What hair salonsare to women, barbershopsare to men. Not only are they places to get your hair cutand styled, but they’re also social hubs where you can sit back, relax, shoot the breeze, and leave looking and feeling better than when you first walked in.
So, who’s the best barber in Austin? Well, the good news is that there isn’t just one. Check out ATX Guide’s list of the best spots for your next haircut.
Sharpen Up Your Barber Lingo With These Terms
Not sure you know your buzz cutsfrom a crew cut? Trying to figure out if you want an edge-upor a fade? Before you make a beeline for the barbershop, here are a few key terms you need to know.
Buzz cut: Closely shorn style typically done with electric hair clippers; also known as a military cut.
Crew cut: Popular hairstylethat’s tapered short on the sides with longer hair on top.
Edge-up: Sharply defined line created by clippersand a straight razor; also known as a shape-up or line-up.
Fade: Closely cut hair that fades into the skin; sometimes called a taper.
Tools of the trade: It’s worth noting that there’s a difference between getting your hair cutwith clippers, scissors, or razors. Clippersare either manual or electric devices (resembling electric shavers), which barbers use for the shortest cuts. Scissors and combs are used for a variety of men’s haircuts, including longer styles. Razors are typically used for shaves.
Where to Get Your Cut in ATX
When it’s time to get your ‘do done, you want to make sure you head to someone who knows their stuff. We’re here to help with this list of the best barber shops in Austin. While most places on this list allow for walk-ins, it’s always a good idea to call first or book now using the barbershops online page. From 6th Street in downtown Austin to the northern suburbs and everywhere in between, here are 11 barbershops that are a cut above the rest.
Finley‘s Barbershop
Multiple locations
Offering a “new kind of old-fashioned barbershop,” Finley‘s Barbershop merges retro charm with modern amenities. (No wonder there are six locations in Austin plus a couple more on the outskirts and it’s consistently voted as one of the best barber shops in Austin.) Along with cut and color options for your hair, mustache, facial hair including beards and sideburns, you can choose from a variety of spa-like options. Get the $42 clean shave, including a neck and shoulder massage, or the Chairman’s facial where you’ll be primped and pampered with hot towels, an exfoliating scrub, and face massage. Sundays offer “Father-and-Sonday” discounts for family members who book services together.
Barbon’s Barbershop
1912 E. 7th St. Ste. C, Austin, TX 78702
With its dark wood accents, quasi-industrial brick walls, and brass pendant lamps, Barbon’s Barbershopis a study in masculine chic. (Just don’t be surprised if you see a woman at the barber’s chair.) This East Austinfave not only offers pro cuts and shaves, but it offers them with local libations to boot. Haircuts($40) include a shampoo, cut, neck shave, and light shoulder massage, while razor fades and head shaves ($45) include hot towels, oil, and lather with a straight razor.
Sportsman’s Barber Shop
3702 Jefferson St., Austin, TX 78731
With its red Naugahyde barber chairs, crammed counters, and mounted animal heads that seem to watch over every nuance of the space, Sportsman’s Barbershopis one of those old-schoolneighborhood barbershopsthat never get old. (And after 60 years that’s saying something.) Located in Austin’s Bryker Wood area, Sportsman’s is where men go for traditional haircuts, beard trims, hot lather neck shave, and straight-razor shaves.
The Rosewood Barbershop
1010 Lydia St., Austin, TX 78702
With its mustard-yellow exterior and wood shingle roof, Rosewood Barbershoplooks like a welcoming cozy cottage. And it’s not surprising, considering this home-spun shop prides itself on being built and bankrolled by barbers. Offering a welcoming and fun atmosphere, Rosewood is where you can get a cut and shave while enjoying a brewfrom Friends & Allies Brewing and AustinBeerworks. FYI, credit cards are accepted, but cash is preferred.
