Jigger & Pony

Jigger & Pony occupies a street-level unit at the Amara Singapore hotel in Tanjong Pagar, and has repeatedly ranked among Asia's 50 Best Bars since opening, drawing a mixed local and visiting cocktail-enthusiast crowd rather than a typical nightlife set. The dress code is smart casual — Singapore business-district attire works fine, and there is no strict enforcement beyond neat, closed footwear. The age range trends late-20s through 40s, with a fair number of solo drinkers at the bar counter alongside couples and small groups at tables; the mood is conversational and unhurried rather than a dance-oriented or peak-hour party scene. There is no in-house DJ or live music; the room runs on low-volume background music that keeps focus on conversation and on the bartenders' presentations. The drinks programme is the main draw: a rotating, playfully-themed cocktail menu (past editions have run circus and casino themes) built around precise technique and Southeast Asian and regional ingredients, alongside a shorter list of classics for those who prefer a familiar order; cocktails run roughly SGD 26-32. The bar opens in the early evening and runs to around midnight on weeknights, extending later on Friday and Saturday, with the counter seats filling first as the night progresses. There is no cover charge, but seats are limited and the bar does not take large walk-in groups during peak Friday and Saturday hours without a reservation. Given its 50 Best Bars reputation, reservations are strongly recommended for weekend evenings, particularly for counter seats near the bartenders, and solo diners or pairs have the best chance of a walk-in seat on weeknights.