Comic-Con International 2026: San Diego
Thursday, July 23th, 2026 – Sunday, July 26rd, 2026
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN GASLAMP QUARTER?
Experience Comic-Con in the Heart of San Diego – The Gaslamp Quarter
San Diego Comic-Con returns July 23–26, 2026, bringing thousands of fans, cosplay, exclusive activations, themed dining experiences, rooftop parties, pop-ups, and free events to the Gaslamp Quarter.
Whether you have a Comic-Con badge or you’re exploring Downtown San Diego without one, this guide highlights the best restaurants, bars, hotel experiences, and offsite activations happening during Comic-Con week.
Where to Eat & Drink during
Comic-Con 2026
Garage Kitchen + Bar: Comic-Con Super Deals
Available: Thursday, July 23 – Sunday, July 26, 2026
Location: 655 Fourth Avenue, San Diego
San Diego Marriott Gaslamp: Anime Café Takeover
Salt & Whiskey: Flavors of the Multiverse
Available: Wednesday, July 22 – Sunday, July 26, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Horton Grand Hotel, 311 Island Avenue, San Diego
Step into the multiverse at Salt & Whiskey with a limited-time Comic-Con menu inspired by iconic superheroes and legendary adventures. Located inside the historic Horton Grand Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter, this Comic-Con dining experience features themed appetizers, specialty cocktails, mocktails, and desserts crafted exclusively for Comic-Con week.
Featured Specials:
- Doctor Strange Portal Wings – Crispy chicken wings tossed in a ginger honey glaze with chili crisp and lime
- Asgardian Meatballs – Swedish-style meatballs with lingonberry glaze and creamy Dijon sauce
- Doom’s Castle Sliders – Three beef sliders with Gruyère cheese, caramelized onions, and black garlic aioli
- Emerald Dominion specialty cocktail
- Ruby Rebellion specialty cocktail
- Quantum Crush mocktail
- Pearl of Talikon cream puff dessert
Gaslamp Lumpia Factory: LumpiaCon Year 5
Available: Thursday, July 23 – Saturday, July 25, 2026
Location: 423 F Street, San Diego
Just 0.6 miles from the San Diego Convention Center, Gaslamp Lumpia Factory brings back LumpiaCon for its fifth year, celebrating the worlds of comics, food, art, and pop culture during Comic-Con weekend. Each evening features a unique themed experience with live entertainment, comic book creators, artists, and special guests, making it a fun stop for fans exploring the Gaslamp Quarter.
Featured Specials:
- Thursday, July 23 – Sketch & Scratch Night (7:00 PM – Midnight)
- Live DJ set by DJ Marlino
- Featured artists and live art
- Original artwork giveaways
- Friday, July 24 – Creators Night (7:00 PM – Midnight)
- Meet-and-greet with comic book creators
- Comic book signings
- Special guest appearances
- Saturday, July 25
- Theme to be announced (follow Gaslamp Lumpia Factory on Instagram for updates)
- Free admission
Prohibition Lounge: Smuggler’s Bar
Available: Tuesday, July 21 – Sunday, July 26, 2026
Location: 548 Fifth Avenue, San Diego
Hidden behind its signature entrance, Prohibition Lounge transforms into Smuggler’s Bar, an immersive Star Wars-inspired cocktail experience during Comic-Con week. Guests can enjoy an exclusive themed menu, specialty activations, live entertainment, giveaways, and limited-time experiences throughout the week.
