New Nightclub Planned for Centre Plaza in Downtown Binghamton

This story has been updated with new information about the planned public hearing.

A new eating and drinking establishment is being proposed for a familiar site in downtown Binghamton.

The city planning commission had scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday on a site plan review for the new business but the hearing now is expected to be held later this month.

According to the hearing announcement, an application has been filed for a review of a proposed nightclub in an existing basement-level commercial space at 53 Chenango Street.

A photo of the entrance to The Cave at Centre Plaza on September 12, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Despite the legal address, the space has a public entrance on the north side of the Centre Plaza complex on Henry Street. It's located a few feet away from the city-owned State Street parking garage that's now being demolished.

The planning commission's scheduled Tuesday meeting was cancelled. The public hearing on the proposed new business now is expected to be held in mid-September.

A date for the next commission meeting will be posted on the city of Binghamton website.

A "Public Notice" about a planing commission hearing was posted at Centre Plaza on August 31, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Several establishments including The Carlton and The Cave have operated at the site over the years.

The space has been idle since a 28-year-old man was shot in the chest after a disturbance at The Cave in June 2024.

FLASHBACK: A look inside what had been The Cave nightclub on April 29, 2025. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The Cave had been hit with state civil penalties of nearly $20,000 for liquor law violations prior to the shooting.

City officials said the owners of The Cave turned in their liquor license to the state after the incident two years ago.

The original eight-story office tower section of Centre Plaza at Henry and Chenango streets is being converted into student housing. Building owner James Slocum has received approval to create 63 apartments with a total of 87 bedrooms at the site.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: An exploration of the basement-level commercial space at Centre Plaza from April 2025.