The three martini lunch was a common and popular business practice used in the 1950's among the
expense account set. It usually consisted of a group of
good old boys that gathered together to discuss what might be considered questionable business ventures over
cocktails. The motive being, to impair a clients judgement and to get them to just "sign the papers" under the pleasant state of
inebriation. The lunch was then charged back to one's company in the form of a "business expense".
Once considered almost normal or standard procedure, the three martini lunch has pretty much gone by the wayside, replaced by massive quantities of iced tea. The practice of the three martini lunch is now frowned upon in most business circles for ethical reasons and is widely discouraged by most companies for legal reasons..