Stop me returning to pub and leave (7)
I believe the answer is:
embargo
'stop' is the definition.
(I know that embargo is a more specific form of the action stop)
'me returning to pub and leave' is the wordplay.
'returning' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'to pub' becomes 'bar' (both are drinking establishments).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'leave' becomes 'go' (to go is to depart or leave).
'me' written backwards gives 'em'.
'em'+'bar'+'go'='EMBARGO'
(Other definitions for embargo that I've seen before include "Ban; prohibition" , "Proscribe, ban" , "restrict trade" , "Trade barrier or publication ban" , "Block" .)