Local restaurant Estella is under threat of losing its license after a party with New England Patriots players got out of control in late January, allegedly featuring after-hours drinking, hookah, weed, and naked dancers.
“There’s a sense of entitlement that these players think they can do whatever they want,” said Estella’s owner Helder George Brandao during a Tuesday hearing before the Licensing Board. “And that was the case.”
In the early hours of Tuesday, Jan. 27 — hours after a historic snowstorm dropped nearly two feet of snow on Boston and a day after the Patriots AFC Championship win in Denver advanced the team to the Super Bowl — multiple players arrived at Estella Restaurant in downtown Boston and began a private party in the basement with a crowd including security and women, according to police and staff who testified at a hearing Tuesday.
Estella is facing the loss of their license for alleged violations during the night including sale of liquor after hours, permitting the smoking of hookah and cannabis indoors and unauthorized adult entertainment, according to the Licensing Board. The board is expected to vote on the matter Thursday.
Boston Police responded to a reported noise disturbance at Estella at about 2:19 a.m. on Jan. 27, BPD officer Jeremy Lockwood stated before the board Tuesday. Upon arrival, the officers could hear loud music from the private party in the basement and made their way downstairs, after being briefly blocked by private security in the stairway.
“Upon walking around the basement, officers observed a plethora of $1 bills spread out throughout the floor, several drinks on the tables, as well as multiple hookahs,” said Lockwood. “Those hookahs were later found on the floor. Officers entered the back stairwell through the kitchen and observed the exotic dancer standing with an Estella security person.”
Police reported around 30 people in the basement, the “very strong” smell of marijuana and tobacco, “no less than six large hookahs” appearing to be concealed under tables, a DJ with an amp blasting music, and “no less than three women who were either nude or partially nude” later found hiding in the back stairwell.
More officers arrived at 2:32 a.m., after the bar was required to cease alcohol sales, and reported the continued consumption of liquor. Body cameras were used at the scene, the police said.
Employees at the restaurant said they were unaware of the smoking, the $1 bills were “accidentally dropped” on the floor when police arrived, and they intended to end the party by 2:30 a.m.
Brandao said the players came in looking for food on their way to another location, which happened to be his Milton home.
“They brought in their own (Don Julio) 1942s; they brought in their own hookah,” said Brandao. “They came in with multiple women. And there were some people ordering at the bar, but that was all done during time.”
The establishment hosts many Celtics and Patriots parties, Brandao said, having hosted the Pacers shortly before without incident. The owner said he texted the players, “You’re killing me,” telling them they were “doing too much” and had to go.
The players left without paying their tabs, Brandao noted, adding it was the “least of our concerns.” The owner said he’s considered filing a lawsuit against the players.
None of the Patriots players involved were named during the hearing.
“It’s more of all on our responsibility as the establishment, we got to follow the rules, follow the guidelines,” said Brandao. “And that was a case of that. But happens to be when you have on celebrities or people of that stature that they could just think that they could do whatever they want and when they want. And again, we are taking full responsibility.”
The Patriots have not responded to a Herald request for comment.