A solid-state photoluminescent 4-(Dimethylamino)-2ʹ-hydroxychalcone (Chalcone) compound was designed and synthesized using the Claisen–Schmidt condensation reaction. The optical and antibacterial of the prepared chalcone material were examined. The chemical structure of the synthesized material was confirmed by attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The prepared compound was grown as a single crystal in ethanol. The surface morphologies of chalcone material determined by field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed rectangular microcrystal formation in the solid. The thermal stability of the materials was studied using differential scanning calorimetry. A very sharp peak at 176.5 °C revealed its melting temperature to be in a higher range, suggesting that the crystal is highly stable towards temperature. The absorption and emission property of the material was determined by UV–visible and fluorescence spectrophotometry. The hardness test revealed the crystal to be strong and stable. The antibacterial and antibiofilm properties were evaluated against the Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA 6538) strain. The chalcone material was an ideal candidate for improving the antibiofilm and bactericidal agent against S. aureus. The results suggest that the material is suitable for optical and antibacterial applications.