The predecessors of drag as we know it today, have played an important part in the queer nightlife of Berlin. Today the scene is embraced and shaped by drag performers from all over the world, with a focus on bringing the spotlight on new talents.

Foundation, concealer, colorful eyeshadow, brushes and lashes are scattered across the vanity table. Heads with wigs, pleaser shoes and extravagant accessories cover the shelves above. 

“What do you say if I use this color? I think it could look cool.”

Drag queen Santana Sexmachine is giving make-up lessons to her friend Thom, who’s recently started to explore their identity through drag.

“The great thing about Santana is that she never says no to any idea I wanna try with makeup”, says Thom, or Arα[ch]Ny, which is their drag name. 

Santana Sexmachine came to Berlin from Sweden as a 23-year old to pursue a career and discover herself. One season of the Swedish version of Rupaul’s drag race, many style changes, and six years later, she’s living off of her make-up skills and drag performances in the city.

“I owe 100% of my aesthetic to Berlin, for sure. My chosen family are some of the coolest people I know.  I was a bit of a lost bird before when it came to drag. When I go out I get inspired every single time. By like what to do with drag. Also what to don’t to do in drag”, says Santana.

Santana describes her persona as “hot fucking mess” and “the wildest moodboard you’ve ever seen”. She has found her creative freedom and expression in the underground and experimental approach that is available in the Berlin drag scene.

“Back in Sweden drag is still very polished and glamorous, and while I do love that aesthetic in many ways, I feel more like a Berghain-monster compared to Swedish queens. In Berlin it fits well with being slutty. It’s also  a cheaper alternative to be punk! One time my shoe broke, and I just taped it together, and  nobody questions it because they think it’s punk.”

Two hours of getting ready and an uber ride later, the two queens arrive at queer club SchwuZ in Neukölln, where Santana will host and perform her monthly party. In the smoky and neon lighted room backstage they’re exchanging life updates with their drag friends at the same time as they put their wigs on. 

The mothership in Berlin 

SchwuZ has become Germany’s biggest queer club and one of the centers of the queer audience in Berlin. Since the opening in 1977, they have also become a stepping stone for the many talents that enriches the queer nightlife in Berlin. 

Berlin has a long history of drag and gender impersonation in the queer community; from female impersonators hosting the legendary queer bar Eldorado in the 1920’s, lesbian women dressing up as men (“Kesser Vater”)  to the political statements and communities of the Tunten-houses. “Tunten” refers to gay men dressed up as women in Berlin, and they were the ones who founded SchwuZ.

“Schwuz is a mothership in the queer nightlife scene. A lot of people who are coming to Berlin start going to the club, because it’s a famous queer space. They start going as guests, dance and see the drag shows, and then they start to do drag, and then they are starting to perform at the open stages, and one day they are at the big stage”, says head of booking Michael von Fischbach, who’s been working at SchwuZ for 15 years. 

At SchwuZ, drag shows are one of the main attractions every week due to the club’s history but also because of its importance for the performers themselves.

“We want to bring them all together in one space, so they can meet each other and talk with each other, see each other perform and create new friendships”, says Fischbach.

The drag scene is nowadays defined by many expats and people from all over the world. New and international talent is often encouraged in the queer nightlife in Berlin. 

“Berlin is a very good city for people to start being creative. They’re very open, embracing new talents and new creative people. But that means sometimes if you’ve been here long enough and you’re an old established bitch like me, then it’s like when you’re too old to go on like the teacup rides in Disneyland. It’s like, you’re 30, get out of here!” , says Santana and laughs. 

“That’s why I’m trying to branch out to different countries and cities in Europe, but Berlin is still my favorite playground for queer expression”

Even though she might feel old, the excited crowd can’t stop cheering, clapping and wooing when Santana Sexmachine opens up the show at two am. It’s clear that her performance has been anticipated. The dance moves and energy is impeccable. The importance and joy of this night is palpable as you stand in the crowd.

“We live in a heteronormative world where we are mostly surrounded by straight people and the culture defined by them. It’s very important for the queer audience to have a space surrounded by queer people and watch and celebrate the queer art”, says von Fischbach.