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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of watering holes
For a nightcap, wander over to nearby Nê Cocktail bar, one of Hanoi’s hippest watering holes.
—
Tamara Hinson, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Mar. 2026
These many watering holes are reflective of the Lone Star state's varied geographic regions, from bald cypress swamps to mountainous desert lakes.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
Previous Irish pubs in the area just felt like watering holes that served Guinness (and most bars serve Guinness nowadays anyway).
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2026
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
Now the little street is home to adorable watering holes for some old west nightlife.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Tamara Hinson, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Mar. 2026
These many watering holes are reflective of the Lone Star state's varied geographic regions, from bald cypress swamps to mountainous desert lakes.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
Previous Irish pubs in the area just felt like watering holes that served Guinness (and most bars serve Guinness nowadays anyway).
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2026
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
Now the little street is home to adorable watering holes for some old west nightlife.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watering holes
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
-
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
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
-
April 25 features 90 musical performances inside restaurants, bars, and coffee houses along a two-mile stretch of Adams Avenue from University Heights on the West through Normal Heights, and into parts of Kensington.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The Bvlgari signature cocktail – a bright blend of gin, Aperol, citrus, and a delicate foam stamped with edible gold – captures the hotel’s spirit in a single glass and is served in all its bars worldwide.—
Vicki Power,
TheWeek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Some nightclubs in Colorado could stay open 24-7 under a bill being debated at the Colorado State Capitol.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The area where Gracey went out is a stretch of beach with several restaurants and nightclubs that are frequented by locals and foreigners.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watering holes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watering%20holes. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
