90s trends find a place in today’s bars

Jelly shoes, scrunchies, mood rings and roller blades — these are just a few of the iconic… Jelly shoes, scrunchies, mood rings and roller blades — these are just a few of the iconic reminders of a ’90s childhood.

Right outside Oakland, there is a bar that can rush you back to the time of Spice Girls and boy bands — “Fresh Prince,” spike-haired Backstreet Boys and all. Belvedere’s Ultra Dive’s ’90s Night has become a monthly go-to for me and my friends over the past year.

Belvedere’s, which is located on Butler Street in Lawrenceville, welcomes guests with specially themed nights promoted by Joy Toujours, the bar’s promoter. The doorman greets those entering through the narrow door and then waits, ready to emblazon the hands of the next arrivals with Belvedere’s trademark “You are beautiful” stamp.

“We put the stamp on people’s hands, and they immediately smile. Anything you can do that makes someone smile,” Toujours said.

Even though the front bar area prohibits smoking, Belvedere’s continues to serve as a smoking bar throughout the rest of its facility, which accumulates a considerable amount of cigarette smoke.

There might only be a few bar-goers who choose to match the ’90s Night theme, leading to very few scrunchies on the dance floor. Instead, a blend of punk rock, hipster-esque plaid and skinny jeans color the bar’s jam session.

“I would best describe it as … well, by looks, it is the exact picture of grandma’s basement. A kitchen that burnt down, pool tables and old out-of-fashion couches,” Shell Hanrahan, a recent Pitt graduate and fan of Belvedere’s, said.

From listening to oldies to playing a game of pool, there are many things to do at the bar.

If a decade-themed night doesn’t sound appealing, rollerblading junkies like me can enjoy the tremendously popular “Down ‘N’ Derby” roller derby nights. There are also Awezome Karaoke and Out-of-Order Electro nights, Punk DJs and Walkindead Projection nights.

Out-of-Order is a dubstep techno-bass-themed evening dissimilar to other themed nights in the city of Pittsburgh. Also, for Christina Aguilera and Cher lovers — or just overtly promiscuous ladies — there are Burlesque and Sexplosion dance nights. No judgements, and in the words of your freshly stamped hand: You are beautiful.

Not only does Belvedere’s host themed nights, they also welcome bands to come and perform. They have hosted bands such as World/Inferno Friendship Society and The Queers.

“It’s been seven years, and we’re finally at a good point where we have a really full monthly calendar,” Toujours said.

Because the space is set up with a dance floor, there is ample room for attendees to move to the music provided by the DJ. Dressing down is completely acceptable, and it’s normal to have the urge to shower before settling into bed after a night at Belvedere’s.

Belvedere’s has an authentic appeal because of its many different components, and anyone living in Pittsburgh should experience it at least once.

Information about upcoming events can be found at the Belvedere’s Ultra Dive website, www.belvederesultradive.com, or on its Facebook page, Belvedere’s Ultra-Dive.