Want An Authentic Olympic Experience In Mpls? Head To Brit's

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Scores of venues will offer you the chance to raise your glass and watch the opening ceremonies on numerous big screens, but only a few will offer authentic British atmosphere.

If authenticity is what you are after, than it would be hard to do any better than Brit's Pub on the southwest end of Nicollet Mall. The pub's General Manager Shane Higgins, himself from Manchester, England, has recreated a lively and typical English pub, only Minnesota-sized.

"We've got coverage on all day of soccer which has already started and we are building up to the Opening Ceremonies tonight, which should be pretty exciting," Higgins said. "Outside on the lawn we'll turn on the big jumbo tron TV which is amazing, real high-definition TV. You'll be in London."

British flags, artifacts, old photos and decor add to the ambiance, and Higgins will even give you tips on how to drink so you can pace yourself through the ceremonies.

"You should start out with a couple slow Guinness' to start and then maybe a lager or two during middle, perhaps end up with a pint, and follow that with a Scotch," he said.

And to help fans soak up all that drink?

"Fish and chips, although what is really the rage in London right now and we serve it too, is curry, real Indian curry dishes are very popular," he said.