IT WAS like being back in Blockbusters, with video tapes stacked on shelves and a rogue Pepsi machine in the corner that would take me on a funky 90s adventure.
Formerly Bunga Bunga, located in London, Bunga 90 is a fun experience bar themed all around the 90s.
It follows the massive success of a previous site in Battersea, which often hosted wild parties and was a haunt for major celebs including Cara Delevingne and Margot Robbie.
Prince Harry was such a regular that he earned the title of the ‘Bunga Bunga Prince‘.
Sadly, the venue closed its doors in 2022 but I have a feeling Bunga 90 in Covent Garden more than makes up for it.
Upon entering, I was surrounded by video tapes – cult classics like the 1996 Romeo and Juliet and Fight Club and 90s memorabilia.
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Everything was a feast for the eyes, with an ‘Adult Only XXX’ section and even two PlayStations set up on old TVs – static fuzz and all.
There was no way this was the entrance to a bar, I thought, looking around for a doorway but failing to see one.
At the back of the store stood a classic Pepsi vending machine.
“This is no regular Pepsi vending machine, this is the Pepsi Time Machine”, the host announced gesturing to the front of the appliance.
Before I knew it, he was prying at its edges and for a second I thought he was genuinely mad.
But lo and behold, the front peeled off to reveal a portal into a world of neon lights.
Venturing through the drinks machine, I found myself in a neon-lit room, with a mass of cables running across each wall.
Music was thumping and the lights pulsing – it felt like what I would imagine travelling in Doctor Who‘s Tardis would be like, only a bit more hip.
At the other end of the small room was a door which opened to reveal a landing and a set of stairs adorned with 90s wallpaper and wooden frames, leading to the bar.
And much like Doctor Who‘s Tardis where it looks smaller on the outside but is huge on the inside – a sprawling bar appeared before my eyes.
Old TV screens with grainy music videos playing sit behind the bar, giant sneakers hang from the ceiling and wooden paneling is plastered across the walls.
I sat at my table, looking around with my mouth open – every single inch of the venue was covered in things from the 90s – The Spice Girls, Champagne Supernova… you name it.
And the theming doesn’t stop at what surrounded me.
For drinks, I ordered three of the bar’s signatures that have been doing the rounds on social media – Fresh Prince, Britney B*tch and The Brick – costing £13 each (for London prices, I didn’t think this was too bad).
The cocktails each come in giant mugs of either the celeb or the item – I never thought I’d say I drank out of Britney Spears‘ head.
Both Fresh Prince and Britney B*tch were great, the former being tequila, Aperol, cactus, prickly pear, hibiscus, lime and grapefruit and the latter being gin, bergamot, lychee, raspberry, lime and lemonade.
The Brick on the other hand – coming in a giant ceramic brick phone – was not to my fancy, but I can imagine others would like it.
It featured spiced rum, Malibu, even more rum, pineapple, coconut and lime.
For my fourth choice, I had The $10 Shake, costing £10 and featuring Belvedere Dirty Brew vodka, vanilla ice cream and Pepsi, but couldn’t manage more than a few sips.
The bar also offers some food choices including giant 20 inch pizzas for £25 a pop.
They are great for sharing and the pepperoni one was super tasty, with gooey, stringy melted cheese.
I had a great time in at my table, which meant I wasn’t quite ready to leave when the 90-minute table booking was up.
If you plan on going, I’d suggest that two people book back-to-back slots, so you can spend more time enjoying drinks and food at your own table.
Not that you have to leave afterwards, as there is a bar and dancefloor.
Make sure to drop your stuff in the cloakroom so you don’t have to worry about it when you no longer have a table.
There are lots of activities and photo ops throughout the venue, like classic arcade machines and karaoke.
Not a karaoke fan myself, I sat back and thoroughly enjoyed someone defrosting Mariah Carey‘s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ way too early, and a man perfectly reciting Sir Mix-a-Lot’s ‘Baby Got Back’.
For those who like a sing-along but with a bit more privacy, head to the foyer of the toilets, where you’ll find a screen constantly playing karaoke.
I left through the ‘staff only’ door of the video game store – a nice touch to keep you feeling like you are in the 90s, and not a bar.
If you love themed bars, then also head to the Benidorm-themed bar in the UK with bingo, karaoke and cabaret.
Plus, ‘Capri-inspired’ beach bar with real sand and Ibiza-style DJ sessions opens in UK city.