legacy[19]
Aaron Ong Bartender -
Joash Conceicao Bartender -
Christyne Lee


Former Bartender

Winner of FABBRI Badass Bartender Cocktail Challenge 2016[20]

5th Place in Best Female Bartender 2015[21]

1st Runner-up in Vedrenne Cocktail Grand Prix 2014 Rookie Category[22]

Relocation

The second floor of Jigger and Pony at Amara Hotel. Photo from Highest Spirits.

101 Amoy Street

Jigger and Pony was located among the many shophouses of Amoy Street. The 65-seater drinking establishment began its operations in 2012 with an initial investment of S$400,000 savings from its founders, an estimate of S$400 per square foot during the time of its inception.[23]


Within the bar’s interior space, lies an array of 70s themed booth seats, a rustic-looking wooden communal table and a long bar stocked with a large collection of various liquor brands and paraphernalia  displayed on the back shelves.[24][25] Jigger and Pony’s last day of operations was on 28 July 2018 before it was closed in preparation for its relocation in the following months.[26]

Amara Hotel

On 19 September 2018, Jigger and Pony reopened its doors following a shift in its operations to Tanjong Pagar, within larger the premise of Amara Singapore Hotel. The bar now provides seating of up to 140 guests due to its increasing popularity and footfall.[27][28] The cocktail bar spans 2 floors, both with their own bar counters. The first floor houses the main bar while the second contains a feature bar for guest bartenders during events.


The interior decor of the new location was designed by interior design firm Hui Designs. The concept was meant to replicate a similar vibe to the Amoy Street location - swanky yet comfortable.[29] Banquette booth seating and communal tables are laid out to encourage interaction among its patrons. Decorations which include old furniture pieces from its past location, including a long table which had been repurposed with upcycled wood taken from the previous bar and Ketna Patel collages, was meant to recreate a sense of familiarity among its regulars.[30][31]

Awards & accolades

Year Organization/Event Title Notes
2019 Asia’s 50 Best Bars 9th Place[32]

Highest Climber Award[33]

Rising 33 spots to 9th place
2018 Asia’s 50 Best Bars 42nd Place[34] -
2017 Asia’s 50 Best Bars 21st Place[35] -
2016 Asia’s 50 Best Bars 8th Place[36] -

Past events[37]

Dates Event Description
24 June - 30 June 2019 Negroni Week[38] Guest bartender shift by Principal Bartender Giovanni Graziadei at Mandarin Oriental’s Mo Bar
10 May - 12 May 2019 Singapore Cocktail Festival 2019[39] Guest bartender shift by Principal Bartender Giovanni Graziadei at Empress Lawn
8 May - 18 May 2019 SEVEN by Jigger and Pony 7th Anniversary celebration with 7 guest shifts by renowned bartenders
31 December - 1 January 2019 New Year’s Eve Countdown 2019 New Year celebration with resident DJ KiDG
30 November - 8 December 2018 East Imperial Gin Jubilee[40] Feature bar at The Fullerton Hotel
27 July 2018 The Last Shake - Final Party at Amoy Street Farewell celebration before relocation to Amara Singapore Hotel
27 June 2018 The Last Anniversary at Amoy Street 6th Anniversary celebration along with Sugarhall’s 4th Anniversary
31 December 2017 - 1 January 2018 The Final Punchdown New Year celebration with punch bowl specials
5 June  - 11 June 2017 Negroni Week[41] $1 of every sale of negroni twist to be made out to the Alzheimer’s Disease Association
17 May 2017 Sugarhall + Jigger & Pony Anniversary Celebrations 5th Anniversary celebration along with Sugarhall’s 3rd Anniversary
15 March - 22 March 2017 Singapore Family Cocktail Festival 2017 Inhouse celebration of Singapore Cocktail Festival 2017
5 May 2016 Jigger & Pony’s 4th Anniversary Party 4th Anniversary celebration
8 May 2013 Jigger & Pony’s 1st Anniversary Party[42] 1st Anniversary celebration with invitation of 5 Diageo Reserve World Class Champions as guest bartenders

