Rae's: Pub in Southwark, London

Rae's is a food venue in SE1, and it works best when you treat it as a night out rather than a quiet dinner. The programming leans towards themed social nights, the kind of seasonal party where people make an effort with costumes and stay for the food. That sets the crowd. They come to eat, but mostly they come to be in a room full of people who are up for a bit of play. If you're choosing an event here, start with the theme. A good themed night has a clear idea and a crowd that commits to it. Go with a group, dress up if the night asks for it, and expect the atmosphere to do most of the work. The listings below show what's coming up.