This Swag Bag's Big Draw? Live Lobster

Between all the galas, fundraisers, and VIP events, Washington D.C. is a city swimming in swag bags. But EquityEats—a new restaurant crowdfunding platform in which investors earn profits, not just perks—may have just outdone them all at its launch party last night. As guests parted the event, hosts handed out bags with live lobsters.

The idea came from EquityEats CEO Johann Moonesinghe as a way to promote one of its restaurants seeking funding called Lighthouse, which plans to serve a menu limited to burgers and whole lobsters.

"We were kind of like, 'Are you serious?'" said Steve Lucas, vice president of strategy and communications for EquityEats.