“Stadium 138″ in Downtown Binghamton is Ready For Opening Day

A former Binghamton mayor is about to open a new sports bar in a building that's just been constructed on a site that's been vacant for almost 25 years.

Richard David said he's looking forward to welcoming people into Stadium 138, which is located on Washington Street between Court and Hawley streets.

The new structure rose on a site that had not been used since fire tore through the Royal Lounge on December 31, 1999. David acquired the property about a decade later before he was elected mayor.

David said Stadium 138 includes a significant amount of indoor seating on two levels. Additional outdoor seating will be available on a patio and balcony during warmer weather. Multiple garage doors on both floors can be opened to provide an open-air environment.

David is partnering with Mikaila Fargnoli and Kris Kasmarcik in launching Stadium 138. While they will oversee day-to-day operations, David said he expects the place also will start off with 40 to 50 part-time workers.

David said "there were definitely challenges and hurdles along the way" in developing the sports bar, including escalating costs and difficulties in obtaining needed materials.

The soft opening for the business is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Friday, December 29.

David said he's already planning another downtown project not far from Stadium 138. He said it would not involve new construction but rehabilitation of an existing structure.

While not revealing details, the former mayor said the project would be a type of hospitality enterprise.

VIDEO: Richard David showed off the new Stadium 138 building on December 22, 2023.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.