In a world as volatile and uncertain as this one, itâÄôs important that we as a people take a moment every now and then to set aside our differences and come together as one. And, hey, what better way to encourage global unity than a month-long, heated tournament teeming with viciously relentless athletic competition! Despite this head-scratching paradox, the World Cup is the sporting worldâÄôs most engaging and satisfying event, taking place just once every four years. And luckily, for those of you poverty-stricken soccer aficionados who couldnâÄôt make it to South Africa , Minneapolis bars offer an affordable, air-conditioned alternative devoid of the hot-headed crowds (depending on how the gameâÄôs going, that is). BritâÄôs Pub 1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis www.britspub.com Standing proudly as a downtown landmark for nearly two decades, BritâÄôs Pub might just be MinneapolisâÄô hotspot for all things World Cup-related. Equipped with more than a dozen screens, including a 9×12 billboard-sized display thatâÄôll be located on the outdoor lawn, and nine indoor high-definition televisions, you wonâÄôt miss a second of the action at BritâÄôs. âÄúWeâÄôve got the tradition. WeâÄôve been showing games since we opened âĦ [BritâÄôs] is like the unofficial headquarters for Minneapolis soccer fans,âÄù general manager Shane Higgins said. The quaint pub will also be airing replays of each game and offering $4 pint specials for Heineken , Newcastle and Dos Equis. Nomad World Pub 501 Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis www.nomadpub.com West BankâÄôs Nomad World Pub has been everything but discrete about their World Cup promotion. TheyâÄôve even made some upgrades with their newly-built second floor and extra televisions. Kicking off the celebration this Saturday, the Nomad will be hosting a block party and screening the U.S.A. vs. England match on their outdoor jumbotron. Consistent with the diverse World Cup environment, tunes from De La Buena, Kings Go Forth, African drummers and Brazilian dancers will follow the match. The Nomad will be airing every game and serving breakfast burritos for early bird matches as well as lunch during the day. MerlinâÄôs Rest Pub 3601 East Lake Street, Minneapolis www.merlinsrest.com For those of you more adventurous city-dwellers, South MinneapolisâÄô MerlinâÄôs Rest Pub is a quiet and cozy alternative to other more frequented venues. While MerlinâÄôs houses only one projector screen, it compensates by offering a large selection of British Isles-style food and traditional breakfasts that theyâÄôll be serving in support of the games. MerlinâÄôs will be opening at 9 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday and 1 p.m. during the week.