Clue: Happy hour in pub right away leads to hugs and excitement (8)
Answer: BROUHAHA
Explanation: Definition: excitement
A charade of BROUHA, an envelope ('in') of ROUH, an anagram ('happy') of 'hour' in BA[r] ('pub') minus the R ('right away'); plus HA ('leads to **H**ugs **A**nd'). An intricate wordplay hidden under a splendid surface.