Life in the Economic Casino: Money, Ecosystems & Emotional Needs

A guided conversation with Ann Pettifor & Steve Peck

What kind of society is created when money moves faster than thought, finance outweighs the real economy, and the systems shaping everyday life begin to resemble a game of chance?

In this special evening at socialbar, leading political economist and author Ann Pettifor opens up questions at the heart of modern life: how financial systems shape the conditions in which we live, how ecological realities are pushed to the edge by economic abstraction, and what all of this means for people trying to build secure, meaningful lives.

Ann and Steve offer distinct lenses through which to view economics and money: not simply as technical or political matters, but as forces that profoundly affect human wellbeing, security and the deeper conditions of life. From there, the evening opens into a live conversation and audience questions.

Rather than treating economics as something remote or specialist, this event brings it back to lived experience. It asks how large systems are felt intimately: in our sense of safety, in our relationships, in our communities, in the health of the ecosystems around us, and in the emotional ground from which social life becomes possible.

For those drawn to ideas, systems, politics, ecology, psychology and the question of how we ought to live, this promises to be a rich and searching evening.

Thursday 9 April
7–9.30 pm

Free entry
Advance booking required — please email to reserve your place: hello@visitsocialbar.com

Book club at socialbar
First Wednesday of the month - February 4th
Doors open 6.30 pm

We're a book club for people who love reading as much as they love a good drink. No stuffy meetings, just great books, good conversation and a relaxed atmosphere. We meet the first Wednesday of every month at 6.30 pm at socialbar.

Come find your next favourite story — and a few new friends.

What to expect:
– Relaxed atmosphere
– Small group discussions
– Facilitated reading and book choices
– Wine, coffee & snacks, including mini brioche sandwiches and cheese and charcuterie boards, available to buy. 

We kindly ask that you leave outside drinks and food at home

Doors open a 6.30 pm | group runs from 7.00–8.30pm | Bar open until 10pm

Seats are limited – reserve yours now. If you can’t make it, please let us know at hello@visitsocialbar.com so someone else can join.

WFH? Join the socialbar coworking meetup

Working from home has its perks, but it can also get a bit samey. Our monthly WFH meetup is a relaxed way to get out of the house, settle into a different environment for a few hours, and be around other people doing the same.

Whether you want to crack on with some work, have a change of scene, or simply spend a bit of time around other local professionals, this is an easy, low-pressure space to drop into. Come for an hour or stay for the full session.

Each meetup includes time to cowork, catch up and connect, with drink and food available throughout. We’ll also feature a monthly keynote: a short, useful talk designed to give the afternoon an extra point of focus.

This month’s keynote

The importance of sleep for performance

This month we’ll be looking at why sleep matters so much for how we think, feel and function. From concentration, mood and decision-making to energy, resilience and productivity, sleep plays a bigger role in performance than most of us allow for. Expect a practical, accessible session with takeaways you can use straight away.

When

Last Monday of the month
3–6pm

Where

socialbar
15 High Street, Saxmundham

Drink and food available.

Booking

Book in via hello@visitsocialbar.com
or visit www.visitsocialbar.com/events

Bring Your Own Vinyl Night

Share your sounds at socialbar’s monthly vinyl night.

Join us at socialbar for an evening dedicated to your records and the stories behind them.

Whether it’s a cherished classic, a dusty B-side, or your latest crate-digging gem, bring your vinyl and we’ll play it on the bar’s turntable.

No DJ skills needed — we’ll provide those. Just bring your vinyl, your taste and a love for music.

Drop in, drop the needle, and enjoy drinks, snacks, and good company while the records spin.

No tickets, no fuss — just come.

Live at Social Bar – Samuel Taylor

Thursday 26th March | £7 | Tickets via Ticket Tailor

We’re delighted to welcome local rising indie-folk talent Samuel Taylor to Social Bar this March.

Following the release of his 2026 debut EP Lost & Overgrown, Samuel has firmly established himself as one to watch. The record has earned support from leading outlets including Clash, Notion, Atwood Magazine, Amazing Radio, and BBC Introducing.

