West Coast Party Time

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Washington, D.C., is the place to be for Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration, but L.A.-area businesses are getting some kicks out of the change of administration, too.

Abbey, a restaurant in West Hollywood, has two events planned, including a “Bye Bye Bush” party on Monday, featuring a live variety show. Then on Tuesday, there will be an all-day inauguration celebration, starting at 7 a.m., featuring drink specials and a dance party.

Studio City Hand Car Wash on Ventura Boulevard was scheduled to celebrate the 44th president’s swearing-in ceremony a bit early, with a red carpet entrance, dance floor and performances from San Fernando Valley-area school groups on Jan. 17.

Generation Obama Los Angeles, the L.A. chapter of Obama’s online grassroots campaign, is holding its inauguration-day party Tuesday at Whiskey Blue, a lounge located in the W Hotel in Westwood. In addition to spoken-word performances and KCRW disc jockey Jason Bentley spinning tunes, members of the California Democratic Party will be speaking.

“We’re trying to keep it relatively small, more like a cocktail party than a rager,” said Haroon “Boon” Saleem, chairman and co-founder of Generation Obama L.A. The event is limited to the first 400 who RSVP on the organization’s Web site.

Rush Street, a Chicago-themed restaurant in Culver City, is also planning a party to ring in the inauguration. In honor of the new president and former senator from Illinois, Rush Street will be offering red, white and blue drink specials: half-price bottles of red and white wine, and Chicago’s own Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. Guests will be able to view the events in Washington on televisions throughout the bar, and a dance party will commence at 9 p.m.

“We’re big supporters of Obama,” said Brian McKeaney, co-owner of the restaurant. “We threw a party on election night, and it was our second-busiest night of the year next to New Year’s Eve. We realized this is something we should be involved with.”

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