Snug in unexpected uproar about student behind counter (3-7)

'snug' is the definition.
(a snug is a comfortable area in a pub)

'uproar about student behind counter' is the wordplay.
'about' is an anagram indicator.
'student' becomes 'l' (as in L-plates for learner drivers).
'behind' says to put letters next to each other.
'counter' becomes 'bar' (bar is a kind of counter).
'uproar' anagrammed with 'l' makes 'parlour'.
'parlour' put after 'bar' is 'BAR-PARLOUR'.

'in unexpected' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?