Fists Fly at Fenway's House of Blues

Boston police arrest man for allegedly punching female employee after being denied entry to 2000s-themed music event

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Boston police arrested a man for allegedly punching a female House of Blues employee in the face after he was denied entry to a 2000s-themed music event at the Fenway venue. The man, whose identity was redacted in the police report, allegedly called a male employee a rude name and shoved him before punching the female employee, causing a swollen and broken nose. The arrested man claimed he had a 'couple shots' before the incident and said he was just shoved to the ground when he asked why he was denied entry.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing challenges venues face with unruly patrons, especially those who may be intoxicated, and the potential for violence when people are denied entry. It also raises questions about security protocols and de-escalation tactics used by venues to handle difficult situations without resorting to physical altercations.

The details

According to the police report, the man was denied entry to the 2000s-themed music event at the House of Blues in Fenway on Friday night. The female employee and another employee said the man then called the male employee a rude name and shoved him before punching the female employee in the face, causing a swollen and broken nose. The arrested man told police he had 'maybe a couple shots' before the incident but denied assaulting anyone, claiming he was just shoved to the ground when he asked why he was denied entry.

  • The incident occurred on Friday night at the House of Blues in Fenway.

The players

House of Blues

A music venue located in Fenway, Boston that was the site of the alleged assault.

Unnamed male employee

A House of Blues employee who was allegedly shoved by the arrested man.

Unnamed female employee

A House of Blues employee who was allegedly punched in the face by the arrested man, suffering a swollen and broken nose.

Unnamed arrested man

A man who was denied entry to the House of Blues and is accused of assaulting two employees.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for venues to have robust security protocols and de-escalation training to handle difficult situations with unruly patrons, especially those who may be intoxicated, without resorting to physical altercations that can lead to injuries. It also highlights the broader challenge of maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for both staff and attendees at entertainment venues.