What began as a celebratory night after the New England Patriots’ AFC Championship victory has now sparked controversy in Boston, leaving a restaurant owner under investigation and raising uncomfortable questions about what really happened behind closed doors.
The incident centers on Estella, a restaurant located on Temple Place in downtown Boston. Its owner, George Brandao, is now facing scrutiny from the city’s licensing board after police responded to a late-night call tied to a private party reportedly connected to members of the Patriots organization.
According to a Boston police report obtained by NBC 10 Boston, officers were called to the restaurant shortly after 2:20 a.m. on January 27—just hours after the Patriots returned to the city following their AFC Championship win over the Denver Broncos on January 25.
What officers reportedly encountered downstairs quickly turned a celebratory gathering into a potential violation of multiple city regulations.
Police discovered a private party taking place in the restaurant’s basement, where Brandao claimed members of the Patriots were present. Officers said guests appeared to be drinking alcohol despite the fact that Boston’s regulations require events at the establishment to end by 2:00 a.m.
But the alleged issues didn’t stop there.
According to the police report, the room smelled strongly of marijuana, and officers observed multiple large hookahs in the basement area. The report described at least six hookahs placed around the room, some of which appeared to be partially hidden under tables.
Authorities also reported an unusual scene inside the party space.
“The floor was covered with $1 bills and the liquor was mostly full on top of the tables,” the police report stated.
When officers attempted to access the basement area, they reportedly encountered resistance from security personnel who briefly blocked their access to the stairs.
Once inside, the situation reportedly became even more chaotic.
The report noted that several women ran toward the kitchen area, with officers stating that some of them were either nude or wearing bikinis.
Those details quickly escalated the seriousness of the investigation.
Boston police subsequently issued the restaurant a license premise inspection notice, citing alleged violations that included after-hours liquor service, unauthorized entertainment, and indoor smoking—all potential breaches of the establishment’s operating license.
For Brandao, the situation has quickly become a legal and regulatory challenge.
During a recent appearance before the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing, the restaurant owner acknowledged that rules were broken during the party. While discussing the event, he described the situation as complicated and suggested that some of the individuals involved behaved in an “entitled” manner.
Still, Brandao accepted responsibility for what happened.
“We accept full responsibility for this matter,” he said in a statement to NBC 10 Boston. “We are currently conducting an internal review to ensure this does not happen again.”
City officials, however, remain concerned about the alleged violations.
Kathleen Joyce, executive director of consumer affairs and licensing, said she reviewed 38 minutes of police body camera footage connected to the incident and indicated the city is taking the matter seriously.
“I’m greatly concerned you had some unauthorized entertainment,” Joyce said during the review.
Complicating matters further, officials noted that this is not the first time the restaurant has faced issues with its license, adding additional pressure on Brandao as the investigation moves forward.
Despite the claims that Patriots players may have been present at the gathering, the New England Patriots organization has not publicly commented on the situation and did not respond to media requests for a statement.
As Boston officials continue reviewing the case, the party that began as a celebration of a major football victory now risks leaving behind a far less glamorous legacy—one involving investigations, licensing concerns, and a growing spotlight on what really happened during that late-night gathering.
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