The much talked-about NH7 Weekender Announcer Party today (August 25) resurrects Razzberry Rhinoceros (home of rain dances and mosh pits), one of the most beloved hotspots of the mid-1990s. Riding the wave of nostalgia, we recount five other venues from the era that still alive and deserving of a second act.

Si Branché

Si Branche had figured it out before most stores, that propitious route from Bandra to Bangkok and back, with suitcases of cheap but fun clothes. This earned them hoards of teenage shoppers as well as space in the rolling credits of music channel shows hosted by VJs sporting their outfits. Si Branche also wasn’t afraid to stock the outlandish - a gold racer-back or a silver sequined dress. Not surprising, considering it was started by the entrepreneurial and creative Babita, who previously ran Wardrobe at Khar. You can now find some of their stuff at Red Panda, new online fashion portal that helps you get the A-lister look for less.

10/11, Kenwood Apts, opposite Yellow Tree Cafe, Bandra (W), call 26046714.

Burlington’s

Remember the catalogues boasting pictures of happy blonde families with perfect teeth, sauntering down dust-free streets and leaning against white picket fences? The women would be dressed in baby pink twin sets, the men in khakhis, the kids in immaculately ironed seersucker shorts. They had a store too, at the Taj, where fashionistas of the mid 1990s would shop for linen shirts and sling bags. They might have moved on, but the store still exits, and the shirts are still as nice (and pretty reasonable). A hidden gem!

Taj Mahal Palace and Hotel, Apollo Bunder, Colaba, Rs 1,630 for a linen shirt.

Voodoo

Toned guys in sequinned pants, foreigners in fedoras, ladies in leather – in 1995 Voodoo had its Studio 54 moment and became the uber-glamourous gay bar that everybody who was anybody – regardless of sexual orientation, nationality, race – wanted to be at. It’s now populated mostly by johns and prostitutes, but go by for a blast from the past and then stop at Cloud 9 (another old favorite) for a beer.

Kamaal Mansion, Apollo Bunder, Colaba, call 22841959.

Goriawala Chocolate Cake

Before the time of Madonna-approved cheesecake and red velvet cupcakes there was Ms Goriawala, a home baker who whipped up the yummiest, most popular dessert in the city. Every birthday or graduation party worth its salt (or in this case, sugar) featured one of her light-as-air sponges coated with dark, glossy icing and charming squiggles of pastel frosting. She may not be as famous, but Ms Goriawala’s oven is still in “tip-top condition”, and her cakes still taste like sin – or better yet, nostalgia.

Queens Mansion, Forjett Street, near the Sai Baba Mandir, Gowaliar Tank, call 23871434, Rs 420 for a kg of chocolate cake.

Touch of Joy

Touch of Joy was Mumbai’s crown glory, and Rahul Miranda its star. Amongst the first real celebrity hairstylists in India (“he doesn’t listen to anyone, darling, but he makes you look so good!”), he wielded his magic scissors here– haircuts were for under Rs 500 – before immigrating to the States. The salon, however, is still functioning and remains a favourite amongst loyal old-timers.

Sethna House, opposite Electric House, off the Causeway, Colaba, call 22045566, Rs 830 for a cut, inclusive of taxes.

PS: Big shout out to Ruchika Parab, Parmesh Shahani, Priyanka Rathi, Sid Khanna and Svetlana Toshniwal for contributing to this list!