Incident After AFC Championship Game

A popular dining establishment in Boston's downtown area faces investigation because it hosted an unauthorized midnight event with New England Patriots players following their AFC Championship win in January. Police received a noise complaint which led them to respond to Estella's location on Temple Place at 2:20 a.m. on January 27. Officers discovered approximately 30 individuals who were participating in a private gathering at the restaurant's basement area.

Chaotic Scene Reported by Police

Authorities described a chaotic environment with:

• Tobacco and marijuana smells.
  
  
• Numerous liquor bottles and hookahs.
  
  
• Several women in bikinis or without clothing in areas of the venue.
  
  
• Dollar bills scattered on the floor.

The police reported that the security guards who were hired by the couple blocked access to the stairway which delayed their investigation work. The officers gained entry to the area and discovered several violations.

Restaurant Owner’s Account

Helder Brandao, the owner of Estella, claimed that he tried to keep the incident under his control. He told investigators that he originally expected Patriots players and their party entourage to head to his home for a private celebration after their win, but they stopped at his restaurant first. According to Brandao, some of the high-profile players entered through a side door with their group.

Brandao said his staff had closed the bar at the legal cut-off time under Massachusetts law, but the party continued past that point. He described an atmosphere of entitlement among the players and expressed frustration that patrons left without paying their tabs.

Potential Legal Actions and Licensing Review

Brandao has started to evaluate his options for legal action against the players who created problems during that particular night. He has reportedly discussed possibly suing them over the fallout, including unpaid bills and potential harm to his business.

City officials are now weighing whether violations occurred. The Boston Licensing Board will decide which penalties to impose on Estella's liquor license including the possibility of restrictions and fines and a license suspension. The restaurant will face severe penalties if it proves guilty of violating local rules about operational hours and unlicensed entertainment and indoor smoking.

Responses and Unclear Details

The Patriots organization has not released any official statements about the allegations. Police have not provided information about which players attended the event because this detail remains unknown.

History of Past Incidents

Estella's has faced licensing board problems before because its past violations resulted in citations and license suspensions. The restaurant's license was suspended after it faced its first licensing board problem.