2008 Woodie Awards
Stifled by Riverdale Nightlife, Manhattan Students Find Entertainment Elsewhere
Courtney Roy
Issue date: 12/8/04 Section: News
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When making weekend plans, many Manhattan students are torn because of the school's distance from bars. The Riverdale area is home to a few smaller bars, but most students choose to go elsewhere for their weekend entertainment. Not only does this make planning for weekends a chore, but it also leads to a weaker bond among the student body.
Located so close to New York City, one would think that students here would be hard-pressed to have a weekend with nothing to do, but this is not the case. It can take up to one hour or more to get to a bar or other social event, and many feel that it just is not worth the time. One student says, "There's not much to do around here, and it's such a hassle to go out," and this is the general feeling on campus. On a typical weekend, many students find themselves going down to 116th Street for the Columbia bars, or to the other side of the Bronx for bars around the Fordham area. Bars such as Tinkers, Nacho's, and Howl at the Moon have become some of the more popular weekend destinations for students. While the bars located around Columbia are more easily accessible, many opt to go to the Fordham bars, which present another problem, as getting there via subway is complicated, and many cab drivers do not like to go into that area. Just getting to the area can cost students roughly $20. Another popular option is to go into Manhattan for a night; however, it can take an hour or more on the subway just to get there.
Many students have expressed a desire for closer bars, but there is little that can be done. In the past, Riverdale was home to more bars, but most were forced to close in recent years. The Student Life council here at Manhattan has attempted to ease some of this with monthly Happy Hours where students 21 and over may drink, but all students are welcome to come, as well as scheduling numerous events such as the Jasper Jingle and Senior Nights, but this still leaves some students with nothing to do on campus. Clearly, both administration and the student government work hard to bring events to campus, and the numerous fliers advertising these events are testimony to their work. However, this is not enough for many. Students' returning home on weekends has become a common sight, and this is due, in part, to the lack of things to do on weekends.
Located so close to New York City, one would think that students here would be hard-pressed to have a weekend with nothing to do, but this is not the case. It can take up to one hour or more to get to a bar or other social event, and many feel that it just is not worth the time. One student says, "There's not much to do around here, and it's such a hassle to go out," and this is the general feeling on campus. On a typical weekend, many students find themselves going down to 116th Street for the Columbia bars, or to the other side of the Bronx for bars around the Fordham area. Bars such as Tinkers, Nacho's, and Howl at the Moon have become some of the more popular weekend destinations for students. While the bars located around Columbia are more easily accessible, many opt to go to the Fordham bars, which present another problem, as getting there via subway is complicated, and many cab drivers do not like to go into that area. Just getting to the area can cost students roughly $20. Another popular option is to go into Manhattan for a night; however, it can take an hour or more on the subway just to get there.
Many students have expressed a desire for closer bars, but there is little that can be done. In the past, Riverdale was home to more bars, but most were forced to close in recent years. The Student Life council here at Manhattan has attempted to ease some of this with monthly Happy Hours where students 21 and over may drink, but all students are welcome to come, as well as scheduling numerous events such as the Jasper Jingle and Senior Nights, but this still leaves some students with nothing to do on campus. Clearly, both administration and the student government work hard to bring events to campus, and the numerous fliers advertising these events are testimony to their work. However, this is not enough for many. Students' returning home on weekends has become a common sight, and this is due, in part, to the lack of things to do on weekends.