The Obama administration hosts a weekly bipartisan Happy Hour at the White House as a mixer for members of Congress. President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama frequently made an appearance during the event. Held on Wednesday afternoons, the event is an opportunity for guests to mingle in an informal setting.

On May 21, 2009, Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-Ohio) took advantage of the relaxed atmospher to jokingly greet Rahm Emanuel, the White House Chief of Staff, with several expletives, to which Emanuel responded with a "friendly punch in the stomach, followed by a handshake."Washington Post: Bombs Away at White House Happy Hour (May 21, 2009)

President Obama invited approximately two dozen congressional leaders and their spouses to the the White House for a reception following the U.S. House of Representatives's vote on the economic stimulus package on January 28, 2009. The White House cocktail party included both Democrats and Republicans.ABC News: Drinks Are On the (White) House (January 28, 2009)

Political bloggers, such as Michelle Malkin, criticized the event menu which included alcoholic beverages and wagyu steak, an expensive delicacy.Michelle Malkin: Obama celebrates spending binge with cocktails and wagyu steak (January 29, 2009)

Online bloggers noted the irony of serving expensive wagyu steak on the same day the House passed the stimulus bill, which was drafted to deal with the current financial crisis.Business Pundit: President Introduces New "Wagyu Steak" Cocktail Party (January 29, 2009) Michelle Malkin: Obama celebrates spending binge with cocktails and wagyu steak (January 29, 2009) Wagyu steak is considered to be a delicacy and is frequently sold for more than $100 per pound. The steak, also known as kobe beef, comes from the wagyu breed of cattle in Japan.msnbc: Tales of the $100 steak (September 13, 2004) Allen Brothers: Kobe Wagye Beef

• White House reception was held in the Red, Blue and Green rooms of the executive mansionThe New York Times: Obama Holds Reception for Congressional Leaders (January 28, 2009)
• Guests: Six House Democrats, six House Republicans, five Democratic senators, five Republican senators and their spousesABC News: Drinks Are On the (White) House (January 28, 2009)
• Menu included alcoholic beverages and hors d'oevres such as chicken curry and wagyu steakABC News: Drinks Are On the (White) House (January 28, 2009)
• Wagyu steak is an expensive delicacyAllen Brothers: Kobe Wagye Beef
• Guests included Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, John Boehner, Harry Reid and Mitch McConnellThe New York Times: Obama Holds Reception for Congressional Leaders (January 28, 2009)
• The reception followed the the House of Representatives vote to pass Barack Obama's $819 billion stimulus planUSA Today: Cost of Senate's stimulus plan hits $888B (January 29, 2009)