Sky high in Lonavala: Marquee blends craft cocktails with Sahyadri views
It was one of those wet, low-lit Mondays where everything feels like it is wrapped in grey. Driving into Lonavala, the Sahyadris played peekaboo behind a soft curtain of rain. But upstairs at Marquee, the newly opened rooftop bar at Radisson Resort & Spa, the mood lifted like the clouds themselves.
Marquee is touted as Lonavala's first sky bar, and for once, the claim holds. It is not flashy, but it knows how to hold a vibe. Think open-air, lots of stone and wood, and panoramic views that change hour by hour — from brooding midday mist to golden-hour drama. The space is split across three zones: a stone-clad Rock Bar, a chilled-out dining area, and a Sunset Garden with front-row seats to the horizon.
But it is the drinks that do the talking. I tried three of their signature cocktails and came away pretty impressed.
The cocktails
Spirit & Stone is a cocktail with weight. Cognac forms the base, tempered by a soft hit of chocolate liqueur and the roundness of sweet vermouth. This one leans dark and velvety, slightly bitter but comforting. It is a solid match for anything umami-rich: the soy-slicked shiitake dumplings on the small plates menu, or a plate of charred lamb skewers. Skip the sweetness here.
Twilight is the wildcard. Gin, orange liqueur, lychee and apple juice, brightened with lemon and finished with butterfly pea flower and lavender syrup. Sounds like a lot, and it is, but somehow it works. The flavours unfold in layers: citrus first, then fruit, then the soft floral fade. It is best paired with light, zesty dishes — go for seafood, ideally with chilli oil as an accompaniment, or anything with yuzu or lemongrass.
Lady of Fortune is the crowd-pleaser. Vodka, peach schnapps, white peach purée, rose syrup, lemon, and sparkling sake — it is pretty, slightly fizzy, and easy to drink. On a rainy evening, it lands like a tonic: soft, floral, and clean. This one plays well with creamy cheeses, or even burrata. It also holds up surprisingly well next to a thin-crust mushroom pizza.
Each drink has a zero-proof twin with the flavours adjusted, not dumbed down.
By day, Marquee is all misty introspection; by night, it gets a quiet glow. No big switch-flip energy, just a gradual shift in tempo. You come here not for a scene, but for a slow burn: a good drink, a thoughtful plate, and the rain as your background track.
A meal for two is ₹2,500 plus taxes. Address: Plot Nos. 19-21 & 27-29, Gold Valley, Sector-D, Tungarli, Lonavala, 410401
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