I agree clubs are different from concerts, people go there to socialise as well, more so than they do with concerts.
why did the singers club close?
"I suggest (or I hope) that your description of "half a dozen or ten regulars shuffling papers" or being "unprepared" - in which case an army of paid guests isn't going to make a happorth of differenc"
i disagree it makes a lot of difference as does having ten good residents.