How one tipple, even less, leads to pub (5)
I believe the answer is:
hotel
'pub' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'how one tipple even less leads' is the wordplay.
'leads' says to take the initial letters.
The first letters of 'how one tipple even less' is 'HOTEL'.
'to' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for hotel that I've seen before include "Where one may stay" , "Ritz or Dorchester?" , "----- de Ville - a town hall in France" , "Accommodation building" , "Ritz or Hilton?" .)