Comic-Con isn’t just about what’s happening inside the convention center. It’s one of San Diego’s biggest weeks for bars, restaurants and nightlife. Here’s where to find themed food and drink specials and Comic-Con themes at restaurants and bars.
This article was updated on July 22 with the addition more Comic-Con- themed cocktails and an announcement extending its stay in San Diego.
Comic-Con returns to San Diego July 23-26. Started in 1970 as the San Diego Comic Book Convention in the basement of the U.S. Grant Hotel, it now has more than 125,000 comic book and science fiction fans who dress in costumes and act out their favorite characters. And more people who just come in for the event.
PubClub.com has selected the most interesting bars, restaurants and themed promotions rather than trying to list everything happening during Comic-Con. But first, some important news regarding the future of Comic-Con in San Diego
Comic-Con Will Remain In San Diego Through 2030
Just before Comic-Con 2026 began, city officials and Comic-Con International announced a new agreement keeping Comic-Con in San Diego through 2030. The extension means attendees can expect the world’s largest pop culture convention to remain centered around the Gaslamp Quarter and San Diego Convention Center for at least the next five years.
“We are both excited and thrilled to remain in San Diego through 2030,” said David Glanzer, Chief Communications and Strategy Officer of Comic-Con. “We are grateful to the City, Tourism Authority and the many hotels who have joined in offering increased room blocks at competitive rates that can keep tens of thousands of fans returning to Comic-Con in San Diego for years to come.”
Comic-Con Themed Drink At Gaslamp Bars
Wondering where to go for a few drinks after leaving the convention center? Here’s a rundown of themed bars and cocktails – with prices – at Gaslamp bars and resturants.
Gaslamp’s barleymash will transform into Area 619, featuring specialty food and drinks, and an invite-only cocktail lounge. Drinks are The Mothership ($19), with Patron Blanco Tequila, ube, coconut, and lime, Warp Speed ($17) – Bacardi Rum, pineapple, orgeat, blue curaco, and lime, Close Encounter ($18), made with Grey Goose, melon, lime, mint, and melon balls, or the Galactic Buzz ($18) – Cazadores Reposado, cold brew, coffee liqueur banana cream. Food specials include the Zoidberg-er ($22), a crab Rangoon-style patty with sweet chili sauce, wonton crisp, and green onion cream cheese spread on a brioche bun with fries, Drax-A-Roni and Cheese ($22) – ale braised pork, salsa verde, Mexican street corn sauce, and tortilla crisps tossed with tajin, and topped with cotija all on mac and cheese, Pizza Planet Pockets ($18), pepperoni pizza empanadas with za sauce, and Experiment 626 AKA Stitch ($14) – peanut butter ice cream and strawberry jam sandwiched between rice crispy treats.
The invite-only cocktail lounge Space Smugglers Cantina will feature exclusive cocktails, galactic vibes, and black market bites. To get in, you’ll have to DM @barleymashsd for the “secret password”. There will also be away swag, prizes, and out-of-this-world goodies throughout Comic-Con.
The Smoking Gun is opening early for Comic Con – at Noon on Thursday, July 23 and Friday, July 24 – and has retro arcade-themed food and drinks all weekend long. Drinks are the Power Up Punch (Volcan Blanco, elderflower, Italian aperitif, bitters, and lemon, $12), the Bonus Round Rita (Casamigos Blanco, agave and lime, $8), the Centi-Bean Martini (vodka, Irish cream and Spill the Beans Cold Brew, $10), Prickly Kong (vodka, green chili, passionfruit, prickly pear, rhubarb bitters, strawberry and lemon, $8) and the Pac-Tai (a blend of rums $8; limit of two per person). Food specials include The Final Boss Burger, two ¼ pound wagyu beef patties, American cheese, roasted garlic aioli, and pickled all served on a butter-brushed brioche bun; Level-Up Nachos , tortilla chips with beer cheese, sour cream and salsa fresca with the option to add wagyu chili; Frogger’s Frito Pie, Fritos topped with wagyu Texas-style chili, cheddar cheese blend,and green onions and 8-Bit Fries seasoned with the bar’s house chile rub and and smoked salt.
