Burlesque & Cabaret: Berlin's Wildest Shows And Where to Find Them
- Amanda Sandström Beijer
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Berlin doesn't do anything halfway: especially when it comes to putting on a show. The city's burlesque and cabaret scene is a delicious cocktail of vintage glamour, contemporary kink, and unapologetic sensuality that'll leave you questioning why the rest of the world is so goddamn uptight. Whether you're a tourist looking to dive headfirst into Berlin's notorious nightlife or a local who's somehow missed this glittering underworld, we've got the inside scoop on where to find the city's most electrifying performances.
Forget your stuffy dinner theater: Berlin's burlesque scene is raw, authentic, and absolutely fucking magnetic. From intimate basement shows to grand theater spectacles, this city serves up everything from classic striptease to avant-garde performance art that'll make your jaw drop and your inhibitions disappear.
The Velvet Creepers: Berlin's Underground Darlings
Meet Berlin’s riotous trio at the heart of Ballhaus Berlin: Lilly Mortis, Dunja von K, and Fifi Fantôme — aka The Velvet Creepers. Think “Weimar Cabaret on Acid”: lush vintage glamour spiked with satire, circus, and a deliciously feral sense of humor. As we captured in our feature from Ballhaus Berlin, this isn’t just burlesque; it’s a time-warped fever dream where the punchlines cut as sharp as the sequins.
They produce their regular shows independently, curating rotating themes with a carousel of special guests. One month it’s smoky chanson and razor‑wit, the next it’s aerial anarchy and kinky cabaret — always intimate, always provocative, always Berlin.
Highlights that live rent‑free in our heads:
Dunja von K: world‑record hula‑hoop artistry and a perfectly timed, comedic hair‑hanging act that shouldn’t be possible (yet she makes it look easy).
Fifi Fantôme: gravity‑defying aerials and bold nude statement pieces that read like performance art manifestos.
Lilly Mortis: emcee mischief, razor‑sharp wit, and those powerhouse vocals that pin-drop a ballroom.
Tickets are often under €50 — for this level of chaos and craft, it’s a wild, unmissable value. Catch them next at Ballhaus Berlin, with ongoing touring dates rolling through European cabaret houses and festivals.
Tipsy Bear: Where Burlesque Meets Berlin's Wild Side
When it comes to venues that perfectly capture Berlin's "anything goes" attitude, Tipsy Bear stands out as a must-visit location for anyone serious about experiencing authentic Berlin burlesque. This isn't some tourist trap serving watered-down versions of cabaret: it's the real deal, where performers push boundaries and audiences come expecting to be surprised.
Located in the heart of Berlin's nightlife district, Tipsy Bear has become synonymous with quality burlesque that ranges from classically elegant to delightfully depraved. The venue itself feels like stepping into a fever dream of velvet curtains, dim lighting, and an atmosphere thick with anticipation.
What makes Tipsy Bear special is their commitment to showcasing both established acts and emerging talent. You might catch an internationally renowned performer one night and discover your new obsession in an up-and-coming artist the next. The programming is deliberately eclectic: one show might feature vintage pin-up aesthetics while another explores contemporary themes of gender, sexuality, and identity.
Wilde Matilde Berlin: Vintage Glamour with Modern Attitude
For those craving a more theatrical experience, Wilde Matilde Berlin Variety Show delivers vintage glamour with a distinctly modern twist. Running every Friday and Saturday from 7pm, this show transports audiences through the decadent 1920s and 1930s with all the style and none of the historical baggage.
Picture this: dapper waitresses in seductive costumes serving champagne while exotic performers emerge from oversized champagne glasses like some fever dream of Gatsby-era excess. It's camp, it's glamorous, and it's exactly the kind of over-the-top spectacle that makes Berlin's entertainment scene so addictive.
The show blends circus acts, traditional burlesque, and rock 'n' roll energy into something that feels both nostalgic and urgently contemporary. It's perfect for visitors who want to experience Berlin's cabaret culture without diving too deep into the city's more extreme offerings: though don't mistake "accessible" for "tame."
Berlin Freak Burlesque Circus: Where Normal Goes to Die
If you're looking for something that'll really shake up your worldview, the Berlin Freak Burlesque Circus at Roadrunner's Paradise is your ticket to the truly extraordinary. These performances have been pushing the boundaries of German burlesque since 2004, when they pioneered the country's first Neo-Burlesque shows.
