Sweeny's BBQ Gets Beer License in Chattanooga

The Chattanooga Regulatory Bureau approved a consumer beer license for the barbecue restaurant at 5928 Highway 58.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Beer

Sweeny's BBQ Gets Beer License in Chattanooga

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Sweeny's BBQ has expanded its offerings to include beer after the Chattanooga Regulatory Bureau approved its consumer license application. Selling beer required the restaurant to pass new fire, health, and zoning inspections, background checks of its owners, and payment of local application fees and an annual privilege tax.

Why it matters

The approval brings beer sales to a long-running Chattanooga barbecue spot, which has operated in various locations since 1949. The same regulatory process also approved a beer license for the Tivoli Theater complex and a new consumer/carry-out permit for the Residence Inn by Marriott.

The Chattanooga Regulatory Bureau approved Sweeny's BBQ's consumer beer license, requiring new building fire, health, and zoning inspections, owner background checks, local application fees, and an annual privilege tax. The restaurant is located at 5928 Highway 58, while the stub does not specify the license's cost or effective date.

The players

Chattanooga Regulatory Bureau

The city body that reviews and approves alcohol license applications in Chattanooga, which approved licenses for Sweeny's BBQ, the Tivoli Theater complex, and the Residence Inn by Marriott.

CN Hotels

A hotel company that acquired the Residence Inn by Marriott in October, a change in ownership that required the property to obtain a new beer license.

The details

Sweeny's BBQ obtained its consumer license after completing the city's required inspections and background checks. The Tivoli Theater, at 709 Broad Street, reopened after closing in spring 2022 for renovation and has also been approved for a beer license to sell consumer beer.

Sweeny's BBQ has operated in various locations since 1949.
The Residence Inn by Marriott opened in 2009 and was acquired by CN Hotels in October, triggering its new beer license requirement.
The Tivoli Theater closed in spring 2022 for renovation before reopening.

Lifestyle Context

Chattanooga's beer licensing process requires new inspections, background checks, and fees whenever a business adds beer service or changes ownership, as seen in the approvals for Sweeny's BBQ and the Residence Inn by Marriott. Those same requirements applied to the Tivoli Theater complex's beer license, which covers a performing arts center, a year-round restaurant, and a rooftop bar.

Diners at Sweeny's BBQ at 5928 Highway 58 can now order beer with their meal. Residents near the Tivoli Theater at 709 Broad Street and the Residence Inn at 2340 Center St. may see beer service at those venues once their licenses take effect.

The takeaway

Businesses in Chattanooga that add beer service or change ownership must complete new inspections, background checks, and fee payments before selling beer. Readers planning to order beer at these venues should confirm current license status with the city.