“I think nobody was expecting (the fifth placing) because everybody was like, ‘Anything ahead of last year’s (Jigger & Pony landed on No. 14 then) is great.’ When they announced it, everyone went through the roof,” she shares.
Jigger & Pony first made it onto Asia’s Best Bars list at No. 8 in 2016, and has since picked up eight more awards. The saloon also claimed the coveted top spot in 2020. As for The World’s Best Bars list, it debuted in 2019 at No. 29, and has remained on the list, finally breaking into the top five this year.
“There’s pressure to always be ahead of creativity, consumer understanding and consumer trends, but I also think of it as a source of motivation for our team,” says Guoyi.
“We have also taken our chef and bar team on trips, curating a list of venues with varying styles and concepts for them to experience. This really helps when we discuss executing a certain style of concept or service delivery. We also continue to understand and observe changes in technology and marketing opportunities. More recently, we sent a colleague to attend a marketing course on Xiao Hong Shu to better understand consumers using the growing platform,” she adds.
Receiving recognition from major industry awards is important, says Guoyi, as it plays a crucial role in encouraging both personal and professional growth of her team.
“When we first made it onto The World’s Best Bars list in 2019, we had already been around for seven years – and seven years is a long time for a bar. It’s important for my team to feel that they’re doing a good job. I think it’s also important to focus every day on your customers, who are always supportive of you. Enjoy their time as they are your best ambassadors,” she says.
A PEOPLE PERSON
This story is from the December 2024 edition of Her World Singapore.
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This story is from the December 2024 edition of Her World Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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TREASURE ISLAND
When plans to demolish the Merlion Tower on Sentosa were announced in 2019, some Singaporeans were sad to see one of the island's most iconic attractions go. After all, the quirky creature – with the head of a lion and the body of a fish – had been a significant part of their memories of Sentosa.The 37m-tall, 12-storey structure, completed in 1996 and designed by Australian sculptor James Martin, was a focal point for laser light shows and projections that transformed its ivory facade into a vibrant display of colours.The Merlion Tower was a popular attraction for families. Singaporean couple Anand and Vrunda Patel would often take their children there for outings. Vrunda, now 50, fondly recalls climbing the structure and admiring the views of Sentosa from the Merlion's mouth. “Outside the Merlion, there was a beautiful step garden with flowing water. I used to love walking there,” she shares.Years later, the statue, covered in dirt and grime, required a refresh. The demolition was not only part of a larger vision to connect Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in the north to the three beaches (Palawan, Tanjong and Siloso) on the island's south, it was also the start of a massive rebranding project to transform Sentosa from a recreational family destination to a premier lifestyle attraction.Today, Sentosa Sensoryscape stands in its place. Set within a lush landscape, the 30,000 sqm attraction features a 350m-long connector that leads visitors to six sensory gardens – where they can explore the gardens’ massive vessel-like sculptures, observe the various flora and fauna inhabiting the space, and interact with Instagrammable light displays through an augmented reality app after nightfall.“To attract younger visitors, our additional focus is on creating more authentic and immersive experiences, recognising that this demographic seeks deeper, more engaging interactions with the places they visit,” says Thien Kwee Eng, CEO, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC).Just as Sensoryscape is designed to create an otherworldly atmosphere after dark, the Sentosa Night Mode campaign, launched in August, aims to introduce the island as a day-to-night destination for both locals and tourists, who would typically only make day trips to Sentosa. In addition to more nightlife events – such as the recent Waterbomb Festival, which saw about 10,000 revellers partying to a live K-pop line-up – the initiative includes extended operating hours at key attractions, along with street performances and dining promotions.It’s a move that has boosted visitorship to the island, with total numbers reaching 16 million this year.“This is a 20 per cent increase in the number of visitors as compared to the same period last year,” reveals Kwee Eng.
TAKING THE LEAP
It’s 10 am on a Monday, and Gan Guoyi, 40, walks into Jigger & Pony with a set of dry-cleaned clothes – a picture of calm amid the aftermath of last night’s chaos. The Singapore bar recently secured a spot in the Top 5 of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list, announced in Madrid on Oct 23. To celebrate, she threw a three-night promotion from Nov 10, where customers enjoyed five premium cocktails for just $5 each at select bars like Gibson, Live Twice, Sugarhall, Como Pony Jakarta, and Jigger & Pony.Naturally, the event was a hit, and Guoyi, who was manning the guest list at Sugarhall, only managed a few hours of sleep the night before. Still, she arrives promptly to our photo shoot without complaints.
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