I think having friends over for dinner is a cool way to hang out, have some great conversation, and eat some good food. What more could you want? It's also a good way to have a "night out" while still keeping things under budget.
If you find a few couples that you enjoy hanging out with, why not have regular supper club dinners like these folks did? Each week they get together with a group of people, and I love this part:
"The only consistent practice is to ask each other a new question during dessert each week: What was your favorite game during childhood? Who is your best friend? How can we help you better as a friend?"
Isn't that great? What a lovely way to learn more about the friends in their life. I also liked the fact that some of them had kept their menus from the various dinners they attended over the years. (The scrapbook girl in me can see a book devoted to menus, recipes, and pictures that commemorate these types of dinners!)
Here are some more ideas on things to do with a group of your friends.