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Chattanooga nightclub owners hit with $4K maximum fine for expired beer permits

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / Chattanooga Beer Board Chair Dan Mayfield, left, and Vice Chair J.W. Cole listen during a meeting. The board fined the owners of Cabanas Nightclub, Chi-Chi's Charred Chicken and Mexiville for operating with expired beer licenses. Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / Chattanooga Beer Board Chair Dan Mayfield, left, and Vice Chair J.W. Cole listen during a meeting. The board fined the owners of Cabanas Nightclub, Chi-Chi's Charred Chicken and Mexiville for operating with expired beer licenses.

By Kailee Shores March 6, 2026 3 min read

The owners of Cabanas Nightclub, Chi-Chi’s Charred Chicken and Mexiville face a $4,000 fine after letting the beer permits of each business expire and continuing to operate without valid permits.

Each business — Cabanas, Chi-Chi’s Charred Chicken and both Mexiville locations — was hit with the maximum $1,000 civil penalty by the Chattanooga Beer Board on Thursday for not having valid licenses.

Hearing Officer Rachel Hodges’ recommendation to the board said that, in addition to the maximum fine, suggested penalties include a suspension of the beer permit if there was a valid beer permit to suspend.

The board voted unanimously to approve each of the fines, totaling $4,000 for the owners.