Empty pub before time, finally (4)
I believe the answer is:
bare
'empty' is the definition.
(eg 'the cupboards were bare')
'pub before time finally' is the wordplay.
'pub' becomes 'bar' (both are drinking establishments).
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'finally' indicates one should take the final letters.
The last letter of 'time' is 'e'.
'bar'+'e'='BARE'
(Other definitions for bare that I've seen before include "Stark - naked" , "Naked or empty" , "Not covered" , "Carried" , "Without protective covering" .)