Featured Specials:
- Ewok Hunter
- T-16 Skyhopper
- Wookie Pelt
- Marrok & Keibu
- Smuggler’s Code
- Outer Rim Outlaw
- The Last Contract
- Endor Hunting Club
Special Activations:
- Tuesday: Devil’s Grin Star Wars-themed Cocktail Class, plus bottle giveaways and exclusive Comic-Con bottle discounts
- Wednesday: Official opening of Smuggler’s Bar featuring DJ Pleasure Victim spinning Star Wars-inspired sci-fi house music
- Thursday: First 20 guests receive a special Star Wars giveaway
- Friday: Star Wars & Whiskey Tattoo Night beginning at 8:00 PM, with the first 10 tattoos complimentary on a first-come, first-served basis
El Chingon: Nar Shaddaa
Available: Wednesday, July 22 – Sunday, July 26, 2026
Location: 560 Fifth Avenue, San Diego
Step into Nar Shaddaa, the infamous Star Wars moon known for its bustling nightlife, at El Chingon during Comic-Con. This themed experience brings the galaxy’s underworld to the Gaslamp Quarter with a limited-time specialty cocktail crafted exclusively for Comic-Con fans.
Featured Specials:
- Blue Bantha Milk – El Chingon Destilado, coconut, blue curaçao, oat milk, and fresh lime
Havana 1920: Oga’s Cantina
Available: Wednesday, July 22 – Sunday, July 26, 2026
Location: 548 Fifth Avenue, San Diego
Travel to a galaxy far, far away at Havana 1920, where the restaurant transforms into Oga’s Cantina during Comic-Con week. Inspired by the legendary Star Wars cantina, guests can sip on themed specialty cocktails while experiencing an immersive atmosphere in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter.
Featured Specials:
- Yub Nub – Spiced rum, passion fruit, lime juice, pineapple, and aromatic bitters
- Dagobah Swamp Water – Havana 1920 Rum, fresh lime juice, mint, Demerara, and club soda
- Kyber Crimson Sangria – Havana 1920 Rum, red wine, coconut rum, fresh orange juice, mint, and cinnamon
- Hyperdrive Cold Fusion – Havana 1920 Rum, cold brew, almond orgeat, and sarsaparilla bitters
The Smoking Gun: Player One Comic-Con Experience
Available: Thursday, July 23 – Sunday, July 26, 2026
Location: The Smoking Gun, 555 Market Street, San Diego
Ready to press start? Level up your Comic-Con adventure at The Smoking Gun, where the restaurant transforms into a retro arcade-inspired experience packed with nostalgic food, creative cocktails, and classic gaming vibes. Whether you’re grabbing a bite between panels or challenging your friends to arcade games, this Comic-Con-exclusive menu is the perfect side quest in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Featured Specials:
- Comic-Con-exclusive Player One menu
- Final Boss Burger
- 8-Bit Fries
- Level-Up Nachos
- Joysticks Pretzel Sticks
- Power Up Punch
- Bonus Round Rita
- Centi-Bean Martini
- Prickly Kong
- Pac-Tai
- Classic arcade games
- Retro gaming atmosphere
Pendry San Diego: BERO x Nason’s Beer Hall
Available: Thursday, July 23 – Sunday, July 26, 2026
Location: Pendry San Diego, 550 J Street, San Diego
Celebrate Comic-Con with a limited-time Spider-Man™-inspired experience at Nason’s Beer Hall inside Pendry San Diego. Fans can enjoy BERO, the premium non-alcoholic beer created by Tom Holland, alongside interactive pop culture moments, collectible mementos, and the lively atmosphere of one of the Gaslamp Quarter’s favorite gathering spots.
Featured Specials:
- BERO premium non-alcoholic beer by Tom Holland
- Spider-Man™-themed pop culture experience
- Interactive photo opportunities
- Limited-time memorabilia
- Comic-Con celebration at Nason’s Beer Hall
Pendry San Diego: Donut Bar x Provisional
Available: Thursday, July 23 – Sunday, July 26, 2026 | Starting at 7:00 AM
Location: Provisional Kitchen Patio, Pendry San Diego, 550 J Street, San Diego
Kick off your Comic-Con adventure with character-themed donuts from San Diego favorite Donut Bar at Provisional Kitchen inside Pendry San Diego. Available for a limited time during Comic-Con, guests can enjoy creative daily donut designs alongside Provisional’s pastries and savory breakfast favorites before heading to the convention.
