Gallagher's Steakhouse
Gallagher's Steakhouse is a steakhouse restaurant at 228 West 52nd Street in the Theater District in Manhattan, New York City. It was founded in November 1927 by Helen Gallagher, a former Ziegfeld girl, and wife of Edward Gallagher (1873–1929), and Jack Solomon, a colorful gambler with a large loyal following from the sporting element. These were the days of Prohibition and Gallagher's was one of the first speakeasy gathering places for gamblers, sports figures, and stars of Broadway. There is now a location in the New York-New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The  restaurant is next door to the Alvin (now Neil Simon) Theatre, which opened a few days afterward. History. In 1933, when FDR took office he fulfilled his promise to end Prohibition. With liquor now legal, Gallagher and Solomon brought a new style of restaurant: Broadway's first steak house. This is where the first “New York Strip” steak was served. The establishment was basic and had the informal atmosphere of a speakeasy mixed with an American country inn. The walls were covered with photos of the stars of Broadway, Hollywood, business, politics, and athletes past and present. Even the stars  of Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack at Jamaica are honored. When Helen died, Jack Solomon married Irene Hayes, who was also a former Ziegfeld girl and one of the top florists in Manhattan whose business is still known as Irene Hayes Wadley & Smythe. After a number of years at the helm, as the sole owner of Gallaghers, Hayes decided to sell and chose Jerome Brody, the restaurateur responsible for the Rainbow Room and the Four Seasons. Contemporary times. In 2008, the menu at Gallaghers was changed by the new management. Most important among the changes was the removal and exclusion  of Porterhouse steak, which once 'graced' the frozen windows of the meat locker that greets customers as they enter the restaurant. This caused some of Gallagher's old customers to complain about the removal of the Porterhouse, which some believe originated in New York. The Steakhouse was featured in the 2002 movie Monday Night Mayhem. The Trophy Room is a space for business meetings, private dining or events. Located on the second floor it features a bar, real wood-paneled walls and an extensive photo collection. The Trophy Room accommodates 110 seated, 200 reception style, 100 theater style, and the  entire restaurant 400 seated. In January 2013, Gallaghers was purchased by Long Island restaurateur Dean Poll, who also owns Central Park's Loeb Boathouse. Gallagher's closed for renovations in July 2013. Gallaghers Steakhouse re-opened in early February 2014 with a new menu, which does include the porterhouse, and renovated interior.