Step into Pop City x Pony, a new cocktail bar in Singapore inspired by Tokyo’s upbeat energy

Pop City x Pony, Jigger & Pony Group’s new Japanese lifestyle cocktail bar, brings convivial fun and upbeat energy to the CBD.

Jigger & Pony Group unveils Pop City x Pony, a new bar in Singapore. This Japanese lifestyle bar feels like you’ve hit the jackpot, stumbling upon a den where all the cool kids gather. With four unique concepts, including a nook where you can listen to music, sip cocktails infused with everything from hojicha to dashi, and busk in Japan’s infectious City Pop era, you won’t want to leave. I sure didn’t when I got a cheeky sneak peek ahead of its opening on 5 December…

Details at a glance

Best for: Music and cocktail enthusiasts, a vibey spot to wind down
Price: Cocktails from $24; non-alcoholic cocktails from $18; happy hour from $15; food and bar bites from $6
Reservations: Highly recommended
Opening hours: Mondays to Saturdays 5.30pm to 12am, Sundays and public holidays, closed (happy hour from 5.30pm – 8pm, Monday to Saturday)
Address: Pop City x Pony, 19 Cecil Street, Level 2, Singapore 049704

Inspired by the upbeat Japanese music genre that soundtracked the optimism of the ‘80s, Pop City x Pony reimagines that same energy for today’s city crowd. The space is a nod to Japan’s modern subcultures, from fashion to music, all wrapped up in sleek design and guaranteed good times.

What to expect: Four unique concepts under one roof

But first, let’s address the elephant in the room – yes, this used to be Sugarhall, but you’ll quickly forget you’re in the same space, as the team has given it a complete makeover to look like your cool Japanese friend’s living room. Find the signboard that says ‘Pop City’, head up the fire-escape stairs, and you’ve arrived.

The first thing I noticed? The iconic fairy lights, gone – not that I had any complaints. Now the room hums with quiet Japanese elegance without shouting about it. I like the small touches of Zaisu-inspired seating, kimono-inspired cushions, embroidered byōbu (traditional Japanese folding screens), custom ichimatsu wall coverings, and cool art prints I wish I had at home.

The bar unfolds in various zones. Sit by the main Byōbu Bar for an up-close look at Bar manager Sylvia Chong and her team in action. Look behind, and you’ll notice an embroidered byōbu as the backdrop. Tasting Commons has an easy swagger of communal space. Vintage Japanese vinyl sets the mood, while a whisky-lined counter pulls double duty as a hangout perch and, on Popcity nights, a DJ stage.

The After Hours Salon is a polished yet unfussy spot that can fit small to bigger groups, thanks to the modular tables. And there’s my favourite – Bar Mixtape, a little hideaway that channels the magic of Tokyo’s pocket bars. You can cue up tracks on the bar’s players, sipping in sync with the soundscape. It doubles as a whisky discovery den, too.

As Bar Programme Director Aki Eguchi puts it, “It’s a space to express, explore, and connect – a celebration of Japanese craft and creative energy.”

Bars & Nightlife

New bars in Singapore: November 2025

What’s on the menu: Refined cocktails elevated with Japanese ingredients

Inspired by music, fashion, and Tokyo’s creative subcultures, the 16-cocktail menu dances between Pop – spirited, expressive iterations, and City – sleek and effortlessly stylish. The cocktails layer familiar Japanese flavours like yuzu, hojicha, and dashi with inventive twists. Each drink also comes with an inspired genre and artist to discover.

I started with Pop City Sour ($26), a drink that embodies the bar in a glass. It layers Hibiki Harmony Whisky with sour plum and a hint of Cocchi Americano infused with purple shiso, creating a drink that’s surprisingly creamy rather than sharply tart. Think of it as the Shibuya City Boy aesthetic in cocktail form – I wouldn’t know, I’m not cool enough.

Next, Shitake Mushroom Negroni ($26), one of the two seasonal cocktails that’ll rotate regularly. It’s a clever twist on the classic with earthy notes from shiitake and subtle umami from Roku Gin stirred with Campari’s signature bitterness and Mancino Rosso’s warmth. The surprise is the ‘mushroom’ garnish, cleverly disguised in sweet potato and white chocolate, adding a slightly sweet finish that balances the drink’s savoury depth.

The night got better as I tried my two favourites. If you know me, you know matcha and hojicha have never been on my friend list. But the Hojicha Espresso Martini ($25) had me hooked. This cocktail blends Haku Vodka, hojicha, Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, cream, mezcal, and a dash of Angostura bitters into a smooth, trendy sipper. The toasty nuttiness of the hojicha comes through beautifully without tipping into bitterness, while a sprinkle of raspberry powder on top adds a bright, playful note that lifts the whole drink.

Lastly, the Nu-Paper Plane ($25) is a must if sour cocktails are your thing – crisp, perfumery, and hits just right. It layers bourbon, sansho pepper, Amaro Montenegro, lemon, peach, and Aperol for a bright, slightly spicy, and subtly bitter-sweet sipper. While the distinction between ‘Pop’ and ‘City’ on the menu didn’t exactly jump out to me, the cocktails themselves were thoughtful, balanced, and a joy to sip.

Don’t forget to pair your drinks with bite bars or even a bowl of ramen! Highlights include the salty-umami truffle edamame with shio kombu ($15), mochi cheese nuggets with an addictive miso curry sauce ($12), and drumroll… the tonkotsu ramen ($18), with a broth that had me going for seconds and thirds.

Sophisticated, affluent and effortless cool, Pop City x Pony brings the best of Japan’s craft and culture to the heart of Singapore, all wrapped up in a space that’s equal parts stylish hangout and playful hideaway.

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