Discovered and signed to No Roads Records by local musician and producer Jesse Quin (Keane), Samuel’s music carries a rare emotional honesty. His songs explore love, longing and the quiet resilience that carries us through difficult seasons. There’s a warmth and reassurance in his performance that lingers long after the final note — a reminder that however heavy things feel, there is always hope.

Expect an intimate evening of beautifully crafted songwriting, heartfelt vocals and the kind of atmosphere that makes live music matter.

Event Details

Date: Thursday 26th March - 7.30 pm
Tickets: £7
Booking: Ticket Tailor
Venue: Social Bar, Saxmundham

Spaces will be limited, so we recommend booking early.

Join us for a special night of Suffolk-grown talent in a setting made for connection and live sound at its best.

Meet. Hear.

Weds 25 March
Free to attend | Booking essential

Meet. Hear. is a small-group peer listening evening exploring how attentive hearing strengthens connection, resilience and community.

This evening centres on two simple ideas: that people have shared emotional needs, and that respectful, structured listening helps those needs be met. Rather than advice-giving or problem-solving, we focus on attention, presence and mutual understanding.

This is the first of three monthly gatherings designed to build listening skills and deepen supportive community ties in a calm, structured setting.

Free to attend.
Booking essential via email or in person at socialbar.

Monthly Poetry Night

with Tamar Yoseloff (Poetry in Aldeburgh)

An evening of contemporary poetry in the heart of Saxmundham, with a special guest reader and a curated open mic.

Hosted by Tamar Yoseloff (Poetry in Aldeburgh), this is a monthly event for established writers, emerging voices and anyone who relishes the poetic realm.

What to expect:

• Guest reader (each month)

• Curated open mic (limited slots)

• An attentive audience... and the relaxed atmosphere of socialbar

Want to read?

Open mic slots are limited and curated to give every reader a proper audience.

• Reserve a slot in advance
  Email: chair@poetryinaldeburgh.org

• On-the-night slots: a small number may be available on a first-come basis 

Tuesday February 17
Doors: 7pm
Entry: £5

Location: socialbar, Saxmundham

Everyone’s welcome.

Come by yourself or with friends. Bring your own board game or use one of ours!
We’ll help you get set up. Play with friends or someone entirely new and make a new friend.

Steve and Sarah will be on hand to serve soft drinks, wine, beer and simple snacks. We kindly ask that you leave outside drinks and food at home.
The bar will be open until 10 pm.

No need to book - just turn up. It will be a chilled out, relaxed atmosphere.

See you there!

Women Unbound — with Georgina Lock

An Evening with Dr Georgina Locke

Extraordinary Women of History

Dr Georgina Locke performs excerpts from her plays and discusses the extraordinary women who inspired them.

Across three acclaimed one-woman shows, Georgina brings to life figures from history whose stories continue to resonate — women who challenged convention, reshaped their worlds and left a lasting mark.

This evening at socialbar offers a rare chance to experience selected excerpts in an intimate setting, followed by discussion and audience Q&A. Expect insight into the research, the writing process and the historical context behind the work.

This talk promises a focused and thoughtful atmosphere — theatre at close quarters, with space for conversation.

Free entry.
Essential booking — spaces are limited.

Email: hello@visitsocialbar.com

Book club at socialbar
First Wednesday of the month - February 4th
Doors open 6.30 pm

We're a book club for people who love reading as much as they love a good drink. No stuffy meetings, just great books, good conversation and a relaxed atmosphere. We meet the first Wednesday of every month at 6.30 pm at socialbar.

Come find your next favourite story — and a few new friends.

What to expect:
– Relaxed atmosphere
– Small group discussions
– Facilitated reading and book choices
– Wine, coffee & snacks, including mini brioche sandwiches and cheese and charcuterie boards, available to buy. 

We kindly ask that you leave outside drinks and food at home

Doors open a 6.30 pm | group runs from 7.00–8.30pm | Bar open until 10pm

Seats are limited – reserve yours now. If you can’t make it, please let us know at hello@visitsocialbar.com so someone else can join.

Bring Your Own Vinyl Night

Share your sounds at socialbar’s monthly vinyl night.

Join us at socialbar for an evening dedicated to your records and the stories behind them.

Whether it’s a cherished classic, a dusty B-side, or your latest crate-digging gem, bring your vinyl and we’ll play it on the bar’s turntable.

