You know what GDC's like.

After a hard day quaffing coffee and soaking up the future of the games industry at the Moscone Center, the only sensible reaction is to head to one of the many networking bashes taking place across central San Francisco.

More often than not, finding out where these parties are happening is a slightly panicky game of Chinese whispers, and securing an invite is often down to blind luck and following someone better informed than you.

With that in mind, why not check out our definitive guide to the best parties happening during GDC week.

But remember - many of these parties are invite-only, so don't just turn up and expect the doorman to know who you are. As any good scout knows: Be prepared.

Monday 25 March

What: POCKET GAMER AWARDS

When: Mon, 6-8:30pm

Where: ROE, 651 Howard, San Francisco, CA.

How: Invite only

More Info: "Could this be the most prestigious awards ceremony of the week? We think so. Celebrate with the winners and commiserate the rest with champagne, canapes and cheeky banter."

What: POCKET GAMER 'SHOW ME THE MONEY' PARTY

When: Mon, 9pm - late

Where: ROE, 651 Howard, San Francisco, CA.

How: Register for an invite at Eventbrite

More info: "Already being referred to by some as THE party of the week. All the leading lights of the mobile gaming scene will be in attendance so you can look forward to some grade A networking activity as well as plenty of drink, food and fun as we party the night away. Do come early to avoid the queues though, we may be a teeny bit oversubscribed.

What: W3i COCKTAIL PARTY

When: Mon, 5pm- 8pm PDT

Where: Press Club, 20 Yerba Buena Lane

How: Register for an invite at Eventbrite

More info: "Join W3i for a big announcement. Celebrate and mingle with leaders in the industry. Socialise, taste wine, try micro-brews, and enjoy hors d' oeuvres after the first day of GDC."

What: Backflip Studios Bash

When: Mon, 7pm-1am

Where: Mezzanine, downtown San Francisco - 444 Jessie St

How: Request an invite here

More info: "An open bar, good and music from Karl Denson's Tiny Universe"

What: PEANUT LABS & GAMIFY GDC AFTER PARTY

When: Mon, 6:30pm-9:30pm PDT

Where: Rosewood Bar, 732 Broadway, San Francisco, CA.

How: Register for an invite at Eventbrite

More info: "Come join us, have yummy appetisers and meet the heavyweights in Silicon Valley. Stay tuned for the announcements. Food: Complimentary, drinks: cash bar."

Tuesday 26 March

What: SMARTPHONE & TABLET GAMES SUMMIT MIXERWhen: Tues, 5pm-7pm PDT

Where: GDC Floor - North Hall, Lower Level.

How: Details on the GDC website

More info: "Join AdColony for drinks and hors d'oeuvres as we wrap up the Smartphone & Tablet Games Summit.

"We'll be there alongside top publishers to show you the latest tips and trends for monetising with mobile video - it'll be a great way to recap the summit, meet new developers, and mingle before heading out for the night."

What: PLAYPHONE'S HAPPY HOUR

When: Tues, 5pm-8pm PDT

Where: Jillian's Billiards Club, 175 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA (Next to Moscone Center)

How: Register at Eventbrite

More info: "PlayPhone wants to meet with you at GDC so we can update you with our fantastic carrier announcements."

What: TOUCH ARCADE PARTY

When: Tues, 7:00-11:00pmWhere: Second Street Gallery 111 MinnaHow: Register at the party siteMore info: "Touch Arcade make the momentous move of shifting out of that hotel bar into an actual venue for their annual shindig!"What: TWITCHTV INDIE GAMES SUMMIT MIXER

When: Tues, 5:30-7:30pm

Where: GDC Floor

How: More details on GDC website

More info: "Twitch and Agawi invite PC indie game developers to meet two of the leading gaming platform providers."

What: The 2013 GAMES INDUSTRY SEDER

When: Tues, from 6pm PDT

Where: 540 Howard Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA.

How: Buy $85 tickets at Eventbrite

More info: Ticket sales have ended. To go on the waiting list contact Sam@funtactix.comWhat: GAME GAZER OPENING PARTY

When: Tues, 6:30pm – 9:30pm PDT

Where: 730 Montgomery, San Francisco, CA 94111

How: Register at EventbriteMore info: "With a short introduction by the Swiss Arts Council, Geneva University of Art and Design, Zurich University of the Arts, and UCLA Game Lab."

