Poss - at my club (White Waltham) they do make an enormous effort to put on great evenings, both with aviation 'talks' on many different subjects as well as regular socials (curry night for example is very popular!).
However, the one event that particularly stands out is the 'Friday Afternoon Club' which is promoted (and attended by) the CFI. The broad plan is that new PPLs as well as more advanced club members plan a fly-out on (you guessed) Friday afternoons followed by drinks back at the bar (sometimes with a night away). It is really good fun and there is always lots to be learnt (I enjoy it immensely and I've logged over 600 hours so it's not just for newbies - everyone joins in!).
The trick is to find yourself a CFI who has an innate sense of fun and adventure who can look beyond basic training and ensure that sense of adventure just keeps going - it's not just about ratings and box ticking . . . it's about enjoying yourselves
But you can't have our CFI . . . . !!
Drambuster