Posted 7 months ago
vintagelamp
(1101 items)
Set of 2 Swizzle Stick/Spoon and Postcards Gallagher's Steakhouse NY Clear Glass c1930's
From the internet:
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.
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.
Note: My cousin, a playwright, had a radio show in the 1940s and took the actors to Gallaghers and treated them to a meal at the end of each week. Whenever I saw these swizzle sticks, I had to have them.
This is fantastic!!! The postcards, swizzle sticks and the story behind the steakhouse.
jscott,
Appreciated once again!
Great antique swizzle sticks, and such fabulous info about Gallagher's. Living in NY I've heard about it, but did not know most of those facts. Do you know if the stars from the two racetracks were the jockeys, horses, owners etc. I was once a typist for the Thoroughbred Racing Bureau so that stuff has always interested me
Great story, once I finished reading I had to check out if it was still there and it is. The Filet Mignon on the menu looks rather nice, shame I live nearly 9000 miles away.
Newfld,
Thank you! I don't know much about the stars from the racetrack, but I see several horse photos. There was a horse named after my cousin's play (the horse's name was "Abie's Irish Rose") but I cannot find any other info. I have just seen a small mention in my research.
BHIFOS,
Yes, I was happy to see that it is still there. I would have loved to visit in the 1920s/30s! Thank you for your comment.
Great story and history..
dav2no1,
Thank you!