I think lots of bands don’t really embrace the bar gig, playing their own favorites, no crowd banter, won’t (or can’t) field a request, etc. I was in a bar band that just killed every time, and every gig was life-affirming. I’ve been in plenty of less-than -stellar bar bands, too. If patrons are yelling “Freebird”, maybe your band isn’t entertaining them. It’s really rare to be in a band that actually draws a crowd, keeps them there until closing, and fills the tip jar. It’s much more difficult than it looks, and I owe most of it to our frontman/lead guitarist.
I hear you on the $$$ and hours. But I miss a good bar gig with my old band. We killed at weddings and private parties, too. I miss being able to drink beer, trade solos, and crack jokes on the mic with my friends. If only it paid double! Maybe it’ll happen again one day.