Best Rooftop Bars in Gulmarg for Sunset Drinks and City Views
Words by
Akshita Sharma
Best Rooftop Bars in Gulmarg for Sunset Drinks and City Views
Gulmarg is not the first place most people associate with rooftop bars, but after spending three winters here, I have found that the best rooftop bars in Gulmarg are tucked into the hotel terraces and heritage properties scattered along the main road and the golf course ridge. The sky bars Gulmarg offers are small, intimate, and almost always attached to a hotel or resort, which means the views are real, the staff know your name by the second visit, and the sunset over the Kashmir Valley hits differently when you are holding a hot kahwa at 1,600 meters.
This guide covers eight specific places I have personally visited, with honest notes on what works, what does not, and what most tourists miss entirely.
1. The Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa – Main Gulmarg Road, Near Golf Course
The Khyber is the most polished property in Gulmarg, and its rooftop terrace bar sits above the main lobby with a direct sightline to the snow-covered peaks. I visited last week during a late October evening, and the staff had already lit the outdoor heaters even though the sun was still up, which tells you how seriously they take the cold here.
The terrace bar serves a solid range of Indian single malts, but the real reason to come is the house-special Kashmiri kahwa, which they prepare with saffron sourced from Pampore. Order it with a plate of Gushtaba bites if they have it that night. The best time to arrive is between 4:30 and 5:15 PM in winter, or 5:00 to 6:00 PM in summer, because the sun drops behind the ridge quickly and the light turns golden for only about twenty minutes.
Local Insider Tip: "Ask the bartender, Faisal, to make you the off-menu Kahwa Old Fashioned. He has been doing it for three seasons, and it uses local apple brandy. Nobody orders it from the printed menu, but he keeps the ingredients ready."
The Khyber connects to Gulmarg's history as a colonial-era retreat, and the property's architecture borrows from that legacy. The rooftop bar is the closest thing Gulmarg has to a proper sky bar, and it is worth the price of a single drink just for the view of the golf course below.
One honest complaint: the outdoor seating gets uncomfortably cold even with heaters once the sun fully sets, so bring a layer you actually want to sit in, not just a fashion statement pashmina.
2. Heevan Retreat – Gulmarg Road, Near Gondola Base
Heevan Retreat is a smaller property about two kilometers from the main market, and its rooftop terrace is more low-key than the Khyber. I stopped here on a Tuesday afternoon in September, and I was the only guest on the terrace for over an hour, which felt like having the whole ridge to myself.
The bar here is basic, mostly Indian beers and standard spirits, but the view of the Gondola line running up to Kongdori is unmatched from this angle. Order a Kingfisher and a plate of seekh kebabs if the kitchen is still running. The best time to visit is mid-afternoon, around 3:00 PM, when the Gondola is still running and you can watch the last cable cars climb against the mountain.
Local Insider Tip: "The terrace door is not marked from the main lobby. You have to ask the front desk to unlock the side staircase. Most guests never find it because the signage is almost invisible."
Heevan has been here since the early 2000s, and it was one of the first properties to open a proper terrace bar after the Gondola project brought more tourists to the area. The outdoor bars Gulmarg has to offer are mostly hotel-dependent, and Heevan proves that you do not need a five-star budget for a decent view.
3. Hotel Highlands Park – Main Market Road, Central Gulmarg
Hotel Highlands Park sits right on the main market road, and its rooftop is one of the few places in Gulmarg where you can sit above the street-level chaos and still feel connected to the town. I came here on a Friday evening in July, and the terrace was half-full with local families and a few tourists who had wandered up from the market below.
The drink menu is limited, mostly Indian whiskey and rum, but the real draw is the panoramic view of the main bazaar and the mountains behind it. Order a Old Monk rum and Coke, which is the unofficial drink of Kashmir, and pair it with their roasted makhana. The best time to come is between 6:00 and 7:30 PM in summer, when the market below is lit up and the mountains are still visible in the fading light.