No DJ skills needed — we’ll provide those. Just bring your vinyl, your taste and a love for music.

Drop in, drop the needle, and enjoy drinks, snacks, and good company while the records spin.

No tickets, no fuss — just come.

Understanding Your Taste

Why You Like the Wine You Like

A social wine tasting with The Modest Merchant

Tickets: £38

Thursday February 26, 7-9.30pm

Spaces limited to 25 guests.

Everyone’s welcome.

Come by yourself or with friends. Bring your own board game or use one of ours!
We’ll help you get set up. Play with friends or someone entirely new and make a new friend.

Steve and Sarah will be on hand to serve soft drinks, wine, beer and simple snacks. We kindly ask that you leave outside drinks and food at home.
The bar will be open until 10 pm.

No need to book - just turn up. It will be a chilled out, relaxed atmosphere.

See you there!

Monthly Poetry Night

with Tamar Yoseloff (Poetry in Aldeburgh)

An evening of contemporary poetry in the heart of Saxmundham, with a special guest reader and a curated open mic.

Hosted by Tamar Yoseloff (Poetry in Aldeburgh), this is a monthly event for established writers, emerging voices and anyone who relishes the poetic realm.

What to expect:

• Guest reader (each month)

• Curated open mic (limited slots)

• An attentive audience... and the relaxed atmosphere of socialbar

Want to read?

Open mic slots are limited and curated to give every reader a proper audience.

• Reserve a slot in advance
  Email: chair@poetryinaldeburgh.org

• On-the-night slots: a small number may be available on a first-come basis 

Tuesday February 17
Doors: 7pm
Entry: £5

Location: socialbar, Saxmundham

The Global Casino

An evening with Ann Pettifor

We’re pleased to welcome economist Ann Pettifor to socialbar to discuss her latest book, The Global Casino: How Wall Street Gambles with People and the Planet.

Amid mounting economic instability, widening inequality and accelerating environmental breakdown, The Global Casino examines how modern financial systems have become increasingly detached from our real economy - rewarding speculation while exposing societies and ecosystems to systemic risk.

Drawing on decades of work on debt, money and financial power, Ann explores how today’s economic arrangements came to be, who they serve and why repeated crises are not accidents but features of the system itself.

Ann is also the author of The Case for the Green New Deal and The Production of Money, and is widely recognised for her critique of financial practices that extract value without contributing to long-term social or economic wellbeing.

The evening will include a talk followed by discussion and questions.

Free entry
Advance booking required — please email to reserve your place: hello@visitsocialbar.com

Krautrock Night: Kosmische Musik — with Matt Thurbon

Join us at socialbar for an immersive Krautrock Night, a mixed-media journey into Kosmische Musik — the experimental German movement that quietly reshaped modern music.

Presented by enthusiast and long-time curator Matt Thurbon, the evening blends vinyl-mixed music, spoken context and projected visuals, tracing the story of krautrock from its late-1960s underground roots through to its lasting influence on electronic, post-punk and pop culture.

Krautrock (also known as Kosmische Musik, or “cosmic music”) emerged in post-war Germany as artists sought to break away from Anglo-American rock traditions and imagine something entirely new.  Across the evening, Matt explores landmark artists such as Can, Kraftwerk and Neu!, and follows the thread forward to unexpected places — from The Human League and Ultravox to Daft Punk.

Matt also explores the social and cultural backdrop of the movement: post-war identity, artistic freedom, technology, and why this scene continues to resonate — and grow in influence — today.

Matt (aka the Krautrock Kurator) has been presenting live Kosmische events since 2022 and hosts a dedicated radio show devoted to the genre. His approach is enthusiastic, accessible and rooted in a genuine love of the music.

Free entry.
Essential booking — spaces are limited.

Email: hello@visitsocialbar.com

Book club at socialbar
First Wednesday of the month - February 4th
Doors open 6.30 pm

We're a book club for people who love reading as much as they love a good drink. No stuffy meetings, just great books, good conversation and a relaxed atmosphere. We meet the first Wednesday of every month at 6.30 pm at socialbar.

Come find your next favourite story — and a few new friends.

