No way, that's the best kind of weird. I'd be trying so hard to act casual while secretly watching every single person in the place. Like, is that guy nodding his head to the beat or just agreeing with his friend about the avocado toast? Does getting your song played in public count if the main audience is focused on foam art? Still, you got them to listen, even if they were just there for the free wifi.
Lol, this is so typical. People always dismiss small venues like they don't matter. But those gigs are legit and they do pay, it's not just background noise.