Nightlife Review: Scoreboard in Binghamton NY

Binghamton NY is a city that recently hit the national news. But the city is far more than that tragic event. Even now the city and its populace are trying to move forward from that day.

One aspect of the city that was not covered by the media is the nightlife. There is a robust college student presence in Binghamton. Like all college students a desire to go out and let off steam is as important as getting good grades. The Scoreboard Bar is an important, if somewhat new, part of that process.

The Scoreboard Bar is located on State Street, downstairs from the street level. It's a sports bar primarily, but also has a nightclub with a dance floor and DJ. The bar is split into 2 sections, which can be traversed with ease. Half is the sports bar with over 8 seperate flat screen televisions covering baseball, basketball, hockey, golf and other sporting events daily. The other half is the nightclub, with a dance floor, DJ booth, strobe lights, and more.

No matter which side you might choose to go to you can find plenty of room for dancing or just sitting at the bar and watching a game. On the sports bar side there is additional seating with booths that are open to the rest of the bar. Both sides feature a pool table with enough room for even the tallest player. And there are bathrooms for men and women on each side as well.

There is a lot that can be said for the Scoreboard, but I think the photos give a better indication of how well liked it is already. I say that because the bar has only opened up this month, and is still not known to the populace at large yet. And there are more things to come in the near future - including a kitchen.

The music is lively on either side (the sports bar side tends to play music later in the night after most sporting events are over) though the nightclub is a bit more danceable and festive. The sound system is powerful, but never so loud that your ear will be spliting. The bars are well stocked, with an attentive staff. Plus there are several bouncers on hand to ensure the safety and good time for all patrons.

In addition to all of that there are the various promotional events from time to time. One example is a wet t-shirt contest that recently occured on the nightclub side. It wa an idea that went over very well as you can see from the video. The entire crowd, young men and women, seemed to have a great time. I would imagine that the event will become more of a fixture in the future based on the response the crowd gave to the show.



There aren't a lot of things you can say about a bar beyond if it's worth going to or not. I would say that the Scoreboard is worth the time. It's safe, well located, roomy even when the crowd comes in, friendly, well-staffed, clean, and good music. There are many places in Binghamton, or any town for that matter, that can't say the same things.

If you are in Binghamton and want to watch a sporting event, or want to go out and dance, or even just want to go and play a game of pool going to the Scoreboard will let you do all of the above and more.

Reviewing the nightclub Instinct Part 2 - 9.11.2007.4

Continue from Reviewing the nightclub Instinct Part 1...

The next major item is of course the bartending at the bar. The bar is fully stocked with a wide selection of vodkas including Grey Goose, multiple rums, including Captain Morgan's, and most every other popular liquor you can think of. If you prefer beer there are multiple selections going from the domestic to the imported, each at a reasonable price. The bar is so well stocked that most any liquor choice most would have can be found, including a personal favorite, scotches such as the 18 year old Glenlivet Scotch. And if wine is your thing, the cellar goes from Napa Valley to Romania. There are several Merlots that I've had that I think are excellent choices. You will also find drink specials that change depending on which night you arrive.

The other component for the bar is the bartenders. You might expect that an upscale nightclub, similar to those found in New York City would have bartenders that might have an attitude similar to the ones in New York. And you would be wrong. The staff is fun, young, affable people that have a great deal of knowledge on various types of drinks. Many have come from some of the top bars, restaurants and nightclubs to be found in Binghamton area. As for guys, you'll be happy to be served as much is that what you're being served. For the ladies, several of the male bartenders should make you feel the same (sorry ladies, I have to guess at this because I'm a guy and I really don't know). Both way, there are many good conversations to be had and happy smiles that are genuine, because you can tell they truly enjoy working at this establishment.

And not nearly last or least is a security. Security can be found both outside and inside the nightclub. Expect IDs to be asked for and checked with some of the latest technology to verify IDs. While those 18 and older will be allowed in, be assured you will not be drinking. For those that try to engage in underage drinking expect to be escorted out and ask never to return. In terms of safety and keeping the peace and security staff is right on the mark. They are both polite and resolute in defusing situations and maintaining a positive atmosphere within the club.

When you take each of these elements that I've just described you get an idea of what you might expect, but it's not quite complete. The parts that are missing are the people. This may be one of the most interesting parts of the entire night club, because you can find a wide assortment of people at Instinct. I've been to club several times on several different days and I've noted that you can find Whites, Blacks, Hispanics and Asians all in the club at the same time. I've never noticed an issue among the crowd on who's there and who isn't. That's something that really makes a statement about how well run, and how enjoyable an experience this nightclub can be.

