re: What makes one bar popular and another not?

Cater to the females and the guys will follow. Keep the women feeling comfortable and they'll stay longer and come back, have great martini and drink specials and a bar staff that knows how to smile and keeps their head up always looking for someone needing a drink. Enforce 21 and up and no smoking inside. No pool tables. They bring the wrong crowd and take up space.

Oh and have a very clean women's bathroom

And last but not least know your margins and adjust to the clientele in your area