Mel Gordon - Voluptuous Panic - The Erotic World of Weimar Berlin

Entertainment:The effusive orchestra, costumed in unisex silk blouses, plays provocative and haunting songs from French and Argentinean repertoires. Major amusement is the difficult task of assigning a biologic gender to the dancing couples, most of whom are convincingly made-up transvestites.

A lavish floor-show is presented at midnight. Typical production consists of five or six numbers: “Sweet Carlo,” an androgynist, twirling boy is introduced to stormy applause; then a courtly diva sings (in shrill falsetto) a medley of risqué Parisian chansons , which concludes with a baritone finale. This is followed by a comical trio of rumba dancers in drag, who play out a Latin love-triangle. Lastly, Lou, the Andalusian maître d’, appears in a turban, naked except for a bra and skimpy G-string. She/he executes an exotic, totally believable “naked” ballet. With the striking of the last percussive note, Lou throws her turban in the air, revealing a distinctly pomaded male mane.

Unusual:There are two service bars: a long American counter near the entrance with a row of femme bartenders (including a poor, stranded 21-year-old English-speaking girl). Over the counter is a disturbing series of S&M photographs. The second bar is at the rear. It is ministered by a jocular bartender, who insists on kissing every lady’s hand. Despite the telling Eton haircut, this character is so obese that it is impossible—even for Eldorado regulars—to determine his/her sex.

Overheard conversation:Society Matron to transvestite dancer: “Are you really a man?” Falsetto reply: “I am whatever sex you wish me to be, Madame.”

Area:BERLIN WEST. Near NOLLENDORFPLATZ.

Atmosphere:Even more glamorous and fashion-driven than the first Eldorado. Magazine advertisement: “Original Or Not—We Are Ready!”

Clientele:Serious male and female transvestites, usually in parties of four to ten. French and Scandinavian Ladies on holiday. Also lots of staid international travelers, due to a clever campaign of promotion in straight hotel guides and the powerful inducement of free admission.

Decor:“HERE IT IS RIGHT” marquee re-appears over the club doorway. On the Motzstrasse side of the building, there is a garish mural that exhibits this Eldorado’s philosophy. A series of cartoonish drawings of dancing couples unfolds, beginning with a man clasping a woman; second image is a man waltzing with another man; then a woman with a woman; next a ridiculous cross-dressed pair; a threesome doing a polka; and finally a man romantically embracing a frisky, perverse poodle.

Inside a Chinese motif prevails: standing copper gongs and sketches of opium-smoking Chinamen on the walls. More spacious seating than in the Old Eldorado.

Entertainment:Hot dance orchestra, the Bernd Robert Rhythmics. Weekends feature female impersonators, like the ostrich-headressed Muguette (in a tribute to French Music-Hall chanteuse legend Mistinguett). Still, drinking and intersexual gawking are the evening’s cardinal activity.

Unusual:The opening of a second Eldorado created a pressing social problem among Berlin’s stylish Ladies: which to patronize. As always, there is an elegant solution—begin the evening at Lutherstrasse 29 and then slowly migrate here for unbridled fun and games.

Area:FRIEDRICHSTADT SOUTH. East of ANHALTER Train Station.

Atmosphere:Jokey. Comic-aggressive. The oldest extant transvestite club in Berlin. Once the center of organized male homosexual activity.

Clientele:Attractive drag queens (flagrantly sauntering back and forth from the Ladies Room), tantalized provincials, and heterosexual tourists. Some masculine women in suits (conspicuously using the Men’s Room).

Decor:Tacky Oriental furnishings with Japanese lanterns and hanging beads over doorway arches. Flashing red traffic light illuminates the dozen tables.

Entertainment:The Baron Sattergrün (known simply as the “Baroness”) on piano and a violinist play tango ballads and dance music. Transgendered illusionists dance with one another. A complete transvestite revue is offered on weekends.

Unusual:Four or five assertive divas with short-cut dresses and rubber breasts go table to table, demanding the straight males dance with them. Tourists amuse themselves, guessing which powdered patrons are biological females. Every night, a few transvestite prostitutes manage to usher confused heterosexual admirers to their nearby apartments.

Area:BERLIN WEST. Near NOLLENDORFPLATZ. (Formerly the political cabaret KÜKA).

Atmosphere:Militantly gynocentric. A hefty female transvestite at the door makes certain males do not enter. (He/she holds a riding crop in one transgendered hand.

Clientele:Mostly cross-dressed Dodos and Garçonnes in pants. A few Mädis and daring married women.

Decor:Rows of hard, wooden benches against the walls, tables, a cabaret stage.

Entertainment:All-girl orchestra performing an up-to-date international repertoire. Cabaret acts are introduced by conférencière Lola Gray.

Area:BERLIN WEST. Near NÜRNBERGER PLATZ.

Atmosphere:Calm, self-assured. Blanketed in a blue haze of cigarette smoke. The cynosure of worldly sophistication. Maître d’ unerringly knows who is a suitable guest and who does not belong.

Clientele:The most cosmopolitan mix in Berlin: film stars (notably Conrad Veidt, Anita Berber, and Marlene Dietrich—circa 1925), wealthy transvestite first-nighters, and in-the-know foreigners. Many Bubis in natty smoking jackets and marcelled hair, “giving off sparks like virile gigolos.” Mädis wrapped in long sequined dresses. Seated at one of the front bars is always a string of 20-year-old Ladies with large gazelle-like eyes and dresses that emphasize their tiny waists and foamy, soft artificial breasts.

Decor:Long narrow room illuminated by dim pink lights and red Japanese paper lanterns. Two counters on either side of the foyer; each bar is “manned” by three youths in white silk shirts, matching signet rings, and slicked-back hair. Every so often, one of the narcissistic bartenders stops in the midst of preparing a martini and admires himself in a mirror over the opposite booth.