Moonies Bar & Nightclub in Ithaca, New York, disputes an allegation that it served alcohol to an underage Cornell student before an alleged sexual assault in October 2024. The bar says guests under 21 were marked on their hands, while guests legally permitted to drink received wristbands. Its court filing denies unlawful alcohol sales and asks a New York court to dismiss the claims against the business.
The dispute concerns the hours before the alleged assault at the Chi Phi fraternity house. The broader lawsuit names seven former fraternity members, Cornell University and other organizations. The men deny wrongdoing, and no criminal charges have been filed against them.
| 1) | Bar disputes the alleged underage alcohol service |
|---|---|
| 2) | Court filing seeks dismissal of claims |
| 3) | Lawsuit describes the night’s events |
| 4) | Cornell faces institutional pressure |
| 5) | Earlier investigation remains under scrutiny |
Bar disputes the alleged underage alcohol service
Moonies says it hosted a private Tri Delta sorority event from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on October 19, 2024, with about 185 guests. The business said approximately 150 guests were over 21 and 35 were underage. Under its account, staff marked underage guests’ hands and issued wristbands to guests legally permitted to drink.
The plaintiff, identified in the lawsuit as Doe, alleges that a bouncer marked both of her hands with an X because she was 20, but that she was still served and consumed at least one alcoholic beverage. Moonies rejects that account and says bartenders served alcohol only to guests wearing wristbands. The bar also said Doe later worked for the company from February through March 2025 and did not report being intoxicated or receiving alcohol from its bartenders during that employment.
Court filing seeks dismissal of claims
Zareen Enterprises LLC, which operates as Moonies Bar & Nightclub, filed its formal answer Sunday in New York Supreme Court. The company denied unlawfully selling or furnishing alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age or to a visibly intoxicated person.
The filing rejects the complaint’s allegation that Doe received alcohol despite being marked as underage. Moonies also denies that any action or omission by the business caused her alleged injuries. It maintains that it followed applicable laws and regulations and asks the court to dismiss the complaint against it in its entirety.
Lawsuit describes the night’s events
According to the complaint, Doe drank vodka at the Tri Delta sorority house before a sorority housemother accompanied her to Moonies. She later went to another Ithaca bar and left alone at about 11 p.m., walking to the Chi Phi fraternity house to meet a friend who was a member.
Doe alleges that she consumed roughly 10 standard drinks over three hours and was visibly intoxicated when she arrived at Chi Phi. She says she was given another beer before going upstairs, where two fraternity members pressured her to snort what they described as ketamine. She also alleges that she received marijuana and high-proof liquor before sexual activity began. The complaint alleges that other fraternity members later became involved and that Doe eventually became completely incapacitated.
Cornell faces institutional pressure
The 101-page lawsuit was filed September 16, nearly two years after the alleged encounter. It names seven former Chi Phi members, Cornell University, Chi Phi and affiliated entities, Doe’s Tri Delta sorority and Moonies, among others.
The allegations have generated protests and national attention at Cornell. Thousands rallied on campus, while faculty senators advanced a no-confidence resolution focused on the university’s central administration and its handling of sexual assault matters. New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed the state Attorney General’s Office as special prosecutor. Attorney General Letitia James is leading what officials have described as an active criminal investigation.
Earlier investigation remains under scrutiny
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, whose office initially declined to pursue charges, said a six-page sworn statement from Cornell University Police did not allege that Doe had been drugged against her will or gang-raped. He said the statement characterized her participation in drug use and sexual conduct as voluntary, conscious and consensual.
A fuller transcript of Doe’s November 2024 police interviews later obtained by media included statements in which she distinguished an initial sexual encounter from later activity and explicitly told investigators she had been raped. Van Houten said his office had not received that transcript. The conflicting accounts, along with Moonies’ dispute over alcohol service, remain part of the legal and public examination of the case. No criminal charges have been filed against the seven men.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Moonies says underage guests were marked and not served alcohol. |
| 2 | The bar denies liability and seeks dismissal from the lawsuit. |
| 3 | Doe alleges alcohol and drugs preceded an assault at Chi Phi. |
| 4 | Seven former fraternity members deny wrongdoing, and no charges have been filed. |
| 5 | The case has prompted protests and renewed review of the earlier investigation. |
Summary
Moonies’ court response challenges whether the bar served Doe alcohol while she was underage. The business says its identification system prevented such service, while Doe’s complaint alleges that she received a drink despite being marked as under 21. The dispute will be considered alongside broader claims against Cornell, the fraternity, the sorority and others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Moonies deny?
Moonies denies serving alcohol to Doe while she was underage, serving alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person and causing her alleged injuries.
What does Doe allege about the bar?
Doe alleges that a bouncer marked her hands to show she was under 21 but that she was nevertheless served and consumed at least one alcoholic beverage.
What is the broader lawsuit about?
The lawsuit accuses seven former Chi Phi members and several institutions of failing to protect Doe and alleges sexual assault and rape at the fraternity house. The defendants dispute the allegations.
What is the status of the criminal case?
No criminal charges have been filed against the seven men. New York officials have appointed the state Attorney General’s Office as special prosecutor for an active criminal investigation.
