Judge allows Hubbard Inn's defamation case to proceed after viral TikTok incident

CHICAGO – A defamation lawsuit filed by the Hubbard Inn in Chicago's River North neighborhood against a former patron is moving forward after a judge refused to dismiss the suit this week.

The lawsuit stems from a viral TikTok video posted by Julia Reel in which she claims she was pushed and thrown down a flight of stairs by an employee one night in March.

Hubbard Inn responded to the allegations by posting its own TikTok showing Reel being calmly escorted out of the venue. The restaurant claims that Reel's claims were false and damaged its reputation, prompting them to file a defamation lawsuit.

In a statement following the judge's decision, Hubbard Inn said in part: “We are pleased that the judge agrees that there are important issues at stake here and that our case can proceed.”

However, Reel claims that the restaurant's video is misleading and does not show the entire incident. Her attorney claims that Reel was “manhandled” by a large bouncer on a section of the restaurant's spiral staircase that was not captured in the footage, resulting in him having to go to the emergency room with a concussion and significant bruising.

Reel has filed her own lawsuit against Hubbard Inn, seeking damages for her injuries.