It’s two in the morning on Friday night, and while most of the world is sleeping, the average Binghamton University student is dancing his or her heart out on the Scoreboard dance floor or downing beers at Tom & Marty’s. The music is blasting so loudly you can barely hear yourself think and all you need is an escape.

Escape State Street, nestled in the quiet Washington Street alcove at number 163, is the brainchild of Alex Pfaffenbach, a BU alumnus who graduated in spring 2009, Andrew Nolan, a senior philosophy, politics and law major, and Endicott native Dustin Maldonado, all of whom worked together at Court Street sushi restaurant Sake-Tumi.

All three have had their share of experience in the food industry and have their own entrepreneurial drive.

“I’ve always wanted to start my own business and a sandwich shop open late seemed it would be the most profitable to students and locals,” Nolan said.

When the address’ former tenant, Fabrizio’s Bistro, was forced to close its doors and left behind a whole bunch of equipment, it seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for breakfast and lunch, and then again from 8 p.m. to an hour after the bars close, Escape allows hard-partying students to take a breather in the middle of their night.

“If you’re Downtown and need to get away for a minute, it provides a different atmosphere,” Pfaffenbach explained.

Offering a healthier alternative to other late-night restaurants in the area, Escape’s menu is pretty refreshing.

“Compared to the other restaurants in Binghamton it’s pretty great,” Sean Brigandi, a junior electrical engineering major said.

Created by Nolan and Maldonado, the menu consists of paninis such as the “Have a Cow” panini made with roast beef and provolone, as well as assorted personal pizzas, all priced at under $8 to cater to a student’s budget. Each of the pizzas are made to order while sandwiches are pre-made that morning and vacuum-sealed to allow shorter lines and more options.

“It’s not going to break the bank and it’s all fresh,” Pfaffenbach said.

While the trio aims to cater to the younger crowd, they also feel they’re making a contribution to the city of Binghamton. Some of their menu items feature tributes to the area, such as the Chicken Spiedie Pizza and the Abracadabra Pesto Pizza, made with chicken, tomatoes and Whole in the Wall’s famous pesto.

“Being in the area for four years and living in the area, everyone is trying to mesh the community and the University together,” Pfaffenbach said. “For us to do our part is really nice.”

Because of the restaurant’s out-of-the-way location, there aren’t too many stragglers walking in by chance. However, with no advertising apart from a Press & Sun-Bulletin article and some plugs by the Rathskeller DJs, Escape seems to be doing pretty well.

“So far we’ve surpassed expectations by a large margin,” Pfaffenbach said.

A lot of patrons, such as Josh Lambert, a senior computer science major, have shown up simply due to word of mouth.

“My friends took me there last weekend,” Lambert said. “That place is the tits.”

Already looking toward the future, Escape has applied for its liquor license to be able to serve beer and wine and achieve a more European cafÃ.é feel. They also hope to eventually franchise the idea and open alternate locations.

While they are planning ahead, Pfaffenbach, Nolan and Maldonado are also making sure to take it all in.

“It’s definitely a dream come true for us,” Pfaffenbach said.