Get out! Yes, you heard me. Go on. Out.

Shut down that laptop, pack your bags, put the bottle of middling viognier back in the fridge, and get the hell out. You're fired!

... from yet another mundane, same-old-same-old evening out, that is.

London may well be a joyously sprawling web of potential, offering everything from warehouse mash-ups to cosy gastropubs and candlelit masquerades. But don't you just long for an excuse to escape from it all? Any excuse will do. Any excuse at all...

So try Any Excuse - Jodie Harsh's night of revelry in the chic countryside manor of Babington House. Kicking off at 5pm this Thursday, they'll provide coaches to and from London - or you could just book a room, hit the Cowshed spa for morning recovery, and take Friday off while you're at it.

Alternatively, if you prefer dressing-down to dressing-up (sort of), then how does next Saturday's White Blackbird pyjama party (or, as they prefer to put it, 'night wear and silly grins') with Johnny 'Time For Tea' Vercoutre sound? With cabaret and tarot, louche DJs, a midnight feast, and outlandish performances, all spread across a 17th century countryside estate, that really must beat a pint at the local.

The White Blackbird May 8, 8pm-3am, transfer collection available from several London locations Tickets cost £35 for entry, plus £15 for coach tickets