Get ready to rewind, because the 90s are making a comeback at Chadstone. Funlab, the team behind Holey Moley, Hijinx Hotel, Archie Brothers and Strike Bowling, is opening its newest venue, Playback96, at The Social Quarter on Thursday, 27 August.
The new social games venue is designed for anyone who remembers the era of video stores, arcade games and questionable phone technology, as well as those discovering the decade through TikTok. Inside, guests will find shelves stacked with VHS tapes, cult movie posters, retro surprises and plenty of nostalgic touches inspired by the best parts of the 90s.
But Playback96 isn’t just about looking back. The venue combines that retro atmosphere with a series of interactive games designed for groups, dates, birthdays and catch-ups.
Guests start at the ‘Walkman’ Radio Wall before grabbing their game card and taking on nine physical challenges across an hour of unlimited play.
Games include Total Recall, a test of 90s pop culture knowledge, Stop Hammer Time, a fast-paced reaction challenge, Pong Time, a beer pong-inspired arcade game without the beer, and Ready Player Run, where players navigate swinging pendulums through a candy-filled tunnel.
Funlab CEO Blaise Witnish said the venue was created to give Melbourne another way to enjoy time with friends.
“There’s always room in Melbourne for a new way to have a good time with friends, and that’s exactly what Playback96 delivers,” he said. “Playback96 brings back the best bits of the 90s. The games, the music and the great company that made the decade unforgettable in the first place.”
The nostalgia continues through the venue’s soundtrack, featuring 90s favourites and deeper cuts from artists including Massive Attack, Outkast, Moby, Portishead and Blur. The bar will also serve playful creations including the Screen Burn cocktail, inspired by Sex on the Beach, complete with a playable Pixel Pet.
With retro details including glowing Furbys, N64 consoles, dial-up modem phones and a hairdresser-inspired corner called Shazza’s, Playback96 aims to bring the fun of the 90s into a new era.
Located on Level 1 of Chadstone Shopping Centre, the venue will host parties, corporate events and casual catch-ups, with bookings now open. Visit: playback96.com.au
