If you profess that you don't draw a crowd, chances are the place will not want to hire you. You might want to *downplay* that little fact when advertising yourself to pubs.
The fact that "times are tough" is counter-acted by the fact that during those times, bars/pubs usually see an increase in business. People are more likely to go out and drink and listen to a bar band when they're trying to distract themselves from their financial woes. I've seen no decrease in wages from bars/venues during this recession, just a decrease in the number of private gigs. Oh, and the decrease in wedding gigs due to the rapidly rising number of DJs in Portland.
Ask yourself, "How much is each of us willing to work for?" Or, rather, "Below what amount is it ridiculous for us to even consider leaving our houses for?" Then, you know your bottom line, and it's all about trying to keep your wages above that. Some people are good business-talkers, and can basically talk a venue owner into hiring their band for their full price. If you have somebody who is very persuasive and intriguing in your band, have them do the talking...