A vibrant and timeless gathering place in the throbbing heart of New York City, Gallaghers Steakhouse has maintained its culinary and historical eloquence since Prohibition Era America. Olde Good Things was delighted to salvage a collection of photographs from the famed venue and former speakeasy during the restaurant’s most recent renovation. Named “New York’s Oasis for Carnivores” by Cigar Aficionado magazine, the historical eatery maintains its reputation as host to sports heroes, celebrities, Wall Street brokers, and wild characters… just a short walk from Broadway and Times Square.
From Prohibition – Era Speakeasy to Renowned Steakhouse
Founders Helen Gallagher and her husband, Ed, opened the speakeasy in 1927. Helen was a former Ziegfeld Follies girl and Ed was a stage comedian. Two years later, Ed passed away and Helen married Jack Solomon, a gambler and sports enthusiast. The partners reinvented the speakeasy into a steakhouse when Prohibition ended. Gallaghers attracted a crowd of athletes, racetrack legends, sports enthusiasts, mobsters and, later, Theater District stars. Notable guests include James Cagney, Jaqueline Onassis, Mickey Mantle, Frank Sinatra, Babe Ruth, Sean Penn, Aretha Franklin, James Gandolfini, Al Pacino, and Derek Jeter.
When Gallaghers became a steakhouse, its owners began covering the walls with a collection of celebrity photos, many of them signed. This tradition continued with all consecutive owners of Gallaghers, preserving a slideshow of unforgettable moments in NYC history.
Gallaghers Iconic Photo Curation
Gallaghers remains a kind of photography museum of history to the present day. Photos include classic action shots of Franklin Roosevelt, Joe DiMaggio, Damon Runyon, Lou Gehrig,Yankees Manager Miller Huggins, and equine Triple Crown winners. Signed caricatures of Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus also grace the walls, along with a photo of Jack Dempsey playfully wielding Babe Ruth’s bat – with the inscription “To Helen Gallagher…Sincerely, Babe Ruth”.
The walls became so covered with photos that some of them were overflowing. OGT acquired a special selection of these wall of fame photos during Owner Dean Poll’s restoration in 2013.
Featured Photographs from Gallaghers NYC
Framed “The Squire” Gallagher’s Farms Black Angus Cow Print
Picturing a Black Angus at the Gallagher’s Farm in Gainesville, VA, this print is framed with dark toned wood and glass. View online.
Framed 1910s “The Theatre” Magazine Blanche Bates Cover
This 1910s “The Theater” magazine Vol. XIII cover framed with dark stained wood and glass features New York stage actress Blanche Bates. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Bates performed in San Francisco, Denver, and NYC. Notable credits include A Doll’s House, As You Like It, and The Famous Mrs. Fair. View online.
1960s Giants Vs. Steelers Game Y.A. Title Signed Photograph
Now an iconic image in NFL history, this photo of quarterback Y.A. Tittle in his final season, 1964 Giants vs. Steelers photo, is professionally framed in black painted wood and glass with a wire mount. Tittle was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971. Signed by Tittle, the photograph is inscribed “Gallagher…Thanks for all the memories. No one said things would be easy”, with signature following. View online.
1935 Framed Baseball Player Leon “Goose” Goslin Original Photograph
This 1935 photograph of Leon “Goose” Goslin is framed in black wood and glass. Goslin played Major League Baseball left field for the Washington Senators, St. Louis Browns, and Detroit Tigers from 1921 to 1938. Goslin was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1968. View online.
Take a look at our new collection of vintage prints and photos from Gallagher’s Steakhouse in NYC. Click below to see what we’ve listed so far—and keep checking back, because we’ll be adding more soon!
See the Gallagher’s Collection
