Brit's Pub — Restaurant in Minneapolis

I stopped by today, for lunch and dinner between an Airbnb and a move to my new apartment in Eagan, just South of St. Paul. I was taking refuge from the downpour.

I ran up a $59.00 tab. Just around 3pm I asked for another round and to maybe order more food. I was told, surprisingly, that I couldn't order more. I was shocked, as I had generally kept to myself during the few hours I had been there. In fact, I spent the majority of my time on the phone with a new love interest and my cousin, in Florida who just opened up a new shop for her business (disclaimer, I cried out of happiness for her).

When I asked for feedback as to why I was being asked to leave, I was given no answer. Just that the bartender who served me felt it necessary. I asked for some feedback, in the hope to be a better patron. It was first time there and having worked in restaurants for 15 years, it difficult to understand why I was being asked to leave.

At some point a gentlemen, who night have been a manager came over, rather aggressively. I told him, np, just trying to get some understanding as to what happened. He said, vaguely, a number of things had. I said okay, np, what were those things? His general response was that I wasn't doing myself any favors by asking. Moreover, he said "I can pay or there would be a problem." I said, I'm not disputing payment at all, I'm just trying to figure how to do better. His reply was to the effect it's a subjective opinion and flat out refused to indicate what I may have done to warrant his and his staff's behavior.

Until that moment, I really had loved my experience there. But the lack of an objective reason to refuse service, and the impression from management they need not explain why they were refusing service, was astounding. Generally, I had ate brussel sprouts,had a few drinks, and hoped to order dinner. I stepped outside to have some nicotine and other than that, spent my time either texting / sending voice memos to a new love interest and spoke to my cousin about her business.

Since I could not get objective feedback from staff, who were overwhelmingly cis straight men, I can only imagine it was the happy tears I shed for my cousin's new business? I really didn't get any feedback that would give me an understanding of how to be a better patron. I paid my tab, no tip, and am literally writing this from the Caribou next door.

I don't know what could have been done differently, but my instinct says that queer folks and sensitive, emotionally in touch men should avoid this bar. It felt like a gaslight, where they seemed to imply I should know what I did wrong while also being audaciously angry I would ask for constructive feedback.

I certainly no longer feel safe in this bar and would caution anyone who isn't a straight bro to avoid. God forbid you show real human emotions while otherwise minding your own business. The most disturbing part was the insistence that I didn't deserve constructive feedback and that even asking for that was "not doing me any favors."

Not a...

On a brisk Sunday evening, with the excitement of Monday Night Football in the air, my son and I, hailing from the verdant landscapes of Oregon, found ourselves wandering the streets in anticipation of the 49ers-Vikings game. Our quest for a good meal and the spirit of the game led us to the welcoming doors of Brits Pub, a serendipitous discovery that soon proved to be a highlight of our trip. Stepping into the pub, we were greeted by the vibrant buzz of fellow sports enthusiasts and a decor that effortlessly married charm with a lively ambiance. It was the eleventh hour, with last call upon us, yet our waiter greeted us with a smile that was as inviting as the warm, eclectic interior of the pub. Her alertness to our timing was a blessing, allowing us to place our order just in the nick of time. Her accommodating nature shone brightly as she navigated us to the perfect spot, aligning our desire for good food with our eagerness to keep an eye on the pre-game football banter on TV. The pub's atmosphere resonated with us, a seamless blend of cool aesthetics. As for the culinary experience, it was nothing short of delightful. The food served was a testament to the pub's commitment to quality and taste. And the beer, opting for something local, I was treated to a brew that was both refreshing and richly flavored, encapsulating the essence of the area's brewing prowess. In retrospect, Brits Pub was not just a place we stumbled upon; it was a destination that captured the heart of our trip. With its friendly staff, inviting atmosphere, great food, and an excellent selection of beer, it stood out as a beacon of good times and great hospitality. As we left, the memory of that night lingered, not just as a prelude to a great game of football, but as an experience that we'd recommend to anyone looking for a slice of joy in the city. Brits Pub scored a touchdown in our books, and we can't...

One of us from our table of four who is an internationally-renowned musician in museums in the twin cities went to the bathroom. When he walked back to our table, a kid sitting at his table with his parents and his brother began interacting with our friend. He told our friend that he played the drums in his school band, so our friend grabbed the silverware on the table and him and boy began drumming spoons together. While this was happening, Brit’s Pub management instructed their server staff to literally watch and then circle our friend during this. When my friend and the kid were done drumming, they instructed my friend — while having him literally surrounded — to immediately go to his seat.

It was so bizarre. If I’m being honest, the last time I saw white men surround a Black man like the way they did was during those photos in the Jim Crow Era where they showed a Black man sitting at the counter and white men surrounding him for it in order to force him to move through intimidation.

Not trying to sound exaggerating… that’s what I saw.

When I explained this to the general manager because he asked me, he screamed at me and told me he won’t take my money for my bill solely because I answered him on what I saw when he asked me. I instinctively turned my phone on record at this point because the manager honestly terrified me (I, a woman. was literally backed into a physical corner where I was seated, and this manager was tall and much larger than me).

This bar was quite literally all white men down to the servers, bartenders, managers, and general managers… at least while I was there. And it shows. I am a white woman from the county and was so disappointed by their contribution to racism in their...