Comic-Con is coming. Just thinking about the international mega-convention’s arrival (July 24-27) is cause for any cosplayer to wanna whet their whistle. Downtown San Diego bars and restaurants know this. Every year at this time, new bar menus of drink specials arrive in the Gaslamp Quarter galaxy. Here’s a sneak peek at some (often) clever Comic-Con-themed cocktails that’ll help you drink like a superhero.
Prohibition
Tucked behind a hidden door at 548 Fifth Avenue (marked “Law Office – Eddie O’Hare, ESQ”) in Gaslamp’s “Gotham” Quarter, underground speakeasy Prohibition is where you can find the Penguin-inspired Gentleman of Crime, a wicked yet sophisticated cocktail made with Prohibition Whiskey, lemon and ube.
Cloak & Petal
This Little Italy sushi spot will offer the Pikachu Bolt with haku vodka, yuzu, passion fruit, mango cordial, honey and strawberry dust. Note: The first 10 guests to visit Cloak & Petal with a valid Comic-Con badge and order any drink special will receive a collectible Pokemon card.
Havana 1920
The Gaslamp’s Havana 1920 is honoring two bad boys and girls:
- Bow down to Batman’s foe, Bane, with a cocktail as dark and treacherous as the archvillain’s torturous origin story in a Caribbean prison. The Bane-inspired cocktail, I Broke The Bat, is built with Havana 1920 Rum, lime, Demerara sugar and activated charcoal.
- Be enraptured by the seductively sweet but equally sinister Poison Ivy, a mix of Havana 1920 Rum, fresh lime juice, Cuban mint, sugarcane juice, sugarcane syrup and club soda.
Mezé Greek Fusion
Drink and eat like a superhero in the Gaslamp at Meze Greek Fusion:
- Caped Crusader, heroically made with Divino Maguey Destilado con Tamarindo y Chiles Mezcal, Aperol, passion fruit, lemon and a Tajín rim.
- The Sidekick, made with Prohibiton Whiskey, Curious Junior Juniper Blackberry and Ginger and lemon.
- Pennyworth For Your Thoughts, with Prohibition Whiskey or El Chingon Vodka, DropKick espresso concentrate, orgeat and R&D Sarsaparilla Bitter.
- The restaurant’s Batman-themed food dishes will include the Two Face Taquitos with lettuce, pico de Greco, Feta cheese and avo-crema; the Birds of Prey, flour dusted and crispy meatballs seasoned with mint, onion, garlic and cumin; and the Bat Signal, jumbo shrimp pan seared with garlic, tomato, green onion and Feta cheese, flambeed in Ouzo tableside and served with pita.
El Chingon
Offering a maniacally vibrant vibe for a night of rogueish Gaslamp revelry, this Mexican cantina’s Joker-inspired cocktail, Madness Like Gravity, will feature tequila, lime, melon liqueur, agave and Tajín. The drink can be made “Bad Ass,” served in a goblet with a Tajín rim, candy straw and Mexican paleta (popsicle).
Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails
From Borrego’s rooftop bar in East Village, enjoy:
- The Thing, a bold blend of mezcal, carrot juice, Nixta corn liqueur and lemon juice, served with a Tajín rim.
- Human Torch, a fiery mix of sage and serrano-infused tequila, serrano agave, lime juice and Fever-Tree soda, finished with a chili garnish and half Tajín rim.
- The Invisible Woman, a sophisticated cocktail with a blend of Barr Hill and Beefeater gins, Lillet aperitif and Luxardo liqueur.
- Mr. Fantastic, a vibrant, electric-blue cocktail made with gin, lemon, rosemary juniper syrup, blue curaçao and egg white.
Lionfish
Cosplayers venturing into The Pendry San Diego hotel can get powered up by:
- Regeneration Refresher, a Doctor Who-inspired Dirty Shirley twist made with Grey Goose vodka, grenadine and Sprite, a nod to Shirley Coward, the BBC vision mixer behind the series’ first regeneration effect.
- Cowabunga Cooler, a green Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles homage featuring Sipsmith gin, Midori, cucumber, honeydew, lemon and simple syrup.
- Joker’s Jive, a chaotic espresso martini with Belvedere vodka, espresso, St. George espresso liqueur, Baileys and simple syrup.
- Elven Elixir, a light and energizing blend of St. Germain elderflower liqueur, rosé wine and Fever-Tree pink grapefruit soda.
Barleymash
The Dude (immortalized by Jeff Bridges) still abides, and his cocktail of choice is here at Fifth & Market in the Gaslamp Quarter:
- His Dudeness, the Duder, El Duderino: Grey Goose vodka, salted caramel, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream.
- Make it a Blockbuster Night: Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Crème de Peche, fresh lemonade, Red Vine straw.
- Give Me Sugar Water: Clarified mojito featuring Bacardi Silver, lime, and mint (Men In Black reference).
- Midnight Margaritas: Cazadores Blanco, coconut, pineapple, line, and black salt rim (reference to Practical Magic).
LandShark Bar & Grill
Inside the Margaritaville Hotel San Diego the specials change nightly during The Con:
- Thursday, July 24: Anime Takeover — Sip on the Sailor Moon Margarita and Dragon Ball Daiquiri.
- Friday, July 25: A Galaxy Far, Far Away — The Force Margarita & Dark Side Daiquiri (served with lightsaber drink stirrers).
- Saturday, July 26: Gaming Icons — Mario, Pokémon, Zelda, and Sonic take center stage with Gold Coin Margaritas and Pika Punch.
- Sunday, July 27: Superhero Showdown — Marvel meets DC in this final face-off, with Hulk Smash and Wonder Woman-tini cocktails. SDSun
