Where Trump’s Washington will actually be hanging out

Where will conservatives and Donald Trump’s disciples spend their non-working hours in DC for the president-elect’s term? The Washingtonian provided a list by Jessica Sidman last week, but by Cockburn’s estimation, it’s not totally over the target.

Contenders on Sidman’s list include the Big Board, Cafe Milano, Capital Grille, Dirty Water, RPM Italian, Royal Sands Social Club, Shelly’s Back Room and the Waldorf Astoria — which used to be the Trump Hotel DC but was sold back in 2021. Shelly’s is Cockburn-approved, especially for the cigar smokers. Rudy Giuliani has been spotted in there before. But Cafe Milano, Capital Grille and Dirty Water are not necessarily “hangouts” for conservatives or the MAGA crowd in particular. 

As Sidman points out, Cafe Milano is a place politicians on both sides of the aisle go — and Cockburn has seen far more Democratic senators and Biden administration appointees in there than those on the other side.

Capital Grille on Pennsylvania Ave may look conservative on campaign finance reports, but for Cockburn, it’s far from an exclusive club where MAGAites go to talk about MAGA things; it’s simply a place to “have a good steak and a glass of wine,” as David Safavian told the Washingtonian.

Dirty Water went out on a limb this Election Day and posted a very Trumpy caption on their Instagram. “We’re rooting for Trump and we plan on spraying champagne when we win. If that’s not your vibe, we kindly suggest you take in election night somewhere less fun.” Despite the vocal Trump support of the bar’s new ownership, as far as Cockburn is aware, all comers feel welcome at Dirty Water — particularly if they’re new to legal drinking and have a penchant for SEC football.

From Cockburn’s notebook, here are the glaring omissions:

Capitol Hill Club

300 First Street SE

Located just steps from the US Capitol, this private social club was established in 1951. Membership at this location for Republicans has traditionally been a symbol of insider access to the conservative political scene. The convenient location makes it a key place for Republican members of Congress, staffers and like-minded people to meet and eat.

Morton’s

1050 Connecticut Ave NW

While Morton’s is not explicitly partisan (just ask Bob Menendez), the steakhouse is known for hosting lunches and dinners where politicians, lobbyists and corporate executives meet to discuss policy and deals. Morton’s has often been the venue for Republican fundraisers and dinners in their private dining rooms. And don’t forget the notorious smoking patio.

Butterworth’s Club

319 Pennsylvania Ave SE

Butterworth’s is an up-and-coming European-style café, opened in October by the old owner of Le Mont Royal. Founder and chef Bart Hutchins describes the Butterworth’s aesthetic as “closer to a Wes Anderson project”; the café has been described as “fine dining de-snobbified.” The Sunday Times of London says the restaurant “has become a salon of the new right.”

Bullfeathers

410 First Street SE

“Bullfeathers” is what Theodore (NOT Teddy) Roosevelt would say instead of “bullshit.” The restaurant and bar was founded in 1979 by Gordon King, with Roosevelt as the logo. Because of the bar’s proximity to the Capitol, staffers and politicians haunt the place — particularly Republicans, as Politico, the Washington Post and the Hill have picked up on. Back in the Covid era, a group of maskless patrons were papped at Bullfeathers in a photo that went viral on Twitter.

Scarlet Oak

909 New Jersey Ave SE

Located in the heart of Navy Yard, Scarlet Oak serves “casual American fare with some Italian influence.” Music is loud, setting is “unpretentious.” Half-price wine Wednesdays are popular among GOP Hill staffers, especially those who reside in Navy Yard.

CXIIIREX

113 King St, Alexandria

Of course, the real answer to the question, “where in DC do Republicans hang out?” is “they moved to Virginia because of crime.” Founded in 2010, CXIIIREX (known to most as “Rex”) is a members-only cigar club in Old Town Alexandria. You’re not likely to find interns here, as the club is full of more seasoned DC conservatives and contractors. The club can only be accessed by a manager’s key and elevator above Landini Bros. At Rex, Cockburn orders langoustines, bone in-veal chop, crab stuffed avocado and the clams casino…