Out of the 5 places I play in Ft Worth, they're pretty much all 8 ft. 3 of the 5 also offer a few 9 ft tables, one of them has changed ownership a few times, but used to also have a bar box.
For me, bar boxes are what I played on before I was old enough for bars (or when dragging a teen around) - tore up cloth, filthy balls, and pretzel cues at miniature golf/arcade venues. I got a couple of adult venues near me that might be really good - but I won't try them because I know they have coin-op tables - maybe I should? I don't think so.
Asking myself the same question as the OP, I've played mostly on 8s and some on 9s - but there was really no decision. I planned for a nine from the beginning, and eventually found one I could afford.
Of course, you've cheated the question by removing cost and space considerations - 'nuf said.