We have used The Lobster Guy online. It is a small operation and the people are very nice. If you are buying in bulk they might be able to negotiate.

I second Salt River!

I've had luck with salt river lobsters. Check their website, they are at bethesda or kensington depending on the day of the week.

Thank you, will check those out, we are in NW DC. So many choices online hard to know which to choose

Where do you live and what day are you anticipating doing this event? I ask because there is a seafood merchant who is in Bethesda across from NIH on Fridays and in Kensington on Saturdays. They have fresh lobsters from Maine each week.

Here is their website: http://www.salt-river-lobster.com/About_Us.html

Where are you?

There is a small mom & pop in Chantilly if you are near western FFX county:
http://lobstermaine-ia.com

We want to celebrate a special occasion by buying a number of live lobsters for a party (and making homemade lobster rolls too), where would be best place to buy lobster? Locally somewhere like blacksalt? or better to buy online and have shipped from Maine from one of those online Maine lobster sites? Any recommendations?