Beyond the Booth: 25+ Parties & Side Events During GDC
Coming to GDC San Francisco?
Make the most out of your time there.
As usual, the conference will be huge, gathering an estimated 24,000 attendees. In such a crowded place, it can be difficult to connect with the right people.
For this reason, we recommend you make plans beyond the booth and register for some of the side events hosted by different companies.
Check out our list of 25+ parties & side events and sign up for your favorites before they fill up!
Five O’Clock Club Golden Hour
Attention mobile marketers! If you’re looking for the ultimate networking experience at GDC San Francisco, look no further than the Five O’Clock Club’s speakeasy event.
This renowned event organizer is organizing its biggest party ever, and it’s going to be a blast.
Get ready to step back in time to a 1930s Gatsby party with live performers, a jazz band, a cigar roller, and even $5,000 in raffle prizes.
Wait, there’s more.
The Five O’Clock Club has also prepared co-hosted experiential lounges and behind-the-scenes live podcast sessions with Mobile Groove.
Since this is an exclusive event, you’ll need to request an invite. Luckily, MAF is a sponsor and we can help you get tickets. To do so, follow this link!
This is your chance to network with the best and brightest in the mobile industry. Request your invite today and get ready to party like it’s the 1930s!
When: Tuesday, March 21st, 5 PM — 8 PM
Where: TBA upon registration
Organized by: Five O’Clock Club
Cost: Free
Register: Here
Executive Frisbee Golf — Pre-GDC Event
Arriving in town a bit early? You may want to try out something new, like starting on a high note by attending the 2nd Annual Frisbee Golf Tournament in the beautiful Golden Gate Park, surrounded by lush greenery and bathed in sunshine.
When: Sunday, March 19th, 11 AM — 5 PM
Where: Golden Gate Park Disc Golf Course 99 Marx Meadow Dr San Francisco, CA 94121
Organized by: Ragnarok Studios AS
Cost: $25
Register: Here
Pre-GDC Indie Game Developer Park Meetup
You’re an independent game developer? Join this afternoon meetup in the park, get together with old friends, and make some new ones.
When: Sunday, March 19th, 3 PM — 7 PM
Where: Dolores Park (NOT Yerba Buena!), 19th & Dolores St, San Francisco, CA 94114
Organized by: Seattle Indies
Cost: Free
Register: Here
12th Annual Pre-GDC Dinner
Every year, GDC attendees gather for dinner in a casual setting. If you like food trucks, sangria, and hanging out, this is the place to be.
When: Sunday, March 19th, 5:30 PM — 8 PM
Where: Monarch Gardens, 428 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Organized by: Hal Bouma
Cost: N/A
Register: Here
Pre GDC Meetup
If you’re in San Francisco the night before GDC, you can join Deconstructor of Fun for a casual meetup at Standard Deviant Brewing Company. This is a great chance to meet your industry peers before the conference starts.
When: Sunday, March 19th, 7 PM — 9 PM
Where: Standard Deviant Brewing Company, 280 14th St, San Francisco
Organized by: Deconstructor of Fun
Cost: N/A
Register: Here
NFT Gaming Debate
At this event, you’ll have the chance to hear out well-known NFT proponents and critics debate the misconceptions and common concerns with NFT gaming.
When: Sunday, March 19th, 6 PM — 9 PM
Where: 1481 Folsom St 1481 Folsom Street San Francisco, CA 94103
Organized by: NFT San Francisco, Homebrew Crypto Club
Cost: Free
Register: Here
Executive Dinner at GDC 2023
If you’re an executive, you might want to kick off GDC by joining this invite-only executive dinner.
When: Sunday, March 19th, 7 PM — 10 PM
Where: EPIC Steak 369 The Embarcadero San Francisco, CA 94105
Organized by: devcom
Cost: €199
Register: Here
Courage XL 2023
Courage XL is the biggest pre-GDC showcase. At the event, you can see new releases, play games, grab some drinks, and meet other gaming professionals.
