Private tavern vacated earlier (5)
I believe the answer is:
inner
'private' is the definition.
(as in one's private or inner thoughts)
'tavern vacated earlier' is the wordplay.
'tavern' becomes 'inn' (I've seen this in another clue).
'vacated' suggests removing the centre (internal letters vacate the word).
'earlier' with its centre taken out is 'er'.
'inn'+'er'='INNER'
(Other definitions for inner that I've seen before include "Exclusive to a center" , "Situated within" , "Relating to the soul, mind or spirit" , "Ring round bulls-eye" , "Region around bullseye" .)