The '3 Drinks Later' meme is a popular relatable format that captures the rapid behavioral or physical shift that occurs after consuming alcohol. Typically structured as a comparison, it features one image of a person looking composed and another—labeled '3 drinks later'—showing them in a state of chaotic energy, emotional vulnerability, or extreme confidence. While variations of the 'sober vs. drunk' trope have existed for decades, this specific phrasing gained traction on platforms like Twitter and Instagram in the mid-2010s. It is widely used to poke fun at how quickly a quiet night out can escalate into oversharing secrets, dancing on tables, or engaging in deep philosophical debates.