Another vote here for the fake illness. That's what I did to get out of my company party recently for the same reason (there's a thread about it around here somewhere.)
I think it's just not a good idea to be in super-boozy situations in very early sobriety. And honestly it's not much fun either being sober while everyone else is drunk.
I don't even plan to consider accepting an invitation like that until at least a month has gone by, preferably more. And I think even when I do start attending such events again, I will be attending fewer of them and leaving earlier...out of boredom if nothing else!