Moonies Bar & Nightclub in Ithaca has refuted allegations made by a former Cornell University student, who claims she was served alcohol despite being underage on the night of October 19, 2024. The woman, identified as Jane Doe, has filed a lawsuit against the bar, the university, and several members of the Chi Phi fraternity, asserting she was assaulted after leaving the venue.
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In her legal complaint, Doe asserts that upon arrival at Moonies, a bouncer marked her hands with an “X” to indicate her underage status. Despite this, she alleges that she was served at least one alcoholic drink during her time at the nightclub. The lawsuit describes the events leading up to her subsequent claims of sexual assault at the Chi Phi fraternity house later that evening.
Moonies Bar has strongly denied these allegations, stating that their protocols regarding the sale of alcohol are strictly enforced. According to a spokesperson for the establishment, the bar hosted a private event organized by the Tri Delta sorority from 9 PM to 11 PM on the aforementioned date. During this event, they assert that alcohol was only distributed to guests aged 21 and over, who were required to wear special wristbands to confirm their drinking eligibility.
The bar indicated that roughly 185 individuals attended the event, with an estimated 150 of those being of legal drinking age. They emphasised that no alcohol was served to anyone who had an identification mark on their hands, and they maintain that staff members adhered to all regulatory guidelines regarding service to underage patrons.
In recent court documents responding to the lawsuit, Moonies has categorically denied any wrongdoing associated with the sale or provision of alcoholic beverages to anyone under the legal drinking age. The bar is seeking the dismissal of the complaint filed against it, asserting that no infractions occurred on their part.
Following her departure from the bar, Doe alleges that she was taken to the Chi Phi fraternity house, where she reportedly suffered drugging and sexual assault at the hands of multiple fraternity members over the course of several hours. The accused individuals have denied the allegations, and as of now, no criminal charges have been brought against them. However, the lawsuit has prompted a renewed investigation into the claims.
Moonies has further claimed that Doe subsequently worked for the bar between February and March 2025. During this time, they allege that she spoke about the events from October 2024 but failed to mention any intoxication or service of alcohol by the bar staff.
In response to the ongoing developments, Doe’s attorney, Thomas Giuffra, has yet to comment on the jurisdictional aspects of the legal proceedings. The situation has garnered attention amidst widespread discussions regarding alcohol service regulations and accountability in nightlife venues, especially concerning matters related to underage consumption.
This case highlights significant issues regarding safety in social environments and raises questions about the responsibilities of establishments regarding alcohol service. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on both the specifics of Doe’s allegations and the operational practices of Moonies Bar.
For those affected by sexual violence or assault, help is available. The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), and additional resources can be found at rainn.org.