Pubs that stop people escaping? (4)
I believe the answer is:
bars
'pubs' is the definition.
(a bar is a pub)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bars that I've seen before include "Rods or drink dispensers" , "Drinking establishments" , "Prohibits; sandbanks" , "Excludes; sandbanks" , "Metal rods or pubs" .)