Private place to drink beer occasionally (5)
I believe the answer is:
inner
'private' is the definition.
(as in one's private or inner thoughts)
'place to drink beer occasionally' is the wordplay.
'place to drink' becomes 'inn' (type of drinking establishment).
'occasionally' indicates alternate letters (letters taken at regular intervals or occasions).
The alternating letters of 'beer' are 'er'.
'inn'+'er'='INNER'
(Other definitions for inner that I've seen before include "More secret, private" , "Central area of a city, often old" , "This sort of man will be satisfied!" , "Situated within" , "This part of city is at the old centre" .)