Not only is the clientele diverse, but so is the styles clothing. Patrons can range from suit and ties, to hip-hop. At this point, there is no dress code, though there may be a change of that in the future. But otherwise most any way that you describe dressing to impress you can find it here.

One thing I should note is that the age range in the crowd tends to be older earlier in the evening, and getting somewhat younger towards the end of the night. In a similar manner, the music can range from top 40 with some Latin songs to progressively more nightclub hip-hop as the hours pass. It's not uncommon to see a changing of the guard as the night goes on from business people or those parents out for a night, to college students and 20 something’s by 3a.m. I for one have spent several evenings from the open of the club to a close dressed in suits (which I feel comfortable in) without a strange look all night.

Overall, I have to say that I find Instinct. The nightclub to be an enjoyable experience and well worth the time. The prices are roughly equivalent to every other nightclub in Binghamton and easily cheaper than those found in New York City. The look and feel is straight out of the City. The people, whether they work there or a patron, have always made me feel comfortable and helped make a great evening.

If you haven't been to club Instinct yet I suggest you go. Whether it’s Ladies Night or over the weekend there is something for everyone to enjoy. Considering the other choices in Binghamton, I can’t imagine where else you’d want to be. You can reach Instinct at 607-757-9977 or www.instinctnightclub.com to ask about drink specials, or various activities at the nightclub.

Reviewing the nightclub Instinct - 9.11.2007.3

For those of us that live in Binghamton area some may be familiar with the state of affairs with evening entertainment. There are not a lot of choices. You have downtown, which is filled to overstuffing with college students that just want to binge drink and stumble back to campus. Spread thin throughout the rest of the town are local bars, most with nothing more than a jukebox for music (if a sports match is not on the television). Essentially it works out to be both go downtown and be swamped by 21 year olds (and those almost 21 with good fake ID’s), and risk being vomited on, or play hit-or-miss with the local bars.

So when a new venue opens one would expect that it would be jumped at. This is both true and untrue in respect to the nightclub Instinct. Stylish and upscale, yet with trendy music and reasonable drink prices it hits a middle ground most want to find. You won’t be crushed by college students en masse, though they are in the crowd, nor will you be stuck watching a baseball game with a room filled with your grandparents. This is perhaps the best choice for those say 23 to 40, with plenty to offer those above and below that age range.

Club Instinct is a unique place here in Binghamton. During the day, the club is an upscale restaurant, which I have spoken about previously. The fine dining matches, the overall decor and service. But on Thursday (Ladies Night), Friday, and Saturday nights a transformation occurs after the diners have left and the clock strikes 11p.m. It's at that time that a piece of Manhattan nightlife appears.

For those who haven't been in a New York nightclub you would expect to see mirrors, laser lights, a smoke machine and opulent bar, plenty of room and a large selection of top shelf drinks. Instinct does not let you down on any of these items. In fact, it is equal on each of these items as well as virtually any hotspot you can find on the Lower East Side. The lighting is one of the most critical factors, and here you'll find that while they are dim you will have no difficulty being able to see across the room or down at your feet. Great care it can be seen was taken to ensure that visitors would not feel like being a bat in a cave, while spending time at the club. At the same time, no one would confuse the lighting to be a blast of sunshine, which is perfect for those more akin to a vampire’s lifestyle.

The next most important item tends to be space. Thankfully, I can say that this club is hardly comparable to a closet. There is more than enough for one in the main bar section for dozens of people to stand and dance without tripping over each other. There is also additional room at the second bar for those not as interested in dancing. One nice feature of the open space and depth of the club is the fact that from virtually any spot on in the main dance area you can see who's coming in and moving about.

I should also mention that surrounding the DJ booth are wall-to-wall mirrors. This is something that I believe many of the ladies will be more interested in. I have observed on many nights women dancing and watching themselves in the mirrors, or touching up their outfits before starting to dance. So for those of you ladies that find this to be an important factor be happy it’s there.

I should also note that the laser lights, strobe lights, and fog machine are nice additions to the overall feel of the club, but are not overpowering. Unlike poor attempts at the same effect no one should feel woozy or lost in space, because of the effects that are ongoing. Like many of the aesthetics chosen for this nightclub they only add to the experience they can be had there.