When: Sunday, March 19th, 9 PM
Where: TBA upon registration
Organized by: Courage XL
Cost: Free
Register: Here
Indie BYOG (Bring Your Own Game)
At this event, indie devs can showcase their recently released games or work-in-progress. Everyone else can come by for a drink or two and check out some interesting indie titles in a casual atmosphere.
When: Tuesday, March 21st, 5 PM — 10 PM
Where: BuzzWorks 365 11th Street San Francisco, CA 94103 United States
Organized by: Sub-Zero Sound
Cost: $0 — $40
Register: Here
GDC Kickoff Happy Hour
Join this Happy Hour for some beer, snacks, and great conversations with game devs and other industry professionals.
When: Tuesday, March 21st, 5 PM — 7 PM
Where: The Grove — Yerba Buena, 690 Mission St., San Francisco, 94105
Organized by: Edgegap, brainCloud
Cost: N/A
Register: Here
Made In MA Party
At this party, you can expect some enjoyable conversations with old and new industry friends, as well as some tasty snacks.
When: Tuesday, March 21st, 5:30 PM — 7:30 PM
Where: Johnny Foley’s Irish House 243 O’Farrell Street San Francisco, CA 94102
Organized by: MassDigi
Cost: $7.50 — $15
Register: Here
XSOLLA Game Night
Sometimes, game devs need a break from video games. For this reason, the organizers of this event went analog.
Enjoy timeless Mattel games like Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots and UNO. Play with fellow game enthusiasts, meet great people, and socialize early ahead of GDC!
When: Tuesday, March 21st, 6 PM
Where: Moscone Center South, 747 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Organized by: Xsolla, Mattel, Deconstructor of Fun
Cost: Free
Register: Here
GDC 2023 After Party Meetup Featuring: Dolby, Unity, & More
This annual event is back, and it comes with some upgrades. Based on feedback from previous attendees, the event will now be split into three separate rooms focused around: music, tech talks, and video game demos.
When: Tuesday, March 21st, 7 PM — 12 AM
Where: DNA Lounge 375 11th Street San Francisco, CA 94103
Organized by: SF Game Development
Cost: Free
Register: Here
Indie Carnival
At the Indie Carnival, developers can showcase their games or play ones made by other indies. There will also be cotton candy, a scavenger hunt, psychics, and more!
When: Tuesday, March 21st, 8 PM — 12 AM
Where: The Grand 520 4th Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Organized by: Game Jolt, YAHAHA
Cost: Free
Register: Here
Global Game Jam
This event is a great opportunity to meet and network with GGJ organizers, local indie community organizers, jammers, sponsors, and friends, over some drinks and snacks.
When: Wednesday, March 22nd, 12 PM — 3 PM
Where: Black Hammer Brewing Company 544 Bryant Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Organized by: Global Game Jam
Cost: Free
Register: Here
Metaverse Mixer
Interested in how blockchain and the metaverse will change the games industry? Come to this event, grab a couple of drinks, and have a chat with metaverse experts.
When: Wednesday, March 22nd, 6 PM — 9 PM
Where: 111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna Street San Francisco, CA 94105
Organized by: BeyondGames.biz, PocketGamer.biz
Cost: Free
Register: Here
GDC AfterParty
This afterparty will gather different game industry professionals, from investors to founders, startups, builders, market markets, community leaders, etc. If you want to make new connections, join them.
When: Wednesday, March 22nd, 6 PM — 9 PM
Where: celo 500 Treat Ave San Francisco, CA 94110
Organized by: OnePiece Labs, Upland, celo
Cost: Free
Register: Here
GameDev Mixer + After Party
The Game Dev Mixer will consist of two parts — a networking event and an afterparty. It will take place within walking distance of the Moscone Convention Center, so you don’t have to worry about transportation.
