Places one goes to play and bathe at respectable houses (8)
I believe the answer is:
theatres
'places one goes to play' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'bathe at respectable houses' is the wordplay.
'houses' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (part of the clue houses the answer).
'THEATRES' is hidden within 'bathe at respectable'.
'and' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for theatres that I've seen before include "Operating rooms" , "Drama venues" , "operational locations" , "Buildings for dramatic art" , "Areas of operation and of entertainment" .)