Judge Dismisses Most of TikToker’s Claims against Hubbard Inn

A woman, Julia Reel, 22, posted a viral video on TikTok claiming she was manhandled by a security guard and thrown down stairs at the Hubbard Inn in River North. The incident allegedly occurred on March 10, shortly after midnight.

Reel’s original video showed her claiming that a bouncer pulled her from a second-floor restroom and threw her down a set of stairs twice. The video sparked a massive backlash, with many users expressing outrage and sympathy for Reel.

The Hubbard Inn responded with a video of its own, juxtaposing security footage of Reel being escorted out alongside her original video. The restaurant claimed that Reel’s allegations were false and were part of a publicity stunt.

The Hubbard Inn filed a lawsuit in Cook County, alleging that Reel’s video defamed the business and prompted an onslaught of negative reviews, threats, and cancellations at the establishment. Reel, in turn, filed seven counterclaims against the restaurant and the bouncer, accusing them of battery, inflicting emotional distress, defamation, and false light regarding the alleged incident and the bar’s TikTok video.

In a recent ruling, Cook County Judge Patrick Sherlock dismissed six of the seven claims, allowing only one allegation of battery against the establishment itself to continue. The judge dismissed Reel’s claims of battery and infliction of emotional distress against the employee because the employee was not named in her allegations.

The other accusations of emotional distress, defamation, and false light that Reel made against Hubbard Inn were dismissed for lack of sufficient evidence to support them. The judge wrote that Reel “has failed to provide any allegations that would lead to a finding that the bouncer’s conduct was extreme and outrageous for which [Hubbard Inn] can be held liable.”

The judge’s decision is a significant blow to Reel’s claims, and it appears that the Hubbard Inn has successfully defended itself against most of the allegations. The remaining battery claim will still need to be addressed in court.

* What happened at the Hubbard Inn?
A woman, Julia Reel, was allegedly manhandled by a security guard and thrown down stairs.
* What did the Hubbard Inn do in response?
The restaurant posted a video defending itself, juxtaposing security footage of Reel being escorted out alongside her original video.
* What was the outcome of the lawsuit?
A judge dismissed most of Reel’s claims, allowing only one allegation of battery against the establishment to continue.
* What is the next step in the case?
A status hearing in the case was set for April.