Lionsgate, IGN and Ballantine's Whisky Brings 'Borderlands' Bar to San Diego Comic-Con

As moviegoers and fans descend upon San Diego for Comic-Con, they’ll have the chance to transport themselves into one of the most dangerous cantinas in the universe as Lionsgate, IGN, and Ballantine’s Scotch whisky partner to transform 207 Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel into Borderlands: Moxxi’s Bar, the famous (and infamous) watering hole from Borderlands. The exclusive hang out is sponsored by IGN & Ballantine’s.

With the iconic videogame making its highly anticipated motion picture debut in theatres on August 9th, moviegoers, gamers, cosplayers, and treasure hunters alike can explore and immerse themselves in the Moxxi’s Bar experience from Thursday, July 25th through Saturday, July 27th.

The event is free for everyone. While walk-ins are welcome and encouraged, fans can also reserve a limited number of timed-entry tickets here. Those lucky enough to score reservations or walk in, will have an opportunity to see the hottest DJ at Comic-Con as Claptrap performs sets live while you sample some specially curated Ballantine’s cocktails inspired by Borderlands - available exclusively at the experience. Co-branded slot machines will also be placed throughout the bar for attendees to enjoy and win special Borderlands film merchandise. 

An exclusive Ballantine’s satellite bar will also be available on site for attendees to grab their cocktail as well as photos.

“Borderlands is always giving fans the unexpected and we wanted to create an activation that lived up to that,” said Dani Otero, executive VP of global media, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “IGN and Ballantine’s were completely game to bring the magic and mystique of the iconic Moxxi’s Bar to life at one of the most exciting fan conventions in the world. If you’re looking to sample some delicious Pandora cocktails or pledge your passion for Borderlands, Moxxi’s Bar will be the place to be.”

“We’re all about meeting fans where they live,” said Kim Le Hatfield, SVP sales and marketing, IGN. “Our goal is to make Moxxi’s Bar the hottest spot for nightlife at Comic-Con. After a long day at the convention centre, attendees can cross the street and share a toast with vault hunters, bandits, aliens, and other fans.”

Sponsoring the event is Ballantine’s Scotch whisky, who have a long-term partnership with the Borderlands franchise. In 2022, Ballantine’s teamed up with Borderlands, by appointing bar mogul Mad Moxxi to the role of Chief Galactic Expansion Officer (CGEO) to help launch the world’s second-largest Scotch into the stratosphere. To kick off her contract, Moxxi created her own Borderlands x Ballantine’s bottle of Scotch whisky: the Ballantine’s x Moxxi’s Bar Edition. This sell-out, limited-edition run launched first on Pandora and later across selected retailers on Earth. To celebrate Comic-Con, Ballantine’s will be supplying Moxxi’s bar with a limited run of the Ballantine’s x Moxxi’s Bar Edition, giving fans the opportunity to try the elusive product in Borderlands themed cocktails.

“We’ve been working with the Borderlands franchise for some time now and are delighted to be teaming up with Lionsgate and IGN for Moxxi’s Bar at this year’s Comic-Con,” said Tom Elton, head of culture and partnerships for Ballantine’s Scotch whisky. “We’ve had some great adventures with Moxxi over the past few years, both in Pandora and on Earth, catapulting Ballantine’s to galactic heights. From limited-edition bottles and collaborations with streamers to creating new Borderlands challenges and bringing the Borderlands world to life by launching pop-up Moxxi’s Bar activations across the globe, we’re thrilled be part of this latest activation.”

Moxxi’s Bar is the latest IGN activation to hit the Hard Rock. The hotel is also the official location for IGN's SDCC Live studio show and production and the location for the annual IGN SDCC Comic-Con party at Woodstock/Float.

Moxxi’s Bar, built by Experiential, is the latest partnership between Lionsgate and IGN this year. The companies previously teamed up on IGN Fan Fest, a digital-only event celebrating games and entertainment, and the inaugural IGN Live, an in-person event that took place in DTLA this June, giving gaming and entertainment fans access to panels, exclusive reveals, game demos and more. At IGN Live, Lionsgate featured a mainstage invasion from bandits, brought Claptrap to life for adoring fans, a live interview with the Borderlands cast and let’s play, exclusive 10th-anniversary panel for John Wick. Last year, IGN partnered with Lionsgate on a fan screening of John Wick: Chapter 4, in which Keanu Reeves surprised and delighted fans for a Q&A.