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Where to Meet Wealthy, Attractive Democrats in DC

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A couple of weeks ago, Eater explored the restaurants and bars where you might mingle with all the wealthy, attractive Republicans in town. Now, as promised, here's a look at Washington, DC's best bets for meeting that wealthy, attractive Democrat who can maybe buy you dinner sometime.

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Bombay Club

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Conveniently located just near the White House, the Bombay Club gets a lot of VIPs from all political stripes. It's a member of restaurateur Ashok Bajaj's acclaimed group of restaurants and counted former President Bill Clinton among its regulars when he lived across the street.

Billy Martin's Tavern

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Martin's Tavern has been a force in Georgetown for nearly 80 years and boasts that it has served "every sitting president from Harry Truman to George W. Bush" through the years. That makes it a bit more of a bipartisan choice — and, indeed, it was a pick on Eater's map for finding Republicans as well.

Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar

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Sonoma is a favorite among lawmakers on Capitol Hill — even Federal Election Commission reports place this wine bar high on the list of dining establishments where candidates spend their money. According to US News & World report, in 2010 Sonoma saw 75 percent of its campaign business coming from the Democratic party. So there's likely to be plenty of deep Democratic pockets in this particular wine bar.

Bistro Bis

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Like Sonoma, Bistro Bis also saw most of its campaign business coming from the Democratic camp back in 2010 — a hefty 88 percent. It's also a Capitol Hill classic, a French bistro from restaurateur Jeff Buben where lawmakers and lobbyists can often be spotted in the dining room.

BLT Steak

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Location is everything and BLT Steak could hardly be more conveniently close to the White House for all the Obama administration members. Michelle Obama has been known to be a regular at BLT Steak, having also celebrated her 48th birthday there.

Blue Duck Tavern

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Blue Duck Tavern sees a lot of VIP traffic, in particular thanks to its location in the ritzy West End Park Hyatt. Beyond liberal-leaning celebrities, general manager Joseph Cerione told Eater that the restaurant is a favorite of Washington Post columnist and television commenter Jonathan Capehart, Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett and Florida Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Charlie Palmer Steak

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Charlie Palmer might just be the most popular spot on Capitol Hill for political types and their fundraisers. There's ample bar and lounge space for chatting up the Democrat of your choosing, plus a lounge menu that includes the likes of lobster corn dogs, fennel-dusted calamari, oysters on the half shell and more.

Busboys and Poets

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Busboys & Poets is the prime watering hole for the Democratic literary set and social justice advocates. Their various locations each host various events celebrating non-profits, screening films about peace, art and community, discussions about the labor movement and more. They've also got a full menu with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Cafe Milano

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Georgetown's Cafe Milano is one of Washington's top see-and-be-seen restaurants, in particular for the diplomatic set and visiting celebrities. But it's also got plenty of fans in the Democratic Party. Nancy Pelosi has been spotted there multiple times, as well as several members of the Obama administration.

Stetsons

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Though this U Street bar might be a little more of a dive compared to the upscale steakhouse Democratic haunts, still party operatives tell Eater that Stetsons has seen "every Democrat ever" through its Tex-Mex saloon doors. This is a great place for those wealthy, attractive folk to slum it with 25-cent wings on Fridays and $3.50 rail drinks at happy hour.

Ristorante Tosca

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Whereas some restaurants might play down their political affiliations so as not to offend, Tosca touts itself as, "DC's upscale Italian restaurant where the new Democratic elite meet to eat." According to The Hill, Tosca's clientele "usually consists of lobbyists, public relations executives and other political gurus" — including former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle.

While Bombay Club might have been a Clinton favorite during his White House years, Rasika is another favorite of the former president's. In addition to the original Penn Quarter location, Bill Clinton has already hit the new West End outpost twice since it opened earlier this year — including an anniversary dinner with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

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Bombay Club

Conveniently located just near the White House, the Bombay Club gets a lot of VIPs from all political stripes. It's a member of restaurateur Ashok Bajaj's acclaimed group of restaurants and counted former President Bill Clinton among its regulars when he lived across the street.

Billy Martin's Tavern

Martin's Tavern has been a force in Georgetown for nearly 80 years and boasts that it has served "every sitting president from Harry Truman to George W. Bush" through the years. That makes it a bit more of a bipartisan choice — and, indeed, it was a pick on Eater's map for finding Republicans as well.

Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar

Sonoma is a favorite among lawmakers on Capitol Hill — even Federal Election Commission reports place this wine bar high on the list of dining establishments where candidates spend their money. According to US News & World report, in 2010 Sonoma saw 75 percent of its campaign business coming from the Democratic party. So there's likely to be plenty of deep Democratic pockets in this particular wine bar.

Bistro Bis

Like Sonoma, Bistro Bis also saw most of its campaign business coming from the Democratic camp back in 2010 — a hefty 88 percent. It's also a Capitol Hill classic, a French bistro from restaurateur Jeff Buben where lawmakers and lobbyists can often be spotted in the dining room.

BLT Steak

Location is everything and BLT Steak could hardly be more conveniently close to the White House for all the Obama administration members. Michelle Obama has been known to be a regular at BLT Steak, having also celebrated her 48th birthday there.

Blue Duck Tavern

Blue Duck Tavern sees a lot of VIP traffic, in particular thanks to its location in the ritzy West End Park Hyatt. Beyond liberal-leaning celebrities, general manager Joseph Cerione told Eater that the restaurant is a favorite of Washington Post columnist and television commenter Jonathan Capehart, Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett and Florida Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Charlie Palmer Steak

Charlie Palmer might just be the most popular spot on Capitol Hill for political types and their fundraisers. There's ample bar and lounge space for chatting up the Democrat of your choosing, plus a lounge menu that includes the likes of lobster corn dogs, fennel-dusted calamari, oysters on the half shell and more.

Busboys and Poets

Busboys & Poets is the prime watering hole for the Democratic literary set and social justice advocates. Their various locations each host various events celebrating non-profits, screening films about peace, art and community, discussions about the labor movement and more. They've also got a full menu with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Cafe Milano

Georgetown's Cafe Milano is one of Washington's top see-and-be-seen restaurants, in particular for the diplomatic set and visiting celebrities. But it's also got plenty of fans in the Democratic Party. Nancy Pelosi has been spotted there multiple times, as well as several members of the Obama administration.

Stetsons

Though this U Street bar might be a little more of a dive compared to the upscale steakhouse Democratic haunts, still party operatives tell Eater that Stetsons has seen "every Democrat ever" through its Tex-Mex saloon doors. This is a great place for those wealthy, attractive folk to slum it with 25-cent wings on Fridays and $3.50 rail drinks at happy hour.

Ristorante Tosca

Whereas some restaurants might play down their political affiliations so as not to offend, Tosca touts itself as, "DC's upscale Italian restaurant where the new Democratic elite meet to eat." According to The Hill, Tosca's clientele "usually consists of lobbyists, public relations executives and other political gurus" — including former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle.

Rasika

While Bombay Club might have been a Clinton favorite during his White House years, Rasika is another favorite of the former president's. In addition to the original Penn Quarter location, Bill Clinton has already hit the new West End outpost twice since it opened earlier this year — including an anniversary dinner with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

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