Absolutely. I get comped drinks a lot at the places I go. In the past seven days, I have gotten five free drinks (three of them were mocktails) across four places.
I sit at my usual wine bar and chuckle watching across the street, people standing in line for 30 minutes to get into a loud club with mediocre drinks. Then again, that club is hugely profitable.
Being a regular (at any local business but especially bars) is an extremely fulfilling feeling. Also very good for ones social health to be active in their community.
Pubs started as "public houses". What's the point if you don't know the regulars? Why go out?
Imagine Cheers with robo Ted Dansen. (Actually, that might be awesome, for very different reasons...)