The buzz: This 65-seater watering hole in the ever popular Club Street neighborhood (B28 and Club Street Social are within a block’s radius) gets its name from cocktail measurements: the one-and-half-ounce jigger and the one-ounce pony.
The décor: Colorful and friendly, with red and yellow booth seats and a collection of vintage liquor posters—promoting drinkables such as Dubonnet and Cointreau—on the walls. The centerpiece is an imposing communal table made from an unfinished Indonesian Suar wood log.
The food: Sweet spicy tapioca chips (or evil chips as the Jigger & Pony team has christened them for their addictive qualities) are delivered to every table. You can also order nibbles like onion and pineapple in sriracha sauce ($10), mushroom risotto balls ($14) and the hand cut fries ($10) from their compact menu. For meat eaters, there’s a steak tartare ($22) with spiced strawberry ketchup, a boiled egg, and sourdough.
The drinks: The selection at Jigger & Pony focuses on old school concoctions but includes a handful of updated classics with a twist. It comes care of bartender Aki Eguchi and Stuart Danker. Choose from 24 cocktails, all priced at $22 each, including the Southside—with Tanqueray Gin, lime, simple syrup, mint, Angostura Bitters—and the serious drinker’s favorite, the Negroni (equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari).
The music: Relaxed yet lively, like the décor.
The crowd: Young professionals who work in the area and food industry insiders popping in for a quick pick-me-up after work.
Why you’ll be back: It’s a welcoming spot for a traditional and well-made drink.
Jigger & Pony is in I-S Best Bars Guide 2014. Download your copy to see where else you should be partying.
