So, Wolf Blitzer, Mark Cuban, John King & Kathy Griffin Walk Into A Lounge…

GEORGETOWN -- By day, they deftly compete with one another to be the first to deliver breaking news to an audience numbering in the millions. But by night, they put aside their professional rivalries to trade war stories (sometimes literally), catch-up on family news, exchange the occasional joke, and otherwise enjoy the company of their peers.

And nowhere was such a feeling of both professional and personal camaraderie more evident than at Cady’s Alley-based L2 Lounge on Friday evening, as dozens of household names in TV, print, Internet, and radio journalism gathered to celebrate the birthday of CNN national political correspondent Jessica Yellin.

L2 Lounge’s inviting brick walls were quickly filled with well-wishers.
Hosted by Kimball Stroud (a good friend of Yellin) and organized by L2 Lounge Director of Marketing & Business Development Leah Dyrud, last night’s guest list read like a who’s who of Washington media movers-and shakers, including The Situation Room’s Wolf Blitzer, CNN couple John King (chief national correspondent) and Dana Bash (senior congressional correspondent), D.C. powerbrokers Jack Quinn (co-founder of bipartisan strategic communications firm Quinn Gillespie & Associates) and Susanna Quinn, Huffington Post VP & DC Bureau General Manager Peter Cherukuri, Hollywood writer and producer Allison Abner (The West Wing, Without A Trace), 94.7 Fresh FM radio host Tommy McFLY, FOX News commentator Juan Williams, CNN congressional correspondent Brianna Keilar, QGA’s Chris Brown, and Merge Creative Media’s Brendan Kownacki.

CNN couple Dana Bash and John King.
Joining the media party were dozens of business, entertainment, philanthropic, and political leaders, such as billionaire entrepreneur & owner of the Dallas Mavericks Mark Cuban, respected New York psychiatrist Samantha Boardman, Director of the U.S. National Economic Council Gene Sperling, comic, actress, and best-selling author Kathy Griffin, Clyde’s Restaurant Group President Tom Meyer, and Eastbanc Principal Philippe Lanier.

Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban and Eastbanc Principal Philippe Lanier flank L2 Lounge’s Leah Dyrud.
While sampling from the venue’s popular cocktail menu (including a glass of champagne specially named after the guest of honor, infused with elder flower essence, and topped with fresh pomegranate), partygoers were treated to complimentary platters of various savory treats (e.g., gourmet mini burgers).

As luck would have it, the evening also proved to be the birthday of Washington Post White House correspondent Anne Kornblut. And at 10:15 p.m., everyone paused to sing Happy Birthday to both Yellin and Kornblut, as two decadent birthday cakes were ceremoniously brought out for the crowd to enjoy, courtesy of the neighboring Kafe Leopolds.

Revelers celebrated with glasses of the “Jessica” specialty cocktail and bites of decadent birthday cake.
While we didn’t manage to get the scoop on what the birthday wishes were last night, it’s safe to say that it couldn’t have been for a nicer party.

Best wishes on a very happy birthday Jessica (and Anne)!