Let me take you on a trip down memory lane once again this week with the latest Time Travel Series article, this time, we are heading back to the 90s, and bringing you memories of places and things that are no longer around.
Remember These? If You’ve Lived In Denver In The 90s You Will!
1. Weekends Spent at Celebrity Sports Center
Photographs courtesy of ©TINKERMAN
Celebrity Sports Center was Denver’s go-to recreation center in the 90s! Opened in 1960, on Colorado Blvd in Glendale, its investors included people such as Walt Disney, his brother Roy, Jack Benny, Bing Crosby, and more. Celebrity Sports Center featured 80 bowling lanes, over 300 video and arcade games, a 50 meter pool that included three water slides, a billiard room, a restaurant and bar, and amusement park rides.
Celebrity Sports Center shut down in 1994 and is now home to a Home Depot.
Psst… Sources suggest that the Walt Disney Company used Celebrity Sports Center as a training facility for its employees prior to deployment to Disney World!
2. Steak Dinners at Trail Dust Steak House
Photograph courtesy of ©The Denver Post
In the 90s you probably ate at the Trail Dust Steak House, which had two locations, one in Westminster and one in Centennial. At the Trail Dust Steak House you could enjoy Mesquite flavored steaks, live music and casual attire, since wearing a tie would result (literally) in it being cut-off by one of the waiters!
The location of the Trail Dust Steak House in Centennial is now home to the second ViewHouse.
3. Raves at Rock Island
If you were in high school during the 90s then you will remember rave parties you’ve attended at Rock Island! The club, used to be located on 15th and Wazee, and offered an eclectic mix of music from goth to hop-hop.
4. Shopping at Cinderella City
Photograph used for informational purposes only. Courtesy of ©Mall History
Cinderella City was a shopping center in Englewood and featured four sections: Rose Mall, Gold Mall, Shamrock Mall and Cinder Alley. Cinder Alley, simulated a New York City street, complete with street lamps and ceiling tiles that were painted black to simulate a “night on the town” effect. The Center Court area was known as the Blue Mall.
Cinderella City was once known as the largest shopping mall west of the Mississippi River, yet it was shut down in 1999.
5. Playing at Funtastic Nathan’s
Photo Credit: ©xtsubarublazin
Funtastic Nathan’s was located inside Cinderella City and was considered the ultimate indoor playground, with ball pits and bouncy rooms.
6. Watching Blinky’s Fun Club
Photograph courtesy of ©Blinky’s Fun Club
Blinky’s Fun Club was on air through 1999 and featured Blinky the Clown. Children appeared on each show to celebrate their birthdays and were sung “Happy Birf- Day to You,” by Blinky.
7. Telephone Booth Ordering at Round the Corner
Round the Corner was a burger joint, which had various locations throughout Denver and Boulder, including the Cherry Creek North neighborhood. In each booth there was a telephone and when you would sit down you would pick up the phone receiver to make your order. Once your order was ready your telephone would ring, announcing your order was ready for you to pick up at the front!
8. Finding the Best Fashion at The Garment District
Photograph courtesy of ©9 News
The Garment District was a 12,000 square foot boutique selling high-end men and women’s clothing. Many recall the attentive and knowledgeable staff and service tailored to the shopper’s individual taste.
9. Watching Movies at The Cooper Theatre
Photograph courtesy of ©Cinema Treasures
The Cooper Theatre was built by the Cooper Foundation in the early-1960’s, complete with massive screens and the latest sound technology. Visitors came from all over to see the Cooper Theatre and its wondrous screen.
The Cooper Theatre was shut down in 1994 and now is home to a Barnes & Noble.
10. And Also at Cinderella Twin Drive-In
Photograph courtesy of ©Cinema Treasures
The Cinderella Twin Drive-In first opened in 1973 with two screens and an 800 car capacity. The drive-in operated seasonally, from March through October, with its sound coming from an FM radio for audio as well as conventional speakers.
