Boston Restaurant Suspended After Patriots Players' Raucous Party

Estella Restaurant faced a one-day liquor license suspension for hosting an after-hours party with strippers and hookahs.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A downtown Boston restaurant, Estella, had its liquor license suspended for one day after hosting an after-hours party attended by New England Patriots players and strippers, some of whom were reportedly nude when police arrived to break up the celebration. The Boston Licensing Board found violations concerning indoor smoking, unauthorized adult entertainment, and after-hours liquor consumption at the restaurant.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the challenges restaurants face in managing high-profile clientele and maintaining control over private events, especially when alcohol is involved. It also raises questions about the responsibility of professional athletes and the potential consequences for their behavior.

The details

When Boston police responded to a noise complaint at Estella shortly before 2:30 a.m., they found a private party raging in the basement, featuring several hookahs, bottles of liquor, $1 bills scattered on the floor, and at least three nude or partially nude women. The restaurant's owner, Helder George Brandao, said the Patriots players arrived with multiple women and brought their own hookahs and liquor, and that a restaurant manager let "some of the big players" through a side door with "the entourage." Brandao also alleged the players left without paying their tabs.

  • The incident occurred on January 27, 2026.
  • The Boston Licensing Board hearing regarding the incident took place on March 4, 2026.
  • The Licensing Board voted unanimously to hand down a three-day license suspension, with two of those days held in abeyance for one year, on March 5, 2026.

The players

Estella Restaurant

A downtown Boston restaurant located on Temple Place.

Helder George Brandao

The owner of Estella Restaurant who took full responsibility for the incident, though he blamed the Patriots players for allowing the party to spiral out of control.

New England Patriots

The professional football team whose players were involved in the raucous party at Estella Restaurant.

Boston Licensing Board

The board that voted unanimously to hand down a three-day liquor license suspension to Estella Restaurant, with two of those days held in abeyance for one year.

Kathleen Joyce

The chair of the Boston Licensing Board who acknowledged that Estella's owner had been cooperative with police and accepted responsibility, but said he either knew about the incident and ignored it or didn't know about it, which was troubling to her.

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What they’re saying

“There's a sense of entitlement, that these players think they can do whatever they want. And that was the case.”

— Helder George Brandao, Owner, Estella Restaurant (The Boston Globe)

“With that privilege comes responsibility. He does not seem to have a good understanding of what that responsibility is.”

— Kathleen Joyce, Chair, Boston Licensing Board (NBC10 Boston)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Estella Restaurant to remain open during the one-day liquor license suspension.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges restaurants face in managing high-profile clientele and maintaining control over private events, especially when alcohol is involved. It also raises questions about the responsibility of professional athletes and the potential consequences for their behavior.