as in taverns
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
This cash-only, live music joint is one of the oldest watering holes in the Upper Keys, and was one of Jimmy Buffett's favorite places to grab a drink.
—
Teaghan Skulszki, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
From cocktail havens to historic haunts, here's which watering holes made the cut.
—Daily Briefing, AZCentral.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Teaghan Skulszki, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
From cocktail havens to historic haunts, here's which watering holes made the cut.
—Daily Briefing, AZCentral.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watering holes
Noun
-
The bill would allow taverns to sell cigars and pipe tobacco, which could then be smoked on the bar's premises.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
From Bavarian caves to Bohemian beer halls, from Milwaukee taverns to Oktoberfest tents, lagers have always been tied to the vessels they’re served in.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Botiwallah After a visit to Substrate, a trendy wine bar, Simmons popped into Botiwalla, which is inspired by India's late-night food stalls and Irani cafes.—
Karla Walsh,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Sep. 2025
-
One of the first Southern California cafes to announce its closure is in Old Towne Orange’s historic plaza.—
Samantha Gowen,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Notices have also been posted outside some of the brew-pubs' locations, including one on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Where Copenhagen had bonnets and cardamom buns, London had track jackets and old man pubs, and a predictably unpredictable weather forecast to boot.—
Joy Montgomery,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Main Street, running from the riverfront to Seventh Street, was lined with restaurants, saloons, offices, and shops.—
Sarah Biegelsen,
Kansas City Star,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Visitors can explore the town, including hotel, doctor’s office, church, blacksmith shop, jail and saloons.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Tweens and teens not angling for a spin around the ice skating rink can hit The Hawk’s Nest, a new club with arcade games, a light-up dance floor, and non-alcoholic beverages, while the adults pick between the many bars, restaurants, and fire pits dotting the village.—
Grace Bastidas,
Parents,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The tempo supports his rapid-fire bars, though, balancing heartbreak over those slain with conviction for their cause.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The shooting follows others in the city’s downtown district, at times in the overnight hours as nightclubs are closing.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Hospitality’s director of beverage, who also leads the programs at the Power & Light District’s nearby Mosaic and Besos y Abrazos nightclubs.—
Andrew Watman,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Watering holes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watering%20holes. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share