At a community college such as Mercer, the nightlife and social life could be described as shitty, and that’s putting it nicely. However, if you’re 21 and determined to have a good time there is hope.
Over the past few weeks I, have been searching for the hot spots where broke college students can stretch our dollars and have a good time. In doing so I stumbled upon Rho Ristorante Discoteca, located on 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, New Jersey and was pleased by what the venue had to offer.
Every Thursday Rho hosts what they call “College Night,” attracting large numbers of college students from Mercer, TCNJ and Rider. 2012 TCNJ graduate Jeremy Kaplan described the crowd as, “very social” and “very welcoming.” For Valentine’s Day the theme was “leather and lace,” which tells you they have their priorities in order.
The cover charge is merely five-dollars if you display a student ID. Be careful and leave your weed at home because in addition to paying at the door you will be frisked. And don’t wear a plain white t-shirt because security will not let you in, for gang-related reasons.
Once inside the venue you will be pleased by the drink specials that they offer on college night. From ten to twelve Rho offers all domestic bottled beers for one dollar, according to Daisy, a bartender at Rho. Yes, you read right. Only one dollar!
Trisha Muka, a former Liberal Arts student here at Mercer, said, “def bring your student ID. One dollar bottles. You can’t beat that.”
On top of the cheap drinks, the girl to guy ratio is great for you cats trying to meet a new lady friend. Rho doesn’t just attract a large quantity of women but great quality women. You don’t need to take my word for it though. Manager Ray Cerwinski describe the women that come to Rho as “easy to look at.”
The staff only adds on to the experience at Rho. For one, the security and bathroom attendants are professional, doing their jobs effectively all while being friendly and squeezing a little bit of fun into their shifts.
Oh yeah and I almost forgot, all of the female bartenders are straight knockouts. Their uniforms are tight corsets that push their tits up as high as gravity will allow. And for you ladies there are attractive male bartenders as well. However their uniforms do not include the tight corset.
Now, the floor plan is arranged quite effectively in my opinion. Offering seating, stand up bars and a dance floor, meeting the preferences of the customer.
On one end of the venue they have a wraparound bar with plenty of sitting area right beside it. Then there is a smaller bar that connects the wrap around bar to the dance floor area. The dance floor is very spacious and has two bars at either corner.
Such DJ’s as “John Farruggio, DJ Paul Desisto, Dj Mazz and Jeff Scott” have performed at the venue according to Daisy, a bartender at Rho who refused to give her last name. Cerwinski said a little bit more about Jeff Scout adding, “He’s been doing Thursdays for the past seven years, amazing DJ at the top of his game.”
During the warmer seasons they offer an outside bar. However, the outside is always opened and more than often the fire pits and heat lamps are on to keep you smokers warm.
Now be careful leaving if you’re one of those people who likes to drive after having a little bit too much to drink. Every Thursday there is at least one Trenton cop sitting in the parking lot waiting to arrest your irresponsible ass.
Instead, take a taxi. Every Thursday taxis line up right out front of the venue waiting to drive home intoxicated college students.
Before leaving the venue I asked Cerwinski if he had any special upcoming events that Mercer students should know about. Cerwinski’s response being that Valentine’s day there will be a “Leather and Lace Party.”
If you are a Mercer student trying to have an affordable, fun safe night out then head off to Rho, it’s that spot.