What to expect:
– Relaxed atmosphere
– Small group discussions
– Facilitated reading and book choices
– Wine, coffee & snacks, including mini brioche sandwiches and cheese and charcuterie boards, available to buy. 

We kindly ask that you leave outside drinks and food at home

Doors open a 6.30 pm | group runs from 7.00–8.30pm | Bar open until 10pm

Seats are limited – reserve yours now. If you can’t make it, please let us know at hello@visitsocialbar.com so someone else can join.

Bring Your Own Vinyl Night

A new year and new vinyl to share.

Join us at socialbar for an evening dedicated to your records and the stories behind them.

Whether it’s a cherished classic, a dusty B-side, or your latest crate-digging gem, bring your vinyl and we’ll play it on the bar’s turntable.

No DJ skills needed — we’ll provide those. Just bring your vinyl, your taste and a love for music.

Drop in, drop the needle, and enjoy drinks, snacks, and good company while the records spin.

No tickets, no fuss — just come.

The Ups and Downs of Christmas

Monday 22 December · 7:00–9:30pm · Free workshop at socialbar

The festive season can be joyful, demanding, or a bit of both. This workshop offers a relaxed space to step back, regroup and build a small but practical toolkit for navigating Christmas with more ease.

Across the evening, we’ll explore simple ways to set boundaries, protect energy, reconnect with personal resources and lean into supportive relationships — all aimed at helping you get the best from the season rather than feeling pulled by it.

You’ll leave with everyday strategies you can use immediately, whether you're hosting, travelling, juggling family dynamics or just trying to find a moment of calm.

Give a gift to yourself this Christmas.
Booking essential: hello@visitsocialbar.com
More info: www.visitsocialbar.com/events

Bring Your Own Vinyl Night

Spin it. Share it. Hear it differently.

Join us at socialbar for an evening dedicated to your records and the stories behind them.

Whether it’s a cherished classic, a dusty B-side, or your latest crate-digging gem, bring your vinyl and we’ll play it on the bar’s turntable.

No DJ skills needed — we’ll provide those. Just bring your vinyl, your taste and a love for music.

Drop in, drop the needle, and enjoy drinks, snacks, and good company while the records spin.

No tickets, no fuss — just come.

Socialise: DJ Ben Osborne,
VJ Girl In A T-Shirt & Saltpeter Tapas POP-UP

East Coast tapas + vinyl vibes at socialbar

Join us for the first Saltpeter x Woodbridge Festival pop-up in Saxmundham.

Tickets: £13 including a tapas dish, or £7 entry only (£13.70 and £7.21 including processing fees). A full menu of Saltpeter’s Basque-inspired tapas will be available all night.

Inspired by the contemporary tapas and vinyl bars of Barcelona and San Sebastián, the night features all-vinyl DJ sets, live visual projections and socialbar’s minimal-intervention wines & craft beers.

Tapas: Created by Saltpeter chef David Jimenez, known for inventive East Coast tapas rooted in his Málaga heritage.

Visuals: VJ Girl In a T-Shirt (Alice Stallard) brings immersive projections from her acclaimed art and festival work.

Tunes: DJ Ben Osborne, founder of Woodbridge Festival and Noise of Art, serves up genre-spanning vinyl selections.

5s Night — Thursday 18 December

6–11pm at socialbar

A night of strictly 45s grooves.

DJ Precise (of the cult Do!! You!!! Radio show) brings deep cuts, dancefloor gems and the kind of crate-dug selections only he can pull.
Our resident DJ Ru-Funk joins him with his trademark blend of funk, soul and party-starting classics.

Drop in, have a drink, and enjoy a night built on warm vinyl, good energy and Saxmundham’s finest crowd.

Free entry
15 High Street, Saxmundham
www.visitsocialbar.com/events

It’s Christmas and Everyone’s welcome.

Come by yourself or with friends. Bring your own board game or use one of ours!
We’ll help you get set up. Play with friends or someone entirely new and make a new friend.

Steve and Sarah will be on hand to serve soft drinks, wine, beer and simple snacks. We kindly ask that you leave outside drinks and food at home.
The bar will be open until 10 pm.

No need to book - just turn up. It will be a chilled out, relaxed atmosphere.

