as in pubs
a place of business where alcoholic beverages are sold to be consumed on the premises
supposedly, that Broadway hangout was the favorite watering hole for 1940s celebrities
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of watering holes
That location and the one in Louisville are surrounded by gift and thrift shops, arts centers, government facilities and watering holes.
—
Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Casino Ketchum has several popular watering holes, including Grumpy’s (think beer cans on the walls and 32-ounce schooners) and the Cellar Pub (chatty bartenders and a dark basement).
—Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2026
These watering holes might even attract other beneficial garden animals, says Lapic.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
Border officials are tentatively signaling support for watering holes for bighorn, as well as the installation of small passages in the wall for wildlife, and floodgates to be left open during storms, according to Aiello, who is working closely with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
At these delightfully divey watering holes, every visible surface is covered in dollars scribbled with the initials, anniversaries, hometowns, inside jokes, dates, or names of anyone who has darkened the doors of that particular bar over the past fifty years—or maybe just the past week.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2026
Now the little street is home to adorable watering holes for some old west nightlife.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 12 Jan. 2026
For some businesses, Saturday is the most wonderful day of the year as thousands of Santas visit San Francisco watering holes for Santa Con.
—Andrea Nakano, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Many of the old watering holes — like Palmer’s Bar, which predates World War I — have struggled and closed amid changing demographics, shifting drinking habits and declining foot traffic.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 6 Dec. 2025
Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Casino Ketchum has several popular watering holes, including Grumpy’s (think beer cans on the walls and 32-ounce schooners) and the Cellar Pub (chatty bartenders and a dark basement).
—Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2026
These watering holes might even attract other beneficial garden animals, says Lapic.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
Border officials are tentatively signaling support for watering holes for bighorn, as well as the installation of small passages in the wall for wildlife, and floodgates to be left open during storms, according to Aiello, who is working closely with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
At these delightfully divey watering holes, every visible surface is covered in dollars scribbled with the initials, anniversaries, hometowns, inside jokes, dates, or names of anyone who has darkened the doors of that particular bar over the past fifty years—or maybe just the past week.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2026
Now the little street is home to adorable watering holes for some old west nightlife.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 12 Jan. 2026
For some businesses, Saturday is the most wonderful day of the year as thousands of Santas visit San Francisco watering holes for Santa Con.
—Andrea Nakano, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Many of the old watering holes — like Palmer’s Bar, which predates World War I — have struggled and closed amid changing demographics, shifting drinking habits and declining foot traffic.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 6 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watering holes
Noun
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Local pizzerias expect to do plenty of business on Super Bowl Sunday, but the same won’t necessarily be true for Elgin-area restaurants and pubs whose owners say pro football’s biggest game of the year doesn’t generate big bucks.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
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To relax, people can hit one of the city's many pubs or sip on afternoon tea.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Visitors can explore cheese-making at Grafton Village Cheese, dine at cozy taverns and a beloved general store, and enjoy museums, trails, and covered bridges.—
Megan Margulies,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
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Soon after, the area became a hub with saloons, butchers, bakeries and department stores.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Caviar used to be given away in 19th century saloons to encourage drinking.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ronald Bryant, 56, pleaded no contest to assault and two counts of false imprisonment and was sentenced in late December to four years behind bars.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The New Mexico measure prohibits state and local government contracts for ICE detention facilities and bars agreements that allow local law officers to carry out federal immigration functions.—
David A. Lieb,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Latin-rock pioneer Carlos Santana, who cut his teeth on guitar as a teenager playing in Tijuana nightclubs, will rock on down the highway this summer on a joint tour with his band and fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Famers The Doobie Brothers.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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His other parent, Charles Bing, is a trans woman who performs in nightclubs under the moniker Helena Handbasket.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watering holes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watering%20holes. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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