Paco's Bar

Paco’s Bar was situated on Stanley Street, just beside Jody’s Nightclub and served as a more casual, friendly bar, where people fondly remember it for its great atmosphere and iconic bar staff. Neil worked at Paco’s between 1989 and 1994 and he shares with us many vivid details of this space. From his colleague Monica Killkelly, a feisty barmaid often referred to as an icon of Liverpool’s gay scene, to the black and red interior of the basement bar, decorated with photographs of film stars. Spread across two floors, the basement bar was open daily with a slightly ‘seedy’ reputation, and the upstairs bar opened on weekends.

Interior of Paco’s basement bar, as remembered by Neil Powell today.
“In Paco’s you were always looked out for. It was a friendly place and always filled with characters. Although, it was very seedy - dark and dingy. The back fire exit stairs would often be used as an unofficial sex area. The ladies would be full of glam gays slapping on their makeup - which was much nicer than the gents.”
- Neil Powell​​​​​​​
Behind the Bar at Paco’s

These rare photographs, generously shared by Neil Powell, offer a glimpse into the warm and eclectic world of Paco’s Bar. 
Copyright note: These photographs have been shared within Liverpool's LGBTQ+ community, and while we are grateful to Neil Powell for passing them on, the original copyright holder is unknown. If you are the photographer or know more about the origins of these images, please get in touch — we’d love to credit and acknowledge your contribution properly.
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