Uno Jang, creative director and partner at Jigger & Pony Group in Singapore, has been named the winner of the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award 2025. This prestigious award is voted for by the bartenders on this year’s list of The World’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, who put forward the name of a peer who they believe pushes the limits of what it means to be a great bartender.
Photo: Jigger & Pony
This is the second of two special awards to be announced ahead of the live awards ceremony on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, in Hong Kong. The award goes to a personality who made a significant impact in the global bar sector over the voting period and recognises their commitment to the international community in that time.
Born in South Korea, Uno Jang moved to Singapore in 2015 to work in a hotel and quickly transitioned into the cocktail scene, starting his bartending journey at the now-shuttered Orgo Bar. He joined the acclaimed Jigger & Pony in 2017, where he has since played a pivotal role in elevating the bar’s global reputation. Under the mentorship of co-founder Indra Kantono, Uno has expanded his vision beyond bartending to become a strategic partner in one of the world’s most exciting bar collectives, setting the benchmark for empathetic, guest-centric service.
Known for his innovative approach to cocktail programming, Uno blends creativity and passion for local ingredients with a deep respect for classic technique. He was instrumental in developing Jigger & Pony’s celebrated ‘menu-zine’ concept, combining editorial design with mixology, and his leadership has helped shape the identity, style and storytelling of the group’s cocktail menus. His menus are masterpieces in storytelling, transforming familiar classics into thoughtful, sensory experiences that often reflect a fusion of Asian ingredients and philosophies with global techniques. Each cocktail is visually stunning, conceptually rich, and technically refined, showcasing unusual ingredients in elegant ways, like heirloom beefsteak tomatoes and kümmel, and tequila with Liberica coffee and beetroot.
Photo: Jigger & Pony
One of Uno’s greatest achievements is his success in fostering a deep-rooted culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity within his teams. Through his mentorship, he inspires his teams to think bigger; not just about cocktails, but about who they are and what they stand for, and to favour long-term vision over short-term fame.
Jigger & Pony has been a consistent presence in the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars since 2019, rising through the ranks to No.5 in 2024. In 2020, the bar reached No.1 and was crowned The Best Bar in Asia at Asia’s 50 Best Bars, appearing in the top three ever since.
Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Bars, said: “It is an absolute delight to reveal that Uno Jang has been named this year’s Altos Bartenders’ Bartender. Uno is, without a doubt, one of the most approachable, thoughtful, and generous people in the industry. He credits his mentors, uplifts his team, and fosters a culture of collaboration that makes him beloved not just as a bartender but as a leader. His unwavering passion for hospitality-first service and his humility in the face of such consistent success means it is no surprise his peers have chosen him for this coveted award.”
On winning the award, Uno said: “To be recognised by fellow bartenders around the world is such an honour. I couldn’t have achieved this without the collaborations, mentorships, and friendships I’ve been fortunate to have over the years. This award belongs just as much to my team at Jigger & Pony, and to the wider community that has supported and inspired me. When I moved to Singapore ten years ago to begin my bartending career, I gave myself the name Uno. To be recognised today, by this community and by my peers around the world, as Uno feels like a dream fulfilled.”
Carlos Andrés Ramirez, Global Advocacy & PR Director, Altos Tequila, said: “Huge congratulations to Uno Jang from Jigger & Pony in Singapore for receiving the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award at The Worlds 50 Best Bars! This award is a celebration of Uno’s remarkable journey, not only as a bartender, but as a driving force in shaping the bar community across Asia. His vision, consistency, and hospitality excellence has helped define what world-class looks like — and continues to raise the bar for all of us. From everyone at Tequila Altos, we salute his achievement and the incredible team behind Jigger & Pony. Here’s to the craft, the people, and the stories that move our industry forward. Cheers, Uno — and salud!”
The Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award was introduced to The World’s 50 Best Bars in 2017, and the inaugural winner was Iain Griffiths of London’s Dandelyan. Subsequent winners include Joe Schofield, then of Tippling Club in Singapore, won in 2018; Monica Berg of Tayēr + Elementary, London, in 2019; Renato ‘Tato’ Giovannoni, of Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires, in 2020; Lynnette Marrero of Llama Inn, New York, in 2021; Jean Trinh of Alquímico, Cartagena in 2022; GN Chan of Double Chicken Please, New York in 2023; and Iain McPherson of Panda & Sons in Edinburgh in 2024.
The countdown of the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025, sponsored by Perrier, will also be broadcast live to a global audience. Bar and cocktail lovers are invited to join through the 50 Best TV channel on YouTube.
