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
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
-
The proximity of so many good pubs close to the stadium, good public transport, a place behind the Gallowgate to watch away games.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
Beneath are the roofs and cobbled streets of the medieval Old Town, where ancient pubs stand among jewelers specializing in local jet.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 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
-
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
-
With dozens of restaurants and bars in the complex there’s everything from burgers and pizza by the pool to artful Italian plates.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
Fans come to games and related events and spend money in and around stadiums, at nearby restaurants, bars, hotels, and retailers, all of which boosts the local economy and creates jobs.—
Miceal Chamberlain,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
At the time of the killing, there had been at least five shootings so far this year inside city nightclubs and lounges in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens that left eight people wounded and two dead.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2026
-
Cabins under nightclubs or late-night bars can pick up bass vibrations that continue into the early hours.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watering holes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watering%20holes. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
