Holy shart, Batman, the Con kicks off next week and if you don’t have tickets to one of the biggest cultural gatherings in the world, no sweat, because there are plenty of on-site activations, cosplayers, and, more importantly, Comic-Con 2018 parties to check out, or crash. While NERD HQ and Heroes Brew Fest (sadly) won’t be returning, there are plenty of off-site after-parties happening in and around the Gaslamp area of San Diego.
Here’s an ever-growing list of Comic-Con parties (with help from The Hollywood Reporter.) Be sure to check back, yo.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18 (PREVIEW NIGHT)
• Rotten Tomatoes Bash. 7-10 p.m., Bar 207 at the Hard Rock Hotel, 207 Fifth Ave. Invitation only.
• SDCC. 2 Blog 2 Furious. San Diego Comic-Con Unofficial Blog’s annual party. 6-9 p.m., McFadden’s Pub, 731 Fifth Ave. Open to public. Free.
Back for the third year, support local artists and join friends of the Kevin Workman Foundation at KAVA Lounge on Wednesday, July 18, to celebrate Comic-Con 2018. This event is 21+. Tickets are $15 and available on
THURSDAY, JULY 19
• Wired Cafe. The annual industry and party lounge returns to San Diego. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Daily. Free.
• CBLDF Party. Sponsored by ComiXology and Boom Studios, with a special gallery display from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab. 8 p.m. Westgate Hotel, 1055 Second Avenue. Open to public. $20.
MONDO, Plantation Rum, and False Idol present a Con-Tiki Mug Party on Thursday, July 19, from 6:30-10pm at False Idol tiki bar. Cost is $25
Returning for the 3rd year, Kristian Nairn (AKA Hodor from Game of Thrones) brings his live DJ set to Omnia Nightclub. Tickets are $20 for general admission
FRIDAY, JULY 20
• SYFY annual party. If you’re a fan of SYFY, party with the network Friday and Saturday night. 9 p.m., Children’s Museum, 200 W Island Ave. Open to public, First-come, first-served.
• Warner Bros. TV cocktail media mixer. 7-9 p.m., Float Rooftop Bar at the Hard Rock 207 Fifth Ave. Invitation only.
• Robo Rhythm, hosted by Legendary Television, in partnership with Nerdist, will offer invite-only guests an evening that’s out of this world at Nerdist’s annual Comic-Con Industry Party. Oxford Social Club Invitation only.
• IMDboat Party. Sponsored by Atom Tickets, hosted by Kevin Smith. Fifth Avenue landing, behind the Convention Center. 7:30-10:30 p.m. RSVP required.
• IGN party. Sponsored by Amazon Studios’ Jack Ryan. 8 p.m., Andaz Rooftop, 600 F St. Invitation only, RSVP required.
SATURDAY, JULY 21
• 3rd Annual TruTV’s Impractical Jokers block party. On Saturday, July 21, from 11:30am to 8:30pm, join truTV and thousands of fans at the 3rd annual Impractical Jokers Block Party extravaganza. The block party inside of Petco Park will be unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
• Bill Prady’s annual League of Extraordinary Nerds party. 3-7 p.m., Pool Club at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel. RSVP required.
• 20th Century Fox TV, FX and Fox cocktail reception. 7 p.m., Craft + Commerce, 675 Beech St. Invitation only, RSVP required.
• Entertainment Weekly‘s closing night celebration is the Oscars of Comic Con 2018 parties. The star-filled affair starts at 9 p.m. at Float at the Hard Rock Hotel, 207 Fifth Ave. Invitation only, RSVP required.
• Bizarre States 200th Episode Party hosted by Jessica Chobot and Andrew Bowser on Saturday night, July 21st. Celebrate the mysterious and spooky with music curated by IHEARTCOMIX and Nerdist House DJ Franki Chan, food, beverages, and more surprises thematically inspired by the paranormal show.