The Plan – SDCC 2023 Edition: XLE Production Injects Excitement Into SDCC Nights

By DRWHO42

San Diego Comic-Con 2023 is almost here and while there will be excitement within the convention center during the day the nightlife is also a destination for excitement and dancing with four events hosted by XLE (Experience Level Entertainment).  Four new themed bashes are planned for this year running from Wednesday, July 19th through Friday, July 21st.

All events will be located at Parq Nightclub, 615 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101. 

The team behind XLE Productions are Con attendees and pop-culture fans who had a vision of injecting excitement into the nightlife in the Gaslamp area after the con closes for the evening and this vision has come to fruition with a full slate of parties for those seeking immersive party experiences to cap off their SDCC adventures. 

The fun commences Wednesday with the Malibu Daydream Experience and later that evening the annual SDCC kick-off event: Ready Party One: 8-Bit Legacy, which transports guests to a retro world of classic gaming. On Thursday, July 20th, Nostalgia Nightclub takes over with a 90’s kids’ TV-themed Comic Con nightlife experience followed by The Monsters’ Ball on Friday the 21st. The Monster’s Ball is billed as the ultimate Comic Con after party for the creepy, kooky, sparkly, and spooky, and will feature top DJ Sam Feldt. 

The Malibu Daydream Experience will also run at Parq Nightclub daytime Wednesday through Friday, 12 pm -7 pm, for 18+ guests, and V.I.P. guests will have access to the Malibu Daydream lounge during all three evening events for an unforgettable, plastic-fantastic, V.I.P. experience.

Here are the details for each of the events: 

Malibu Daydream Experience – At the Malibu Daydream Experience – Starting Wednesday July 19th and continuing through Friday, July 21st, guests become part of the life-size fun. Enjoy an immersive doll core aesthetic atmosphere that will tickle your five senses PINK at this daytime activation. Join the residents of Daydream Ct. as they get ready for THE party of the summer. Choose your own adventure as you explore: Raid the closet for the party, show off your new look in a fashion show, lounge in a plastic ball-filled bubble bath, get your hair done, decorate the living room, play a lawn game, or just hang out by the “pool” with a tasty beverage. There’s no wrong way to celebrate an afternoon inside the Malibu Daydream!

Wednesday, July 19th – Ready Party One 8-Bit Legacy
Guests will dive back into the OASIS for Ready Party One, XLE’s signature Comic Con kick-off party, marking Night 1 of Party HQ Comic Con at Parq Nightclub. Travel to the mushroom planet, a world celebrating video game legacy, where classic 8-bit friends and foes run rampant. With the immersive décor, you’ll be dancing under the mushrooms and zooming down that rainbow highway, and themed drinks will keep the party going all night. Iconic flashback band The Flux Capacitors and famed pop-culture tune spinner DJ Elliot will take you on a musical journey through the 80’s and beyond. Watch out for a peachy performance by Violet on the Rocks as everyone’s favorite 8-bit princess. Ready Party One has everything else that makes it the favorite party at SDCC since 2018, including incredible cosplay, arcade gaming experiences, complimentary airbrush tattoos from AlterEgos Tattoos, a special signature cocktail, and much more.

Thursday, July 20th – Nostalgia Nightclub
This 90’s kids’ tv-themed Comic Con nightlife experience is the place to be for day 2 of XLE’s Party HQ Comic Con at Parq Nightclub in the heart of the Gaslamp District. Hosted by Phil Moore (Nick Arcade) with Stephen Kramer Glickman (Big Time Rush) and Kal Smith, this will be an unforgettable night fueled by 90’s childhood nostalgia. Be transported to a world where sponges reign supreme, high school kids morph into martial arts heroes, and your fate is determined by a double dare… Keep your eyes peeled for a pair of mice trying to take over the world! Whether you’re sipping a neon cocktail, dodging those super soakers, or doing the macarena with the midnight society, you will be immersed in 90’s kids’ tv-inspired sights, sounds, and tastes – all with a grown-up twist. Party to the familiar beats of the era, brought to you by the renowned Flux Capacitors. DJ Elliot will round out the night, spinning tracks that will keep you dancing ‘til past bedtime! Enjoy special guests from many of your favorite 90’s shows, cirque-style aerial performances, 90’s nostalgia cosplay, fun photo ops, complimentary airbrush tattoos from AlterEgos Tattoos, and a special themed signature cocktail.
Sponsored by Kastra Elion Luxury Sipping Vodka and Coke Ultimate.

Please note: General Admission tickets include access to the party, all live entertainment, and IG-worthy photo ops.

Friday, July 21st – The Monsters’ Ball
The Monsters’ Ball is Night 3 at Party HQ Comic Con, and is the ultimate event for the creepy, kooky, sparkly, and spooky – all in a supernatural gothic wonderland. Hosted by LeAnna Vamp (AMC’s Talking Dead, SyFy’s Cosplay Melee), and headlined by Sam Feldt, world-renowned international DJ, with band Not a Phase bringing the 2000’s emo vibes.
Just like your favorite 2000’s supernatural-horror genre shows, unleash your inner demon and step into a realm where forbidden love and dark secrets intertwine. Explore the shimmering haunted forest ballroom, where mystery and dark creatures lurk in the fog and stop by the Monster Glitter booth, brought to you by viral TikTok sensation Designer Dust Co., to be transformed into the most glam version of your darkly fabulous self!
On the full-moonlit dance floor, witness incredible cirque-style performances, and dance-dance-dance with fellow dark creatures to the beats of Sam Feldt, D-SYFER-IT, and DJ Elliot, plus the high-energy throwbacks from emo tribute band Not A Phase. Whether your themed drink celebrates Team Edward or Team Jacob, groove the night away in true supernatural style. Sponsored by Vampyre Cosmetics, Fiend Crew, Kastra Elion Luxury Sipping Vodka, and Coke Ultimate.

For those looking for a high-end exclusive experience VIP tickets and Bottle Service options are available for purchase. More importantly, the purchase of V.I.P. tickets to any of XLE’s three nightlife parties includes exclusive access to the Malibu Daydream Lounge – after dark! Located underneath Parq Nightclub, guests will enjoy a plastic-fantastic dreamworld. Amenities include photo ops, themed burlesque performances from Fannie Sinclair, Atomic Blonde spinning beats, themed signature cocktails brought to you by Minute Maid Aguas Frescas, and a unique complimentary glitter and cosmetic station from TikTok sensation Designer Dust Co. V.I.P.s will receive commemorative badges, swag from Hallmark Popminded, and have exclusive access to the centrally located seating area in the main nightclub. 

Tickets for the events can be found and purchased through Eventbrite. 

Are you planning on going to any parties during SDCC? Join the conversation on the FoCC Forum.