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    12 Stories

    3.3 (320 reviews)
    PriceyLounges
    Open 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    12 Stories Photos

    Business Info

    12 STORIES ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    DJ
    Casual
    Touristy

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    Recommended Reviews - 12 Stories

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    Erin D.

    12 stories was cool! Great views and a pretty nice ambiance. Came midday on a Saturday after brunch with my sister and her friends for her birthday. The service was nice our waitress was very attentive and friendly. We didn't order any food so no comment on that, but have heard that Sundays at 12 stories is a fantastic time

    Cheryl D.

    Pretty much a staple go to venue in DC. Perfect views of the wharf, landing nearby planes, and slight visions of downtown memorials and monuments. The DJ is consistently a good vibe and sometimes social clubs will host parties or gatherings here. The drinks are pricey but very good. Food options are the same. I like the fries. They always are a good quick snack option. This is one of the few clubs I know of that don't allow smoking inside which I love and prefer for crowded bar spaces.

    Outside
    Elizabeth D.

    Always a good time when I come to 12 stories in DC. The drinks, music and vibes are top tier. I ordered the espresso martini and it was very good, I also had a sip of my friend's midnight stories and enjoyed that too. There are bartenders and servers walking around to take your order or you can go directly to the bar.

    Inside- rooftop
    Mila F.

    I have been to 12 stories multiple times and my experience is always lackluster. Beautiful view. Beautiful decor. Drinks are good. But price is ridiculous. They may have events where they charge at the door and then drinks are still $30-$40 for anything at all. I used to say it's the wharf, but there are many other businesses on the wharf that are managing to make a profit with $20 drinks. There's also not many places to sit unless you come early and it's unreserved as there are only so many couches to space ratio. Cute stop in for a view and leave to eat and drink.

    Espresso Martini
    Shandy R.

    Rooftops are my favorite places to go and 12 Stories is in my top 5. I normally hate going to bars where it gets super crowded because it takes too long to get a drink. Definitely not my experience anytime I come here. The bartenders are great, especially Mike! He makes the best St Germain Spritzes and although the drinks ARE a bit more pricy than your average bar, you definitely feel like you get your monies worth. One of the best views in the city, diverse crowd, the music is always on point, you can't really go wrong coming here unless you don't feel like spending $50+ pp. I bring all my friends when they visit from out of town and I've heard nothing but great feedback. Not too sure about the food, but once I try it...I'll come back and update.

    Grilled shrimp:  22.00:  overcooked twice.  If you like tough seasoned shrimp, enjoy!
    Theartist F.

    Service great: drinks delicious: everything too damn expensive: shrimp overcooked: sent it back and it came to me over cooked again. 4 stars for the dope comedy show on a Thursday once a month. Eat before you come. I got a passionfruit margarita without ginger. Why isn't the bar stocked? Besides that it's a beautiful view and the servers and bartenders super friendly and understanding, especially G!

    Views of the city of the DC Area
    Takeya D.

    You have to check out 12 stories when you visit the DMV area it is a whole vibe and the night sky views of the city is bomb! Me and my friend went on a Thursday night for R&B night we definitely wasn't disappointed the DJ has us rocking all night the music was on point and the drinks were good but $26 for a drink is crazy work I had the casamigos Margarita

    Wings and fries
    Christine B.

    I had been to this establishment before but just to grab a drink. This visit was more extensive. I made a reservation for 2 not knowing that they didn't have a full menu, but just appetizers. We had considered going elsewhere, however I am glad we didn't. Upon entry, the staff was very hospitable and helpful with the process to get to the seating area. From the hostess to the manager and all in between were great. Our server (I believe her name was spelled 'Keilah') was fantastic. We notified her that we had time constraints and she ensured we were accommodated. The menu had many diverse food options so we ordered the grilled wings, French fries and crab dip. The fries were crispy, the wings were savory and the crab dip was delectable. We had enough food to get us to through most of the evening. The stunning views of the waterfront, the ambiance and most importantly the food,drinks and service were top tier. I'll visit again to try out Brunch.

