'The Simpsons', karaoke and more: Events that celebrate the '80s and '90s on Long Island

The days of flip phones, CDs, Game Boys and dial-up internet may be in the rearview mirror but that doesn't mean you can't relive the glory days of the '80s and '90s, even if it's just for a night. Tribute bands are paying homage to the respective decades with performances of popular tunes that will bring you back in time. 

Picture blending a dance party with a rock concert and you’ve got the “ ‘80s vs. ‘90s” show at Mulcahy's in Wantagh on April 26, where Decadia goes head-to-head with The ‘90s Band for an evening of music covers geared for Gen-Xers and millennials.

“Everything about ‘80s music is uplifting. It’s all good vibes making it easy to have a fun time,” says Mike Sorrentino, drummer and founding member of Decadia.

When it comes to the ‘90s, the volume gets cranked up as The ‘90s Band focuses on rock, pop and grunge.

“We want people to relive the era in an authentic way,” says singer, guitarist and band leader Phil Smith. “There are high energy staples like Third Eye Blind’s ‘Semi-Charmed Life’ and Lit’s ‘My Own Worst Enemy’ sprinkled in with deeper cuts such as ‘Sour Girl’ by Stone Temple Pilots and ‘All I Really Want’ by Alanis Morissette.”

If you'd rather take the stage, head to Nostalgia Bar in Bethpage Sundays for open mic and ‘90s karaoke night, which typically kicks off with tunes like Biz Markie’s “Just a Friend” to get the crowd warmed up.

“I’ll even see a big tough guy with a beard come up and say, ‘Can I do Backstreet Boys?’ ” notes karaoke host Petey Pounds.

Here are nostalgia-themed events featuring cult classic films, music, food and fashion that rocked these decades:

'The Simpsons' dinner at Beginnings

1986 Park St., Atlantic Beach

Dive headfirst into Springfield as the Simpsons-themed dinner returns from 5 to 9 p.m. April 10. The restaurant is decorated with Simpsons memorabilia from the shelves to the walls. Even the staff wears Simpsons clothing while episodes of the Matt Groening cartoon play on every flat-screen.

“My wife, Keleigh, and I are total ‘90s kids so 'The Simpsons' dinner was right up our alley,” says owner Brian Bivona. “I had too many Bart T-shirts to count. I might relate more to Homer these days but still love when we can have a little fun with the menu.”

The five-course fixed menu consists of Million Dollar Birthday Fries with a Flaming Moe (brandy, rum, gin, blackberry liqueur, peppermint schnapps), “You Don’t Win Friends With Salad” (arugula, goat cheese, beets, walnuts, white and balsamic vinegar) with a Marge-A-Rita (tequila, Grand Marnier, lemon, coconut blue curaçao), Spider Pigs in a Blanket with Duff beer, a Krusty burger paired with Kwik-E-Mart All Syrup Super Squishee (with vodka and grenadine) and “D’OH!” a pink frosted doughnut and a spiked frosty chocolate shake (bourbon, chocolate whiskey trifecta ice cream, chocolate bitters and whipped cream) for dessert.

Anthony Prezioso of Island Park attended the inaugural Simpsons dinner in January with his wife and daughter.

“It’s a very relaxed atmosphere. We enjoyed going there,” says Prezioso, 43. “I got a kick out of introducing my 2-year-old Luna to Lisa Simpson. Showing her a cartoon from a different generation was fun.”

COST $65 per person plus tax and gratuity ($50 for no alcohol option), $30 three-course kids menu for 12 and under

MORE INFO 516-239-7483, beginningsrestaurant.com

Rocco's Modern Mic and '90s Karaoke Night at Nostalgia 

380 N. Wantagh Ave., Bethpage

Steve Rocco isn’t your typical comedian. He projects a Goth style look wearing eyeliner, a black bandanna, fingerless gloves and a long trench coat. Inspired by legends like Lewis Black and Jim Gaffigan, Rocco describes his comedic delivery as “playfully dark and quirky.”

On Sundays at Nostalgia, Rocco, 36, takes the mic to do a quick set before he brings on a series of stand-ups for “Rocco’s Modern Mic,” a play off of Nickelodeon’s mid-90s animated series “Rocko’s Modern Life,” at 7 p.m.

“The main goal is to provide an environment where comics can hone their craft,” says Rocco, who has been doing stand-up for more than 11 years. “It’s kind of like a comedy workshop where comedians of every level can come down and get five to seven minutes of stage time to get used to performing in front of people.”

After the show, the crowd sticks around for some ‘90s karaoke at 9 p.m.

COST Free, two food/drink item minimum requested

MORE INFO 516-342-1732, nostalgiali.com

'Wayne's World 2' at Cinema Arts Centre

423 Park Ave., Huntington

No way … “Wayne’s World” has a sequel? WAY! Follow basement headbangers Wayne and Garth as they put together a concert festival, “Waynestock” in the 1993 film, “Wayne’s World 2” featuring rock band Aerosmith. Cinema Arts Centre will screen the film at 9:30 p.m. on April 20 after a live acoustic performance by Aerosmith tribute band Pump in the cafe at 8:30 p.m.

COST $16, $10 members

MORE INFO 631-423-7610, cinemaartscentre.org

‘80s vs. ‘90s at Mulcahy's 

3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh

Decadia hits the stage at 8:15 p.m. on April 26 for a 90-minute set that is stacked with rock anthems (Guns N’Roses’ “Sweet Child O’Mine,” Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer”) to new wave songs (Erasure’s “A Little Respect,” Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like the Wolf”) to one-hit-wonders of the ‘80s (“Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, “99 Luftballons” by Nena). The '90s Band will follow with songs of the decade. 

DJ Savage keeps the party going by spinning era-appropriate tunes before, in between and after each set.

COST $16.95, 21 and over

MORE INFO 516-783-7500, muls.com

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.