I have to say that for me it is all about AUDIENCES ~in particular attracting new and newish customers
That is something that too many clubs fail to consider, at least until the organiser has dipped into their bank account for one too many expensive guests.

While I was lucky enough to start at a club with particularly tallented residents it was the atmosphere that kept me coming back every week.

The situation has improved but in the 90s, when I had to move to a new area, I found a lot of clubs dismissive of anybody who walked in with the intention of listening and at least one (much aclaimed on Mudcat at the time) that was openly hostile to strangers who arrived without a guitar case.