Cosmo Pony — Restaurant in Jakarta

Hailed from one of the top bars in Asia, Jigger and Pony, I probably put a very high bar for my expectation.

Took over Burgundy on the third floor of Grand Hyatt, Jakarta, Cosmo Pony is ensconced in the corner of the iconic hotel of the city near Bundaran H.I. But that's it.

I cannot give more than 2 for the concoction, I am afraid. I ordered classic gin martini with lemon twist, sakura martini and negroni. Gin martini: ratio is very off, I can tell they reserved Dolin way too much, and I found their house gin - something like Bombay or beefeater, correct me I am wrong to guess, very Ethanol-ey base booze stirred with it. And lemon twist was fat, so I couldn't smell lemon oil and perfumed around the glass at all. Very very dauntingly disappointed. Then I ordered their signature, Sakura martini, I know they use Roku Gin, but that gin boasts utter simplicity by using only 6 ingredients. But that sakura bit - some sort of salty cordial infused with umeboshi - was too overwhelming. I don't really get the idea, I am afraid. And Negroni too, off the balance, very strong, no balance at all. I can immediately think that I would get serious headache, which I have on the next day. It costs 200,000++ per glass, which is considered not cheap, but it's mixed without much consideration; hence, I am quite disappointed.

Service : also not very up to standards. I didn't get water and complimentary snacks. I thought I had to buy. But, I saw other tables were immediately served with water and snacks. I demanded, but took so long to get served. Seemingly they deliberately give less attention to a single customer whose purchasing power is relatively less than a big group. Understandable, but not pleasant to be honest.

Atmosphere, it's very party vibe. Not a place for sundowner or quiet decent drink. But I see many hyped customers enjoy it.

One extra comment : standing bars aren't stable. I almost got pushed back when I leaned. Better fix it for safety purposes.

Sometimes when you expect too much, you end up with utter disappointment. This is the case for me to see cosmo pony. I think their target is a big party group ordering bottles and sharing punch for Party. I respect that, but it's not for me. But for those who look for a place to hang...

We ordered:

Cosmo: classic, as expected Mithai: cognac based, and tbh most of the taste is just the cognac but smoothed off by everything else in the drink. Surprisingly I couldn’t taste much coconut. Champagnepapi: sort of just tastes like normal champagne, but nuttier and an extra hint of tart. Ugly banana: surprisingly doesn’t taste like banana at all. I was kind of expecting a creamy banana cocktail but instead it was smooth with a definitively strong citrus taste above all, probably a 3/5. Long island: classic, as expected. Chrysanthemum Iced Tea: Definitely strong chrysanthemum taste, which means this drink tastes exactly as advertised! Not to my taste but if you like chrysanthemum then go ahead.

And for fun, we tried their beer. They had kura-kura and it was decent.

All cocktails were 200k pre-ts. After ts they come to about 240k/glass. Overall the drinks were nice but I didn’t try any that was particularly outstanding, and was actually a little disappointed. Next time I’ll try the other stuff on their menu to see how it is.

Vibes: Place was nice, and no cig smell is awesome! My only complaint is that the music gets really loud after about like 10pm? Which was a bit bothersome since it wasn’t really a dancing vibe, but music was almost too loud to talk

Service: It’s free flow water and snacks, which is GREATLY appreciated and an extreme rarity in the jkt bar scene. Servers were kind and attentive, a used tissue was never on our table for more than 30 seconds and they were constant with their refills. They were informative too in explaining the drinks, overall...

A Stellar Addition to Jakarta's Nightlife

Cosmo Pony, the latest addition to the Jakarta bar scene, is a collaboration between Union, renowned for its exceptional restaurants, and Jigger & Pony, a multiple award-winning bar. This partnership has resulted in a stunning new venue that truly lives up to the hype.

Drawing inspiration from the iconic Jigger & Pony in Singapore, Cosmo Pony offers a sophisticated and stylish atmosphere. The bar is consistently crowded, a testament to its popularity and the quality of its offerings. The menu features the same signature cocktails that have made Jigger & Pony famous, all expertly crafted and bursting with flavor. In addition to the classic cocktails, there is a wide selection of other drinks to suit every taste.

The bartenders at Cosmo Pony are highly skilled and knowledgeable, providing excellent service and recommendations. While the indoor smoking policy is a drawback for some, the stunning views of Jakarta's skyline help to mitigate this issue.

Overall, Cosmo Pony is a fantastic addition to Jakarta's nightlife scene. It offers a world-class cocktail experience, a stylish atmosphere, and breathtaking views. Despite the indoor smoking, it's a destination that should not be missed for anyone seeking a truly memorable night out in the city. (I hope they will banned indoor...