Featured Specials:
- Daily character-themed donuts by Donut Bar
- Limited-time Comic-Con collaboration
- Breakfast pastries and savory favorites
- Available daily beginning at 7:00 AM on the Provisional Kitchen patio
Union Kitchen & Tap: Pokémon Comic-Con Experience
Available: Thursday, July 23 – Sunday, July 26, 2026
Location: 333 Fifth Avenue, San Diego
Step into the Pokémon universe at Union Kitchen & Tap during Comic-Con with a limited-time interactive experience just steps from the San Diego Convention Center. Fans can discover a hidden Pokémon speakeasy, enjoy Eeveelution-inspired specialty cocktails, enter raffles for collectible prizes, and take part in themed events throughout Comic-Con weekend.
Featured Specials:
- Secret Pokémon Speakeasy
- Eeveelution-inspired specialty cocktails
- Raffles and collectible prizes
- Pokémon costume contest on Saturday, July 25
- Weekend brunch buffet available Saturday & Sunday, 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Patrick’s Gaslamp Pub: Super Mario Bros Happy Hour
Available: Wednesday, July 22 – Sunday, July 26, 2026 | Daily until 8:00 PM
Location: Patrick’s Gaslamp Pub, 428 F Street, San Diego
Level up your Comic-Con week at Patrick’s Gaslamp Pub! The pub is going all-in with a Super Mario Bros. theme, featuring themed decorations, staff dressed as iconic Nintendo characters, and happy hour specials every day until 8 PM. Grab a drink, snap a few photos, and enjoy one of the most fun Comic-Con-themed stops in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Featured Specials:
- $5 Select Draft Beers
- $6 Wells
- $6 House Red & White Wine
- Super Mario Bros.-themed décor
- Staff in character-inspired costumes
- Fun photo opportunities
Pendry San Diego: PopUp Bagels Pop-Up
Available: Thursday, July 23 – Sunday, July 26, 2026 | Starting at 7:00 AM (until sold out)
Location: Pendry San Diego, 550 J Street, San Diego
Start your Comic-Con morning with a fresh bagel from PopUp Bagels, the “Not Famous but Known®” bagel shop making a limited-time appearance at Pendry San Diego. Located just minutes from the San Diego Convention Center, this breakfast pop-up serves hot bagels with classic schmears—the perfect fuel before a day on the convention floor.
Featured Specials:
- Fresh hot bagels
- Plain or scallion schmear
- Limited-time Comic-Con pop-up
- Available daily beginning at 7:00 AM until sold out
Margaritaville Hotel San Diego: LandShark Lunar Landing Bar
Panevino: The Ultimate Power-Up Comic-Con Menu
Available: During Comic-Con, Wednesday, July 22 – Sunday, July 26, 2026
Location: 722 Fifth Avenue, San Diego
Recharge between Comic-Con adventures with The Ultimate Power-Up at Panevino. Located just steps from the San Diego Convention Center, this Gaslamp Quarter favorite is serving a special three-course Italian dining experience created exclusively for Comic-Con guests. Enjoy authentic Tuscan-inspired cuisine and specialty cocktails before heading back to the convention or an evening of Gaslamp nightlife.
Featured Specials:
- Three-course Comic-Con menu for $45 per person
- Choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert
- Authentic Italian and Tuscan-inspired cuisine
- $10 house specialty cocktails
- Available exclusively during Comic-Con weekend
The Werewolf: Ghostbusters After Party
Available: Friday, July 24, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Location: 627 Fourth Avenue, San Diego
Keep the Comic-Con excitement going at The Werewolf with its Ghostbusters After Party following the Ghostbusters Muster. Located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, this one-night-only celebration invites fans to gather for themed drinks, cosplay, and an evening of Ghostbusters fun just minutes from the San Diego Convention Center.
Featured Specials:
- Ghostbusters After Party
- Begins at 7:00 PM on Friday, July 24
- Ghostbusters-themed celebration
- Cosplay-friendly atmosphere
- Food, drinks, and late-night Comic-Con fun.