    Bar
    Latoya E.

    Nice location, fast entry. I enjoyed my first experience here last night. I didn't think it would be as crowded as it was. I've heard good things about this place and I agree. The bar was very crowded but the bartenders work the crowd well. Friendly service, tasty drinks.... We were enjoying the patio. Although it is February and temperatures were pretty low the heaters on the patio and the view made it the perfect overflow area. It was a bit warm inside because of the crowd, so I wish we were able to stay on the patio, but they asked everyone to move inside and closed the patio at 12:30. No food, I'm not sure if they even have a food menu, we arrived around 12midnight, most kitchens are closed so we didn't bother to ask. The music they played was a mixture or old r&b, a few throw back gogo classics and new hits. We enjoyed the selections!! Bathrooms were clean and well lit! Thank you for that!! When we were ready to leave we had to stand in a pretty long line to load onto 1 elevator, they did allow us to sit while our men stood in the line for us. Overall great experience! I wish there was a coat check! Everyone seems to just have their coats on or holding them in hand.

    VA view
    Elaine F.

    We are staying overnight at The Intercontinental for my husband's birthday. So I wanted to start with drinks, with a good view of the river and the Wharf. I made an afternoon (3:00 pm, so very early) reservation at 12 Stories. They have a separate entrance and a dedicated elevator, where the attendant checks your reservation before you are allowed up. The view did not disappoint. There is a beautiful view of the Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin. I had two glasses of the Conundrum wine, a California white blend. My husband had a beer. The music is very loud for so early in the day, but it was still enjoyable. We did not order food, but they have a menu of small plates. The servers were very pleasant. We are seniors, and I was glad to be able to enjoy the view before the Saturday night crazies set in. Check it out if you are down at The Wharf.

    $33 lemon drop martini
    Takoya L.

    Made a reservation for a table 2 weeks in advance, 30 mins before my scheduled time the establishment canceled it. Got there they said it was a day party going on and reservations were only for people who purchased bottle service, but to accommodate me my party of 3 could enter for free and stand up somewhere - strike 1. Went to the bar ordered a lemon drop martini it was $33 -strike 2. The first bartender at least warned us of the price and was friendly so 1 star for that. Second round my friend ordered us 2 coronas $11 each cake with no lime. I went to the bar to request 2 limes (to go with the $11 beer) and was told there is a limit on limes. I was given one lime only and told my friend would have to order another drink to get her lime. Different bartender ( tall guy with dreads and a not so friendly attitude). What a mess!! Prices are beyond ridiculous. DJ was good but overall service didn't match the excessive prices. I personally will not return.

    Water on the table

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    3 months ago

    Expensive for no reason. $25-$30 for a simple drink with a dash of alcohol. Not worth it.

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    Page 1 of 8

    12 Stories Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - 12 Stories

    Is the rooftop still open / covered if it rains?

    There is a bit of a covering (awning) they may have tarp they can add

    How is the parking at 12 Stories?

    There is a parking garage but it's not just for 12 Stories' customers and it's also weird to get to. If you blink you'll miss it. LOL. Honestly, I would uber to save a headache.

    Is there house music?

    They play house, top 40, and a mix of old school music

    When is the best time to go for a grown (over 30) and sexy and diverse crowd?

    Any day of the week! I thought it was a younger crowd but it's a mix. Old school music on weekends. Awesome DJ. It will not disappoint.

    View All 7 Questions

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    The Penthouse at La Vie - My favorite igloo!

    The Penthouse at La Vie

    3.6(25 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    I was visiting some friends in DC and made reservations at the Penthouse with the purpose of eating…read moreoutside in their "igloos". It ended up being too hot for us to enjoy outside but the server was nice enough to move our large party indoors without a wait. I ordered the sangria and it was so fruity and refreshing. Where this place falls flat for me is the food. We went for brunch so I'm not sure what their lunch and dinner menu looked like but I had their chicken and waffles. Typically, I'm used to having this dish with just chicken on top of a waffle with a side of syrup that you can pour over. This dish was drenched with a sauce that wasn't syrup but still sort of sweet? It wasn't necessarily *bad*, it's just that I wasn't expecting it. I didn't end up finishing it and my friends weren't impressed with some of the other dishes. I will say though...that Harissa Shrimp? Give me 14 of them.

