DYK that since 2017, Chattanooga has been one of the few cities in America that allows for residents to walk around a certain part of town while sipping on a beer or cocktail?
Right up there with the Las Vegas Strip or New Orleans’ French Quarter is Southside’s Station Street, Chattanooga’s only location that allows for people to openly drink alcohol — provided it’s in a specially-labeled “Station Street” cup + doesn’t leave the street itself.
Tennessee is one of 15 states across the country that has no statewide ban on open containers, which means that in certain areas or districts public drinking is allowed, but in many cities, it’s still prohibited.
Currently, Station Street is only the second open container street in the state — the other is Memphis, TN’s Beale Street — which got us thinking… What if Chattanooga created another special open container ordinance?
What does the law actually say about open containers in Chattanooga?
Having an alcoholic beverage is prohibited in public spaces — like streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and schools — unless “a temporary beer permit issued by the Beer Board of the City” or “...a special occasion license issued by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission” has been given, according to Sec. 5-87.
So what do you think? Should Chattanooga create another open container street or area, or should we let Station Street stand as our solitary Scenic City-style “french quarter”?
Poll
