Los Angeles

Though Britain's uninhabitable (the gray weather, the traffic circles, the lingering fear of Germany), its inviting pubs are the envy of the world. Get the best without the worst, at Sheddy's, imperialistically opening just in time for St. Patrick's Day.

Opened by a London transplant homesick for the living-room feel of his former local, Sheddy's is a red-hued pub decked out with church pews, one spacious booth, and three velvet-curtained alcoves -- because sometimes you and alcohol need to be alone. The taps (Ibita, Maudite, Murphy's Stout -- screw you, Guinness) are abetted by 10 bottled options highlighted by three varieties of Chimay, plus Delirium Tremens and Hobgoblin, sure to become the hobgoblin of little livers. The pub's iPod policy will enhance the house's communal spirit: patrons sign up for 30-minute DJ slots, a crushing blow to your dream of turning everyone on to the atonal beauty of Phillip Glass's 61-minute "Music with Changing Parts".

To placate holdover regulars from the space's former wine-bar tenant, Sheddy's is serving 8 Spanish reds and whites; they're also planning on rolling out cheeses, salumi, and chutney -- but not bratwurst. Never again, bratwurst.