THE HANGOUTS Evenings often start with plans to meet for just a drink - then wind up ending at 2 a.m. with one too many
says one trader, explaining why the gang frequents bars close to Merrill's World Financial Center offices. A favorite summer spot (in their building) is SouthWest NY, which traders call the "Blue Room" because of its blue lights and view of the Hudson. Or head to Donald Sacks for wine and imported beers. Adds the trader, "Appletinis are not cool."
STAYING PUMPED M.L. traders don't just build portfolios; they build muscle. In fact, the company's stocked with a number of former Olympic and college star athletes. The firm boasts a luxe in-house fitness center that's packed in the a.m. with senior execs, and in the p.m. with junior traders pumping iron. Outside the gym, forget golf - softball's their game. In summer, Merrill's team regularly takes on other financial firms, like Standard & Poor's. You might find the Lynchers practicing at the newly spruced-up East River Park.
GETUP Their portfolios may be flush, but traders dress like Old Navy discharges. Khakis and tieless blue shirts are still the trading-floor uniform ("washable, not dry clean," notes one). While senior management might sport Gucci loafers, juniors wearing them will get comments. "One guy wore a pair of new light-brown loafers, and it was like, 'Hey, stepping out of bounds!' " Women - the few that there are - tend to look more polished, favoring silk sweaters, scarves, pantsuits, and heels from J. Crew or Kenneth Cole.
THE CAUSE M.L. is the lead sponsor of the annual Wall Street Run - a 5K that lets financial types throw on skimpy running shorts, tear through lower-Manhattan canyons, and show off their pasty legs. A big fund-raiser, it scooped up over $474,000 last year for the American Heart Association.
SECRET HANDSHAKE Junior-set pals tend to greet each other with a "Hey, boss." Though, says one Lyncher, "not to their own bosses." And not during a job interview.