One of the biggest things that everyone wonders about of course is the music. There are several DJs that work in rotation on several different nights, and each of them is quite good at what they do. Each of the DJs are professional, which is a great change of pace here in Binghamton, as there is nothing worse than listening to the dead space or massively conflicting beats as a song changes. On the several nights I've been to the nightclub I've always noticed that the crowd gets into the music, and there's always a few ladies dancing.

Continued in part 2...

What a nightclub can tell you Part 2 - 8.20.2007.2

Continued from What a nightclub can tell you Part 1...

That‘s not to say that just because someone looks like a convict, excuse me a thug, that they are one. It just happens that most of the guys I spoke with, that had the more expensive items and buying $130 dollar bottles of liquor they drank without glasses, had all been convicted of offenses with drugs and/or assault. What can I say, if it looks like, sounds like, and acts like a duck then it’s a duck.

As for the other guys, I just wonder. If they make the average salary in America for Blacks then $2000 for clothes and at least another $2000 for rims are worth about 20% of their annual salary. That’s before taxes. Does that sound like a particularly good way to spend money?

So I just wonder, is it really worth looking like a thug? Is spending $130 on a $40 dollar bottle of liquor smart? Is a guy sexier to a woman if he lives in the projects, owns nothing but a bunch of clothes and spends a large portion of his weekly check on a bottle or 2? Is there some loss of blackness when you don’t go to jail at some point in your life?

I can’t help but laugh. Much like those that snickered at me for wearing a suit. Or those that had to say loud enough for me to hear, “who does he think he is? I bet he doesn’t have any money?” Or the best yet, “You’re not Black. Look at how you dress and speak. You think you are White.”

Yet for all the odd looks, laughs and snickers, I know nearly every owner of the restaurants, bars, and nightclubs I go to in several states. I’m a respected business owner. And I have enough money for my needs and more. I’m not sitting on Snoop Dogg’s money, and it doesn’t upset me that I don’t.

Perhaps the biggest questions are the worth of the cost of chasing the Jones’ and living up to the image of what is Black that corporations have decided. Maybe if I just wanted to be a drone, wasting my money and my life, I’d chase this same image and buy the same goods. But as a man with a mind and will of my own I have chosen a separate path.

This is what I think, what do you think?

What a nightclub can tell you - 8.20.2007.1

I was out recently; at a club that has a huge hip hop following and I noticed a few things. Normally I tend to go to bars or more upscale places as they tend to have less of all the noise that I find gangsta rap to be, but I wanted to try something different. Different is hardly the word to describe what I noticed.

I realize that most would not go out in a suit to anywhere besides work, if it was required that they wear one. That is the general culture in America these days. Everyone wants to be as casual as possible. I am a bit old school, real old in style. I prefer to go out in a suit. I was raised that a man should stand out from a crowd. I was raised to take pride in my appearance. I have learned that most people make an assumption based on what you wear, and the first words out of your mouth regardless of the surroundings.

Given these facts, the particular club I was at, I was the only person in a suit. As I mentioned this is not a new experience for me. Every guy in the place, White, Black or Asian (yes they were all in the same place) was wearing sneakers or work boots, jeans, t-shirts and other accessories. You might have thought that there was some kind of music video going on.

Of course some were wearing their fake teeth. You may have seen this type of stuff before. Platinum, gold, diamonds and the rest in their mouths and earrings (usually just one) to match. It was quite the assortment of wannabe thugs, future rappers, convicts and soon-to-be convicts. When I say convicts, I mean just that as I was told by a few about the differences of county and state prisons. Joyous knowledge there.

But I started to wonder a few things. I tried to figure out how much money was being spent on this thug look, and comparing it to my own appearance. It was quite surprising.

Given the average thug there are sneakers that run about $150, jeans about $50, t-shirt (print on it) $45. Then there are the rings, gold with diamonds that can go from $325 to over $8000. A similar range can be found in gold teeth, ranging from a mere $30 to $7000. At a guess the top end of cost was not in this club, but some probably had the more mid-range of these items. Figure about $4000 at best, but more likely $2000.

For myself I had $200 shoes, a $1200 suit, and a $70 custom shirt. A mere $1500 for everything. I don’t wear rings, earrings or the like.

Before anyone might think me a pauper consider this. For all that money they are showing, they can’t wear most of it at work. Running around casually, they are targets to be robbed for the more expensive items. If they wanted to go to a fine dining restaurant, they wouldn’t be let in (well many of them). I don’t mean Red Lobster, or some other chain. That’s not fine dining; it’s just a fancier version of fast food.

