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
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Recent Examples of watering holes
Locals are happy to regale you with tales of family squabbles and fishing exploits at any of the seaside watering holes.
—
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2026
Nowadays, old-school residents bemoan the neighborhood’s evolution from grungy to grandiose; what was once a warren of hedonism has become a breeding ground for characterless watering holes whose lack of personality is bested only by the exorbitance of their beer prices.
—Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
These are not your ordinary watering holes.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
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
These watering holes might even attract other beneficial garden animals, says Lapic.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2026
Nowadays, old-school residents bemoan the neighborhood’s evolution from grungy to grandiose; what was once a warren of hedonism has become a breeding ground for characterless watering holes whose lack of personality is bested only by the exorbitance of their beer prices.
—Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
These are not your ordinary watering holes.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
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
These watering holes might even attract other beneficial garden animals, says Lapic.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watering holes
Noun
-
In Scotland, which has its own semiautonomous government, local authorities can allow pubs to stay open until 30 minutes after matches end.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
-
Izakaya, often translated as Japanese pubs, are casual eateries with an emphasis on drinks and shareable plates of food.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Keep in mind that despite the significance of the date of July 4, 1776, royalists and republicans had been arguing in print, pamphlets, taverns and on town greens long before 1776.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
-
As the vessel toured Baja California, Diana Sanders of Vacaville sampled tequila shots — 14 or 15 in total — from six ship taverns, tequileras and pubs, according to court documents.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While here, visitors can still see its multiple saloons, general store, and boarding house, among other buildings.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Nick Pasqual was sentenced Tuesday to more than three decades behind bars for the 2024 stabbing of his ex-girlfriend, Allie Shehorn.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
Mini bars are disguised in Chinoiserie cabinets; bed heads are hand-embroidered; and the toto loo seats in the white-marble bathrooms exude a gentle heat.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Other Allred Management concepts are also in Westport and include the Lotus and Q Kansas City nightclubs.—
Katelyn Umholtz,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2026
-
The organization’s old modus operandi was Spursian in nature, and similar to Heat Culture, but without all the neon and nightclubs.—
Candace Buckner,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watering holes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watering%20holes. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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