A Black- and Latina-owned and operated nightclub has opened in Downtown Binghamton. Aqua Nightclub is a three-floor club on 124 State St., an address that has hosted several nightclubs and restaurants in the past.

Charina Diaz, manager of Aqua Nightclub, wrote in an email that the club offers reasonable prices and space for all students, whether they are looking for an atmosphere for partying or lounging. All three floors of the nightclub are lit by dim blue lights, with a lounge area and minibar in the basement, a full bar on the first floor and a DJ booth and dance floor on the second floor. The dance floor is complete with a disco ball and strobe lights.

“We have three floors that set us apart from other businesses Downtown,” Diaz wrote. “Even though we are a nightclub, we still offer affordable prices for drinks and we have a basement lounge bar that is more relaxed.”

Since opening in late November, Aqua Nightclub has become a new late-night spot for students. The nightclub currently operates from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday nights and from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, following current New York state COVID-19 mandates which require proof of vaccination and ID for entry to an establishment. According to a recent Instagram post, Aqua Nightclub also requires a Binghamton University ID from students. During and outside normal operating hours, Aqua Nightclub is open to reserve for private events.

“We are following the state mandate of requiring proof of vaccination for entry,” Diaz wrote. “Since we have three floors, we can have more than one private event happening at once by closing off floors.”

Aqua Nightclub was home to other nightclubs and bars in the past. According to WNBF, the most recent club to operate in the space was the Liquid Nightclub and past businesses include Bar 607, Benlin’s and the Beaugart Restaurant. According to Diaz, Aqua Nightclub faced challenges with renovations and obtaining permits earlier in the semester, but its opening nights were successes either way.

“We had just gotten our food and liquor permit during the semester and with all the renovations, we had to work quickly to open for the last few weeks of fall semester,” Diaz wrote. “The first few weeks went as expected, on our grand day our place reached maximum capacity.”

Students can also work at Aqua Nightclub, which is currently looking for DJs, bartenders, barbacks and bouncers. Olivia Le, a bartender at Aqua Nightclub and senior majoring in business administration, wrote about her experience in an email.

“They understand we’re all students and that school comes first, so they’re always super flexible when it comes to scheduling,” Le said. “Although Aqua [Nightclub] hasn’t been open for long, everyone who works there has already become pretty good friends.”

Le wrote that managers and owners aim for Aqua Nightclub to be a safe and comfortable space for students.

“The manager also really emphasizes safety, not just for workers but for student customers as well,” Le said. “Someone is always offering to give me a ride home or walk me to my car at the end of the night when we close up. The owner strives to make Aqua [Nightclub] a spot specifically for any and all BU students to be able to have fun with their fellow peers without ever feeling uncomfortable or unsafe.”

As the semester progresses, Aqua Nightclub might become a new favorite for BU students on the weekends. For more information on their operations, deals and upcoming events and giveaways, follow its Instagram page here.