Mark another San Diego Comic-Con down as completed. While the panels, activations, and pop-ups are the meat of the show, everyone agrees the desserts are the parties after the day is over. Between the well-established bashes with long wait lists and one-off studio-specific kickbacks, the Comic-Con parties are a staple that every con-goer wants to be invited to. Here’s some of our favorite afterhours events we mingled at:
Thursday Night Kick-Off at the Fandom Party
There’s no party invite more coveted than the Fandom Party. Situated on the rooftop at the Hard Rock Hotel’s FLOAT bar, the July 23 party has gotten a reputation for being hard to get into. However, that might be for the best because at no point during the night was it hard to maneuver around people, unlike some other events. The atmosphere on the roof was noticeably electric, a tangible feeling of excitement in the air as we’d all conquered our first day of Comic-Con and finally got to wind down with co-workers and friends we hadn’t seen since the last big event.
The appetizers were plentiful and the open bar was flowing with delicious refreshments courtesy of Suntory Global Spirits’ 196 Vodka Seltzer, with exclusive, custom-designed merchandise from Z2 Comics. Only at Fandom can you sip a cocktail poolside, while customizing a trucker hat with anarchy symbols. If drinking and crafting wasn’t your thing, there was also a dedicated Halo-themed play zone where gamers got to preview “Halo: Campaign Evolved.”
One of the more fun parts of the Fandom party (if you’re into that sort of thing) is the high probability of running into a celebrity, your favorite influencer, or the local murderous children’s TV mascot. The biggest highlight, though, came in the form of The Coverups (led by Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong), who got the entire crowd hype for the remainder of the night.
While this party-turned-concert was hitting this peak, the IHC/IHEARTCOMIX Secret SDCC party was just popping off. The not-so-secret event was held at Arcade Monsters, hosted by Straw Hat Goofy, with free drink and entry wristbands only obtained by accosting a stranger on the street. Most folks treated this as an after-Fandom party and trickled in throughout the night. The only party that went until 2 a.m., it was perfectly suited to be the after-afterparty.
A Packed House on Friday for IGN’s Party
The popularity of the IGN party (in partnership with Prime Video) has grown over the years, so much so, that this year’s event on Friday, July 24, felt overcrowded and a tad bit claustrophobic. Held in the exact same venue as the Fandom party, but with limited drink tickets, you can’t help but compare the two. The front bar was loaded with folks trying to snag drinks, but thankfully there were smaller bars in the backyard area to grab a beverage.
One thing this event had that the others didn’t was a 20-minute guest DJ set by “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” star Jamie Campbell Bower. Speaking of “LOTR,” there was a giant Sauron’s throne (complete with his crown and gauntlet on display) that we could sit in and take photos. It was very surreal seeing the Nazgnagôls, ring-servants to Sauron, showing out for their close-ups on the step-and-repeat; things you’ll only see at Comic-Con.
Escaping the main entrance area with the main bar gave us more breathing room to enjoy the music and actually hear each other talk. Regardless of any comparisons, the IGN party ended up being a pretty killer time and, eventually, the bartenders were extra generous with the amount of drinks you could get per ticket.
Saturday With the Cousins at Blerd & Boujee
A slightly more exclusive affair, the Blerd & Boujee party on July 25 annually brings Black talent, media, and influencers together to mingle, line dance, and chop it up after a long week of running around San Diego. We were at an outdoor bar on the 6th floor of the Omni Hotel, where the bartenders were serving signature Hennessy-based cocktails.
One thing that sets Blerd & Boujee apart from the rest is the music and the vibes. DJ Hella Yella expertly mixed classics with new hits and plenty of line-dancing tracks to make sure we were always on the dance floor. The relaxed, almost familial vibe of this party means the celebrities present were more at ease and willing to engage in conversation with you. Folks like Sam Richardson, Walter Emanuel Jones, and Tracie Thoms were delightful to talk to and everyone was respectful of personal space. It felt less like an industry party and more like a big house party with everyone you know.
At one point, some of us were told that a certain recently-announced Marvel actor would stop by, but it ended up not happening. In reality, I think it was for the best; it would’ve disrupted the chill atmosphere of the party.
Comic-Con Party Circuit Completed
All in all, it was a doozy of a weekend, in the best way possible. There were parties we didn’t mention that were also a good time like Resident Evil, Pan’s Labyrinth, and more. It was a back-to-black blitz of free drinks, fun swag, and an insane collection of brightly colored wristbands. If you missed a party, hopefully you catch it next year, but if not, live vicariously through your cooler friends’ Instagrams.
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