Cinderella Twin Drive-In was demolished in 2007.
11. Attending Concerts & Sports Games at McNichol’s Sports Arena
McNichol’s Sports Arena, named after Denver mayor William H. McNichols, Jr., was an indoor sports arena on Speer Blvd in Denver. The arena was the home of the Denver Nuggets, and also hosted multiple hockey teams, including the Denver Spurs, the Colorado Flames, and the Colorado Avalanche.
The McNichol’s Sports Arena also hosted various well-known music artists such as Michael Jackson, The Grateful Dead, The Bee Gees, Def Leppard, Phish, and ZZ Top.
12. Visiting the Original Elitch Gardens Amusement Park
Photographs courtesy of ©National Amusement Parks Historical Association
The Original Elitch Gardens Amusement Park featured Elitch’s Zoological Gardens, the Trocadero Ballroom (which later transformed into the Penny Arcade), the Theatre, and an amusement park with rides such as Mister Twister, Wildcat, Sidewinder, Wild Mouse, The Big Wheel, the Sea Dragon, and more.
The Original Elitch Gardens was a Denver staple for 104 years! Opening its doors in 1890 and shutting down in 1994, when the current Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park opened.
Psst… The Original Elitch Gardens still hosts outdoor movies outside its historic location during the summer months!
13. Ordering Birthday Cakes at Child’s Pastry Shop
Photo Credit: ©Riza H. C.
Child’s Pastry Shop, was located in the University Hills neighborhood in Denver, and was your go-to shop for ordering birthday cakes! Many locals recall the shop’s white cake with chocolate fudge frosting and filling!
14. Eating Crêpes at The Magic Pan
Photograph courtesy of ©Yoko K.
The Magic Pan was once located on Larimer Square and offered sweet and savory crêpes. The Magic Pan featured an automated system to make crêpes, consisting of a motorized conveyor that would heat metal pans. An attendant would dip the bottom of the pans in the crepe batter, to ensure an even coating.
Psst… If you’ve loved The Magic Stand, you can now find a location at Denver International Airport at Concourse C!
15. Enjoying a Unique Dinner at Baby Doe’s Matchless Mines
Photograph courtesy of ©Babydoe.org
If you lived in Denver in the 90s you most likely ate at Baby Doe’s Matchless Mines restaurant at least once! Baby Doe’s was a mining-themed restaurant named after Baby Doe Tabor, better known as “Baby Doe”, the second wife of pioneer Colorado businessman Horace Tabor, who’s rags-to-riches story inspired an opera and a Hollywood movie, and who lived in a cabin in Matchless Mines for the last three decades of her life.
16. And Business Meals at Trinity Grille
Photo Credit: ©Alice G.
Trinity Grille was one of Denver Business District’s most-visited restaurants in the 90s. Located across the street from The Brown Palace Hotel, Trinity Grille was around for three decades and officially shut its doors earlier this year.
17. Shopping for Prom, Cotillion & Bat Mitzvah Dresses at This Is Bliss
Photograph courtesy of ©Prom Limo Services Denver
This is Bliss was a local little girls and teens fancy dress boutique, located at Orchard & Holly St, and was your go-to fancy dress shop, offering a wide variety of “cupcake” dresses, along with matching hair bows!
18. Flying from Stapleton International Airport
Photograph courtesy of ©Stapleton Denver
Stapleton International Airport was the primary airport for the city of Denver and was a hub for four airline: United, Continental, Frontier and Western. Stapleton International Airport was decommissioned in 1995 with its old terminal and concourses torn down in 1997. The airport’s 12-story control tower still remains.
19. Drinking Coffee at Paris on the Platte
Photograph courtesy of ©9000 Miles
Paris on the Platte was located on Platte Street in the Confluence Park/Riverfront neighborhood. Denver locals vividly recall enjoying late nights drinking coffee, listening to mellow music and smoking cigarettes indoors! Paris on the Platte officially closed its doors in January 2015.
