The long-awaited Comic-Con International returns to America's Finest City, San Diego. The four-day comic book convention will bring fans of pop culture, comic books, television and movies to the Convention Center on Thursday, July 21 through Sunday, July 24. There will be plenty of cosplay, panels to see, celebrities to scout, parties to attend and of course, cocktails to drink. Here are a few of our favorite places with Comic-Con-themed libations for fans.
1. The Nolen
Shown in Picture: Dead Pool
This rooftop bar will be offering two cocktails in honor of Comic-Con. This stylish bar, located on top of the Courtyard San Diego Gaslamp/Convention Center hotel, will feature the Jack Sparrow (Rum, lime juice, passion fruit, cinnamon demera, and dashes of absinthe) and Dead Pool (Gin, lemon juice, Aperol, apricot and Malbec float).
53 Sixth Ave., downtown. (619) 796-6536 or thenolenrooftop.com
2. Fairweather
Ken Lindstrom, bar manager of Fairweather, is always coming up with some creative tasty drinks at the popular tiki cocktail bar Fairweather. His newest creation, Orange is the New Black, is a tiki-inspired cocktail with Jamaican Gold Rum, Black Rum, Amaro Montenegro,orange juice, lime juice and cinnamon syrup.
795 J St., downtown. (619) 255-6507 or godblessrareform.com
3. Le Parfait Paris
Le Parfait Paris is offering a MARVEL-ous Sangria which consists of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries,blackberries, Chardonnay, lemon and lime. Be sure to try their delicious desserts and signature coffee drinks.
555 G St., downtown. (619) 245-4457 or
4. Carnitas' Snack Shack
Carnita’s Snack Shack (Embarcadero location) will be offering The Spiderpig Sling made with gin, pineapple,lime juice, Cointreau, cream and housemade strawberry grenadine.
1004 North Harbor Drive, Embarcadero. (619) 696-PORK or carnitassnackshack.com 5. Puesto at the Headquarters
The Puesto team has created a couple of unique Comic-Con-themed cocktails such as the El Mezcalito cocktail, a combination of Vida mescal, Guanabana, tamarindo, lime leaf and charred orange. They also have some delicious eats to pair with the cocktails such as the El Heroé Taco made with Maine lobster, filet mignon, crispy melted cheese, avocado, crispy onions, chipotle heroé sauce, and the El Villain Taco made with duck carnitas, black bean purée, whipped avocado, and habanero pickled onion.
789 W Harbor Dr., downtown. (619) 233-8880 or eatpuesto.com
6. The Blind Burro
Shown in the picture: The Mega Margarita
The go-to spot for Baja coastal cuisine and spirits, The Blind Burro has concocted five Comic-Con cocktails to refuel the superhero in everyone. The Mega Margarita crafted with Don Julio Blanco, triple sec, fresh citrus and agave can be made a caddy with a gran mariner float. The Pop Bam Slam Mule and Marvel-ous Paloma also boast Don Julio Blanco for those who need an extra power boost. The Drink That Has No Name Sangria is crafted with red wine, orange liqueur, blackberry brandy, succulent juices and fresh apples. It is served in a goblet to please the wickedest of witches. Lastly, the Baller Margarita which has Don Julio 1942, grand marnier and fresh lime, is reserved for Comic-Con champions and hence comes garnished with a gold chain.
639 J St., downtown. (619) 795-7880 or theblindburro.com
7. Bootlegger
Bootlegger, a fan-favorite speakeasy spot in East Village, will be creating a fun cocktail menu for Comic-Con fans to enjoy such as Bane (Silver Tequila, Grand Poppy, lemon juice and simple syrup), Candyman (Peach vodka, lime juice, ginger beer and peach bitters), The Mutant Spawn of Ap (Gin, lime juice, simple syrup, mint and cucumber) and Predator (Bourbon, dash of bitters and simple syrup).
804 Market St., East Village. (619) 794-2668 or bootleggersd.com
8. barleymash
Take a break from the Comic-Con madness and head into barleymash for a ghoulish treat and cocktail. Order the Holtzmann off the Ghostbuster menu, house made Kenenbeck potato chips smothered in saucy goodness topped with basil blue cheese dressing, bacon, green onions, pickled onions, diced tomatoes and blue cheese crumbles. Wash it all down with the Poltergeist Effect made with tequila, watermelon syrup, triple sec, lime juice and soda. End the meal on a sweet with a bite of the Stay Puft dessert; graham cracker pat a choux cookies, marshmallow cream filling drizzled with warm chocolate sauce. Other libations on the menu include Crossing the Streams (Bourbon, coke and vanilla syrup), Ghostbuster (Bourbon, Habanero Peach Giffards,lemon juice and ginger beer) and The Magic Word (Chamord and Kenwood).
