90's London

[Sweetasstevia]

I've lived in London for nearly 25 years now but rarely get into the centre these days (I last worked in town in 2008.) I'm always stunned how much things have changed and have been feeling very nostalgic lately for the London of my uni years and youth: 1990 - 2000.
For starters I miss how Covent Garden used to be with the mechanical toy museum and Neal street East around the corner. I miss burgers at Ed's Diner and Jonny Rockets. I miss seeing arty films at the ICA, the montepulicano lounge club and whirligig, the mad market in South Kensington and how Camden used to be before it got all posh!
What things do you miss?

Oriel's gone. Had lunch in Blushes the other day. kings Rd Sporting Club has closed down.

Phlip was where we all bought baseball jackets in the late 80s, along with boots from R.Soles. Wtf did we look like...

Kinky gerlinky I was receptionist there all the people on that blitz website came in and had their hair done and invited us to all their parties!

I used to go to some rave night at Camden Palace in about 1988/1989 - it was from 6pm til 6am and was fab. We got filmed in there once for a documentary, because all 3 of us were wearing these identical jumpsuits that my friends mum had made from material off the market - they were covered in clowns. With Kickers, obvs. Those were the days....

OP the sloaney pizza place with alcoves HAD to be Pucci pizza....

the Markham Arms was an Abbey National last time I looked. They used to do a good cheap shepherds pie....

when jello shots hit 151
embarrassing

Ed's Diner is still there, there are still arty films at the ICA and not ALL of Camden has got posh, surely?

I do understand the nostalgia for how things were in 'your' era, and I don't disagree some areas are getting more and more homogenous, but London is still wildly diverse, exciting and full of funny little corners and establishments. I've been here years and it can still surprise me.

I've been here years and it can still surprise me

With you on that one!

HeyLuciani - I remember the Protein Man!

I always loved the end bit: 'and sitting'!
Like he'd run out of proteins but wasn't done yet!

He was harmless and part of the streetscape.
I finally know his name now!

Agree, London is still fab.

Just not as highly individual, eccentric and unpredictable as it used to be.

Anyone here go to Legends, in Mayfair?

Used to go to their Thursday night - don't remember much but do know I had many a good night there!

Bingo! rover and Nigella - thank you!

Benjys!!! How could I have forgotten?!

Precious the Greek bakery in Camden is now a Pret. Happened about 10 years ago I think!

Who asked about the squat on Kentish Town Road? The Rainbow Centre....I squatted their previous one with them- the Bank of Credit and Commerce International on the corner of Oxford St and Marble Arch! Imagine doing that now!

The Scala at King's Cross...is that still going in any form? I remember the filth/drug film all nighters...

Oh yes, the toilet floors in the George Robey...funny what you can get nostalgic over

Did anybody go to the Samuel Pepys, in Hackney? Even more specific....anyone remember the legendary Last Night of the Pepys, featuring the spontaneous occupation of Hackney Town Hall next door? Talk about going out with a bang....they turned it into a nice staid bar for the Hackney Empire next door.

Talking about characters, I suppose Brian Hoare isn't still camped opposite the Houses of Parliament, is he? Shame if he's gone, he was a prime example of true democracy. They had to change the law to try to get rid of him.

Yy Nigella I was unreasonably sad when the Markham became the Abbey. Some of my finest misspent moments were in there. Oh god, the jelly shots at 151.

Pucci's owners are great friends of mine, well ex owners now it's no longer there. Bought my first marital home next of to them in 1991. Best pizzas ever.

My mates and I all worked as waitresses and managed to eventually buy flats! Would never happen now

Rainbow Centre! - that was it, thanks stubbornstains . Ace parties

It's funny to think that many of us may have met before, even if it was just a fleeting moment on a dance floor.

I love a bit of nostalgia...but still love living in London, wouldn't live anywhere else (well, maybe somewhere more tropical!)

I remember doing yoga and night classes in The Drill Hall in Bloomsbury (still going strong I believe). Embargo's in Chelsea, Beach Blanket Babylon still there although former now has two venues. The Swiss Centre with its cuckoo clock off Leicester Square and that indoor funfair/ arcade (with virtual reality games woo!) down the street.

quesadillas

Not Metros?!

So nostalgic for late 90s/early 00s London!

Oops sorry for insulting your friends pizza's Gloombands

Benjy's - 'more bread'

Stubborn, he died back in 2011 unfortunately

Great thread btw Loats of memories

Of course londons still great, but is definitely more corporate. So much harder to find niche things - things like proper mens accessories, umbrellas, or hats. Everything's mass produced, mass marketed, etc. Chain store massacre. Space limited. Massive changes in transport infrastructure etc. Property crazy, incl retail rental. Less individual culture. Etc etc.

Or was it 'less bread'?!

Anyway it was cheap and I was poor!

Tower records closing in Piccadilly Circus was a sad moment.

Also the Tape & Record Exchange in notting hill - there used to be three of them. Do any of them still exist?