1
as in pubs
a place of business where alcoholic beverages are sold to be consumed on the premises
a seedy section of the city's waterfront that was rife with cheap taverns, tattoo parlors, and run-down flophouses
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in hotels
a place that provides rooms and usually a public dining room for overnight guests
a colonial-era tavern that has been serving weary travelers for two and a half centuries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taverns
Narrow, cobblestone streets take you past historic buildings filled with trinket shops, cafes, and taverns that are ideal for a quick bite.
—
Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2026
Immigrant families brought Old World recipes and a fierce commitment to hospitality to Iowa’s capital, opening humble groceries, taverns and corner cafés that gradually evolved into full‑service dining rooms.
—Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 6 Mar. 2026
There are 50,000 video gambling terminals, in most of the taverns and convenience stores in the state.
—Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Restaurants like Stan and Joe’s Saloon and Middleton Tavern (circa 1750 and one of the oldest operating taverns in America) feature live music and special menus.
—Katie Riley, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026
From homey taverns to colonial inns, the region's historic restaurants offer dining experiences loaded with 200–300 years of local history.
—Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 1 Mar. 2026
The wave of customers who visit the concession stands during intermissions makes speed of service more important for venues than for most stores, restaurants or taverns.
—David Bruce, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Originating in the 18th century as working men’s taverns, when Lyon was the silk-weaving capital of Europe, bouchons were transformed 100 years ago by Les Mères Lyonnaises, a generation of women cooks trained in the kitchens of grand local mansions.
—John Brunton, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
This was the original use for Bar Keepers Friend, to polish brass rails at bars and taverns, often underfoot.
—Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 27 Jan. 2026
Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2026
Immigrant families brought Old World recipes and a fierce commitment to hospitality to Iowa’s capital, opening humble groceries, taverns and corner cafés that gradually evolved into full‑service dining rooms.
—Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 6 Mar. 2026
There are 50,000 video gambling terminals, in most of the taverns and convenience stores in the state.
—Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Restaurants like Stan and Joe’s Saloon and Middleton Tavern (circa 1750 and one of the oldest operating taverns in America) feature live music and special menus.
—Katie Riley, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026
From homey taverns to colonial inns, the region's historic restaurants offer dining experiences loaded with 200–300 years of local history.
—Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 1 Mar. 2026
The wave of customers who visit the concession stands during intermissions makes speed of service more important for venues than for most stores, restaurants or taverns.
—David Bruce, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Originating in the 18th century as working men’s taverns, when Lyon was the silk-weaving capital of Europe, bouchons were transformed 100 years ago by Les Mères Lyonnaises, a generation of women cooks trained in the kitchens of grand local mansions.
—John Brunton, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
This was the original use for Bar Keepers Friend, to polish brass rails at bars and taverns, often underfoot.
—Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taverns
Noun
-
New Haven’s Crown Street corridor flips the switch after dark, with Yale energy pouring into a compact downtown stacked with Irish pubs, dance spots, and late-night pizza joints that double as unofficial after-parties.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The ban affects Christian neighborhoods in Damascus that are famous for their restaurants and pubs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For families Grand Hyatt is the most family-friendly of the three Baha Mar hotels, largely because of how easy everything is to access.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
After taking office in 2022, Bass declared a local emergency on homelessness and launched her Inside Safe initiative, which has put thousands of people into hotels and motels.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Beyond the cattle drives, the Stockyards are home to rodeos, Western saloons and live music venues.—
Taylor Haught,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Soon after, the area became a hub with saloons, butchers, bakeries and department stores.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The community of backpackers moving through the Chinese hostels had the values of a slutty, hippie utopia.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
When choosing where to stay, hostels and guesthouses with communal spaces are ideal for solo travelers who want a mix of independence and social connection.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As a result, a young man will spend the prime of his life behind bars.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
While the canal itself was commissioned in 1802 by Napoleon I to bring fresh water into the city, the vibe is distinctly contemporary with some of Paris's hottest restaurants, cafés and bars scattered alongside it.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Versace became the unofficial uniform at nightclubs—skin-tight minidresses for her, flashy silk shirts for him—and sales at the brand’s boutique in nearby Bal Harbour soared.—
Serena Turner,
Vanity Fair,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Wherrett, a native of Washington state, moved to Southern California and then San Francisco in the ‘90s, as the state was building its networks of house music festivals, collectives and nightclubs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taverns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taverns. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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