I don't know if this tradition still exists, but for all who don't want to go the HEROS on their own, we did a pre-meet at Spittalfield Market, always with 3 to 8 guys showing up, having a snack (at Square Pie) and a chat, and then went to HEROS as a group (which makes it very nice for first timers exploring the place and having some company right there :)
But if there's no pre meet and you want to go: just go! John (the owner) is very friendly and helpful, and Marc (the bar guy) doubly so, sit at the bar and you'll quickly find out that many regulars show up, saying hi, and then it's your chance to just ask them where they're from etc...
HEROS is *very* social, you just should not be TOO shy :-)
I haven't been going much in 2012 but will improve this in 2013 - next in April but then more often, promise!
The HEROSPLANNER is updated too.
http://flox.at/herosplanner
Cheers and have a pleasant new year ;)