Slide #4
#2 Smith Point
This dive bar was made famous when word got out that the Bush twins liked how "normal" they felt here while their father was in office. Naturally, all of the young conservatives flocked here to get a glimpse of political royalty and "feel normal" with them too, even if the toilets were falling apart and girls were twisting their ankles over and over again on the broken slate outside.
The twins are long gone. It's since had a makeover with new cement floors, a big back patio area, and occasionally both toilets in the girls' room will work (I can't speak for the boys' room). But, the clientele doesn't seem to care--a beautiful, preppy clientele that overlaps that of George down the street.
Famous political-blogging-prostitute Jessica Cutler was probably snubbed from the bar at least once. In her book, Washingtonienne, she flippantly talks about the "girls in pearls" outside in line but, oh dear, can't go on and write about what goes on inside. By the time she got her 7th check from her political lover and stopped feeding her dog in her story, I knew that any bar that kept trash like Cutler out was one I wanted to be in.
The list isn't short. The bar is ten years old and that list has snowballed to several thousand people. "I only take people off if they do something that makes me really angry," owner Bo Blair said. Understandable.
Officially, you have to be recommended by other people on the list. Possibly five. There were rumors that they were/are fishing for fresh faces on Facebook...but even if that's the case, you can't just friend Smith Point. God no. They have to friend you.
Your best bet: Get there embarrassingly early, like at 10, and be good looking. That miiiight work. Or, go in with someone on the list.
If you know someone famous inside: Keep it to yourself. Much like at George, no one will be impressed. The bouncers get really antsy when there's congestion at the door so telling your friend to come out and get you will not do you any good.
If you're rejected: Don't be too hard on yourself. It happens all the time. Hop on down to Third Edition, which is usually filled with a bunch of barely legal undergrads that are getting hammered and dancing. It's Smith Point junior!