I guess I'll just use a few pars, and rent extra stuff if the venue needs it.
Anyone in the bar circuit should balance the coolness of their light show versus what it really gains them. If anyone's light show means the bar staff has to stay 2, 3, 4 etc hours after closing time while you load out, let alone dealing with feeder cable and tie-ins and other things they'd rather you not do (like taking ceiling tiles out, cables across walkways to find more circuits, etc).... then you might find that the large light show is a hindrance to the band's bookings more than a help.
Agreed, but these days most everyone at that level should be looking at LED fixtures. The power draw is minuscule and with lightweight fixtures, bringing in portable stands and or trussing is a simple matter. I bring in about 30-40 fixtures and our total power draw is less than 15amps!
My setup consits of 4 tripod stands and 4 sections of 5 ft truss. 8 small par led, 6 medium par led, 4 flat panle led, 2 star ball, 2 400 watt follow spots, 1 hazer. All will run off 1 20 amp ckt
Small bar setup - 2 tripods, each side / front of satge with 3 medium pars on each, each fixture pointing at a band member, clamp1 flat panel on each side and 1 star ball on each side, point these towards dance floor.
Medium bar set up - 2 tripods front/ side 3 pars each side for band member - 2 tripods rear to support truss, minimal 10ft wide, up to 20 ft wide depending on venue. put the 8 smaller pars and the 4 flat panels on that rear turss spread accrding to the width, back lighting and eye candy
larger shows, use the same type setup as medium, add the 2 follow spots at FOH areas and can move pars into whatever configuration looks best.
Use the hazer at all size where allowed, it makes all the difference in the world.
Run it all with bluelight