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.

The Marquee deck
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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 outer lawn
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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.

The cocktails at Marquee in Lonavla
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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.

The food at Marquee in Lonavla
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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.

The Spirit & Stone cocktail
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Each drink has a zero-proof twin with the flavours adjusted, not dumbed down.

The Twilight cocktail
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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