Hilton San Diego Gaslamp’s Wild Hare Bar is being converted in the Level Up Lounge, a retro-inspired gaming tavern of pixel-art décor, themed cocktails, nostalgic gaming-inspired details, interactive photo moments,and live entertainment. It has vintage video games that feel like a real-life arcade adventure. There is also an immersive photo experience.
Margaritaville Hotel San Diego’s LandShark Bar & Grill is leaving Earth behind and transforming into the LandShark Lunar Landing Bar, an immersive tropical spaceport where ocean breeze meet intergalactic adventure. This out-of-this-world experience features glowing cocktails, celestial décor, atmospheric lighting, interactive photo moments and live entertainment.
Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails is going Toy Story themed with cocktails: the Galaxy Quest Herradura Tequila flight, the Woody made with Woodford Reserve, the Bo Peep Spritz and the Mr. Potato Head vodka cocktail. Specialty dishes will also be available. More information will be announced as available. It’s weekly Sunset Sessions live music series with performances from local musicians continues during Comic-Con on Friday and Saturfd starting at 6 p.m.
It also has this mix of more drinks: To Infinity and Beyond with Tito’s Vodka, blue curaçao, lemonade and edible glitter, garnished with Tito’s-soaked honeydew and watermelon, ($15); You’ve Got a Friend in Me with jalapeño-infused Herradura Blanco, pineapple, mango, lime and agave, garnished with pineapple ($15); Woody’s Roundup – There’s a Snake in My Boot!, a flight of three Woodford Reserve cocktails ($20) and the Bucket O’ Soldiers made with Crème de Cacao, crème de menthe and heavy cream, topped with whipped cream and garnished with a miniature plastic soldier and shaved Andes mint ($15). It also has themed appetizers for $15-24.
Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine has superhero-inspired cocktails: thePeter Parker, a Spider-Man-inspired shot made with white rum, blue Curaçao, lime and coconut foam, priced at $15; the Bruce Wayne, a black-hued cocktail made with vodka, Chambord Liqueur, lemon, simple syrup, activated charcoal and topped with a lemon wedge, priced at $21; and the Steve Rogers, a tribute to Captain America crafted with cognac, allspice dram, Cherry Heering, honey and lemon, priced at $21.
Parq Nightclub is having Cosplay Corner on July 25 in which a lot of people party in their costumes. Starting at 10 p.m., and going until 2 a.m, tickets start at $5 for guest list admission (21+). General Admission is $20 and includes one well drink, while $25 VIP Seating includes access to a shared VIP seating area and a welcome drink.PubClub.com has been there.
Warewolf (4th & Market) is having a Ghostbusters after party on Friday, July 24 starting at 7 p.m. It follows the Ghostbuster Muster event, which is a Cosplay Group Photo Meetup.
Comic-Con specials are not just confined to the Gaslamp. In North County’s Encinitas, Temaki Bar in Encinitas has array of Comic-Con-themed beverage specials, including theCosmic Heat Martini,with Grey Goose vodka, pineapple, lime, agave and habanero with a Tajín rim ($16); Maru-Hi Citrus Seltzer, a Japanese-inspired sparkling cocktail ($8); and a 16-ounce Duckfoot Kook Slam, a gluten-reduced West Coast-style IPA for $9. It also has several food and sushi specials ranging in price from $12-30, including the Com-Con-inspired Super What?, made with bluefin, tempura tomato, brown butter, chives and marinated daikon ($14).
PubClub’s Comic-Con Survival Tips
- Make restaurant reservations early.
- The best people-watching is often outside the Convention Center around the Gaslamp sign
- Take photos and videos with the people in costume; they love to pose for pictures
- Ride the trolley instead of driving (Green line to the Gaslamp Quarter station)
- Soak in the scene!
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