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
Miroku Yokocho Yokochos—narrow alleyways filled with small eateries and watering holes—are a staple of Japanese dining culture, and the northern port city of Hachinohe has some of the most charming ones in the region.
—
Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 1 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
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
Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 1 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
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
-
Most visitors to London see an old-world scrim of royal palaces, ancient pubs and West End theaters.—
Frank Langfitt,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
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
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
-
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
-
Grutman is best known as the owner of the LIV nightclubs and the Komodo restaurants.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2026
-
In the ’90s, the peninsula was taken over by a string of summer-only nightclubs, with little regard for the natural surroundings or the ancient cemetery buried in the pine forest.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watering holes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watering%20holes. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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