Top D.C. Fundraising Hot Spots—PICTURES

By Elahe Izadi

Updated: October 9, 2012 | 9:03 a.m.
October 9, 2012 | 7:18 a.m.

Washington plays host to scores of campaign fundraisers every year. Common occurrences around town, they can range from fancy Italian dinners to a Taylor Swift concert at the Verizon Center. More than 3,300 such events have been held in D.C. since 2011, according to data on invitations collected and catalogued by the Sunlight Foundation. Here's a look at some of the more popular fundraising hot spots.

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Between 2005 and 2010, at least 32 events were held at Art and Soul, popular with Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. (Courtesy of Art and Soul)

Art and Soul ranks as the 14th-most-popular venue for fundraisers over the past two years. Part of its appeal is being able to offer breakfast in an upscale environment. (Courtesy of Art and Soul)

The restaurant’s proximity to the Hill (it’s about a 10 minute walk) is a big selling point. It has a private dining room that seats up to 65 people. (Courtesy of Art and Soul)

Carmine's, a family-style Italian eatery, opened in Penn Quarter in August 2010. And since then, it has hosted at least 30 political fundraisers, where tickets have ranged from $500 for individuals to $5,000. (Courtesy of Carmine's)

Carmine’s booking is “totally bipartisan,” the restaurant's spokeswoman told National Journal. (Courtesy of Carmine's)

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan poses for a photo with Carmine's CEO Jeffrey Bank. (Courtesy of Carmine's)

Hill Country, a Texan-style barbecue restaurant, opened last year in Penn Quarter and has hosted at least 11 parties since, according to the Sunlight Foundation. Hill Country has mostly been dominated by fundraisers for Republican lawmakers. (Courtesy of Hill Country)

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