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
In the evening, head to Tanimachi 4-chome, a low-key residential pocket about 15 minutes away on foot, where locals frequent lively izakayas and cozy watering holes like wine bar Anchovy Butter.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 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
Casino Ketchum has several popular watering holes, including Grumpy’s (think beer cans on the walls and 32-ounce schooners) and the Cellar Pub (chatty bartenders and a dark basement).
—Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 16 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
At these delightfully divey watering holes, every visible surface is covered in dollars scribbled with the initials, anniversaries, hometowns, inside jokes, dates, or names of anyone who has darkened the doors of that particular bar over the past fifty years—or maybe just the past week.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2026
Now the little street is home to adorable watering holes for some old west nightlife.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 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
Casino Ketchum has several popular watering holes, including Grumpy’s (think beer cans on the walls and 32-ounce schooners) and the Cellar Pub (chatty bartenders and a dark basement).
—Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 16 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
At these delightfully divey watering holes, every visible surface is covered in dollars scribbled with the initials, anniversaries, hometowns, inside jokes, dates, or names of anyone who has darkened the doors of that particular bar over the past fifty years—or maybe just the past week.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 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
-
At the helm of all this fanfare is Oisin Rogers, an old-school landlord who has been working in London pubs for 30 years.—
Sarah Allard,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The three pubs are Molly Malone's Irish Pub, Flanagan's Ale House, and O'Shea's Irish Pub.—
Amanda Hancock,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
There are 50,000 video gambling terminals, in most of the taverns and convenience stores in the state.—
Jim Nowlan,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Soon after, the area became a hub with saloons, butchers, bakeries and department stores.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Caviar used to be given away in 19th century saloons to encourage drinking.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There’s only one town, San Pedro, with colorful waterfront restaurants and breezy beach bars perfect for sunset rum punches.—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Now just a few months after a jury sentenced Resecker to 65 years behind bars, the teenager is appealing the prison term and arguing for a new trial.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The complex was formerly part of the Downtown Plaza mall, once home to a Macy’s and other businesses, including nightclubs and shops, The Sacramento Bee reported.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Allegations against the Alexander brothers The brothers are accused of meeting victims at nightclubs, parties and on dating apps, and recruited others for trips to ritzy locales, paying for flights and lodging at high-end hotels or luxe vacation rentals before drugging and raping them.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Watering holes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watering%20holes. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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