Hi,
I have to say that I've enjoyed the folk clubs I've been too (which hasn't actually totaled that many in number). You get a much better connection with the artist.
When back "home" I do try and get to the Red Lion in Birmingham - my only critique was that Birmingham buses stopped running too early and it was a pain to get back to the other side of Brum,
The Old South Folk Club in Edmonton, Alberta (late 70's was excellent.
Vancouver lacked a folk club in the early 80's really missed that - though the Rogue is now there.
Ontario has good ones - Cuckoo's Nest in London, Folk Under the Clock, Peterborough - more like a concert setting, Vital Spark in Whitby, Acoustic Harvest in Toronto, - can't really mention the Cloud 'cos of my connection and hence biased opinion (though the Globe and Mail reviewing a Robin Williamson concert described it as a "panelled social club with rec room ambience"!) are all ones I've enjoyed.
Heard much good stuff of Greenbank (maybe Tony can give info) and numerous others.
Others I enjoyed (I think) were so long ago I can't really remember too well - Jug O'Punch in Brum (Birmingham) and the one at Reading University in the early 70's.
All of these allowed a special way of experiencing many a fine talent - you masy just have to take the rough with the smooth, but that is folk I suppose (or do you really want to go to the Air Canada Centre and pay $75 or whatever)
Cheers Rana