Expression of hilarity seen around about pub (5)
I believe the answer is:
local
'pub' is the definition.
(one's local pub)
'expression of hilarity seen around' is the wordplay.
'expression of hilarity' becomes 'loc' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'seen' becomes 'got a look' (getting a look is a kind of seeing).
'around' indicates the central letters.
The middle letters of 'gotalook' are 'al'.
'loc'+'al'='LOCAL'
'about' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for local that I've seen before include "In the vicinity" , "bar" , "(Pub) of the district" , "Hostelry" , "Pub, maybe" .)