Roller skating and arcade games: '90s fun on Long Island

It's easy to time travel back to the '90s on Long Island. Nostalgic venues, shops, roller rinks and places to rent DVDs will take you there. 

Those looking to revisit the pop culture of the decade can head to local libraries to borrow movies that defined it.

"In the Middle Country Library, we’re definitely seeing that nostalgia plays a role in DVD borrowing," librarian Elizabeth Malafi says. "Many people want to revisit favorite movies and TV series from their youth and watch without having to play streaming services. 

For some, it’s a reliable way to enjoy titles that aren’t available to stream or they just enjoy memories of family nights," she says.

The current collection contains more than 1,500 movies from the '90s. Two popular favorites are "Good Will Hunting," starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Robin Williams, and "Saving Private Ryan," with Tom Hanks.

And what goes better with a movie than a snack? Standard Rec in Patchogue has cinnamon sugar churro bites served with a side of "Dunkaroo"-inspired icing on the menu, perfect for the '90s kid. While you're there, guests can play retro video games.

Here are locations that will transport you back to the '90s in a flash.

HEAD TO A '90s BAR

NOSTALGIA

380 N. Wantagh Ave., Bethpage; 516-342-1732, nostalgiali.com

Enter this '90s nostalgic setup and you’ll be greeted by a custom-built Blockbuster video wall.

"My friends and I wanted to open a '90s-themed bar, and we did it," says co-owner Shawn O’Connor. "In the '90s, I was watching 'Tales From The Crypt.' But my older cousin was going to Nirvana concerts. It’s cool because you get to hear other people’s experiences at a time they were happy about."

 Inside you'll find a claw machine filled with memorable prizes, such as old Burger King toys, Pokémon cards and mood rings. Pop into a photo booth that places you inside shows and settings from that decade, like SpongeBob's living room.

There are numerous old-style video games (free to play). In the bar area, you’ll notice an old tube TV hanging from the ceiling. "I broke the screen out and put about 30 different '90s animated characters inside it that look like holograms," O’Connor says. Try six nostalgic cocktail menus. The "orange menu" is a throwback to "Kenan & Kel," and the "green menu" is a wink to Nickelodeon’s slime. For live music, go on Friday and Saturday ($10 admission) to check out local bands and entertainment.

PLAY ARCADE GAMES

STANDARD REC

49 E. Main St., Patchogue; 631-730-8100, stndrec.com

A spacious dining room opens into a bar section with vintage games, including Skee-Ball, pinball, arcade style bowling and basketball, and classic video games such as "Mortal Kombat" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (free to play). There’s a shelf filled with board games and a dining table that converts into a Ping-Pong table.

"We do a lot of events with throwback themes. We recently did a '90s pop queen bingo night," owner Brian Wilson says. The drinks are nostalgic, too. Try a Strawberry Shortcake cocktail based on the Good Humor ice cream truck flavor. 

GO ROLLER SKATING

GR8 SKATES

30 The Green, Shirley; 631-729-6055, gr8skates.com

Roller skating will bring you back to the past with a '90s twist. About the 11,000-square-foot skating rink, owner Peter Parrillo says, "We have a lot of themed family events. We’ll do '70s, '80s and '90s nights, and people come dressed up for the decade. The DJ makes a playlist from that era."

There are also 50 arcade games, including "Ms. Pac-Man" and "Asteroids," and air hockey. On Monday nights, join old-style cornhole competitions. For ages 4 to 14, go back in time with go-karts ($7 per ride). Roller skating prices begin at $7 per session.

SHOP FOR VINTAGE THREADS

NOSTALGIA VINTAGE & THRIFT

534 East Meadow Ave., East Meadow; Instagram: @nostalgiavintageandthrift

"The '90s was part grunge and part sophisticated, simple cut, classic vibe. We have both," owner April Senra says.

The store also got a boost from the series "Love Story," about John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, that began streaming on Hulu in February. "Bessette was such a fashion icon. So, a lot of people were coming into the store and saying they wanted her look," Senra says.

You'll find nostalgic Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren fashions in the shop, plus everything from silk V-neck tanks to blazers, pencil skirts, shirts, slacks and sweaters. Accessorize with shoes, belts and pocketbooks. "To meet the '90s grunge, there are oversized flannel tees, backpacks and overalls," she says.

PAPER DOLL VINTAGE BOUTIQUE

106 Railroad Ave., Sayville; 631-319-1919, shoppaperdoll.com

"Our shop is organized by decade and we have a whole rack dedicated to the '90s," owner Dominique Maciejka says. The women's rack is filled with everything from spaghetti-strap tank tops and baby tees to flannels and rompers. On the men’s rack, there are '90s T-shirts, baggy jeans and windbreakers. You might find a World Series T-shirt from 1998 or a classic Mickey Mouse shirt.

REVISIT CHILDHOOD STAPLES

CHUCK E. CHEESE

11-15 Hanover Place, Hicksville, 516-433-3343, chuckecheese.com/hicksville-ny

This is the only location on Long Island with the original animatronic Munch’s Make Believe Band. Life-sized Chuck E. Cheese and his four fuzzy friends sing while you munch on pizza and skillet chocolate chip cookies.

MCDONALD’S HICKSVILLE

280 N. Broadway, Hicksville, 516-681-2434, mcdonalds.com

You may remember the colorful indoor climbing structure from the '90s, where kids crawl and slide through a twisted contraption of connected bridges, tubes and tunnels. This is the only location on Long Island where the fun-filled PlayPlace still stands. It has been maintained and updated, but the original style is the same.