Effectively they have a set of clothing that is useless for almost anything besides going out. Of course there are the more illegal occupations which it is perfect for. Yet again that also means that they are perfect targets for police to follow and arrest. The $2000 spinning rims don’t help either.

Continued in Part 2...

Review of the Instinct Resturant and Nightclub Part 2 - 8.16.2007.2

Continued from Review of the Instinct Resturant and Nightclub Part 1...

The salads were a bright display of colors and a tasty combination of lettuce, tomatoes and additional vegetables. Very crisp. Moving on to the main meal I had the Monaco Filet Mignon with roasted potatoes and my guest had the New York Strip with rice pilaf. The presentation was quite good.

While I enjoyed the Filet, I found the roasted potatoes to be slightly underdone, but that is because they are intended to be made that way. You can have them done in a more traditional manner by request as the waitperson takes your order. My guest equally found the meal satisfying. The merlot complimented the meat quite well. The portion size was easily filling, and my friend could not finish the New York Strip.

Other options that we could have had included Ahi Tuna, Jamaican Pork Chops, Rock Lobster Tail, Riviera Veal Chop (Thursday through Sunday) and Oven Roasted Duck to name a few. Throughout the menu, like the wines, Romania dishes are sprinkled along with other cuisine of a similar exotic nature.

In terms of pricing, Instinct is a bit more expensive than some of the other restaurants in the area. My meal with my guest and 1 bottle of wine worked out to about $35 per person, not including the tip. So it was far from exorbitant for locals, and a huge discount for those familiar with the prices found in say New York City.

Overall I found Instinct to be a lovely departure from the norm of most Binghamton area fare. It has a relaxing atmosphere and upscale look. The food is good, served in a timely manner, without the rush or crowding some posh fine dining restaurants seem to always include. The pricing is reasonable and far less than what could be expected for the quality that is provided. I can easily say that this is a place worth stopping at if you are driving through the area, or desirous of a trip to an out of the way, less fast-paced place.

If you would like to find out more about the hours, menu, specials, wine list, or other activities and events at Instinct you can check www.instinctnightclub.com or call 607-757-9977.

Review of the Instinct Resturant and Nightclub - 8.16.2007.1

For those that are traveling to Toronto, Syracuse, or New York City in the other direction, even those just traveling around and seeing different parts of New York State you might want to stop in the Binghamton area. The reason for the side trip is a relatively new fine dining restaurant called Instinct.

Instinct is a unique concept in the area in that it is an upscale fine dining restaurant during the day, and on Thursday through Saturday evenings it is also a nightclub. While many that live in cities such as New York, Chicago, Cleveland and others may find such a concept to be the norm Instinct is virtually the only option of this nature.

It is obvious that the owners, Romanians by descent, wanted to bring a touch of Manhattan nightlife to the area and they succeeded. Just looking at the style and arrangement within the restaurant and bar areas would lead one to think they might have been transported to SoHo or Midtown Manhattan. There is a comfortable modern feel that is not crowded or impersonal. The lighting, mirrors and color of the walls combine to set the warm tone, which is excellent for eating or dancing.

By the way, the restaurant opens up for dinner at 5pm and there is a dinner rush. But you can easily find yourself one of a few diners if you go just a bit later, say at 7:30 on a Wednesday night. And have no fear of being distracted by the bar crowd. That section is adjoining but separates enough to be of no consequence to having a great meal.

I will be speaking about the nightclub aspect of Instinct separately, but the dining is quite good. The staff is all quite friendly and knowledgeable. Several of the waiter/bartenders come from some of the top upscale restaurants in the area. All of them are friendly and informative, especially about the wine cellar and menu. In my meal there I found the waiter to be around enough to keep up with my needs and yet not even close to hovering.

Starting of with drinks the bar is fully stocked. Take particular notice that several top scotches and multiple popular brands of liquors are available. The variety of selection is one of the best in the entire area. This diversity is also found in the wine list. Wines from Sonoma Valley, local wineries and Romania can all be had here. Take note though that the selections are by the bottle and not the glass, except for the house wine, which is Turning Leaf.

I was looking forward to a Merlot called Vampire, which naturally comes from Romania. Sadly this was not available as they had just sold the last bottle earlier that night, but there was no delay in providing several comparable choices. We settled for a Ronald Strong 2002 Merlot, from Sonoma. This was a full bodied wine that was quite enjoyable.

Continued in Part 2...