Yelp Punishes Washington .... With Free Food, Drink & Haircuts?!?

Be sure to check out all 70 of our photographs from this event HERE!

NORTHWEST -- Just a year after purportedly spurning a $500 million dollar acquisition offer from Google, user-generated review website Yelp continues to dominate the online market for local reviews in the United States.

And as a thank you to all of its D.C. community members who contribute the content each day that ensures such a front-runner position, the San Francisco-based Internet company hosted a blowout party at the National Museum of Crime & Punishment on Wednesday night.

The completely free Penn Quarter event quickly exceeded capacity when it was first announced back in December, with an online RSVP list that eventually grew to more than 1,000 guests.

Last night, Yelp's Elite Squad -- the site's biggest contributors -- were treated to an early 6:00 p.m. invitation to the party, with general admission beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Seeing as how this was a Yelp party, it was no surprise to find a variety of Washington food and beverage sponsors on-site providing samples for guests:

Merzi: Indian-inspired, but with an English twist, dishes, including chicken, beef, and lamb options, as well as a variety of Masala and Makani sauces.
Carmine's: Signature meatballs and pasta.
Cafe Dupont: Pan seared scallops with parsnip puree and pancetta caper butter.
Rita's: Cherry and mango Italian Ice, featuring real fresh fruit.
Ping Pong Dim Sum: Passion fruit and lime bubble tea.
Batch 19 Brewery: Cups of bold, hoppy lager inspired by an authentic pre-Prohibition recipe.
Barefoot Wine & Bubbly: A variety of different bubbly, red, and white wines, including Rosé Cuvée, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio.
Honest Tea: A sampling of the eponymous organic beverage line.
popchips!: A giant table piled high with all different flavors of the "never fried; never baked" potato popped chip (try the salt & pepper; it will change your (snack) life).

And in keeping with the "crime & punishment" theme of the night, The Suite Salon & Barber Shop provided guests with complimentary styling services as a way to "change their identities", while Studio 310 conducted high-tech body scans (think full-body fingerprinting).

Of course, onomonoMEDIA was on-site with the requisite photo booth and visitors took advantage of the museum's many interactive exhibits (e.g., simulated shooting range, crime lab, TV studio, etc.) to burn-off any calories that they consumed.

To *steal* a quote from the venue, the night was so much fun that it was almost criminal! Almost...

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To learn more about the Natalee Holloway Resource Center, the evening's non-profit sponsor, please visit the organization's website.

Be sure to check out all 70 of our photographs from this event HERE!