Local Insider Tip: "The rooftop is accessible from the back alley behind the hotel, not the main entrance. If you enter from the market side, you will end up in the ground-floor restaurant and miss the terrace entirely."
Highlands Park has been a fixture in Gulmarg for decades, and its rooftop is a reminder that the best rooftop bars in Gulmarg are not always the fanciest ones. The Gulmarg bars with views that matter are the ones where you can see the town breathing below you.
One complaint: the Wi-Fi drops out near the back tables, so if you are planning to post sunset photos in real time, sit closer to the front railing.
4. Pine Palace Resort – Tangmarg Road, Outskirts of Gulmarg
Pine Palace is about fifteen minutes outside the main town, on the road toward Tangmarg, and its rooftop terrace is surrounded by pine forest on three sides. I visited in early November, just after the first snowfall, and the silence up there was the kind that makes you forget your phone exists.
The bar is small, mostly local brands, but they serve a surprisingly good Kashmiri noon chai, the pink salt tea, which is perfect for cold evenings. Order it with a plate of bakarkhani if they have it fresh. The best time to visit is late afternoon, around 4:00 PM, when the pine shadows stretch across the terrace and the light filters through the trees.
Local Insider Tip: "The terrace is technically open to non-guests, but you have to call ahead and ask for the manager, Tariq. He will arrange access and sometimes throws in a complimentary snack plate if you mention you came for the view."
Pine Palace is not on most tourist maps, but it has been a quiet retreat for years, and its rooftop is one of the best-kept secrets among the sky bars Gulmarg locals know about. The outdoor bars Gulmarg offers outside the main town are rare, and Pine Palace fills that gap.
5. Gulmarg Residency – Near Golf Course, Central Gulmarg
Gulmarg Residency is a mid-range property near the golf course, and its rooftop bar is functional rather than glamorous. I stopped here on a Wednesday in August, and the terrace was mostly empty except for a couple of golfers who had finished their round early.
The drink selection is standard, but the view of the golf course and the surrounding peaks is excellent. Order a local beer and their chicken tikka, which is better than it has any right to be. The best time to visit is between 5:00 and 6:30 PM, when the golf course is still visible and the light is soft.
Local Insider Tip: "The rooftop is unlocked from 3:00 PM onward, but the bar does not open until 5:00 PM. If you want the terrace to yourself, come at 3:30 PM and just sit. The staff will not bother you."
Gulmarg Residency is part of the wave of mid-range properties that opened after the golf course was renovated, and its rooftop is a solid option if you want a view without the premium price tag. The best rooftop bars in Gulmarg are not always the most expensive ones.
6. Hotel Affar – Main Market Road, Near Bus Stand
Hotel Affar is a budget property near the bus stand, and its rooftop is basic but functional. I visited on a Saturday in June, and the terrace was crowded with local young people who had come for the view and the affordable drinks.
The bar serves mostly Indian spirits and beer, and the view of the main road and the mountains is decent, though not as elevated as some of the other spots. Order a rum and a plate of momos, which are surprisingly good here. The best time to visit is between 5:30 and 7:00 PM, when the market is busy and the mountains are still lit.
Local Insider Tip: "The rooftop is accessible from the side staircase near the parking lot. Most tourists enter from the front and never find it. The side entrance is unmarked but always open."
Hotel Affar is not a destination in itself, but it is a reminder that the Gulmarg bars with views are not limited to the high-end properties. The outdoor bars Gulmarg has at the budget level are rough around the edges, but they are real.
One complaint: the rooftop gets crowded on weekends, and service slows down badly during the evening rush, so order your first drink quickly.
7. The Mansion House – Near Gondola, Upper Gulmarg
The Mansion House is a heritage property near the Gondola base, and its rooftop terrace is one of the most atmospheric spots in Gulmarg. I visited in late December, and the terrace was covered in snow, but the staff had set up a small heater and a table by the railing, and the view of the Gondola against the white mountains was unforgettable.
The bar is limited, mostly hot drinks and basic spirits, but the real reason to come is the setting. Order a hot chocolate or a kahwa, and just sit. The best time to visit is mid-afternoon, around 2:00 PM, when the Gondola is running and the snow is still bright.