Their upcoming December 6th show promises to transform Roadrunner's Paradise into a glittering celebration of burlesque, boylesque, and freakshow performances. This isn't just entertainment: it's an experience that challenges conventional ideas about bodies, sexuality, and what constitutes "normal" human expression.
The Christmas edition features what they call "wild angels and naughty Santas," which should give you some idea of their approach to holiday traditions. Expect the unexpected, embrace the uncomfortable, and prepare to have your assumptions thoroughly demolished.
Cirque du Burlesque Berlin: Sophistication Meets Seduction
For a more refined take on Berlin's burlesque scene, Cirque du Burlesque Berlin at Lieschen Mueller offers what they accurately describe as the city's most sinful burlesque show. Located directly beneath Berlin's iconic TV tower at Neptunbrunnen, this venue combines dinner with show glamour every Friday and Saturday at 7pm.
The sophistication here is deliberate: this is burlesque for grown-ups who appreciate artistry alongside their arousal. The performances blend traditional cabaret elements with contemporary sensibilities, creating an atmosphere that's both elegant and deliciously naughty.
It's the perfect choice for special occasions or when you want to introduce someone to Berlin's burlesque scene without overwhelming them with the city's more extreme offerings. Think of it as burlesque with training wheels: except the training wheels are made of silk and champagne.
The Showgirls of Burlesque: International Glamour
When former performers from Moulin Rouge, Lido de Paris, and Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin come together, you know you're in for something special. The Showgirls of Burlesque, led by Lola La Tease, represents the cream of European burlesque talent.
Their performances at Showbühne combine stunning striptease acts with energetic showgirl dance numbers and impressive acrobatic displays. We're talking aerial hoop acts, giant champagne glass performances, and the kind of technical skill that comes from years of professional training.
This is burlesque as high art, where every movement is calculated for maximum impact and every costume change tells a story. It's spectacle on a grand scale, perfect for those who appreciate the technical mastery behind the seduction.
Vaudeville Variety Burlesque Revue: Classic Meets Contemporary
The upcoming "Grand Hotel Faburlesque" at Wintergarten Varieté Berlin on December 13th represents Berlin's premier burlesque revue experience. Wintergarten has been synonymous with variety entertainment for decades, and their approach to burlesque maintains that tradition while embracing contemporary sensibilities.
These shows typically feature multiple acts, ranging from solo performances to elaborate group numbers, all unified by a common theme or narrative structure. It's burlesque as storytelling, where each act contributes to a larger artistic vision.
Tips for Burlesque Virgins (And Seasoned Veterans)
Dress Code Reality Check: Berlin's burlesque venues generally embrace a "come as you are" philosophy, but putting in some effort shows respect for the performers and the art form. Think "stylishly underdressed" rather than "funeral formal."
Timing Matters: Shows typically start later than you'd expect: 7pm is early for Berlin. Factor in time for pre-show drinks and the fact that nothing in this city starts exactly on time.
Audience Participation: Unlike strip clubs, burlesque shows encourage audience engagement. Cheer, applaud, and show appreciation: but keep your hands to yourself unless explicitly invited otherwise.
Tipping Etiquette: Many venues have tip jars or allow direct tipping during performances. A few euros shows appreciation and helps support the artists who make these experiences possible.
Photography Policies: Most venues prohibit photography during performances to protect performers' privacy and maintain the intimate atmosphere. Respect these rules: the memories you make will be more vivid than any Instagram story.
Berlin's burlesque scene isn't just entertainment: it's a celebration of human sexuality, artistic expression, and the beautiful weirdness that makes this city unlike anywhere else on earth. Whether you're drawn to vintage glamour, contemporary provocation, or something that defies categorization entirely, Berlin's stages offer experiences that'll stay with you long after the curtain falls.
The city's commitment to sex positivity, artistic freedom, and pushing boundaries means that every show is an opportunity to explore not just what performers are willing to reveal, but what you're willing to discover about yourself. In Berlin, burlesque isn't just about taking clothes off: it's about taking inhibitions off and embracing the full spectrum of human desire and expression.