Jim Lad - I agree, it's nice to have a pint of beer, but only after I perform.

And here in the States, pubs are much different places. I've played in several in Seattle.

An Irish session in a nice Irish pub, the room is very nice and free Guinness is good, good food too, but the occasional (or not so occasional) drunk or alcoholic musician, the noise particularly after a game (it is walking distance from two major sports stadiums), makes it less than desirable.

A musician's showcase in another Irish pub (but you wouldn't know it was Irish), musicians playing mostly to other musicians, most of the other patrons more interested in the game on TV (that rousing cheer in the middle of your song is simply because of a score in the game) or pool table or other gaming machines, very noisy room with poor acoustics and not very good sound system. Again not the best place for music.

A fisherman's pub, a large room, fairly good acoustics (after the TV is turned off), but only musicians listening to other musicians on an otherwise quiet week night (few other patrons), and the owner making little money from the musicians decides to cancel our music and bring in a rock band.

So that leaves the coffee house, book store, house jam or house concert. I've hosted several house concerts, often with a jam after the concert. That can be vary nice.

Cheers, S. in Seattle