When we think of fine dining, we often picture a very specific scene: white tablecloths, multi-course tasting menus, an elite, exclusive atmosphere. Hiphop, on the other hand, is raw, direct, and deeply rooted in street culture. But what happens when these two worlds collide? Elias Heintz, bartender at Bonvivant – Berlin’s Michelin-starred vegan fine dining restaurant – has a clear opinion and is excited to be part of the HipHop Ball.
Beats, Bars & Bonvivant – One Verse at a Time
“Hiphop has been a part of my life since my youth,” Elias explains. It all started with Sido’s Mein Block, followed by artists like Casper who pushed the genre’s boundaries in new directions. But what fascinates him most today is the rise of female rap: “Women have seriously stepped up and are bringing fresh energy into the scene.”
While many hiphop fans get into graffiti, breaking or DJing, Elias has always been about the music. “I was never into graffiti or breakdancing, but festivals and live shows? That’s where I come alive. Splash! is a must for me every year.”
Hiphop and Haute Cuisine – A Contradiction?
With Bonvivant, Elias brings a completely different perspective to the HipHop Ball: “Our focus is on vegetarian-vegan vegetable-based cuisine with international influences. We use fermentation techniques from Japan, French sauces, and elements of Nordic cuisine.” Despite holding a Michelin star, Bonvivant keeps it grounded: “We don’t have a dress code, there’s no stiff etiquette – it’s all about enjoyment and shared experience. Everyone is welcome.”
And that’s exactly where Elias sees the connection to hiphop: “Hiphop has always been the voice of those who weren’t being heard. It’s about expression, breaking rules, creating space. That’s what we do with our kitchen too.”
The HipHop Ball – A stylish Disruption
Elias is curious to see how the concept of a ball can merge with hiphop: “When you think of a ball, you picture long gowns and classical dancing. But how does that work with hiphop? Can you squeeze hiphop into a suit and tie – or will hiphop end up burying the suit and tie altogether?”
Thanks to our original Viennese HipHop Ball, we already know this concept works – but the Berlin night will offer a fresh, personal answer. One thing is for sure: Bonvivant will serve up a pre-dining experience on November 15th at Berlin’s Rotes Rathaus that’s as genre-blending as the HipHop Ball itself.
“We want to show guests that fine dining can be fun – that it can be just as rebellious and creative as hiphop,” says Elias. “And maybe that’s the key: finding new paths, connecting different worlds, and creating something completely original together.” These are values and goals that the HipHop Ball proudly shares and promotes.
The HipHop Ball aims to break boundaries, connect people, and open up new perspectives. Bonvivant fits right into that vision. Elias and his team show that hiphop can be expressed not just in music, but also in cuisine – bold, innovative, and always a bit against the grain.
Can hiphop and fine dining become a lasting fusion? Elias thinks so: “In the end, it’s about creating something that’s accessible to everyone. If we really want to bring hiphop into food culture, it needs to be more than a one-time event. But why not? Food and music influence each other massively – this could become its own movement.”
One thing is certain: the HipHop Ball will be a night full of new experiences. And Bonvivant won’t just cater to guests’ taste buds – they might just change how we think about the connection between hiphop and haute cuisine.
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