    Another spot for pictures and aesthetics with bad service and mediocre food…read more On a busy night at the wharf, this was one of the few places I could drop in and sit at the bar. It took 10 minutes for the bartender to hand me a water and ask what I wanted (though he never gave me a menu). After ordering, no one checked on me until my plates were empty and drink was dry. I ordered the beet salad and truffle fries. The food was good but certainly not worth the price. I'm happy to pay good money but seeing the well done lamb chops beside me, I decided to go with a safe Girl Dinner. I won't be back, even if I need a cute spot for pictures with the girls. This spot isn't worth it, there are too many great places to eat in DC to settle

    Photos
    The Penthouse at La Vie - Espresso

    Espresso

    The Penthouse at La Vie - Bronzino with Greek salad

    Bronzino with Greek salad

    The Penthouse at La Vie - Shrimp Caesar souvlaki

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    ZOOZ Cocktail Garden - Gyoza ($15) - they are smaller than you can imagine

    ZOOZ Cocktail Garden

    3.6(111 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    If you're looking for a place in DC where the energy is unmatched, the music is flawless, and the…read moreentire vibe feels like an experience, not just a night out, then ZOOZ is it. From the moment you walk in, you're stepping into a visually stunning space that blends luxury with a lively, social atmosphere. The décor is bold and immersive, but what really sets this place apart is the music. Every track felt intentional, perfectly curated, and honestly some of the best I've heard at any venue in DC. It's the kind of place where you catch yourself staying longer than planned because the vibe just doesn't miss. The crowd is vibrant, the energy is high, and everything flows effortlessly from the drinks to the overall experience. Whether you're out for a celebration, a night with friends, or just want to elevate your weekend, ZOOZ delivers on every level. DC has a lot of spots, but very few truly stand out. This is one of them. I'll absolutely be back.

    When I heard that this was the after party for the event ceremony I was a part of, I was pretty…read moreexcited. But upon arrival, I realized that they changed a few things. They had a late night happy hour that was really the allure for random weeknights, and I thought it it made them stand out among others in the area. Unless it's some secret menu item now (I don't think it is), the late night happy hours gone. But this was the most full I had seen ZOOZ, and I was so happy for them. But it didn't seem like they were :/. All the times I have been here, I had always said to myself that I wish they were more crowded because people are missing out. But something was up with the staff that night, and I couldn't help but wonder what was going on! Between the lack of happy hour and the staff, the vibe was off, completely. Maybe I would stop in during when they're happy hour actually is now, but otherwise I wouldn't be back.

    Photos
    ZOOZ Cocktail Garden
    ZOOZ Cocktail Garden
    ZOOZ Cocktail Garden - Poisonous Kiss

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    Poisonous Kiss

    La Vie - Rice ball appetizer...delicious!

    La Vie

    3.9(1.4k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$$

    I would say this place is absolutely gorgeous inside! It is definitely on the fancier side, and we…read morewere a little underdressed, but honestly, it was totally fine. It looked like there was a birthday party going on, and the host sat us right in the middle of it. But we were there to eat, have a good time, and enjoy brunch with friends! You can order off the menu, and the portions were great. We ordered the steak and eggs and were able to get one steak rare and the other medium rare, which was great. The truffle mac & cheese was amazing, and the crêpes and French toast were both delicious. The entire buffet was fantastic! The brisket was super juicy and didn't have much fat on it. The mussels and shrimp were also great. My only suggestion would be to add more grits to the shrimp and grits because it was mostly shrimp. Three people at our table ordered one mimosa, and later the server came back to ask if they wanted more. It was a clever way to get us to order the unlimited mimosas, and our server definitely got us there! There were five of us, and the tip was already added to the bill, which was fine, but just make sure you double-check your check before paying. Overall, we had a great experience! We didn't have a reservation but were still able to get in and only waited about 15 minutes. I would definitely come back for brunch!

