amberj - we take the portacot and pop DD down if we go out for an evening. I usually check with the friends first and ask if its ok to do so etc which it pretty much always is. It is touch and go as to whether she will sleep sometimes but I just stay relaxed and if she ends up simply needing mummy cuddles then we might just alter our exit time to before 11pm to help DD get used to the portacot though i started putting her down for naps in it at home so it wasn't a case of a strange bed in a strange room when we went out......and I always use the same blanket so there is familiarity for her iykwim.....hth