Decide which board game to bring to a mixed skill level game night

Half the table has played this hobby for a decade, the other half has never seen a meeple, and somebody has to choose tonight's game before the argument starts. This weighs learning curve, punishment for mistakes, and replay value against your actual group and time, then names the type of game that fits. For hosts tired of the same three safe choices.

You are hosting or attending a game night with people of very different experience levels and need to pick one game that will not bore the regulars or alienate the newcomers. Describe {GROUP_DETAILS}, meaning how many people are coming, roughly how experienced each is with board games, and how much time you have for the session. Weigh up games by how quickly a new player can learn the rules, how much the game punishes early mistakes, whether experienced players can still find it interesting, and how long a full game realistically takes with this group. Recommend one specific type of game (not a single exact title, since availability varies) that fits, and explain in two sentences why it beats the alternatives for this particular mix of people.