Jigger & Pony Group, an independent Singapore-based hospitality company that creates and operates unique award-winning bars and restaurants, is excited to announce its first overseas expansion. Set to be the most anticipated cocktail bar opening in Southeast Asia next year, Cosmo Pony is a joint venture with Indonesia’s The Union Group, and will be located within the Grand Hyatt Jakarta, a long-standing premier address in the heart of the city.
The most established player in Jakarta’s food and beverage scene, The Union Group boasts nine brands and 22 outlets to date under its umbrella. They include American brasserie Union, which made its debut on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2016 and featured on the list consecutively after, and The Cocktail Club, a charming and high-energy cocktail bar. The Cocktail Club most recently ranked No. 19 on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 list and was named Best Bar in Indonesia alongside receiving the Best Cocktail Menu award.
Co-founded by Guoyi Gan and Indra Kantono in 2012, Jigger & Pony Group owns seven well-loved cocktail bars and restaurants in Singapore, such as mid-century modern Japan inspired Live Twice and rum-focused cocktail pub Sugarhall. Its flagship cocktail bar Jigger & Pony at Amara Singapore has been recognised as one of the best bars in the world, having received accolades such as multiple Best Bar in Singapore and Best Bar in Asia awards on the prestigious The World’s 50 Best Bars list. With its ability to offer guests the perfect balance of independent spirit and hospitality in a hotel bar, Jigger & Pony was also recognised as Best International Hotel Bar at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards 2023.
“Over the past decade, we have been on a mission to create one-of-a-kind spaces for guests to find comfort, forge friendships and share happiness, and it has always been our dream to do the same outside of Singapore,” says Jigger & Pony Group Co-Founder Indra Kantono. “The restaurant and bar scene in Jakarta has been really exciting in recent years, there’s a palpable sense of energy and enthusiasm among the guests and bartenders in the city. One can sense that Jakarta is a city rising – I’m confident it will be the next cocktail capital of Southeast Asia, given its large population of discerning drink and food lovers, and we are looking forward to being a part of the city!”
With The Union Group’s mission to create premium yet everyday places where customers feel comfortable returning again and again, the opening of Cosmo Pony sees two industry heavyweights in Southeast Asia coming together. “We’ve been friends for some years now, and our mutual respect and admiration for each other’s work has finally led to this,” shares Stefanie Wijono, Deputy Marketing & PR Director of The Union Group. “The Union Group and Jigger & Pony Group share similar values on hospitality, quality of offerings, and work ethic, and we complement each other in many ways, so working together on Cosmo Pony feels natural for both companies.”
Kiki Moka, Group Head Mixologist of The Union Group and influential international bar industry figure at No. 75 on the Bar World 100 list, chimes in, “Grand Hyatt Jakarta has long been a premier address in the heart of the city. More international visitors are coming to our city for food and drink, plus the people of Jakarta are well-travelled and extremely open minded. I believe guests will fall in love with Cosmo Pony and its promise of world class cocktails, premium setting and gold standard hospitality!”
