The truest and only relevant things stated on this thread:

1 - bars aren't designed for the benefit of musicians;
2 - don't go into these places!;
3 - yer man has to make a living out of selling nice meals and fine wines!

Nobody in their right mind is going to model their business that is normally open for business 365 days of the year for a group of people who use the place on 12, 25 or 50 times in the course of a year. Particularly when the following observation of that group is taken into account:

"......to survive they have to ensure they cater for people who pay their wages. Folk club audiences certainly aren't in that demographic. One in three is driving, one in two has a soft drink and I often see bottled water brought in by such people. The only time I ever see that is by folk audiences..."