Adelaide-style living in the ‘90s: This is how we looked, what we loved

FROM Jazz Junction at Dazzeland, to John Martin’s, Flash Gelati and The Planet nightclub ... remember life in the heart of Adelaide in the 1990s?

John Martin's, just one of the names synonymous with Adelaide and South Australia, for so many years. Now it is just a memory.

THERE’S no denying that Adelaide has come a long way over the past decade. There are places that have changed for the better (looking at you, Leigh St) and others we wish would return (still miss you, Dazzeland).

For a bit of fun, and to celebrate The City’s first birthday, we dug through the archives to reminisce on days gone by.

So sit back, relax, and travel back in time to the ‘90s ...

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The changing face of Leigh St

THERE was no outdoor dining on Leigh St in the 1990s. The street had been under the ownership of the Anglican Church (its former head office is now home to Cos restaurant) since 1839. It wasn’t until the late ‘90s — when property investment and development company Ipoh bought the street for $8.25m — that it started resembling what it is today.

Here’s Leigh St in 1997.

Another shot of Leigh St in 1997. Coffee Branch, where are you?

Hollywood in the city

THERE was a time we were spoilt for choice when it came to movie viewing in the city. Greater Union cinema opened a five-screen cinema in Hindley St in 1991, right near the equally-as-awesome Timezone arcade.

You could also catch a flick at Regent Cinema in Regent Arcade. Owned by Hoyts, the cinema held its last screening in 2004.

While Hoyts had its Regent Arcade cinema, Wallis ran the Academy Cinema in Hindmarsh Square until 2007, when it was bulldozed to make way for the Crowne Plaza.

A movie buff’s delight ... the Greater Union Cinema boasted five screens.

You could get movie snacks at the candy bar at Hindley St’s Greater Union cinema complex.

Hoyts Cinemas in Regent Arcade ... it had the most buttery popcorn in Adelaide!

The Academy Cinema in Hindmarsh Square ... as it looked in 1981.

Rundle Mall evolves

RUNDLE Mall had trees back in the 1990s — Adelaide City Council put in new paving, lights, seating and during the ‘90s with the bronze pigs making their debut in 1999.

Here’s how the mall looked in 1995.

Adelaide’s life-size pigs ... installed in the mall in 1999.

Iconic eating spots

YOU could stop for a frog cake at the Balfour’s cafe — a shopping trip to the mall wasn’t complete without a sausage roll covered in sauce. The cafe closed in 2004.

While the go-to place for gelati was Flash on Hindley St. This coffee spot and gelateria was the haunt responsible for introducing the beloved Italian sweet treat to the city

Balfour’s cafe — a must-stop spot when visiting the city.

Another shot of Balfour’s cafe before it closed in 2004 ... there were plenty of savouries and cakes to sustain you while on a shopping trip.

Flash coffee gelateria cafe coffee shop in 2000 ... introducing Adelaide to the Italian icy treat.

And who can forget those Coke umbrellas on Hindley St? This picture was taken in 1990.

Memory lane

IF you were tall enough, you could ride the Jazz Junction at Dazzeland. Just the thought of hopping into the rollercoaster at this indoor theme park at the top of the Myer Centre is enough to make any ‘90s kid’s heart skip a beat. We said goodbye to Dazzeland in 1998 — and the youth wept.

Happy days at Dazzeland ... the rollercoaster provided endless fun to the city’s youngsters.

A file picture of Adelaide artist Monski Mouse (Monica Gonzalez) at Dazzeland in 1994 for the Adelaide Festival.

Household names

JOHN Martin & Co, known as John Martin’s or simply Johnnies, was an Adelaide-based company which ran a popular chain of department stores in South Australia.

It operated for more than 130 years, from 1866[ until its closure in 1998.

Johnnies, owned by the prominent Hayward family for the majority of its existence, became an Adelaide icon, responsible for the famous Adelaide Christmas Pageant.

- Information from Wikipedia

The view of John Martin's as seen from North Terrace ... in 1993.

Magical memories

DAVID Jones still had piano players. The music was as classy as the surroundings. Look at that tiling. Downstairs was home to the Food Hall, full of specialty chocolates and other gourmet treats.

Remember when a trip to David Jones was a magical experience?

Browsing the David Jones’ Food Hall ... in 1988.

Night-time fun

ADELAIDEANS of a certain age will almost certainly have a story or two to tell about a night out at the city’s Planet nightclub which also attracted visiting sports stars and celebrities and was, for a time, the place to be seen

The Planet nightclub sign 30 Apr 2001.

While the Boltz Cafe on Rundle St was another favourite night-time haunt. Comedians such as Wil Anderson and Justin Hamilton often had gigs here.

Boltz Cafe ... if those walls could talk

Still going strong ...

AND just for fun, here’s a snap of the city’s beloved Central Market, taken more than a decade and a half ago

Central Market action ... in 1999.

TELL US BELOW: What were your favourite city places of the ‘90s?