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
Add in a killer (and vintage) spirits collection and pop-ups hosting the world’s top watering holes?
—
Virginia Miller, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026
The Connaught’s watering holes are equally iconic.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
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
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
Virginia Miller, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026
The Connaught’s watering holes are equally iconic.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watering holes
Noun
-
These drinking dens sit side by side with decades-old pubs that welcome locals and visitors with open arms (but maybe not a smile, especially in the winter).—
Tanya Edwards,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 June 2026
-
From junior games on pitches every weekend, to crowds piling into pubs to watch England play the World Cup, football, as it is called outside of the United States, is deeply ingrained in the British national psyche.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
This is a spot where old gets its due (take a minute to check out all the black-and-white photos of classic Wisconsin taverns on the wall), but the vibe is entirely new-school cool.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
11 June 2026
-
And countless taverns, restaurants, schools and other gathering spots will host viewing parties and other activities.—
Kristy Hutchings,
Daily News,
10 June 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
-
Beware that many of the bars suggested by ChatGPT (crack open a guide book, loser) may have gone out of business or changed their names, as bars open and close all the time.—
Anton Hur,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 June 2026
-
Jurors could have sentenced Anthony to as little as two years in prison or up to the rest of his life behind bars.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
For hundreds of millions of soccer fans from across the world, seven FIFA World Cup games will be held in Miami — a name that invokes images of beaches, nightclubs and Latin culture.—
Joshua Ceballos,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
-
The city’s nightclubs were closing, and the streets were dark.—
Samantha Schmidt,
Washington Post,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watering holes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watering%20holes. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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