LIVERPOOL'S longest-running gay bar is 29 years young. Paco's Bar is celebrating in retro style with a programme of events over the Bank Holiday. Enjoy happy hour prices from 6pm each night, with some of best atmosphere and value to be found. Events start from tonight with Sounds of the '70s through to the '80s. The music moves on through to the '90s and today, through Saturday and Sunday. Bank Holiday Monday features the welcome return of Maim that Tune at Paco's on Stanley Street. In their infinite wisdom, they have chosen Back to School for this karaoke theme night. There are prizes for the best Billy and Bessie Bunter, so dig out your caps and shorts or plait those pigtails. There are promos aplenty with offers on lager, cider, bitter and spirits, plus the new toffee liqueur. Cabaret time SUMMER Bank Holiday Weekend will be crazy on Liverpool's gay scene. Local venues are expected to be packed. Liverpool's scene is right next to the Mathew Street festival, so most bars will be opening their doors for the thousands of visitors flocking to the city this weekend. The Masquerade Bar on Cumberland Street features Marlene's cabaret all weekend. The drag divas, including Lena Cross and Daniella Mantrap, will be on till late. The Masq has now got a later license and will be open till midnight over the weekend. Mardis Gras is on YOU may have heard that this weekend's Lesbian and Gay Mardi Gras in Manchester has been cancelled. But in a last-minute decision on Thursday night, the Village Business Association met police and Manchester city council for last-ditch talks and announced that the fesitval has been reinstated. At the time of writing the following events were back on - the big parade, the essential dance arena, the essential main stage, the candle-lit vigil, and the street market, but sadly the Works party at the Printworks could not be saved. The VBA is asking all the people who were planning to take part in the protest march against the cancellation to go along and join in with the big parade, making it a "floats and pride" parade. And the Mardi Gras website adds, they have managed to save 80% of the acts on the main stage in the park. For details go to www.manchestermardigras.com | 
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