What: NEWBIE GDC NETWORKING

When: Tues, 7pm - 11pm PDT.

Where: Johnny Foley's, 243 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

How: Register at Eventbrite

More info: "If it is your first time at GDC San Fran and you are in the games industry, come along and say hi!"

What: YETIZEN & IDGA - YETI'S ON ICE!

Where: Ruby Skye, 420 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

When: Tues, 8pm-2am PDT.

How: Register at Eventbrite

More info: "Come and be thrilled by various street performers, artists galore, drink and be merry at your venue of choice, Ruby Skye, the hottest nightclub in downtown San Francisco."

What: POW POW: A COLOSSAL NIGHT OF SOUND AND VISION

When: Tues, 7pm - 2am PDT.

Where: DNA Lounge, 375 Eleventh St, San Francisco, CA 94103

How: More details on the DNA Lounge website,

$5 with GDC badge, $10-14 general

More info: "Performances by some of the best acts in both gaming and chip music as well as demo tables and presentations by indie developers."

Wednesday 27 March

What: GameStick Drinks Reception and demo

When: Wed, 5.30pm - 8.30pm PDT

Where: Press Club Wine Club, 20 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco

How: Invite only - contact; anthony.johnson [at] playjam.com

More info: Join the GameStick team for free drinks and an exclusive look at the world's most portable TV games console, including exclusive demos of the fresh-off-the-production-line GameStick developer kit.

What: COUCHSURFING MEETUP

When: Weds, 6pm-8pm PDT

Where: Eve Lounge, 575 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94105

How: More details on Facebook

More info: "Couchsurfing is kicking off its first ever, GDC 2013 meetup. We'll be at Eve Lounge which is only 2 blocks away from Moscone, and known for its wild drinks (Moscow Mules), plus DJ Sneak-E Pete will be droppin' science on the turntables."

What: KABAM PRESENTS: FREE 2 PLAY FORUM GDC 2013 MIXERWhen: Weds 6pm-9pm PDT

Where: 111 Minna St, San Francisco, CA 94105

How: Register at Eventbrite

More info: "Come and mingle with the best in console, web, online and mobile gaming and enjoy free food and drinks on us!"

What: FIFTH COLUMN GAMES GDC SPEAKEASY PARTY

When: Weds, 6pm-9pm PDT

Where: 818 Mission St, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103

How: Register at Eventbrite

More info: "Fifth Column Games is an independent video game studio founded in 2011 by industry veterans Andrew Marsh, Adam Lipski, and Mike Fahmie."

What: WIGI - 6th ANNUAL GDC NETWORKING EVENT

When: Weds, 6pm - 9pm PDT

Where: Cartoon Art Museum, 655 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.

How: Register at Eventbrite

More info: "Come network in a relaxed setting before hitting the late night parties. Great food and drinks compliments our generous sponsors!"

What: KIIP GDC PARTY 2013

When: Weds, 6-10pm PDT

Where: Harlot, 46 Minna Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.

How: Register at Eventbrite

More info: "We have a lot more to share, so register here now and we'll send you all the details on the party shortly."

What: IGF AWARDS

When: Weds, 6:30-8:30pm PDT

Where: GDC Ballroom West Hall, Street Level.

How: More details on the GDC website

More info: "Thousands watch the awards presentation before the Game Developer's Choice Awards are presented.

"In its 15th year, the IGF has given away hundreds of thousands of dollars in prizes and major recognition to innovative and independently created video games from all over the world."

What: THE WILD RUMPUS & VENUS PATROL PRESENTS: ALL OTHER PARTIES ARE TRITE AND DULL

When: 7pm-2am PDT

Where: Public Works, 161 Erie Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

How: Register at Eventbrite

More info: Tickets $15.

What: GAME & APP DEVS GDC 2013 AFTER PARTY

When: 10pm – 12am PDT

Where: 111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco, CA 94105

How: Register at Eventbrite

More info: "Come and join the Game & App Devs at Minna Gallery for a casual after party after the awards ceremony. Stay tuned for more info."

