These are all the people you’ve read about before, the so-called Hall of Famers who are no-brainer Players. Still, a few qualifiers: Nightlife Icons must have 10 years as a Boston Player, be nationally famous, or be an obvious all-timer. These people could retire tomorrow, and still be Players for life.

Frank McClelland, L’Espalier and Sel de la Terre

A quiet player, but one so obsessed with quality that his peers are in awe. McClelland is the everyday chef at L’Espalier, and is a partner in Sel de la Terre.

Roger Berkowitz, Legal Sea Foods

From Boston to Florida, there are 30 Legal Sea Foods lining the Eastern Seaboard. And to think it all started with a little fish joint in Inman Square.

Frank De Pasquale, Umbria, Bricco, Il Panino Express, Trattoria Il Panino, News, Salumeria Toscana, and Mare

All-around good guy De Pasquale is an incredibly successful businessman who knows the restaurant biz inside and out. Look for a new project, Mare, to open soon in the North End.

Gordon Wilcox, Rattlesnake, Parish Café, Bukowski’s Tavern, and Flash’s Cocktails

Wilcox’s establishments cater to a Back Bay crowd that wants good quality and good fun. His successes are such that when he calls, other Players listen.

Deborah Hughes and Mary-Catherine Deibel, UpStairs on the Square

They helped define the Cambridge dining scene with their devotion to excellence, their playful charm, and their flair for the dramatic. Together Hughes and Deibel are a huge part of the local scene, and the world would be much less interesting without them.

Stephanie Sokolove, Stephanie’s on Newbury

For 10 years, Stephanie’s has been the hottest patio seat on Boston’s hottest street. Sokolove’s devotion to casual and affordable dining — on our most chichi street, no less — has earned her icon status.

Lou Delpidio, Roxy, Matrix, Caprice, Centerfolds, and Wonderland Ballroom

Delpidio may have passed much of the day-to-day control of operations on to his son Jeff (see Nightclubs section), but he is still nestled comfortably at the top of the food chain. Delpidio is also very active in real estate.

Patrick Lyons, Lyons Group

Is there really anything more to say about the man who is perhaps the biggest of all the big cheeses of Boston nightlife? Well, yes, there is: the Lyons Group’s already impressive roster (Avalon, Axis, the Modern, Bill’s Bar, the Paradise, Kings, the DeVille Lounge, Jasper White’s Summer Shacks, Sonsie, Harvard Gardens, the Big Easy, Sugar Shack, Sweetwater Café) has just added the new Game On! restaurant and club. Attached to Fenway Park, Game On! is one of the hottest new enterprises in the city.

Joseph & Nabil Sater, Middle East and Zuzu

The Sater brothers have kept the rock alive in Cambridge, and for that we thank them. We also send them our best wishes for the Armory project in Somerville.

Kevin Troy, Dharma Group

Troy controls a group of establishments (Jillian’s, Lucky Strike Lanes, Tequila Rain, Blue Cat Café, Liquor Store, and Gypsy Bar) that is very impressive. His places cater to a fun-loving, hard-partying crowd. The success of Liquor Store and Gypsy Bar have catapulted the Dharma Group into the stratosphere of nightlife companies.

John Somers, Somers Pub Group

Think this guy knows a good Guinness when he sees one? Somers, a musician and entertainer by nature, is one of the most successful pub and restaurant owners in the city, with the Grand Canal, Mr. Dooley’s Boston Tavern, Green Dragon Tavern, Kennedy’s Midtown, Paddy O’s, Club Q, and Hennessy’s of Boston to his credit.

Michael Glynn, Glynn Hospitality Group

The Glynn Hospitality Group, with Michael Glynn at its helm, owns a large and lucrative array of restaurants and bars that includes the Black Rose, Coogan’s, Clerys, Dillon’s, Hurricane O’Reilly’s, José McIntyre’s, and the Purple Shamrock.

Austin O’Connor Jr., Briar Group

The Briar Group (City Bar, Sólás, Azure, the Harp, Anthem, Ned Devine’s, Parris, M.J. O’Connor’s, Kinvara, and the Green Briar) rounds up the "Big Three" of Boston’s Irish-pub companies. O’Connor, who manages the business his father started, is one of the good guys in the industry.

Bill Blumenreich, Comedy Connection

The Faneuil Hall Comedy Connection is one of the top comedy clubs in the country, and Bill Blumenreich has been bringing us the yuks for over 25 years. He also owns Comedy Connections in East Providence, Chicopee, and at Kowloon in Saugus.

Russell Robbat, Palace Entertainment Complex

For over 30 years, Russell Robbat has been coming up with creative, innovative ways to keep nightclubbers entertained. As the owner of the 66,000-square-foot Palace in Saugus, he’s got plenty of space to tinker with.

Don Law, Clear Channel Entertainment

As chairman of global music for Clear Channel, Law is one of the most powerful music-industry executives in Boston.

Robert Brustein and Robert Woodruff, American Repertory Theatre

ART founding director Brustein and artistic director Woodruff are arguably the top dogs in the Boston theater world. They continually challenge theatergoers with some of the most provocative productions found anywhere.

Malcolm Rogers, Museum of Fine Arts

In the 11 years he has held the title of Ann and Graham Gund director of the MFA, Rogers has infused a unique energy into the local arts scene. His choices have sometimes been controversial, which means that he isn’t just resting on his laurels and giving us what we expect.

Mario Russo, Salon Mario Russo

Russo is far more than a hairdresser and salon owner; this Italian native is a true Renaissance man, with a passionate interest in the arts and the Boston community.

Marc Harris and Jeremy Dellaria, Salon Marc Harris

The partnership of Newbury Street veterans Harris and Dellaria is nothing but good news for Boston’s collective head of hair. The revamped salon (formerly known as Ecocentrix) is one of Boston’s finest.

Tom Kershaw, Hampshire House and 75 Chestnut

Kershaw is a giant in the restaurant and hospitality industries, having won numerous awards from all the big trade organizations.

Scott Solombrino, Dav El Chauffeured Transportation Network

Even if you’ve never heard of Solombrino or his company, Dav El, chances are you’ve ridden in one of his cars. His is the largest privately owned limo company in the country, with close to 14,000 vehicles in its fleet.