See you there!

Christmas quiz night at socialbar!

From Anthems to Apps: A Pop Culture Quiz Night

Test your Christmas knowledge against our quizmaster extraodinaire.

Come as a team or take your chances in the luck-dip team if you’re flying solo.

Drinks, snacks and Back Yard Pizza available all evening.

Thursday 11 December
7:30 – 9:30 pm
socialbar, 15 High Street, Saxmundham
£5 per team (max 5 people)
£1 to join our lucky dip team

Spaces are limited — book early to secure your seat.

Drinks and snacks available all night.

Book club at socialbar
First Wednesday of the month - starting October 1
Doors open 6.30 pm

We're a book club for people who love reading as much as they love a good drink. No stuffy meetings, just great books, good conversation and a relaxed atmosphere. We meet the first Wednesday of every month at 6.30 pm at socialbar.

Come find your next favourite story — and a few new friends.

What to expect:
– Relaxed atmosphere
– Small group discussions
– Facilitated reading and book choices
– Wine, coffee & snacks, including mini brioche sandwiches and cheese and charcuterie boards, available to buy. 

We kindly ask that you leave outside drinks and food at home

Doors open a 6.30 pm | group runs from 7.00–8.30pm | Bar open until 10pm

Seats are limited – reserve yours now. If you can’t make it, please let us know at hello@visitsocialbar.com so someone else can join.

Bring Your Own Vinyl Night

Spin it. Share it. Hear it differently.

Join us at socialbar for an evening dedicated to your records and the stories behind them.

Whether it’s a cherished classic, a dusty B-side, or your latest crate-digging gem, bring your vinyl and we’ll play it on the bar’s turntable.

No DJ skills needed — we’ll provide those. Just bring your vinyl, your taste and a love for music.

Drop in, drop the needle, and enjoy drinks, snacks, and good company while the records spin.

No tickets, no fuss — just come.

Sunday Jazz at socialbar

Ease through your Sunday afternoon with relaxed live piano and flute, as Sophie Riga de Spinoza (piano) and Jayne Head (flute) present a gentle jazz set inspired by Claude Bolling’s melodic style. Both artists bring warmth and subtle improvisation, creating the perfect soundtrack for a laid-back afternoon.

Sophie and Jayne head up Pomegranate Music Therapy, supporting their remarkable work in bringing music to communities and mental health settings.

No tickets, no fuss — just come.

Needs and Relationship - A Discussion Workshop at socialbar

Monday 11 August 6.30–9:30pm

Booking essential: hello@visitsocialbar.com

Led by Steve Peck, Gottman Method couples therapist & co-owner of socialbar, this session offers an accessible look at the latest research on emotional needs, communication and resilience in relationships.

Why do some relationships flourish while others falter?
Join us for an evening that blends science, psychology and real-world conversation in the relaxed setting of socialbar. Together, we’ll explore the essentials of healthy connection — what people truly need, how we meet those needs, and how relationships, no matter what their form, can become the space where both individuals thrive.

What to expect:
– Relaxed, guided conversation
– Small group discussions
– Practicing skills you can use
– Wine, coffee & snacks, including mini brioche sandwiches, available to buy. We kindly ask that you leave outside drinks and food at home
– Doors open at 6.00pm | Workshop runs 6.30–9.30pm | Bar open until 10pm

Suggested donation: £10 – all proceeds go to Suffolk Mind, a local mental health charity working to improve wellbeing across the community. Their work is grounded in the same Human Givens approach we’ll utilise in the workshop.

Seats are limited – reserve yours now. If you can’t make it, please let us know at hello@visitsocialbar.com so someone else can join.

This is part of our new series of free, open-invite talks at socialbar — because real conversations matter.

An evening of deep & melodic house music with DJ Ru-funk

Join us for an evening of funky house grooves as DJ Ru-funk takes over the socialbar decks. Expect a steady flow of sophisticated sounds, blending the soulful rhythms of deep house with the hypnotic, driving melodies of melodic techno with a bit of Nu-disco thrown in.

Ru-funk's selections will provide the perfect backdrop for a relaxed evening of conversation and great drinks.

No tickets, no fuss — just come.