    Very pretty spot to eat Sunday brunch! I loved the decorations. FLOWERS! FLOWERS!! FLOWERS!!! If…read moreyou're looking for a spot where you can show off for The Gram, this is it. As for the food, it was good but just shy of great. I had the short rib hash. I thought the beef would be more shredded but it was in chunks. It was more like pot roast than short ribs. And my portion needed some salt. They treated my friend well for her birthday with the very nice treat. I'm withholding a star for the service . It was friendly but so slow. I still think it's worth your time.

    Photos
    La Vie - Part of restaurant

    Part of restaurant

    La Vie - Prawn ala genovesa

    Prawn ala genovesa

    La Vie - View from where we were seated

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    View from where we were seated

    Royal Sands Social Club

    Royal Sands Social Club

    4.4(267 reviews)
    1.0 miNavy Yard
    $$

    We gathered at Royal Sands Social Club for a memorial honoring a dear friend who loved tiki themes…read moreand tropical-island breezes. The staff could not have been kinder or more accommodating during such a meaningful occasion. They graciously honored his widow's request to bring a collection of tiki glasses so that each guest could choose a favorite to use and then take home as a remembrance. It was a wonderfully personal tribute, and the staff helped make it feel completely natural and special. The food was delicious and beautifully presented, and the tropical drinks were exceptionally generous--so strong, in fact, that we eventually had to ask the bartenders to go a little easier on us! Royal Sands provided a festive, welcoming setting in which we could celebrate our friend's life exactly as he would have wanted.

    I ordered delivery here for the first time recently after a long day of moving…read more To be honest, any late night sushi delivery can be questionable so I had pretty low expectations to begin with. To say I was pleasantly surprised though is an understatement! The first time I ordered sushi my roll was solid (although the second time the rice was a bit stale.) However, I also ordered the fish tacos and the combination of both were the perfect amount of food for a late evening meal. The Blackened Mahi Tacos (2) had more flavor than I anticipated and were actually really satisfying. Bonus point for the kitchen being open late. I'll definitely be willing to explore the menu more in the future!

    Photos
    Royal Sands Social Club - Inside/bar

    Inside/bar

    Royal Sands Social Club
    Royal Sands Social Club - Upstairs bar

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    Upstairs bar

    Boardwalk Bar & Arcade - Boardwalk Tacos

    Boardwalk Bar & Arcade

    3.1(240 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    This is our third visit and we could not be happier! We like to sit at the bar and we have always…read morebeen greeted promptly and with enthusiasm! Our primary server at the bar twice has been Leon. He is amazing! We do not recall our other primary server but everyone works together as a team! This is what makes a great restaurant and experience. The food has been presented and prepared great the three time we have visited! We have had the happy hour special of a hot dog served with chips or a small salad. The salad is very nice and the kettle chips are great! I have also had the chicken tacos that I had served with the side salad. It's literally one two many tacos for me! This is a great place for couples and family's! Lots of games and not to loud music. If you sit at the bar there is also a nice view of the water/Wharf area! Overall this has been a great experience! Don't miss this place!

    I've been to Boardwalk at the Wharf quite a few times, and it's one of my favorite places to bring…read morefriends or out-of-town guests. I love the whole arcade-meets-bar concept, and the space has a fun, funky vibe that makes it easy to spend a few hours there. That said, I think the food is just okay. It's never really been the reason I go, and I'd probably recommend sticking to drinks if you're stopping by. On my most recent visit with a group of friends, the staff also seemed a little overwhelmed, so service was a bit slower than expected. Even with those drawbacks, I'll definitely be back. The arcade games, atmosphere, and location at the Wharf make it a really fun spot to hang out, even if the food isn't the main attraction.

    Photos
    Boardwalk Bar & Arcade - Truffled Brie Grilled Cheese Sandwich

    Truffled Brie Grilled Cheese Sandwich

    Boardwalk Bar & Arcade - Boardwalk Tacos

    Boardwalk Tacos

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    12 Stories - lounges - Updated August 2026

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