Playback96 is a new 90s-themed games venue opening at Chadstone’s Social Quarter on 27 August, with nine physical challenge games, a licensed bar, and an 8pm cut-off for anyone under 18.
We’re always looking for a reason to spend a bit longer in Chadstone’s Social Quarter, and Playback96 has given us a good one. Think video store shelves stacked with VHS tapes, a wall of retro brick phones, and a giant Etch A Sketch you play against your kids. It’s from the team behind Hijinx Hotel Chadstone, so we already know the games-and-cocktails format works well for a family afternoon.
Playback96: What to Expect
Playback96 sits on Level 1 of Chadstone, in the Social Quarter, right next to Holey Moley Golf Club.
You check in at the “Walkman” Radio Wall to grab your game card, then move freely between nine physical challenges for an hour of unlimited play. There’s no set order and no queueing for a single game the whole visit.
The whole place is dressed for the decade: cult movie posters, a stand-up N64 console, glowing Furbys, dial-up modem phones and life-size 90s movie cutouts. There’s even a retro hairdresser-themed corner called Shazza’s, where you try to name songs playing through the hair dryers.
The soundtrack leans into 90s deep cuts rather than the obvious hits, and the bar serves food and drinks throughout, so you’re welcome to eat and drink while you play.
Highlights for Kids
The nine games are built around 90s pop culture and reflex challenges rather than anything too complicated, so most primary-school-aged kids should be able to jump in without much explanation. Standouts include:
- Total Recall – a memory game built around 90s pop culture trivia.
- Stop Hammer Time – a reaction game for the fastest hands in the group.
- The retro phone wall – guests race to match patterns on a bank of old-school brick phones.
- Pong Time – an arcade-style twist on beer pong, played without the beer.
- Line Master – an oversized Etch A Sketch-style draw-and-guess game.
- Ready Player Run – a dodge-the-pendulums challenge through a tunnel.
We recommend groups of four to six players for the best experience, though you can play with more if you book a bigger group.
What Parents Need to Know
Pricing: Adult tickets are $29 per person, and kids’ tickets are $22 per person, for an hour of unlimited play across all nine games.
Age policy: Under-18s are welcome during the day, but Playback96 becomes an 18+ venue after 8pm. If you’re planning an early dinner-and-games outing, you’ll have plenty of time; if you’re thinking of a later session, check the cut-off before you book.
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday, 9:30am to 10pm. Friday and Saturday, 9:30am to 11pm.
Booking: Bookings are recommended, as walk-in spots are limited. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your session for a briefing on the games, or earlier if you want time to grab a drink first.
Food and drink: The venue is licensed, and food and drinks are available to enjoy while you play — worth knowing if you’re after an easy dinner-and-entertainment combo rather than a quick side activity.
Getting there: Playback96 is in the Social Quarter on Level 1 of Chadstone, with the closest parking at Carpark B, and a direct Uber drop-off point at the centre.
Is It Worth Visiting With Kids?
Playback96 is a better fit for families with older primary-school kids, tweens and teens than for toddlers or preschoolers. The games rely on reflexes, pattern recognition and pop culture knowledge, and the venue is a licensed bar first and foremost.
For a family who’s already fans of Hijinx Hotel Chadstone or Archie Brothers, Playback96 slots in as another hour-long activity to pair with a Chadstone day out — and the 90s theme gives parents just as much to enjoy as the kids, which isn’t always the case with kids’ entertainment venues.
We’ll be booking a session ourselves once it opens, and we’ll update this guide with our own experience, including how it actually plays with younger kids in the mix.
More to Explore at Chadstone
Playback96 is one of several family-friendly stops in and around Chadstone worth building into a bigger day out:
- Hijinx Hotel Chadstone — challenge rooms in the same Social Quarter.
- LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Melbourne — indoor LEGO-themed play, ideal for younger kids.
- ImaginationNation Chadstone — hands-on discovery play for littler ones.
- Chadstone Hotel — a place to stay if you’re making a full weekend of it.
FAQs
When does Playback96 open at Chadstone?
Playback96 opens to the public on Thursday 27 August 2026.
How much does Playback96 cost?
Adult tickets are $29 per person and kids’ tickets are $22 per person, which includes an hour of unlimited play across all nine games.
Can kids go to Playback96 at any time?
Under-18s are permitted during the day, but the venue is 18+ only after 8pm.
Where is Playback96 located?
It’s on Level 1 of Chadstone Shopping Centre, in the Social Quarter, next to Holey Moley Golf Club.
Do you need to book ahead?
Yes, booking is recommended. Walk-ins are only available in limited numbers, and sessions can sell out.