Local Insider Tip: "The terrace is technically for guests only, but if you ask the manager, Rashid, and mention you are a writer, he will sometimes let you up. He is proud of the property's history and likes to share it."
The Mansion House dates back to the British era, and its rooftop is a living piece of Gulmarg's colonial past. The sky bars Gulmarg has with this kind of history are rare, and the Mansion House is the real thing.
8. Café Coffee Day – Main Market Road, Central Gulmarg
Yes, CCD has a rooftop. It is not a bar, but it is one of the few places in Gulmarg where you can sit above the street with a coffee and a view. I stopped here on a Monday in October, and the terrace was quiet, with a few students and a couple of tourists.
The menu is standard CCD, mostly coffee and snacks, but the view of the main road and the mountains is surprisingly good for a chain café. Order a cappuccino and a brownie, and just watch the town. The best time to visit is between 4:00 and 5:30 PM, when the light is good and the market is still active.
Local Insider Tip: "The rooftop is accessible from the back staircase, not the main café entrance. Most people do not know it exists because the signage is almost nonexistent."
CCD is not a rooftop bar, but it is part of the fabric of Gulmarg's main market, and its terrace is a reminder that the best rooftop bars in Gulmarg are not always the obvious ones. The outdoor bars Gulmarg has at the café level are limited, but CCD fills a gap.
When to Go and What to Know
The best time to visit the rooftop bars in Gulmarg is between April and October, when the weather is mild and the terraces are fully open. Winter visits are possible, but most outdoor seating is limited or closed due to snow. The sky bars Gulmarg offers are mostly hotel-dependent, so access for non-guests varies, and it is always worth calling ahead. The outdoor bars Gulmarg has are small and intimate, so do not expect large crowds or loud music. The Gulmarg bars with views are best enjoyed slowly, with a drink in hand and the mountains in front of you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard tipping etiquette or service charge policy at restaurants in Gulmarg?
Most mid-range and upscale hotels in Gulmarg add a service charge of 10 to 15 percent to the bill, which is listed on the menu. For smaller cafés and budget eateries, tipping is not expected but rounding up the bill or leaving 50 to 100 rupees is appreciated. There is no fixed rule, and service staff generally do not solicit tips directly.
What is the average cost of a specialty coffee or local tea in Gulmarg?
A standard cappuccino at a café in Gulmarg costs between 150 and 250 rupees, depending on the property. Kashmiri kahwa, the local saffron tea, ranges from 80 to 150 rupees per cup. Pink noon chai, the salt tea, is usually 60 to 100 rupees. Prices at hotel rooftop bars tend to be 20 to 30 percent higher than street-level cafés.
Are credit cards widely accepted across Gulmarg, or is it necessary to carry cash for daily expenses?
Credit cards are accepted at most upscale hotels and a few larger restaurants in Gulmarg, but the majority of smaller cafés, shops, and local eateries operate on a cash-only basis. Carrying 2,000 to 3,000 rupees in cash per day is a practical amount for a mid-tier traveler. ATMs are available in the main market but occasionally run out of cash during peak tourist season.
Is Gulmarg expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.
A mid-tier traveler should budget 4,000 to 6,000 rupees per day, covering a mid-range hotel room (2,000 to 3,500 rupees), meals (800 to 1,200 rupees), local transport (500 to 800 rupees), and incidentals. Gondola rides cost an additional 700 to 1,500 rupees depending on the phase. Budget travelers can manage on 2,000 to 3,000 rupees per day by staying at guesthouses and eating at local dhabas.
How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Gulmarg?
Vegetarian options are widely available across Gulmarg, with most restaurants offering dal, rajma, paneer dishes, and rice-based meals. Fully vegan options are more limited, and most kitchens use dairy-based ghee in cooking, so it is important to specify dietary requirements when ordering. A few upscale hotels can prepare vegan meals on request with advance notice. Street food and local dhabas are generally not reliable for strict vegan diets.
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