Mine host is droll and awkward (8)
I believe the answer is:
landlord
'mine host' is the definition.
(mine host can humorously mean a pub landlord)
'droll and awkward' is the wordplay.
'awkward' is an anagram indicator.
'droll'+'and'='drolland'
'drolland' anagrammed gives 'LANDLORD'.
'is' is the link.
(Other definitions for landlord that I've seen before include "Innkeeper" , "Male lessor" , "One who rents out property" , "ones under the table he might throw out" , "Property owner who leases to others" .)