Excludes from pubs (4)
I believe the answer is:
bars
This clue is a double definition.
'excludes' is the first definition.
('bar' can be a synonym of 'exclude')
'pubs' is the second definition.
(a bar is a pub)
'from' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for bars that I've seen before include "Metal rods or pubs" , "Watering holes - units in musical scores" , "where people get drunk" , "Drinking establishments" , "Excludes; sandbanks" .)