12 Free Comic-Con 2025 Activities You Can Enjoy Without a Badge
Hasta Mañana: Super Troopers 3 Pop-Up Experience
Available: Friday, July 24 – Sunday, July 26, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Hasta Mañana Cantina, 310 Fifth Avenue, San Diego
Get ready to say “Meow” as Super Troopers 3 rolls into the Gaslamp Quarter with a free three-day Comic-Con pop-up at Hasta Mañana Cantina. Just steps from the San Diego Convention Center, fans can celebrate the upcoming film with exclusive merchandise, interactive experiences, complimentary pancakes, and photo-worthy displays inspired by the movie. Admission is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Featured Specials:
- Super Troopers 3 immersive pop-up experience
- Exclusive merchandise giveaways
- Complimentary pancakes with Crown Maple syrup (morning hours)
- Bogey Bros putting green
- Apocalypse Hellfire 6×6 truck display inspired by Super Troopers 3
- Free admission (first come, first served)
Hulu Animayhem: Fandom Fuel Up
Available: Thursday, July 23 – Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, July 26 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Palm Trees Garden, Gaslamp Quarter (next to the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter)
Step into the worlds of Futurama and King of the Hill at Hulu Animayhem: Fandom Fuel Up, an immersive Comic-Con experience in the Gaslamp Quarter. Fans can explore interactive environments inspired by their favorite animated series, snap character-themed photo opportunities, enjoy exclusive food and beverages, discover hidden Easter eggs, and shop for limited-edition merchandise—all just steps from the San Diego Convention Center.
Featured Specials:
- Immersive Futurama and King of the Hill experiences
- Character-inspired photo opportunities
- Themed food and beverage offerings
- Interactive environments and hidden Easter eggs
- Exclusive merchandise
- Complimentary on-site giveaways
HBO Max: Stuart Fails to Save the Universe – The Comic Center of Pasadena
Available: Thursday, July 23 – Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, July 26, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Sparks Gallery, 530 Sixth Avenue, San Diego
Step inside The Comic Center of Pasadena, an immersive Comic-Con experience inspired by Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, the upcoming Max Original spinoff of The Big Bang Theory. Taking over Sparks Gallery in the Gaslamp Quarter, this interactive activation transports fans through Stuart’s comic shop and into a multiverse of alternate realities filled with hands-on experiences, themed photo opportunities, and personalized surprises.
Featured Specials:
- Immersive experience inspired by Stuart Fails to Save the Universe
- Walk through Stuart’s comic shop into alternate realities
- Interactive story-driven experiences
- Themed photo opportunities, including a replica machine from the series
- Personalized hero archetype experience
- Exclusive merchandise and collectible keepsake at the end of the experience
Paramount+: The Lodge
Disney: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Experience
Available: Thursday, July 23, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday, July 24, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, July 26, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Gaslamp Triangle (near Baja Rick’s), San Diego
Embark on a mythological adventure at the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Experience, an immersive Comic-Con activation inspired by the hit Disney+ series. Begin your journey by entering Poseidon’s trident, then choose one of three interactive paths inspired by Percy, Annabeth, or Thalia. The experience offers fans a first look at the upcoming third season, based on Rick Riordan’s The Titan’s Curse, with interactive moments and themed photo opportunities in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter.
Featured Specials:
- Immersive experience inspired by Percy Jackson and the Olympians
- Enter through Poseidon’s iconic trident
- Choose one of three interactive character paths: Percy, Annabeth, or Thalia
- Sneak peek at Season 3, based on The Titan’s Curse
- Interactive experiences and themed photo opportunities
- Free Comic-Con activation in the Gaslamp Quarter
Maruchan: MaruMart – Demon Slayer Konbini
Available: Thursday, July 23 – Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, July 26, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Interactive Zone at Petco Park, San Diego
Step inside MaruMart: Demon Slayer Konbini, a free Comic-Con experience where Maruchan transforms its pop-up into a Japanese convenience store inspired by Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Fans can explore character displays featuring Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and all nine Hashira, enjoy interactive games, pose for themed photo opportunities, sample exclusive Yakisoba flavors, and shop limited-edition collaboration merchandise. No Comic-Con badge is required.
