Imagine what it would be like if someone transported you from Cardiff in the '90s and dropped you smack bang in the middle of Cardiff circa 2023. While some of the major landmarks would still exist, so much of what we took for granted has gone.
From shops and shopping arcades to tourist attractions, sports facilities, and clubs - the changes are undeniable. The list below is in no way meant to be comprehensive, so please let us know in the comments the other things you think should be included, as we love to hear from you.
So let us get to the nitty-gritty and see some of the things that we could do back in the decade that gave us Oasis, Shampoo, and the Spice Girls - and so much more.
Read more: The Cardiff characters who ran the pubs and bars that we still miss
1. Grab a bite to eat at the Food Theatre/Queens West Shopping Centre
Yes, the Food Theatre inside the Queens West Shopping Centre was the place to go for food back in the '90s.
With Pizza Pasta, Cadillac Ranch, Patisserie, Spud U Like, Fish 'N Chips, Chicken & Ribs, and Green House Salads - there was something for everyone! Alas the place was turned into TK Maxx in the late '90s and early '00s and is now a gym.
2. Dance the night away at the Astoria on Queens Street
The Astoria club on Queen Street was one of the top clubs for music, which catered for everyone and especially students.
The venue also saw some of today's rock legends play early in their careers including Oasis, Manic Street Preachers and Therapy? to rock royalty such as The Cult who played there in the '90s. The venue is now Matalan.
3. Listen to some of the best dance/rave music at the Hippo Club on Penarth Road
If you were into any kind of alternative music in the '90s then the place to go was, of course, The Hippo Club if you loved to rave, or if you were more of a metalhead, then Bogiez on the ground floor was the venue for you.
Unfortunately, the venue closed in 2000 and was redeveloped into what is now Callaghan Square.
4. Get the latest tickets to shows in Cardiff and all over the UK at Ticketline
One of the biggest changes to the way we buy tickets these days is the ability to buy tickets online without the need to queue up for hours to be first in line to get your hands on the latest gig tickets.
Back in the '90s, Ticketline in Westgate Street was one of the first places to go if you wanted to buy tickets for the city centre's big shows as well as nationwide coach trips for even bigger shows in England and Scotland.
5. See the latest movie blockbuster at one of three cinemas along Queen Street
There was something special in going to one of Queen Street's many cinemas to catch the most recent blockbuster movie.
You also have your pick of cinemas and screens with ABC, Odeon, and Cannon. Now there are no cinemas along Queen Street.
6. Go skating at the Wales National Ice Rink in the middle of the city centre
Even if it was scorching outside - you knew that you could always cool off with an ice-skating session with your friends.
Maybe you were even trying to impress someone on the other side of the rink only to fall flat on your face. If this did happen, at least you could hide away in the city centre afterwards and wait for the embarrassment to go away.
7. Pop into an Argos shop in the city centre
Maybe you were working in town and needed to get the latest gadget during your lunch break - one of the first places for you to go to would be Argos with their laminated book of everything.
While there is an Argos collection point inside the Sainsburys on Queen Street, it is not the same as an actual shop that you could pop into and buy the desired item.
8. Meet Qwestie the dragon
This is one of the more niche items on the list, in that Queens West Shopping Centre would host their own animations which featured the likes of Qwestie the Dragon, the Mad March Hare, and even the Fungus Brothers, who were, yeah, talking mushrooms!
9. Buy the latest fashions and gadgets at Littlewoods & Index
In the same vein as Argos, Littlewoods' The Index Catalogue shop tried to take on the kings of the catalogue, Argos, but eventually lost. It is a shame, as when Index went, Littlewoods also went with it.
The old Littlewoods/Index shop on Queen Street is now Next.
10. Join the MVC in the Hayes
If you remember the Music Video Club then chances are you loved music and videos. MVC had their own membership card and if you were a member then you would be able to buy CDs, Laserdiscs and videos at a cheaper price.
As with most music retailers, MVC was bought out by a rival, this time it was Music Zone, that closed them down over time. The Cardiff one would have been roughly where the Hayes entrance is at the moment for St David's Dewi Sant.
11. Shop at David Morgans and Debenhams
David Morgan's was the department store that originally opened in 1879 and closed in 2005 after 125 years of trading. Currently, the shop is occupied by TK Maxx and some of the shop was also redeveloped into apartments.
12. Buy the latest poptastic sounds at the Virgin Megastore in the Capitol Centre
The Virgin Megastore situated in The Capitol Centre stocked loads of music across saw two floors full to the brim of vinyl, cassettes, CDs, VHS tapes and then DVDs.
Currently, the ground floor is taken up by Tesco and the top floor of Virgin is now taken up by The Gym Group.
13. See the legends at the National Stadium of Wales - Cardiff Arms Park
The National Stadium of Wales saw the likes of David Bowie, Michael Jackson, U2, Dire Straits, REM, Tina Turner, Bon Jovi, and The Rolling Stones take the stage.
Closing in 1997 to make way for the Millennium Stadium, now the Principality Stadium, the last concert to be held there was Tina Turner in July 1996.
14. Go for a swim at the Empire Pool
Another casualty of the Millennium Stadium was the Empire Pool. Originally opening in time for the 1958 Commonwealth Games, the Wales Empire Pool was demolished in 1998 and has left a big swimming pool hole in the centre of Cardiff.
15. Get fresh fruit from the outdoor market
Fresh fruit and veg never tasted better than from Cardiff's open-air market. I still like to buy my fruit and veg from the market, but I really do miss the market that was situated on Barrack Lane.
It was like a sideway into fruit heaven, although sometimes the smell from the public toilets not far from the stalls didn't help.
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