Following an hour long press conference on the Atlantic City boardwalk this afternoon, Governor Chris Christie kicked off Memorial Day weekend by grabbing a beer at the Irish Pub.

Christie, who was in the gambling resort to announce plans for sports betting in the city, sat down with customers and elected officials and drank what looked like an amber ale at the tiny crowded bar about two blocks down from the Resorts casino.

“It was exciting to see the Governor, I mean he is charge of the state and it was a surprise to see him stop by here” said a couple from Howell seated at the bar across from Christie.

The governor stayed approximately 20 minutes chatting with customers and bar employees.

“I was hoping to get his autograph, I mean he is a rockstar now, right?” joked one woman from Atlantic City.

Christie said he and his wife Mary Pat and children plan to spend Memorial Day weekend in AC as Revel makes its debut.

“We are going to be putting our money where our mouth is and coming down here to spend in Atlantic City this weekend, me and the kids” said Christie.

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