High-flying financiers from the Blackstone Group would normally frequent power lunch spaces like the Four Seasons restaurant in Midtown Manhattan.
But on Tuesday night, a handful of top executives of the investment giant were serving burgers and beer in a decidedly more casual establishment to raise money for charity.
At a fund-raiser at Clarke’s Standard in Midtown Manhattan, Blackstone employees crowded around the bar to see Jonathan D. Gray, the head of the firm’s huge real estate arm (and rising star), don a purple wig and goofy glasses. Joining him, in an equally ridiculous outfit, was the firm’s president, Hamilton E. James.
The Gray-James duo was one of several teams competing to raise the most in tips, going up against colleagues like Laurence A. Tosi, the firm’s chief financial officer; David S. Blitzer, the head of tactical opportunities; and Joseph Baratta, the global head of private equity.
The firm has staged various events over the years to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Several months ago, the Blackstone technology team held a raffle contest, and later this year, some employees plan to do a lengthy bike ride in Lake Tahoe, Calif.
All proceeds from the latest event, from food and drink purchases to tips for the bartending competitors, went to the charity. A Blackstone spokeswoman told DealBook that the event raised nearly $25,000.
And the team led by Mr. Baratta and Peter F. Wallace, a senior managing director in the private equity group, prevailed in the race for tips.
