Inside David Dobrik's Lollapalooza 'house party' bash, where tickets went for as much as $1,500

Ivan MorenoAug 5, 2021, 01:24 IST

David Dobrik at his Lollapalooza after party.Ivan Moreno

YouTube star David Dobrik threw an afterparty for the music festival Lollapalooza.
Dobrik, who is beginning to re-emerge after a hiatus, appeared at the party.
Earlier in 2021, Dobrik and his crew faced scrutiny after an Insider article uncovered a rape allegation against a former member of Dobrik's Vlog Squad.

Embattled YouTube megastar David Dobrik was in Chicago for Lollapalooza last weekend to throw himself a party after months of relative silence following sexual assault allegetions against a former member of his video-creating "Vlog Squad."

Dobrik's prank-filled four-minute videos, reminiscent of MTV's Jackass and Punk'd, earned him more than 18 million YouTube subscribers since 2015, and sponsorships from EA Sports, Chipotle, Bumble, Facebook, and HBO Max followed. But they all dropped him late March, after Insider published a story about a woman's rape allegation against a former "Vlog Squad" member.

The 25-year-old Dobrik recorded two apology videos, and said he was taking a "serious" break from social media. But after a three-month hiatus, Dobrik's making weekly videos again.

Friday's festivities were billed as a "House Party" with Dobrik and friends - a house party where the price of admission ranged from $40 for a general admission ticket (alcohol not included), to as much as $1,500 for an eight-person booth. I bought a "last call" general admission ticket to see what the hype of David Dobrik is all about.

The party was at the Hubbard Inn in Chicago's River North neighborhood. I arrived just after 9 p.m., an hour after doors opened.

Hubbard Inn in Chicago. Ivan Moreno

I thought I was arriving fashionably late, but it immediately became apparent that I underestimated society's current partying standards.

This booth was purple. Ivan Moreno

After walking around taking photos of mostly empty booths on the first floor, I noticed people walking to the second floor. Something told me that's where the party was at.

Stairs. Ivan Moreno

After walking around taking photos of mostly empty booths on the first floor, I noticed people walking to the second floor. Something told me that's where the party was at.

House music pulsated in my ears the moment I got up to the second floor.

Swing, swing, swing. Ivan Moreno.

It was almost 10 p.m when partygoers started getting a little confident and began busting some moves.

Could it be happening, are people starting to dance? Ivan Moreno

I didn't know it at the time, but the couch in front of the DJ table was there to serve as a buffer so partygoers wouldn't get too close to Dobrik.

The makeshift barricade in front of the DJ. Ivan Moreno

Women carrying a bright 'Hubbard Inn' sign announced the arrival of booze to a table I presume was no longer deserted.

shots? Ivan Moreno

More people gathered in front of the DJ booth in anticipation of Dobrik's arrival.

No masks in sight. Ivan Moreno.

This is where Dobrik would hang out, eventually. Soon, the crowd would converge here, phones in the air, for a chance to see and photograph Dobrik and his friends.

This cube was pink. Ivan Moreno.

Just after around 11 p.m. there was a David Drobik sighting. Sort of.

Never seen a guitar like that before. Ivan Moreno.

About 30 minutes before midnight, fans got their first sighting of Dobrik behind the DJ table.

Will he do it? Will he DJ? Ivan Moreno.

Dobrik took some footage of the fans before he took to the decks.

Will this be in David's next vlog? Ivan Moreno

Picture-taking continued, with little actual DJ'ing from David.

David Dobrik at his Lollapalooza after party. Ivan Moreno

Fans lined up by the wall next to the DJ table to get a quick chat in with David.

A quick chat with a fan. Ivan Moreno

Almost an hour into Dobrik's DJ set, during which I didn't actually see him DJ, the crowd was still angling for a shot of Dobrik.

People couldn't resist getting a picture of Dobrik. Ivan Moreno

In between breaks from 'DJ'ing,' Dobrik would return to his private nook on the second floor and the crowd quickly followed.

Jason Nash came to party. Ivan Moreno

When Abba's "Dancing Queen" started to play, it was clear the fun was almost over.

The plant wall was irresistible. Ivan Moreno.

The second floor started emptying out shortly after 1:00 a.m.

Keeping the groove alive. Ivan Moreno

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Inside David Dobrik's Lollapalooza 'house party' bash, where tickets went for as much as $1,500

The party was at the Hubbard Inn in Chicago's River North neighborhood. I arrived just after 9 p.m., an hour after doors opened.

I thought I was arriving fashionably late, but it immediately became apparent that I underestimated society's current partying standards.

After walking around taking photos of mostly empty booths on the first floor, I noticed people walking to the second floor. Something told me that's where the party was at.

House music pulsated in my ears the moment I got up to the second floor.

It was almost 10 p.m when partygoers started getting a little confident and began busting some moves.

I didn't know it at the time, but the couch in front of the DJ table was there to serve as a buffer so partygoers wouldn't get too close to Dobrik.

Women carrying a bright 'Hubbard Inn' sign announced the arrival of booze to a table I presume was no longer deserted.

More people gathered in front of the DJ booth in anticipation of Dobrik's arrival.

This is where Dobrik would hang out, eventually. Soon, the crowd would converge here, phones in the air, for a chance to see and photograph Dobrik and his friends.

Just after around 11 p.m. there was a David Drobik sighting. Sort of.

About 30 minutes before midnight, fans got their first sighting of Dobrik behind the DJ table.

Dobrik took some footage of the fans before he took to the decks.

Picture-taking continued, with little actual DJ'ing from David.

Fans lined up by the wall next to the DJ table to get a quick chat in with David.

Almost an hour into Dobrik's DJ set, during which I didn't actually see him DJ, the crowd was still angling for a shot of Dobrik.

In between breaks from 'DJ'ing,' Dobrik would return to his private nook on the second floor and the crowd quickly followed.

When Abba's "Dancing Queen" started to play, it was clear the fun was almost over.

The second floor started emptying out shortly after 1:00 a.m.