Cosmopolitan UK - 04.2020

HAIR AND MAKE-UP JAZZ MANG, USING KOREAN SKINCARE, BEN NYE, LAURA MERCIER, BELLA PIERRE, SENSAI MASCARA 38°C, DR HAUSCHKA. HAIR AND MAKE-UP ASSISTANT MEILYNN LINDAR, USING PAUL MITCHELL FOR HAIR. SHOOT LOCATION RAW COMPLEX BERLIN. ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS GETTY IMAGES, ALAMY, DAGMAR, SCHWELLE/LAIF/CAMERA PRESS, DANIEL ETTER/EYEVINE

smile and laugh and toss

our hair and ensure –

above all – that we are

“liked”. It’s so deeply

ingrained that even these

powerful women have felt

it in their darkest moments.

“It’s a societal problem,”

says Esther, who realised

that she had to be kinder to

herself and that it’s OK for

her to say “no”. It wasn’t

something to be ashamed

of, a reason to hide away in

taxis, avoiding the glare of

the customers who seethed

at her. “As a woman, you’re

constantly afraid to hurt

others’ feelings, even when

you’re insulted for no

reason. I had to learn to

look at myself in the mirror

and like the person I was

seeing.” According to her,

being a bouncer has

therefore been the most

empowering experience of

her life. This is echoed by

Eli, who is proud of her

evolution as a “gatekeeper

of the party”. “You make

rules to enable people to

live their dreams, to create

that safe, untouchable and

powerful space,” says Esther.

“We are in charge of keeping

the magic unbroken, and

sometimes that has a cost,

it means rejecting a few

people.” Steffi-Lotta’s desire

has always been to create

places where people could

simply close their eyes and

listen to the music, and

not feel limited by their

financial resources or daily

constraints. “I think from

a political perspective that’s

very, very, very important.”

I think back to my time

in that endless queue, our

patience tested, and then

the moment we were

eventually let in. All I could

think, as I entered with

a racing heart, was about

losing control. I knew

I could do it in a way I

couldn’t back in the UK.

When I lived in London,

I’d don my tightest dress,

drink too many vodkas

and either fend off men’s

constant advances – men

who wouldn’t take no

for an answer – or I’d say

yes to a one-night stand,

mainly for self-validation.

Here, the sound system

shakes my entire soul:

disorientating, brutal and

mind-blowing. The room

is shaped like a Roman

theatre where you can

glide upstairs and feel

those dancing below. The

moonlight passes through

the broken windows, giving

shape to the statues and

vines decorating the

bricked walls. Then there’s

the adult outdoor chill-

out area where anything

is permitted. The world

outside becomes distant. I

think of Esther’s comment:

“The ones who make it past

me are safe inside.” Perhaps

these women are this strict

simply so that you can be

properly free. ◆

BERGHAIN

Where: A huge Soviet-era power station.

Known for: Having an orgy room on

the bottom floor.

What the forums say: “Listen for the

beat, nod your head. Look at the building.

Don’t make eye contact with the doormen

until they speak to you. Show no fear.”

://ABOUT BLANK

Where: A warren of different spaces

now covered in graffiti with a huge

garden and two dancefloors.

Known for: STAUB – a monthly event

said to be one of Berlin’s best parties.

What the forums say: “Don’t get your

phone out in the queue.”

KATER BLAU

Where: Located on the bank of the river

Spree, it looks like a cross between an

abandoned circus and the Mad Max set.

Known for: Its outdoor area – there’s

a caravan, bungalow, bonfire and tents.

What the forums say: “Show up sober

and keep your mouth shut in the queue.”

RENATE

Where: A large apartment building with

separated flats once used as a brothel.

Known for: The House Of Red Doors –

an all-day, all-night sex-themed party.

What the forums say: “Dress like

you’re willing to participate in the

debauchery that happens inside.”

SISYPHOS

Where: A former factory with a lake, an

abandoned bus and a place for pizza.

Known for: Surprise DJ sets. You never

know who’s going to play.

What the forums say: “Go on a

Saturday afternoon because at night

you can be stuck in line for hours.”

Berlin’s most

iconic clubs

BEHIND THE SCENES

Sarah Hurtes

“I met the co-founder of the

notorious sex-infused KitKatClub,

Kirsten Krüger. We chatted inside for

over four hours, where she ended

up interviewing me – an off-the-

record chat that I’ll cherish forever.”