References / Citations

  1. ↑ Hong, Xinyi. “Meet Gan Guoyi, Co-Founder of Singapore’s Jigger & Pony Group”. Generation T. August 16, 2017. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://generationt.asia/leaders/gan-guoyi-cofounder-director-jigger-and-pony
  2. ↑ “Jigger & Pony – Cocktail Bar, Singapore- 1st Anniversary Party- Wednesday May 8th”. Asia Bars & Restaurants. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.asia-bars.com/2013/05/jigger-pony-cocktail-bar-singapore-1st-anniversary-party-wednesday-may-8th/
  3. ↑ Bowers, Beatrice, and Xiangjun Liao. “Asia's 50 Best Bars 2019: A New Top Dog, but Singapore Still Top Region.” Augustman. May 13, 2019. Accessed August 14 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.augustman.com/sg/food-drink/drinks/asias-50-best-bars-2019-a-new-top-dog-but-singapore-still-top-region/
  4. ↑ “Jigger and Pony.” Jigger and Pony. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.jiggerandpony.com
  5. ↑ “Gan Guoyi”. Generation T. July 21, 2017. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://generationt.asia/people/gan-guoyi
  6. ↑ Goh, Kenneth. “One Shophouse, Three Bars”. The Straits Times. February 29, 2016. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/one-shophouse-three-bars
  7. ↑ Hong, Xinyi. “Meet Gan Guoyi, Co-Founder of Singapore’s Jigger & Pony Group”. Generation T. August 16, 2017. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://generationt.asia/leaders/gan-guoyi-cofounder-director-jigger-and-pony
  8. ↑ Jigger and Pony. "THE 27 COCKTAILS YOU SHOULD DRINK NOW." Accessed on 15 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55dff4d0e4b023d46479cd47/t/5b98fd0e8a922d3b25bcdc67/1536752973341/Jigger+%2526+Pony+Cocktail+Menu.pdf
  9. ↑ Jigger and Pony. "Let's Drink Better". Accessed on 15 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55dff4d0e4b023d46479cd47/t/5ccff203104c7b981c3b1c13/1557131839757/200419_jpmenu_web.pdf
  10. ↑ “Jigger and Pony.” Jigger and Pony. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.jiggerandpony.com
  11. ↑ Linton, Alexander J. “Results Are in! The 2014 Singapore Bar Industry Awards - Best Bartender, Bar, Cocktail Bar and More”. City Nomads. January 19, 2016. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.citynomads.com/results-are-in-the-singapore-bar-industry-awards-for-best-bartender-bar-cocktail-bar-and-more/  
  12. ↑ Kim, Choong. “Akihiro Eguchi”. ThirstMag.com. September 13, 2012. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://thirstmag.com/people/Akihiro-Eguchi
  13. ↑ Chi, Hou. “Diageo Announces World Class Singapore Bartender of the Year 2019.” Highest Spirits. June 18, 2019. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.highestspirits.com/diageo-announces-world-class-singapore-bartender-of-the-year-2019/
  14. ↑ Ang, Rachel. “Interview: Boo Jing Heng, SG Winner Diageo World Class 2016”. Men's Folio. August 9, 2016. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.mens-folio.com/21941/interview-boo-jing-heng-singapores-winner-diageo-world-class-2016/#iX2jsBweMjqv63ic.97
  15. ↑ “Singapore for the Win: Bartending Gold at Diageo World Class SEA”. Augustman. March 26, 2019. Accessed 14 August. Retrieved from: https://www.augustman.com/sg/food-drink/singapore-for-the-win-bartending-gold-at-diageo-world-class-sea/
  16. ↑ “These Home-Grown Bartenders Are Putting Singapore on the World Map”. Weekender Singapore. August 3, 2016. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://weekender.com.sg/w/dining/cocktails/these-home-grown-bartenders-are-putting-singapore-on-the-world-map/
  17. ↑ Isabel, Claudet. “[Interview] Diageo Reserve World Class 2014 Winner, Leow Yinying”. Lipstiq.com. May 24, 2015. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.lipstiq.com/2015/90434/interview-diageo-reserve-world-class-2014-winner-leow-yinying/
  18. ↑ Chi, Hou. “Diageo Announces World Class Singapore Bartender of the Year 2019”. Highest Spirits. June 18, 2019. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.highestspirits.com/diageo-announces-world-class-singapore-bartender-of-the-year-2019/
  19. ↑ Goh, Daniel. “Bacardi Legacy 2017 Picks Its Top Six Finalists”. SPIRITED/SG. Spirited Singapore. February 14, 2017. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.spiritedsingapore.com/2017/02/bacardi-legacy-2017-picks-top-six-finalists/
  20. ↑ “Christyne Lee Highball Singapore”. Highball Singapore. Accessed August 14, 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.highball.com.sg/html/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Biography_Christyne_Lee.pdf
  21. ↑ Linton, Alexander J. “The Singapore Bar Awards 2015 - Full Results Announced!” City Nomads. March 8, 2015. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.citynomads.com/the-singapore-bar-awards-2015-full-results-announced/
