Woman Sues Astoria Eatery Where She Was Hit With A Broom, Slapped

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Irina Tasapalas was counting money inside Dionysos Restaurant in Astoria, finishing up a long night of performing, when she was attacked.

Tasapalas, a musician, had been hired to perform at the bar-slash-restaurant — known for its expansive Greek and Cypriot menu and raucous live music — on Oct. 23rd, alongside another performer named Rena Andreou.

Around 2:15 a.m., after the women wrapped up for the night, Andreou verbally provoked Tasapalas, instigating a fight between the two of them, according to a lawsuit filed by Tasapalas on Tuesday.

Tasapalas, however, quickly stopped fighting, whereas Andreou escalated the violence, the suit contends.

As managers and employees of Dionysos looked on, Andreou attacked Tasapalas, slapping her in the face and hitting her with a broom, according to the suit. The attack was described as "malicious;" an "excessive and unnecessary" response to anything that Tasapalas had done.

The slapping and hitting left Tasapalas permanently hurt and in emotional shock. As a result she sought medical treatment and missed out on job opportunities, causing her to lose money, according to the suit.

On Dec. 7th, Tasapalas sued both Andreou and Dionysos Restaurant for causing her physical harm and job losses — Andreou through the attack, and the restaurant by failing to protect her.

Patch called Dionysos Restaurant to ask about the lawsuit on Tuesday, but a worker hung up the phone in response to questions about the suit, and refused to answer Patch's subsequent calls or emails.