Waking up before dawn to watch the royal wedding seems just plain silly. But if you're determined to do it, you might as well be in the company of like-minded obsessives.
As with bone-crunching football games and pay-per-view boxing matches, this sort of thing is best witnessed in a pub. Surely, Prince William and Catherine Middleton won't mind us toasting their matrimony over a couple Black and Tans. Here are two pubs that will make it a wedding to remember.
Brit's Pub: A bagpiper and Beatles cover band Not since Manchester United battled Liverpool has a British match been this anticipated at Brit's. To celebrate, the downtown bar -- famous for its early-morning soccer matches -- is making a bit of history itself. The pub will open earlier than ever at 5 a.m. to show the ceremony live on its big screen.
"Any reason for a party is fine with me," said Brit's manager Shane Higgins. An English breakfast will be served along with wedding cake. If you doze off, bagpipers will keep you awake. You can also sign up for a chance to win a 10-day trip to London for two.
The action picks up at noon when winners of a royal-couple lookalike contest are announced. Minneapolis hard-cider maker Crispin will release the Union, a special cider made specifically for Brit's. If you're still hungry, a royal high tea (a traditional afternoon snack) will be served from 2 to 3:30 p.m. ($16.95, reservations required). And that's not all. The evening festivities will resemble a rocking wedding reception, with trivia (6 p.m.), a replay of the ceremony (7 p.m.) and a dance party with Beatles tribute band A Hard Day's Night.
- 1110 Nicollet Mall, Mpls. 612-332-3908. www.britspub.com.
Merlin's Rest: A kid-friendly scene If you're looking to avoid the crowd at Brit's, check out the cozy Merlin's Rest in south Minneapolis. The British Isles pub is opening early (8 a.m.), but not overdoing it. The bar will show a rebroadcast of the wedding at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on its big screen. Its high tea offering will begin at noon featuring finger sandwiches (cucumber and watercress, egg salad), scones and cake.
Merlin's is promoting its daytime party as a kid-friendly event, with royal wedding swag for fans young and old. Manager Tracie Munce expects women in fancy hats and a few young girls in wedding dresses.
"It's kind of a girls' holiday," Munce said.
