cantina

noun

can·​ti·​na kan-ˈtē-nə 

1

Southwestern US : a pouch or bag at the pommel of a saddle

2

Southwestern US : a small barroom : saloon

Synonyms

• bar
• barroom
• café
• cafe
• dramshop
• gin mill
• grogshop [chiefly British]
• pub
• public house [chiefly British]
• saloon
• taproom
• tavern
• watering hole
• watering place

Examples of cantina in a Sentence

we spent an interesting evening in that desert town's lone cantina

Recent Examples on the Web

Although expat William Lee (Daniel Craig) is more free in Mexico City to drink around the clock, shoot heroin and indulge in his gay desires than in America, there still remains a secretive slyness required in expressing his queerness — even in the slovenly cantinas south of the border. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 4 Dec. 2024

His songs, which favor the traditional northern ranchera style, are staples at cantinas and restaurants, on radio airwaves and at weddings, baptisms and quinceañeras. —Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024

Mercifully, one of my favorite cantinas in the world, the unfussy Saveur de Poisson, is still thriving. —Chris Wallace, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2024

Along the way, Kay will explore bustling cities and cantinas, race across sprawling outdoor landscapes on her speeder, and pilot her ship the Trailblazer through the wilds of space. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, from Spanish, canteen, from Italian, wine cellar — more at canteen

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1