Ben P.
Yelp
I can all but guaranty you that this will be the only time I will attach a 5-star review to the name Ronald Reagan. With that caveat....
Wifey and I spent last weekend in D.C. on an almost-all-expenses-paid firm gala (as in, the firm won't comp me my $150 hotel bar bill). The showcase of the weekend (indeed, the whole point of the weekend) was a blowout at the Ronald Reagan Building. And I can attest, it is every bit as absolutely amazing as the few photographs suggest. [Speaking of photos, I promise to post photos of wifey and I in tux and ball gown, with extra special guest: wifey's new Rachel Maddow-style haircut] [P.S. Rachel, if you ever change your mind, you know, give me a call. If you don't change your mind, maybe give wifey a call, because she thinks you're cute, and who knows?]
The band played into the wee hours of the morning, the drinks from the hosted bar were strong, the food was actually pretty darn good. I mixed and mingled with fellow lawyers who I've never met face-to-face before, and wifey and I managed to not make fools of ourselves on the dance floor.
If you're hosting a gala for 200 or so of your closest friends, this would be a great place to do it. Plus, the rabid security will make sure no one comes to the party strapped.