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.

The walls were covered with photos of the stars of Broadway, Hollywood, business, politics, and athletes past and present.

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.

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.

In January 2013, Gallaghers was purchased by Long Island restaurateur Dean Poll,[6] who also owns Central Park's Loeb Boathouse.