Thursday 28 March

What: THE BIG INDIE PITCH

When: Thurs, 2-5:30pm PDTWhere: 111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco, CA 94105How: Register at EventbriteMore info: "Leading mobile game journalists (including our own Jon Jordan and Jeff Scott as well as IGN, Touch Arcade, TUAW, Gamezebo and more) meet Indie Developers for speed pitching session at this cool new lunchtime event. Food and drink will be served."What: PLAYHAVEN & TANDEM GDC HAPPY HOUR

When: Thurs, 5:30-8:30pm PDT

Where: Roe Nightclub, 651 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA

How: Register at Eventbrite

More info: "Kick off your evening and enjoy a few drinks and apps on us. Mix and mingle and enter to win some awesome giveaways."

What: GLOBAL GAME STARS @SF - DEMO DAY & GDC When: Thurs, 6pm-9:30pm PDT

Where: 540 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94105

How: Late registration via Eventbrite for $20
More info: "GGS aims to connect, educate, and promote gaming entrepreneurs, and help them to interact with global game platforms, publishers, VCs and media."

What: FAAD (FREE APP A DAY)

When: Thurs, 7pm PDT

Where: Infusion Lounge, 24 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94102

How: Event details TBA

More info: "Open bar and DJ."

What: Heyzap party

When: Thurs, 7pm

Where: Public Works, 161 Erie Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

How: Via Eventbrite (email info[at}heyzap.com] for password

More info: Open bar, DJs, free food with the Taco Truck Visuals by Nina Mehta

What: BLIZZARD PARTY

When: Thurs, 7pm-Midnight

Where: Metreon/City View, 135 4th, SF

How: TBA

More info: "Open bar, noms, arcade."

What: LIGHTMARE & BLOWFISH STUDIOS PRESENTS: MEET THE AUSTRALIANS

When: 7pm-10pm PDT

Where: Tradition Bar, 441 Jones St, San Francisco, California 94102

How: More details on Facebook

More info: "We need some help to pay the venue hire - we've set up a Pozible campaign to raise some funds. The more that gets donated, the more awesome the party will be!"

What: NOTCH'S EPID GDC PARTY with JUSTICE!

When: Thurs, 8.30pm-2am

Where: TBA - RSVP for details

How: More details here

More info: Strictly 21+

What: OUYA UNVEILING

When: Thurs, 8pm-12am PDT

Where: fuseproject, 1401 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

How: The party, and first devices, are for backers only

More info: The thank-you party will be held at the Bay Area offices of fuseproject, an industrial design and branding firm founded in 1999 by Ouya designer Yves Behar.

What: THE GAMERS BALL

When: Thurs, 9pm – 2am PDT

Where: DNA Lounge, 375 Eleventh St, San Francisco, CA 94103

How: More details on The Gamers Ball website

More info: "A winning formula of huge state of the art venue, legendary artists performing, celebrity sightings, incredible DJ's, beautiful Go Go dancers and the industry top players all blowing off steam and networking."

What: XBOX PARTY

When: Thursday TBC

Where: TBC

How: TBC

Friday 29 March

What: DESTRUCTOID'S GDC HANGOVER PARTYWhen: Fri, 10pm-2am PDT

Where: Sip Bar and Lounge, 787 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133

How: More details on Facebook

More info: "Arrive early. Space is extremely limited. Free. 21+. Wild 94.9's very own J-TRIX headlines the night, with opening sets from GEO-D and Dtoid's and PlayStation's very own R3Y GUTI3RR3Z."

What: POST-GDC VIDEOGAME KARAOKE CHILLAX

When: Fri, 7pm-11pm PDT

Where: Pandora Karaoke Lounge,177 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

How: More details on Facebook

More info: "Meet-up with all of your favoiurite videogame peeps and bring your friends. It's FREE, the music is great, and the drinks are cheap. Non-singers welcome!"
More parties to come, watch this space...

A big hearty thank you to the wonderful Martine Paris, the PR queen of San Francisco, who assisted with this list!

If you know of any more parties on the b2b circuit or simply want to share some after hours gossip then please do drop Show Dog a mail at showdog [at] pocketgamer.co.uk - he'll be scratching around all week.

N.B. The usual disclaimers apply and Show Dog accepts no liability for any alcohol-fuelled illness, deal-breaking drunken behaviour, or long-term relationship damage caused as a result of this information, but if you do snag the big deal, the usual 10 percent will be fine...