Pull out your slap-on bracelets and Luke Perry posters, the ‘90s are back! But even if you aren’t ready to dust off your Doc Martens (yeah, they’re back too), there’s no reason not to party like you used to. (Or for you Generation Y’ers, like the kids on My So Called Life reruns did.) Now spritz on a little CK1, and enjoy the revival.
“The Hump” at Blue Owl
96 2nd Ave. (12th & 13th Sts.)
East Village 212.505.2583
Get over the mid-week “hump” (get it?) every Wednesday night by shaking your money-maker to all the hits from ‘88-‘98. And we assure you that you’ll enjoy the tunes even more this time around, as you won’t have to worry about that awkward Stanley from gym class asking you to dance.
“Loser” at Bowery Electric 327 Bowery (2nd & 3rd Sts.)
NoHo 212.228.0228
It’s not exactly CBGB’s, but Bowery Electric is doing its best to keep the underground scene alive. Especially since Greg Nicol of the MisShapes and journalist-cum-DJ Lesley Arfin have been hosting a ‘90s music night every Thursday. They have good taste, those two, mashing up tracks from the likes of Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins, and Gin Blossoms. (OMG, remember them?) John Varvatos might have gotten the old digs, but the Bowery beat goes on.
“U.N.I.T.Y.” at Hugs
108 N. 6th St. (Berry & Wythe Sts.)
Williamsburg (no phone)
Of course the Williamsburg club kids are down with the ‘90s—it makes them seem totally ironic! And of course, we have to admit, they’ve created one of the coolest ‘90s music nights out there. This party at Hugs plays classics like No Doubt, TLC, and yes, Chumbawumba every first, third (and fifth) Saturday of the month. Expect utter nostalgia and acid-denim worn by all.
“Fabulous Fridays" at Alphabet Lounge
104 Ave. C (@ 7th St.)
East Village 212.780.0202
Embrace your inner Kelly (Taylor or Kapowski) every Friday night and work it on the dance floor to ‘90s dance hits. Even if you weren’t captain of the squad, down enough cocktails at way-back-when ‘90s prices ($3 beers, $6 martinis, $4 shots), and you’ll at the very least feel like you’re the most popular chick in the room.
“Salvation Saturdays” at Don Hill’s
511 Greenwich St. (@ Spring St.)
SoHo 212.219.2850
Marilyn Manson videos may have faded from TRL (if anyone still watches that show), and the heavy black clothes evoking something of a Romantic-era funeral are scarce, but Goth music, black hair dye, and skinny jeans live on. DJ Patrick and DJ Cyn keep the spooky genre going twice a month on the turntables.
Any night at Cielo 18 Little W. 12th St. (9th Ave. & Washington St.)
Meatpacking District 212.645.5700
Calling all recovering rave addicts—although it wouldn’t be advised to bring your glow sticks along, there’s still a place to work it for hours on end like you once did thanks to the different weekly house music parties at this Meatpacking District stalwart. Just don’t forget to give your thanks to owner Nicolas Matar for obtaining his cabaret license before Giuliani’s dance-banning years. But remember, no glow sticks—some things from the ‘90s are better off left in the past (we’re talking to you, Tori Spelling).
“The Hump” at 
“Loser” at 
“U.N.I.T.Y.” at 
“Salvation Saturdays” at 
18 Little W. 12th St. (9th Ave. & Washington St.)
