Strip bar with little reputation tackles the crux of adverse publicity (7)
I believe the answer is:
deprive
'strip' is the definition.
('deprive' can be a synonym of 'strip')
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for deprive that I've seen before include "Debar from enjoyment" , "Take away from, prevent from enjoying" , "Deny (someone) use (of something)" , "Dispossess (someone of something)" , "Withhold - divest" .)