  22. ↑ “Christyne Lee Highball Singapore.” Highball Singapore. Accessed August 14, 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.highball.com.sg/html/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Biography_Christyne_Lee.pdf
  23. ↑ Tan, Lynette. “Shaken and Stirred: What It Takes to Run Some of Singapore's Best Bars.” The Business Times. February 22, 2019. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/brunch/shaken-and-stirred-what-it-takes-to-run-some-of-singapores-best-bars
  24. ↑ “Jigger & Pony.” SG Magazine Online. February 13, 2017. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://sgmagazine.com/nightlife/singapore-bar-club/jigger-pony
  25. ↑ “Jigger and Pony, Amoy Street Singapore.” Rubbish Eat Rubbish Grow. August 30, 2012. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://rubbisheatrubbishgrow.com/2012/08/31/jigger-and-pony-amoy-street-raffles-place-singapore/
  26. ↑ Jigger and Pony. "The Last Shake - Final Party at Amoy Street.” Facebook. Accessed August 14  2019. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/events/199944553944137/
  27. ↑ “Jigger & Pony to Re-Open on 19 Sept at Amara Hotel Singapore.” Urban Journey. January 15, 2019. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.urbanjourney.com/bars-nightlife/jigger-and-pony-amara/
  28. ↑ “Jigger & Pony Has Reopened with a Bigger, Better Cocktail Menu.” SG Magazine Online. September 24, 2018. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://sgmagazine.com/nightlife/bar-club/jigger-pony-amara-singapore
  29. ↑ “Drink And Stay The Night.” The Business Times. October 15, 2018. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/travel/drink-and-stay-the-night
  30. ↑ Hong, Natasha. “The New Jigger & Pony Is the Feel-Good Bar That Singapore Needs.” Umami Cult. January 3, 2019. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://umamicult.com/2018/09/the-new-jigger-pony-is-the-feel-good-bar-that-singapore-needs/
  31. ↑ “Jigger and Pony in Singapore: Reviews, Address.” World's Best Bars. Accessed August 14, 2019. https://www.worldsbestbars.com/bar/singapore/city-center/jigger-and-pony/
  32. ↑ “Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019.” World’s 50 Best Bars. Accessed 15 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.worlds50bestbars.com/asia/list/?ist=1
  33. ↑ Bowers, Beatrice, and Xiangjun Liao. “Asia's 50 Best Bars 2019: A New Top Dog, but Singapore Still Top Region.” Augustman. May 13, 2019. Accessed August 14 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.augustman.com/sg/food-drink/drinks/asias-50-best-bars-2019-a-new-top-dog-but-singapore-still-top-region/
  34. ↑ “Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2018.” World’s 50 Best Bars. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from:  http://www.worlds50bestbars.com/asia/2018/?ist=41
  35. ↑ “Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2017.” World’s 50 Best Bars. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from:  http://www.worlds50bestbars.com/asia/2017/?ist=21
  36. ↑ “Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2016.” World’s 50 Best Bars. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.worlds50bestbars.com/asia/2016/?ist=6
  37. ↑ “Jigger and Pony.” Facebook. Accessed August 14, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/pg/JiggerandPony/events/?ref=page_internal
  38. ↑ Nithiyah, Nicole. “Negroni Week 2019: Where to Drink for a Good Cause: Honeycombers.” Honeycombers. June 26, 2019. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://thehoneycombers.com/singapore/negroni-week-singapore-2019-bars-events-cocktails-100-years/
  39. ↑ Ho, Erica. “Singapore Cocktail Festival 2019: Where To Go And What To Drink At This Annual Boozy Affair.” City Nomads. April 25, 2019. Accessed 14 Auguest 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.citynomads.com/singapore-cocktail-festival-2019-where-to-go-and-what-to-drink-at-this-annual-boozy-affair/
  40. ↑ Nithiyah, Nicole. “Gin Jubilee: the Festival Everyone's Freaking out about: Honeycombers.” Honeycombers. July 8, 2019. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from:  https://thehoneycombers.com/singapore/east-imperial-gin-jubilee-2018/
  41. ↑ Hong, Sophie. “Where To Drink At For Negroni Week, Based On The Causes You Support.” CLEO. June 5, 2017. Accessed 14 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.cleo.com.sg/entertain-me/drinking-negroni-week-based-causes-support/?slide=8
  42. ↑ “Jigger & Pony – Cocktail Bar, Singapore- 1st Anniversary Party- Wednesday May 8th.” Asia Bars & Restaurants. Accessed August 14, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.asia-bars.com/2013/05/jigger-pony-cocktail-bar-singapore-1st-anniversary-party-wednesday-may-8th/
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