So many parties, so little time. The 2004 Republican National Convention had scores of shindigs all over town that ran deep into the night.

“Every night you went through a pile of invitations,” said RNC staffer Andrea Bottner, in the office of the co-chairman. “Every minute of it has been a blast.” Among the hottest tickets was the blowout at The Yacht Club, sponsored mainly by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. Naturally, there was booze aplenty; the regular bars were stocked with super-premium brands and a tasting bar featured 1 /4-ounce shots of rare scotch, bourbon, and armagnac.

And to soak it all up, there was a sea of clams, oysters, and smoked salmon, in addition to the aged filet mignon and horseradish sauce served. And in keeping with the Hollywood stereotype of Republicans, there were cigars in the back room; the VIP room was sponsored by Cigar Aficionado.

According to a senior VP of the distilled spirits council, Frank Coleman, it was the mix of plentiful consumables plus a powerful people that made the party a winner.

“It was in honor Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, and he came with a lot of his staff and family,” said Mr. Coleman. “There were numerous congressman and diplomats.”

In addition, heavyweight editors and writers lent the night some media glitz. Or at least political media glitz. On hand were R.W. Apple and David Brooks of the New York Times, Brit Hume of Fox News, Fred Barnes and William Kristol of the Weekly Standard, and proto-blogger Mickey Kaus.

Cigars were a key item at a party for Mayor Giuliani in the Grand Havana Club. Also in his honor, Pfizer threw a Wednesday-night party at the Rainbow Room that boasted sushi, roast duck, and a swingin’ big band.

That same night, Mr. Giuliani joined Senator McCain on the stage at Cipriani for a little singing and merriment. The bash was thrown by McCain supporters – and the goodie bag featured a copy of the senator’s book, “Why Courage Matters,” and a jar of Imus salsa.

Though most parties were one-offs, anyone with the “Pataki Pass” – a special all-week party credential – could roll out the barrel until 2 a.m. every night. The food and drink made moderation an unlikely option.

On Monday night, the New York Republican State Committee and the New Jersey delegation hosted a packed party at Cipriani, where it was a cinch to get drinks, sausage sandwiches, and dates (no room has ever been more packed with young men in blue blazers).

There was no shortage of nosh during Tuesday night’s fiesta at Noche – dubbed “Heat Up New York!” and sponsored by the American Gas Association in honor of the New York State Republican Party. The Albany-based band “The Burners” rocked the several story restaurant and delighted in sneaking pro-Republican riffs into John Cougar Mellencamp songs.

There were vats of guacamole and a pasta table (an unusual sight at events these days) on Wednesday night at the “Amigos de America” party at Copacabana, where the crowd was thousands strong. The final Pataki Pass parties were yesterday evening at the Irish pub Rosie O’Grady’s (sponsored by the Monroe County Republican Party) and Madame Tussauds (sponsored by the NYRSC).

Also happening every night this week were parties hosted by Ohio Rep. John Boehner at what used to be the Tunnel nightclub. The parties go by the title “The Best Little Warehouse in NYC” or just plain “the Boehner party.” Mr. Boehner began the nightly tradition during the 1996 San Diego convention and they were such hits that the events were organized for Philadelphia in 2000 and again this year. And in New York, the atmosphere of velvet ropes, security guards, and high-tech tickets fit right in.

For lovers of pulled-pork sandwiches, the Missouri delegation’s do at Blue Smoke – owned by St. Louis native Danny Meyer – was the place to be. But for chroniclers of power scenes, it was Newsweek’s party, hosted by Lally Weymouth, at the Four Seasons where industry elites schmoozed the night away.

They say that politics is measured in weeks. And if this wasn’t the GOP’s most convivial, it’s going to be hard to beat.