NEW Strand’s hints, answers for January 16

If you’re reading this, you’re looking for some help playing Beachesthe New York Times‘ elevated word search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters – up, down, left, right or diagonally, but words can also change direction, resulting in odd shapes and patterns. Each letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There is always a theme that connects each solution, along with the “span frame,” a special word or phrase that summarizes the day’s theme and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, such as Wordle and Connections.

If you’re feeling stuck or just don’t have 10 minutes or more to figure out today’s puzzle, we’ve got all the NEW Strands tips for today’s puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

NYT Strand’s hint for today’s theme: Bar Association

These words are ordered by 21 and over.

Today’s NYT Strands theme explained clearly

Words are something you would get in a bar.

NYT Strand’s spangram tip: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today’s NYT Strand spangram is vertical.

NYT Strand’s spangram response today

Today’s spangram is Cocktails.

NYT Strand’s glossary for 16 January

• Cosmopolitan

• Zombie

• Martini

• Sidecar

• Stinger

• Cocktails

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable’s Games Page has more tips, and if you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable has Games Now!

Check out our game hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords and more.

Not the day you’re looking for? Here is the solution to yesterday’s Strands.