Rooftop 12 Stories in Washington, D.C.

12 Stories: a penthouse facing the Potomac

A late-night bar above The Wharf

The bar occupies the top floor of the InterContinental, in the heart of The Wharf, the lively waterfront neighborhood of Southwest. It features blue velvet banquettes, a curved sofa, leather armchairs and a long marble counter beneath dark wood ceilings. The large windows and the outdoor terrace overlook the marina, the Washington Channel and the Potomac; in the distance you can make out the Jefferson, Lincoln and US Air Force memorials, the tip of the Washington Monument and Hains Point.

Reworked classics and bites to share

The menu revisits the great classics (margarita, French 75, negroni or Manhattan, $20 to $22) and offers house creations at around $21, including a blend of cognac, Grand Marnier, lemon and pineapple. From the kitchen come bites to share: chicken wings ($20), seafood rolls, beef sliders, barbecue chicken pizza or truffle fries ($12). On Wednesdays and Thursdays, happy hour lasts all evening. A 20% service charge is automatically added to the bill.

The bar can be booked privately in part or in full. On Sundays, from 3pm to 9pm, DJs take over the decks for a festive afternoon.

Practical information

Closed Monday and Tuesday; open Wednesday through Friday from 4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 3pm, until 1am on Wednesday and Thursday, 2am on Friday and Saturday and 10pm on Sunday. Online reservations are available and walk-ins are welcome; for groups of six or more, a minimum spend applies. Entry is restricted to guests 21 and over after 6pm. A “smart casual” dress code is required: no sportswear, hoodies or flip-flops. L'Enfant Plaza station (Orange, Blue, Silver, Green and Yellow lines) is about 650 meters away, and Waterfront station (Green Line) is 750 meters away.