Berlin in the 1920s—a city full of contrasts. In the aftermath of the First World War, much lay in ruins; yet, precisely for this reason, life began to blossom anew. People danced, celebrated, and sought out pleasure—often pursuing the forbidden. Amidst this era, a venue emerged that came to symbolize Berlin’s wild nightlife like no other: the cabaret “Die Weiße Maus” (The White Mouse).
It opened in 1919 on Jägerstraße, right in the heart of the city center. Anyone who stepped through its doors entered a different world. Guests wore masks—fashioned from white or black fabric—to remain unrecognized. Inside, red velvet armchairs, shadowy nooks, cigarette smoke, and soft music awaited them. There were only 98 seats—yet everyone wanted to get in.
No ordinary theatrical plays were staged here. At midnight, the famous nude dances would begin. Yet it was not merely about bare skin; the performances were artistic—often even profound—hovering somewhere between dream, dance, and taboo. The audience was a mixed crowd: wealthy bankers sat alongside painters, journalists next to criminals. All were united by a shared craving for the forbidden.
The dancer Anita Berber was particularly renowned. From 1923 onwards, she performed regularly at “Die Weiße Maus.” Her performances were wild, dramatic, and often nude—she revealed to the audience not only her body but also her soul. Anita was beautiful, yet unpredictable; on one occasion, she even hurled a bottle at the head of an insolent spectator. She was the very embodiment of this madcap era.
However, this liberated Berlin was not destined to last. The political climate shifted, and the atmosphere within the city grew increasingly austere. In 1926—after a mere seven years—“Die Weiße Maus” was forced to close its doors. Today, scarcely a trace remains to remind us of this extraordinary place. And yet—if you walk along Jägerstraße with a little imagination, you might still be able to sense it: the scent of perfume and smoke, the crackle of tension, the laughter behind the mask.
Somewhere right here, at Jägerstraße 18 in Berlin, the legendary cabaret “Die weiße Maus” must have once stood.
Image 1: Personal photo; the current site of “Die weiße Maus” today.
Image 2: By Alexander Binder – https://theredlist.com/media/database/muses/icon/iconic_women/1920/anita-berber/017-anita-berber-theredlist.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68036479
