This is a really difficult question.

To try to define what makes a good folk club is virtually impossible, it depends so much on the the locality. What works in one place, (and one time), is not necessarily transferrable.

But all of the folk clubs that I've enjoyed being aprt of over the last 40 years have had a few things in common,they've been:-

Friendly

Welcoming to newcomers

Non-judgmental - no matter what the performance content or quality

Well-organised - even though things sometimes do go wrong!

Possessed of a core of dedicated, regular performers to keep even the quietest 'singers nights' going.

Outgoing enough to book and present a range of established and up/coming guest performers

Lucky enough to get supportive audiences and floor singers.

So - all it takes is a group of dedicated people who decide to run a successful folk club cos running the world would not be so much of a challenge.

Long may we appreciate them.

K/van