Last night, the Capital Club of Washington kicked off its 16th Sinatra Soiree—the members-only social club’s largest public event of the year—in a new home. After years at the Galleria at Lafayette Centre, the event moved to the National Building Museum. The change of venue, which can better hold the crowd of 1,000-plus twenty- and thirtysomething professionals, generated enough buzz for the fete to sell out a day before the event. "We've sold out at the door before, but never with pre-sale," said Capital Club president John Goodwin.
Chad Scarborough, the evening’s planner and the Club’s board member at large, added that it was important to keep the lines to a minimum. He stationed staffers at each entrance and arranged for 18 bars throughout the building, with one nestled off the second-floor balcony exclusively for Capital Club members. The hors d’oeuvres buffet from Windows Catering offered up some classics, such as B.L.T. wraps and white-chocolate blondies.The Washington crowd, dotted with Hill staffers ("So do you want a White House tour?" was one overheard line), showed up in bright sun dresses and preppy pants (in some cases, equally bright), which matched the pink, turquoise, and yellow linens on the standing cocktail tables and the colorful plastic cups provided by sponsors such as Vineyard Vines.
The Sinatra cover band Swingtown set up at the front of the atrium, though some guests complained that the crowd murmur overtook the sound system and that the dance space—simply the carpeted area in front of the stage—was not properly designated. Still, revelers mingled until past 1 a.m., drinking, dancing, and doing what young D.C.-ers do best—networking.
Chad Scarborough, the evening’s planner and the Club’s board member at large, added that it was important to keep the lines to a minimum. He stationed staffers at each entrance and arranged for 18 bars throughout the building, with one nestled off the second-floor balcony exclusively for Capital Club members. The hors d’oeuvres buffet from Windows Catering offered up some classics, such as B.L.T. wraps and white-chocolate blondies.The Washington crowd, dotted with Hill staffers ("So do you want a White House tour?" was one overheard line), showed up in bright sun dresses and preppy pants (in some cases, equally bright), which matched the pink, turquoise, and yellow linens on the standing cocktail tables and the colorful plastic cups provided by sponsors such as Vineyard Vines.
The Sinatra cover band Swingtown set up at the front of the atrium, though some guests complained that the crowd murmur overtook the sound system and that the dance space—simply the carpeted area in front of the stage—was not properly designated. Still, revelers mingled until past 1 a.m., drinking, dancing, and doing what young D.C.-ers do best—networking.
The Swingtown band at the Capital Club Sinatra Soiree
Photo: Paul Morigi
The 1,000-plus person crowd filled the atrium of the National Building Museum.
Photo: Paul Morigi
Signature cups, emblazed with the event's imagery, decorated each cocktail table.
Photo: Paul Morigi
The Swingtown band dished out Sinatra tunes to match the evening's theme.
Photo: Paul Morigi
Some of the twenty- and thirtysomething crowd showed up in brightly patterned suits and summery dresses.
Photo: Paul Morigi
