watering holes

noun

plural of watering hole
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

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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 Best Nightlife Apart from live entertainment at Chinook Winds Casino Resort and a handful of open-late watering holes, things usually wind down early here. — Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026 City Hall bars saw an increase in spending of 166%, while watering holes in the greater downtown area saw an 86% spike. — Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 There’s a handful of eating spots and watering holes here, each with a distinct vibe. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2026 Some Boston watering holes reportedly ran out of beer when Scottish fans descended on the city. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 July 2026 The bar at the Chequit, which had been one of the few local watering holes left on the island, closed during the off-season for the first time in memory. — Reeves Wiedeman, Curbed, 22 June 2026 Forbes Travel Guide’s Best Hotel Bars For 2026 Hotel bars are havens for travelers—locals, too—and to honor the watering holes on the top shelf, Forbes Travel Guide recently released its 2026 Hotel Star Bars, which spans 18 countries, from Singapore to Scotland. — Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 And a few miles south, Cape Canaveral's surf-centric neighbor, Cocoa Beach, offers a heartier menu of watering holes ranging from relaxed to raucous. — Marisa Spyker, Southern Living, 19 June 2026 For example, drought often concentrates elephants around water and food sources, such as watering holes, where those sick or weakened by starvation are more likely to succumb to the harsh weather conditions, poor water quality, or predators who have taken notice of the herd’s behavior. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watering holes
  1. pubs
  2. taverns
  3. saloons
  4. bars
  5. nightclubs
Noun
  • Thirsty visitors to Wrexham are well served by The Turf, once the location of the club’s dressing rooms and now one of the most recognisable football pubs in the country thanks to the Welcome to Wrexham documentary series.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The country’s beloved pubs, known for serving cheap drinks and small snacks, have long been a staple of Japan’s nightlife culture.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of pubs
Noun
  • But in 1820, Shippingport had about 600 residents, three wharves for steamboats, taverns and a flour mill.
    — Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Every evening, Sal and Tony finish their shifts and hit the taverns.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of taverns
Noun
  • Chinese mega-corps BYD is making huge inroads in European markets with its technically accomplished saloons and SUVs.
    — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 13 July 2026
  • By 1884, a map of the Central Business District shows hotels, saloons, dry goods shops, cigar manufacturers, and stores selling everything from shoes, to jewelry and even a winemaker.
    — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2026
Definition of saloons
Noun
  • Less than a 10-minute drive away is Castellammare del Golfo, full of eateries, stores, and bars.
    — Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Also during the restoration, the race-style, roll-over hoop behind the driver was removed, and rear chrome nudge bars were added.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of bars
Noun
  • Raudel would, on occasion, go out to nightclubs with his cousins.
    — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Clearly, this is not for those who crave après-ski bars and nightclubs.
    — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of nightclubs

Browse Nearby Words

watering hole
watering holes
watering place
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Cite this Entry

“Watering holes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watering%20holes. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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