If you want to be in a hall that is known for being 'social', you have to choose a catered hall. Passfield, Carr-Saunders, Rosebery and Bankside, all catered, are miles above the others socially.
Being catered is actually good - you have time to meet new people and socialise during dinner, and it saves you time/money doing a big food shop and having to cook for yourself every evening.
I think being catered in first year is a good stepping stone between living at home and having your parents cook for you, and living out in second and third year.