Featured Specials:
- Immersive Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba-themed convenience store experience
- Character displays featuring Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and the nine Hashira
- Interactive claw machines
- Themed photo opportunities
- Complimentary Maruchan Yakisoba samples in exclusive collaboration packaging
- Limited-edition Maruchan x Demon Slayer merchandise, including T-shirts, hoodies, and keychains
- Free admission with no Comic-Con badge required
Peanuts x Super7: Adopt-A-Puppy Pop-Up
Adult Swim on the Green
Available: Thursday, July 23 – Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sunday, July 26, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Bayfront Park, San Diego
Adult Swim on the Green returns to Comic-Con with a free, 18+ fan festival at Bayfront Park featuring interactive games, rides, exclusive giveaways, nightly entertainment, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Just steps from the Gaslamp Quarter and the San Diego Convention Center, fans can enjoy custom activations, dance parties, screenings, and live events throughout Comic-Con weekend. Admission is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis, with no Comic-Con badge required.
Featured Specials:
- Free 18+ immersive fan festival
- Interactive games, rides, and custom activations
- Exclusive giveaways for the first 700 guests each day
- Thursday: Night of New featuring exclusive content screenings
- Friday: Live table reads with Rick and Morty and President Curtis
- Saturday: Adult Swim Through the Years celebration, including a cosplay dance party and live animation by Afuchs Twin
- DJ dance party nightly from 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Free admission (no Comic-Con badge required; first come, first served)
Pan’s Labyrinth: Fetch Quest & 20th Anniversary Celebration
Available: Thursday, July 23 – Friday, July 24, 2026
Location: San Diego Convention Center & Gaslamp Quarter (Quest) | PARQ Nightclub, 615 Broadway, San Diego (Friday Celebration)
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Guillermo del Toro’s acclaimed film Pan’s Labyrinth with a free interactive scavenger hunt spanning the San Diego Convention Center and the Gaslamp Quarter. The Pan’s Labyrinth Fetch Quest challenges fans to find three iconic characters hidden throughout Comic-Con, with exclusive rewards awaiting those who complete the journey. The celebration continues Friday evening at PARQ with a themed anniversary party featuring a film screening, happy hour, and live entertainment.
Featured Specials:
- Free Pan’s Labyrinth Fetch Quest scavenger hunt
- Search for iconic characters hidden throughout the Convention Center and Gaslamp Quarter
- Limited-edition Pan’s Labyrinth poster for all participants who complete the quest
- First 50 finishers receive access to an exclusive poster signing with Guillermo del Toro
- Friday, July 24 | 7:00 PM: 20th Anniversary Celebration at PARQ
- Happy hour, film screening, and live DJ set by Flying Lotus
- Quest participants receive priority access to the Friday night celebration (event open to all)
Star Trek: Boldly Built Activation
Available: Thursday, July 23 – Sunday, July 26, 2026
Location: Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina (adjacent to the San Diego Convention Center)
Beam into the Star Trek: Boldly Built Activation, an interactive Comic-Con experience celebrating the iconic sci-fi franchise. Hosted at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, this fan experience features a themed photo opportunity inspired by Star Trek, in collaboration with LEGO® and Magic: The Gathering. It’s the perfect stop for fans looking to capture a memorable Comic-Con moment just steps from the Gaslamp Quarter.
Featured Specials:
- Star Trek-themed interactive photo opportunity
- Collaboration featuring LEGO® and Magic: The Gathering
- Free Comic-Con fan experience
- Located adjacent to the San Diego Convention Center
- Exact activation location and hours to be announced
Bandai Namco: Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 Road Trip Tour