20. And Drinking Alcoholic Beverages at Lancer Lounge
Photo Credit: ©Sean M.
Lancer Lounge was located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood and served Denver locals alcoholic beverages for 23 years. The bar opened in the mid-1960s and was considered a “no-frills bar”, and a local hangout, that remained the same for decades.
Lancer Lounge closed in 2012.
21. Cheering on the Denver Broncos at the Original Mile High Stadium Along with The Barrel Man
If you were a Broncos fan in the 90s then you will recall the Original Mile High Stadium and its (then) infamous tailgating supporter, The Barrel Man!
Psst… A special thank you to Kyle Drenon, Marketing Director of Murney Associates Realtors in Springfield, Missouri, for the inspiration for this article, as well as the following people for sharing their memories at the places mentioned above: Devvy Altman, Emily Chaney, Tom Cryer, Alyson Goodman, Larry Hotz & Elizabeth Hotz, Andi Leahey, Libby Levinson, Brigette Modglin, Leslie Monaco, Nancy Benedict Nielsen, Tyler Olmsted, Brittany Ouzts, Ashley Rosenberg, John Sable, Allison Smookler, Elizabeth VanCamp & Molly Cook Weiss.
C'Anne Faumere
February 22, 2020 at 6:33 amThat was a great trip down memory lane!
Bonnie Younger
February 22, 2020 at 8:14 amDancing at the Zanza Bar on Colfax
Brian
February 22, 2020 at 8:58 amBefore it was Mile High stadium, it was Bears stadium. Don’t forget eating at Top of the Rockies Restaurant. I remember 7 drive in theaters in the metro area. I remember when you had to drive west on U.S.40 to go through the mountains, because I70 hadnt been built yet.
Ellen Keralla
February 22, 2020 at 10:50 amWhat about “The Riviera” in Glendale? With the piranha fish.
Mary Korch
February 22, 2020 at 12:14 pmJuicy Lucy’s burgers (drive thru) I rented a limo for my daughter’s 16th birthday and they drove through Juicy Lucy’s in the limo and then spent the rest of the night at Elitch’s. Great burgers.
Kay
February 22, 2020 at 10:38 pmYou forgot Casa Bonita.
Neal elinoff
February 23, 2020 at 11:41 amFuntastic Nathan’s is now Lollipop park in Centennial. Nathan is my little brother.
Brenda
February 23, 2020 at 11:10 pmThose was the good old days. Sometimes I just wish things would stay the same but we know that can’t happen. But it was definitely better days
Mary McConkey
February 24, 2020 at 9:52 amThe gigantic moving air balloons in the center of the Westminster Mall! The mall was shaped like a cross- 2 long wings and 2 short wings. We would walk every inch of that mall checking things out!
Brad Helin
March 4, 2020 at 11:51 pmYou forgot the Organ Grinder. The pizza place on Alameda just east of Federal blvd where now stands a loco pollo and a bank . when you walked in the front doors you were surrounded by glass walls which encased the huge floor to ceiling pipes from the organ played live nightly by a gentleman with an automated toy monkey atop the organ dressed in stripes that played the cymbals.(poorly but I think that was the point) There was small arcade for further entertaining the kids . I remember it fondly as I always loved dinner there. The pizza was actually quite good and the atmosphere was fun and upbeat. I miss that place it was one of my childhood favorites along with Casa Bonita and Fargo’s Pizza.
Mor Zucker
March 11, 2020 at 9:54 amThanks for the addition! It’s always fun to look back at our childhood and remember our favorite places. =)
Mark Jesulaitis
March 31, 2020 at 9:19 pmAlways went for a beef combo and a liter of .margaritas every week to a place in Glendale the late 80′ early 90’s. Had a 500 gallon aquarium behind the bar with a piranha called Adolf Scarf AKA their credit manager in it.
Who can forget The Riviera Glendale’s only Country Club