While an 8 footer is smaller then a 9 footer, when that is all that's in the room you almost don't even notice. Most people are perfectly content to play on 8 footers. I have played in room tournaments with both when they needed all the tables to play. One match may be on an 8 foot and the next on a 9 foot. No real complaints.
Just as a side note, I went through Texas some years ago and saw a lot of good bar table players, many were Mexicans. It got to where if it was a bar table the the guy was a Mexican you better be careful.