600 Fifth Ave., downtown. (619) 255-7373 or barleymash.com
9. Jsix Restaurant
Jsix is one of downtown’s best spots to people-watch during the con. Why not do so with a drink in hand? The corner eatery will be offering nearly a dozen cocktails inspired by beloved characters and comic book favorites, so pull up in the bar and enjoy some of lead bartender Andy Luyme’s creations. The Battlecat is made with Espolon Blanco tequila, Gifford Pampelmousse, grapefruit, lime and rose water, while the Scarlett Witch mixes Maison Rouge cognac, St Germain, strawberry, cayenne and lemon. Or you can try the Vulcan Mind Meld with Bacardi orange, vanilla syrup, orange, lemon and pineapple juice.
616 J St., downtown. (619) 531-8744 or jsixrestaurant.com
10. West Coast Tavern
If you're not headed downtown for the festivities, West Coast Tavern will craft up a few colorful cocktails during Comic-Con. If you're into the Batman franchise, try the Black Knight which combines a dash of bitters, Gentleman Jack, chocolate bitters and simple syrup to make this tasty libation. Other cocktails on the menu includes The Vaporeon (Blue curaco, rhum clement coco, pineapple juice, lime juice and garnished with a orange zest), Poison Ivy (Nolets gin, lime juice, simple syrup, dash of cucumber bitters and garnished with a basil leaf) and The Charizard (Jack Fire, lime juice, dash of bitters, ginger beer and garnished with a cherry).
2895 University Ave., North Park. (619) 295-1688 or westcoasttavern.com
11. Polite Provisions
Shown in the Picture: Poison Ivy
In honor of Comic-Con, the folks at Polite Provisions, located in Normal Heights, have created 13 cocktails! They utilized gin, rum, bourbon, whiskey, wine, Jägermeister, vodka and tequila to create these libations. On the menu, you will find:
Lane Kane
Bourbon, lemon juice, orange, honey, falernum, allspice. Tropical flavors of clove & nutmeg paired with cooling citrus.
Poison Ivy
Vodka, Fresh Lime, Simple Syrup, Absinthe, Basil. Fragrant herbs paired with hints of kafir leaf & fennel.
Millionaire Playboy
Cachaca,Lime, Peach Liqueur, Pineapple, Orgeat & Absinthe. Cooling notes of tropical fruit pair with star anise & almond.
Black Widow
Jägermeister, Creme de Menthe & Cream. Decadent notes of fresh picked mint & lucious wintergreen.
Uncle Jalapeno
Blanco Tequila, Jalapeño, Mini Baby’s Pineapple Soda. Spicy blend of bright chili pepper & vibrant tropical fruit.
Peppermint Butler
Fernet Mentha, Creme de Cacao & Cream. Minty & decadent with luscious notes of frothy milk chocolate.
Lady Stoneheart
Sparkling Wine, Punt e Mes & Angostura Bitters. Pleasant floral aromas layered with bittersweet pink grapefruit.
Brave Companion
Bourbon, Lemon, Créme de Cacao, Vanilla Gomme. Deep vanilla & chocolate that lead to subtle notes of oak.
Flaming Skull Scorpion Bowl
Jamaican Rum, White Rum, Black Strap Rum, Amaro, Lime, Orange, Passion Fruit, Orgeat, 151. Deeply layered Caribbean spices coupled with almond and raisin.
Troy Baker
Eagle Rare Bourbon, Bianco Vermouth, Suze & Chocolate Bitters. Robust oak underlined by bright citrus notes & a hint of cacao.
Kojima Cocktail
Japanese Whiskey, Sesame, Madeira, Ginger Liqueur & Barrel Aged Soy Sauce. Robust notes of oak & exotic spices paired with black pepper and dates.
Gunman Clive
Repasado Tequila, Sweet Vermouth, Creme de Cacao & PAF Bitters. Suggestions of dark chocolate & tobacco coupled with a spicy finish.
Naughty Dog
Jamaican Rum, Root Beer, Coffee Liqueur, Cream. Earthy funk & baking spice paired with sarsaparilla & star anise.
4696 30th St., Normal Heights. (619) 677-3784 or politeprovisions.com
More info on Comic-Con, please visit comic-con.org.