Take photos? The camera can also be used to get close to any bands playing, get on the side of the stage, etc.

Correct, I took heaps of photos. People, mostly; these were people/dancing clubs, not watch-a-band clubs. I posted some online but mostly not. This was pre-social-internet.

I just enjoyed taking the pictures, and people loved chimping themselves. I made a ton of friends.

The golden age of abundant club photography, roughly around 2003 iirc. Came as quickly as it disappeared again, starting with the availability of somewhat affordable DSLR and ending when people became more conscious about where their face would be published after the first of social media.