Part of the personality of certain cities are its events and in San Diego, that event is Comic-Con. The annual convention of comic book and sci-fi characters takes over downtown for several days the end July each year and it’s such as huge deal that themed pop-ups appear in small spaces on the street, bars and restaurants create special cocktails for it, the staff dresses up in superhero costumes and, of course, there is a pub crawl.
Here is a rundown of themed food & drinks at bars & restaurants plus a pub crawl, taking place for Comic-Con San Diego 2025 in the Gaslamp Quarter. The 2026 dates for Comic-Con San Diego are July 23-26.
Comic-Con Themed Cocktails
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The Thing – A bold blend of mezcal, carrot juice, Nixta corn liqueur and lemon juice, served over double old fashioned ice with a Tajín rim.
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Human Torch – A fiery mix of sage and serrano-infused tequila, with serrano agave, lime juice and Fever-Tree soda, finished with a chili garnish and half Tajín rim.
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The Invisible Woman – A sophisticated cocktail with Barr Hill gin, Beefeater gin, Lillet aperitif and Luxardo liqueur.
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Mr. Fantastic – A vibrant, electric-blue cocktail made with gin, lemon, rosemary juniper syrup, blue curaçao and egg white for a smoothie, stretchy finish.
El Chingon, located at the center of the Comic-Con-verse at 560 Fifth Ave., has the Madness Like Gravity, with tequila, lime, melon liqueur, agave and Tajín for $14. The drink can be made “Bad Ass,” served in a goblet with a Tajín rim, candy straw and Mexican paleta (popsicle), for an extra $13.
Tucked behind a hidden door marked “Law Office – Eddie O’Hare, ESQ” at 548 Fifth Ave. in Gaslamp’s “Gotham” Quarter, the underground speakeasy Prohibition is where fans can find the Penguin-inspired Gentleman of Crime, a nefarious yet darkly sophisticated cocktail blend of Prohibiton Whiskey, lemon and ube, priced at $18.
• Make it a Blockbuster Night ($20): Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Crème de Peche, fresh lemonade, Red Vine straw Served with a custom membership card
• Give Me Sugar Water ($16): clarified mojito featuring Bacardi Silver, lime, and mint
In reference to Men in Black
• His Dudeness, the Duder, El Duderino ($18): Grey Goose vodka, salted caramel, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream In reference to Big Lebowski
ª Midnight Margaritas ($16): Cazadores Blanco, coconut, pineapple, line, and black salt rim
In reference to Practical Magic
Downstairs,. Ginger’s is hosting Comic-Con Kickoff Karaoke from 9-Midnight on Thursday on July 24th. In conjunction with National Tequila, snag $8 Teremana Shots, $10 Teremana Classic Margaritas, and the So Basic with Teremana Blanco, jalapeno, agave, and lime ($12).
Following a lucha libre theme this year. Hasta Mañana Cantina, located on the corner of Fifth Avenue and K Street is having a theme to celebrate the culture of professional wrestling that originated in Mexico. The space and the staff will be dressed all weekend and will be serving cocktails named after icons like El Santo, Rey “O.G” Mysterio, Mistico, Vampiro, and Sin Carra. Plus, breakfast burritos are available grab-n-go from 9-11 a.m., throughout the weekend.
Comic-Con San Diego Pub Crawl
Of course, there’s a Comic-Con-themed pub crawl in the Gaslamp Quarter.
The Levinson Group has one during the first three nights of Comic-con, Thursday, July 24-Saturday July 26. It goes to 13 bars, each of which has drink specials. It starts at 9 with a check-in a Toro. Tickets are $23 each day and $39 for all three days.
“It’s been going on for seven years has has more than 300 people,” explained principal Brian Levinson. “We want to break 500 this year.”
The bars and drink specials are:
• Toro – Free welcome shot (with drink purchase) | No cover till 10
• Good Night John Boy – $5–$7 drink specials | No cover
• Double Deuce – Free welcome drink | No cover all night
• Andaz Rooftop – Free shot with drink purchase till 11
• Kaluu – Free shot + BOGO drinks | No cover
• Coin-Op Game Room – Free shot with drink purchase | No cover
• Trailer Park After Dark – Free shot or jello shot | No cover
• El Chingon – $10 AMFs/Long Islands + $5 drafts till 11
• Cielo Rooftop (Speakeasy) – $20 open bar OR BOGO drinks | No cover
• Whiskey Girl – $6 drinks all night | No cover
• Omerta – BOGO for $1 | No cover before 11
• Mr. Tempo (EDM) – BOGO Margaritas & Palomas | No cover before 10
• Taste & Thirst – Late-night happy hour deals (8PM–12AM)
$6–$9 drinks | $3–$9 bites
Details and tickets are here.
E-mail: BLevinson@LevinsonGroup.com
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