It's real hard to ignore the happy drunk guy 5 feet from you screaming. It's nice because it's so immediate. There's no wall between you and the audience. But a smaller venue also means smaller exposure, too, of course. So it's a tradeoff.
Music fans get their own bang for the buck.
It's fun to see a band in a small club. The four musicians, situated on a stage jutting out of the front of the room, are playing a trance-inducing style. A terrific, propulsive rhythm section builds a foundation that supports the guitar and keyboard's minimalist, melodic ideas. The band members have parents and other relatives scattered around the room as well. You can feel the camaraderie.