When: Wednesday, March 22nd, 6 PM — 2 AM
Where: Hawthorn SF Nightclub and Lounge 46 Geary Street San Francisco, CA 94108
Organized by: Level Up Events
Cost: $20 — $75
Register: Here
Let’s Party
Join this invitation-only event to party and mingle with industry colleagues and partners while enjoying excellent food, drinks, and music.
When: Wednesday, March 22nd, 7 PM — 12 AM
Where: Emporium Arcade Bar San Francisco, 616 Divisadero Street San Francisco, CA 94117
Organized by: Chartboost, AppsFlyer, Zynga
Cost: Free
Register: Here
14th Annual GGP at GDC
For the 14th time, GGP is organizing a GDC party to celebrate Pride and Gaming. Expect a fun night of DJ spinning, cocktails, pouring, and fun.
When: Wednesday, March 22nd, 7:30 PM — 1 AM
Where: DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco, CA, US, 94103
Organized by: GGP (Gay Gaming Professionals)
Cost: Free
Register: Here
Happy Hour: Craft Beer Style Playtesting
This event is the perfect opportunity to meet and connect with fellow game developers, designers, user researchers, and other industry professionals while enjoying delicious craft beers from Black Hammer Brewery.
When: Thursday, March 23rd, 4 PM — 7 PM
Where: Black Hammer Brewing Company, 544 Bryant Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Organized by: PlaytestCloud
Cost: Free
Register: Here
Cross Chain Love: Exploring Web3 Games
Want to drink and dance with the web3 games community? Then don’t wait any longer and apply for this event right away.
When: Thursday, March 23rd, 7 PM — 10 PM
Where: The Modernist Exchange (formerly 5A5 Steak Lounge) 244 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94111
Organized by: Magic Eden, Azra (The Hopeful), Aurory, Genopets
Cost: Free
Register: Here
Exclusive VIP Party
This VIP event will take place in an upscale brasserie (just a stone’s throw away from the Moscone Center) where visitors can enjoy refreshing drinks and thought-provoking discussions with gaming professionals.
When: Thursday, March 23rd, 8 PM — 9:30 PM
Where: TBA in the email confirmation
Organized by: Leanplum powered by Clevertap & Naavik
Cost: Free
Register: Here
Coffee With Wings
You’re a woman or a gender-marginalized game developer? Drop in, grab a coffee, and chat with some other outstanding women and gender-marginalized game devs.
When: Thursday, March 23rd, 8:30 AM — 10:30 AM
Where: Delah Coffee House 370 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Organized by: Wings Interactive
Cost: Free
Register: Here
GDC 2023 Industry After Party
Want to wrap up GDC 2023 in person? Join the rest of the gaming industry at this special afterparty. You can expect six awesome DJs with curated music playlists, a big number of industry peers, and some good times.
When: Thursday, March 23rd, 9:30 PM — 2 AM
Where: Temple Nightclub San Francisco 540 Howard Street San Francisco, CA 94105
Organized by: Level Up Events
Cost: $30 — $100
Register: Here
GDC Indie Party
Once GDC finishes, you can join this party to showcase your work and network with other gaming enthusiasts. There will be pizza and drinks, as well as a seminar on indie publishing in the Asian market.
When: Friday, March 24th, 4 PM
Where: 440 Brannan St 440 Brannan Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Organized by: Gamera Games
Cost: Free
Register: Here
Meet up with MAF
That’s it, you’ve reached the very end of our parties & side events list for GDC San Francisco.
Our very own Massimo Caroli will also be attending the conference and some of the parties. If you want to meet him, feel free to reach out to him directly!
BONUS: 2023 Event Calendar
Which events to visit after GDC?
To help you organize your event calendar for the year, we’ve prepared a list of 40+ events that are worth attending.
You can find it in the form of a list and a spreadsheet. Both contain all the details you need to organize your visit, so feel free to pick your favorites.
