3 step guide to a LAN/private server

I feel more people need to know how to set up a server: be it for LAN or having your friends connect to you privately. In CS:Source this was as easy as pressing a few buttons, but with CS:GO, you'll need to do a few simple console commands to get going.

1. Go to Play -> Play With Friends. Click on Game Settings, select your mode, and select a workshop map. As of version 1.32.5.1, this is currently bugged and you need to select a workshop map (any one will do) to start a local server. Then go to Change Permissions -> Private Match. This will make it so you start a non-offline game with bots that people in your group or friends list can join in on.

Now you have a lobby set up. Go ahead and start it, as people can join on you any time from your friends list or group in Steam.

2. To change what map you want to be on, open the developer console by pressing (~). If you don't have it enabled, press Esc, then go to Help and Options, then Game Settings, and enable the developer console. Change the map by pressing (~) and typing "changelevel" with a space after it. Select the map you want and hit enter and you'll be set on that map.

3. If you want to play around with map groups so you have more than 1 or 2 maps to vote on, in the console type:
mapgroup mg_hostage
mapgroup mg_bomb
mapgroup mg_deathmatch
mapgroup mg_armsrace
mapgroup mg_demolition

and change the level via changelevel de_dust2 or something. You have to change the level to initialize the mapgroup.

You now have a running private server going! You can call map votes or vote to kick unwanted players out by pressing Esc and clicking on "call vote".

[BloodGood]

Thanks for the workaround. Hope they get it fixed soon.

[TheCloudShooter]

My friends can't join me at all, Did i do something wrong?

[jellyfish jam]

I have found out now. Thanks any way.

[StevenSeagal]

You can kick the bots by typing bot_kick in the console

[jellyfish jam]

How do we kick bots?