It wasn't Westminster Abbey, but Brit's Pub was the next best thing in Minneapolis on Friday morning .

A standing-room-only crowd of about 900 people packed Brit's on Nicollet Mall before sunrise to watch Prince William and Kate Middleton exchange vows via flat-screen TV. Braving temperatures in the 30s, eager wedding watchers were lined up on the sidewalk before the downtown bar's special 4 a.m. opening.

The pub ran out of coffee by 5 a.m. as the caffeine-craving mass drank Brit's dry. A nearby Caribou Coffee provided reinforcements. Beer couldn't be served till 8 a.m.

It was a Minnesota crowd, but a few proud ex-pats were in attendance.

"We do pageantry very well," said John Okell, who grew up in Manchester, England.

The hour was early, but no one came in pajamas. Some men wore suits. Women came dressed to party in furs, feathers, sundresses, sheer white gloves and hats.

Dml - Star Tribune, Star Tribune
Brit's Pub served a traditional English breakfast buffet and wedding cake for patrons who came to celebrate the Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the doors opened at 4:00 AM for live big screen coverage of the royal wedding.Heidi Caccamo of Ardens Hills, Brage Hanson of Chaska and Laura Fixsen of Shoreview posed with Vincent Francoual dressed as a Beefeater in front of Brit's Pub.

Julie Pfaender, 34, and her three girlfriends bought their outfits at a vintage shop. The women, who work at Target Corp., were heading to the office afterward but didn't feel a need to change. "I might take my gloves off," Pfaender said.

Jim Nicholson, who grew up in Northern Ireland, has seen several generations of royal weddings. Dressed in a kilt, he shed a tear while watching the nuptials. A former soldier, he said he appreciates William's and brother Harry's military service. "Besides their mother, I think they're more in touch with the people than any other member of the royal family," Nicholson said.

Brit's general manager, Shane Higgins, moved swiftly through the crowd, supervising his bustling staff. After a glut of e-mails from bargoers and the media this week, he moved Friday's opening up an hour.

"I'm so glad we did," he said.

By 6:45 a.m., Carrie Haskin, 23, and Jenna Cameron, 26, looked as if they were going to nod off on their feet. They hadn't slept in 24 hours. But then, almost on cue, bagpipers burst into the bar announcing the arrival of the royal couple look-alike contest winners. The crowd came back to life, cheering once again.

"This is ridiculous," Cameron said. "And awesome."

Tom Horgen • 612-673-7909