South Austin Barbershop
Multiple locations
With a shop on Stassney Lane and Slaughter Lane, South Austin Barbershopoffers that classic barbershop experiencefor the modern man. Fusing traditional barberingand modern techniques, the shop prides itself on hiring stylistswith years of experience— many of them sport a bowtie and suspenders as part of the throwback vibe. Services start at $20 for beard trimsand buzz cuts, while haircutsh*t the $30 mark. When you want to go all out, opt for the full-servicetreatment ($55), which includes a hot towelrazor shave with essential oils, warm lathering cream, and moisturizer.
Luis’ Corner Barber Shop
6807 Guadalupe St., Austin, TX 78752
A classic barbershopat the intersection of Airport Boulevard and Guadalupe Street, Luis’ Corner Barber Shopis where locals go for legit cuts. Once you walk past the brick exterior, you’ll step into an old-schoolspace with three chairs and barbers with a welcoming attitude. Traditional haircutting is the name of the game here, as are straight-razor shavesand edge-ups.
The Good Life Barber Shop
201 E. 5th St. #100B, Austin, TX 78701
Life is good at the Good Life Barbershop— afamily-owned barbershop run by Debbie and Ryan Vidotto. This old-schoolspot offers a basic list of men’s grooming servicesincluding precision haircutsand straight-razor shaves. Expect everything from classic haircutsand buzz cuts(single-blade and two-blade) to neck, beard, and goatee trims. You can also upgrade with shampoo or color to any treatment. Redken, Paul Mitchell, Suavicito, and Bossman Beard are just some of the brands you can shop here.
SHED Barberand Supply
Multiple locations
With shops in South Austinand East Austin, SHED Barberand Supplyoffers a more modern, less retro vibe than most of the barbershopson this list. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. On the contrary, Austinites love this place for the laidback vibe, cool music, and short-but-sweet list of services, including haircuts(starting at $35), buzz cuts, beard trims($20), and straight-razor shaves. Bonus: While you wait, you can throw back a beer from AustinBeerworks and browse the clothing section.
Redd’s Barber Shop
1717 W. 6th St #130R, Austin, TX 78703
True to its tagline of being a “classic barberingexperience for the modern gentlemen,” Redd’s Barbershopis where you’ll find framed sports memorabilia on the walls, TV screens, and a bustling scene between barbers and clients. Services extend from precision haircutsthat use clippersand scissors, to hot-towelshaves, beard trims, facials, and waxing. All services include a neck and shoulder massage, aromatherapy towels, and complimentary scalp and hair treatments.
Marchica’s Barbershop
9333 Research Blvd. Ste. 280, Space #27, Austin, TX 78759
Located inside the Sola Salon Studio, Marchica’s Barbershopis owned by a mom-and-son team who are on a mission to give Austinites the best barbershop experiencethey can. With its cherry-red barber chairs and product-filled shelves, this frills-free little spot is where guys go for haircuts, straight-razor shaves, beard trims, neck and ear waxing, grey blending, and facials. Just keep in mind there are cancelation fees if you don’t give 24-hour notice.
Barber Vision Barber Shop
10220-A, Metropolitan Dr., Austin, TX 78758
Owned and operated by Derrick “Dee” Rogers, Barber Visionis a spacious salon offering a variety of affordable haircuts, edge-ups, and beard trimsto full head shaves and kids’ cuts. Popular options include the classic Gentleman’s Haircut($26), which includes a clippershave, and “The BarberVision,” a 45-minute haircutand beard clippershave with shampoo and scalp conditioning ($35). The salon uses the Layrite men’s groomingproduct line, including the pomade and natural matte cream.
It’s Shear Pleasure When You Find the Best Barber in Austin
When it’s time to get a haircut, there’s no denying that Austin is the place for stylists with Texas-sized talent. But more than just a place to get your haircut, a good barbershop experience will make you feel as though you’re getting together with friends and enjoying some much-needed time to relax and take care of yourself. Since there’s not just one best barber in Austin, try out a few of these shops to find the best guy for the job. For more ideas on where to have fun in ATX, check out this guide on the 20 best cheap and free things to do in Austin.
