Delta Queen operations director Sydney Slome obtained a beer permit at the Chattanooga Beer Board this morning, paving the way for a “soft opening” of the riverboat’s bar this weekend.

“We should be ready to go tomorrow,” Mr. Slome said, adding, “we’ll break in slowly.”

The vessel, moored at Coolidge Park, has 88 cabins, all of which eventually will be available as hotel rooms. A few of the rooms will be open this weekend, and breakfast will be served at the boat’s restaurant, Mr. Slome said.

The bar will be open from 4 p.m. until about 1 a.m. beginning Friday, he said, adding that dinner service will begin sometime after the Riverbend Festival.

For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.