A recent incident in San Francisco’s startup scene has been making waves, with Cluely founder and CEO Roy Lee describing it to TechCrunch as “the most legendary party that never happened.”

The controversy surrounds an after-party that Cluely had planned to host following a Y Combinator event called AI Startup School, which featured notable speakers such as Sam Altman, Satya Nadella, and Elon Musk, drawing large crowds.

Cluely, an AI startup known for its controversy and provocative marketing tactics, had posted a satirical video on X to advertise the party, with Lee camping out by the iconic Y Combinator sign. Although Cluely is not a YC startup, the video generated significant interest, with Lee’s tweet reaching his over 100,000 followers and prompting many to ask for invitations.

According to Lee, only friends and friends of friends were actually invited, but the party’s details were shared widely, leading to a massive turnout. As the party was set to begin, thousands of people gathered outside the venue, with lines wrapping around blocks. Lee estimated that around 2,000 people showed up, causing the event to become chaotic.

However, before the party could get out of hand, law enforcement intervened, shutting it down due to the crowds blocking traffic. As the police dispersed the crowd, Lee was overheard saying, “Cluely’s aura is just too strong!”

Despite the party’s abrupt ending, Lee remains proud of the buzz it generated, telling TechCrunch, “It would have been the most legendary party in tech history, and I think the reputation of this story might just make it the most legendary party that never happened.”

Lee initially gained notoriety in San Francisco after posting a viral tweet on X about being suspended from Columbia University for developing an AI tool to cheat on job interviews for software engineers. He and his co-founder later turned this tool into a startup, which offers a hidden in-browser window that can’t be viewed by interviewers or proctors.

In April, Cluely raised a $5.3 million seed round, and although its marketing approach has become less provocative, it still promises to provide “everything you need, before you ask.”

The party’s demise at the hands of law enforcement has become a subject of jokes, memes, and speculation, with some people imagining more exciting explanations for the crowds outside. However, according to Lee, the reality is more mundane, and he assures that the drinks are still waiting for the next party, whenever that may be.