even serving alcohol doesn't really make $. Rocket Bar closed here (the place KD played when they came through) after the New Year, and they were a really popular place- everyone ended up there after other places closed so it was usually pretty crowded on the weekends. http://rftstl.com/issues/2004-12-29/music/radarstation.html
maybe nonprofit is a good way to look into, as avi said. grants would be good if there are places that do that.