This past week, some of the funniest folks from all walks of entertainment converged upon New York City in celebration of the annual New York Comedy Festival. From stand-up performances to star-studded affairs all over town, night after night was jam packed with names like Hannibal Burress, Nick Offerman, Amy Schumer, Chris Hardwick, Larry David and others. Thursday night, a party hosted by Comedy Central would take over the Empire Hotel rooftop to celebrate the Festival’s 2014 arrival- highlighted by a bevy of different comedians hanging out and schmoozing with the rest of us.

For three hours, hundreds of invited guests would be warmly welcomed to the tasteful space where some passed around fare and an open bar would greet them along with some familiar faces. The guest list would include the likes of Roastmaster General Jeffrey Ross, Dane Cook, local comedians Todd Barry and Judah Friedlander, Gilbert Gottfried and recent Saturday Night Live alum Brooks Wheelan joining a roomful of writers, friends and tastemakers for the kickoff party commemorating the Festival’s 11th year. As the familiar names swarmed around the room, attendees took turns posing at the step and repeat along the makeshift red carpet. And though some of the guests were certainly more recognizable than others, everyone was made to feel special during the festivities- evidenced by our photo gallery above.

- Dave Gendelson