'60s retro night
Where: the Inn @ West End, West End, Surrey
? the-inn.co.uk
The idea: Theme night offering music, games, quizzes and '60s themed menu.
How it works: For £25 per person '60s revellers are treated to a four-course meal and a large dose of fun. Customers are encouraged to come in fancy dress and enjoy an evening of topical quizzes, '60s music, games and prizes. Dining is Berni Inn style with classic dishes from the era. Cheese and pineapple on cocktail sticks and stuffed hard boiled eggs are served as canapés on arrival, with retro gems such as prawn cocktail, steak Diane and Black Forest gateau to follow.
"These dishes all seem really tacky nowadays, but ours are done nicely and with a bit of a twist!" says head chef Lee Watts. Lee also links in some culinary facts from the decade with the menu, such as the '60s saw the introduction of the avocado to Britain and also the rising popularity and availability of Chinese and Indian food. "The idea is to give the menu a bit of nostalgia for those people who were there and interest for those who weren't," Lee adds.
Business benefit: Taking place on a Sunday evening in February the night boosted covers during a quiet time of year.
Top tip on making the idea work: Let everyone get involved - allow customer and staff suggestions.
