Jigger, Beaker & Glass: No Cream Allowed

Jigger, Beaker & Glass, named after the book published in the 1930s by writer, magazine editor, and world traveler Charles H. Baker Jr., opened its doors to the public just last week. Experiments, dignified cocktails, and a backroom gallery—all that and more in Friedrichshain’s newest mixologist venture.

After the Antlered Bunny closed earlier this year, Friedrichshain practically screamed out for another cocktail bar to take its place. Lucky for the locals, it hasn’t taken too long. Several months ago Tony Galea, he of the Antlered Bunny, and Yannick Marty were offered a bar space that used to be home to the Bruder Grimm bar. The two did not hesitate and agreed to it immediately. Unusual how this worked out, we’re more accustomed to hear how bartenders and proprietors had to search for the perfect space for years, but luck seems to be on their side.

It Takes Two

Brit Galea was nominated as the Newcomer of the Year at last year’s MIXOLOGY BAR AWARDS and Yannick Marty first came to Berlin as a young, French high school student who vowed to one day call this beautiful city of ours home. A short stopover in Australia later and here he is. The self-taught bartender learned the tricks of the trade step-by-step and up until recently worked at Stagger Lee.

On a chilly spring evening a group saunters into Jigger, Beaker & Glass that remembers the bar from its Bruder Grimm days. They inquire about White Russians and Bloody Marys. At the request of ‘cocktails with cream’ bartender Max Garth gently nudges them in the direction of Mushashi’s Tea—a bourbon based drink made with chestnut liqueur, rice milk, and matcha tea. Surprisingly creamy the matcha and bourbon pair especially well and are sure to leave even the most dairy loving cocktail drinker satisfied.

Walking in your eyes adjust to the darkness quickly and before you sit in the main room, you’ll find yourself standing right in front of the bar. Both counter and shelves, on which the precious spirits sit, are relics left over from the Grimm Bar era but fit in with Jigger, Beaker & Glass’ concept seamlessly.

Dark and Moody—yet Cozy

Ambiance was an important factor when planning the bar. The atmosphere Galea and Marty want to foster is one of intimacy, a place where the guests are able to freely interact between themselves. The space is dark, but not depressingly so. Held in black with light, wooden furniture and low lighting only a couple of vases are spread around the space. Filled with prickly, lilac-colored, dried flowers they act as decorative eye-catchers. A dog, who very closely resembles a sausage, happily dances between guest’s feet, finding an eager audience at most tables.

The approach is restrained and showcases the owner’s goal to return to the basics of a bar. Little to no garnishes are found in and around the cocktails and the backboard is tightly curated. You won’t see 50 different bourbon varieties here, instead expect a concise menu that takes some risks, i.e. the Evil Queen Bee which includes bacon infused gin or the BBQ Old Fashioned that uses torched cheddar. Fatwashed spirits and countless homemade infusions grace the menu though solid classics are also well represented. The Rosemary Saffron Smash is particularly interesting. Intensely woodsy through the rosemary, the saffron acts as a nice background note to truly make the gin sing. It tastes like a savory, herbaceous summer evening. Fresh herbs, fruit, and a lovingly curated selection of bitters grace the wooden bar. Marty in particularly likes to play mad scientist behind the counter, testing and re-testing a drink until it’s just right. This love and dedication is felt in every corner of the space.

Inspiration Strikes at the Oddest Hour

Sometimes the two bartenders will go on a joint excursion to a supermarket, choose one ingredient and then build a cocktail around it. Though their nightly jaunts are far away from being the one creative outlet. Only last week “The Black Gallery” opened in a backroom of the bar. Their inaugural exhibition is a show by photographer Mitch Proctor, and is set to be the first of many. More than just a watering hole the bar will function as a sort of communal, event venue with live music evenings planned for the near future. Friedrichshainer, and in fact, all Berliners, rejoice. Your next good drink is not far off.