good drunk

plural good drunks

1. idiomaticA person who is cheerful and companionable when intoxicated, retaining reasonable control of his or her mental and emotional faculties.

   In many quarters, "it is important to be a good drunk to fit in socially" (make that across the board if you are male).

   2004, Shane Watson, “drink”, in New Statesman, volume 133, number 4717, page 56

   2 more examples

   He was drinking a lot back when I first met him. A real heavy drinker, but a good drunk. He never let his ugly side show.

   2005, Vassilis Vassilikos, translated by Karen Emmerich, The Few Things I Know About Glafkos Thrassakis, →ISBN, page 108

   The boss and my fellow workers were well aware of my drinking habits, but I had always been able to keep my wits about me. I was a good drunk, as they say.

   2008, Geoff Coates, In June the River, →ISBN, page 142

   Synonyms: happy drunk · Antonyms: sad drunk