Do you remember the times in your childhood when your parents used to bring you (or perhaps, your brother) to a neighbourhood barber shop to get your hair cut? The leather seats with metal frames, and the blocky hard cushion that they used to prop you up so that the hairdresser (typically a chatty auntie or uncle who goes way back with your family) can trim your locks.
As we grew up, we gradually and unknowingly transitioned from these vintage barbershops to the stylish, modern hair salons that we frequent today. However, we’re occasionally struck with a nostalgia for those barbershops of our childhood. Here are a few salons that take inspiration from the vintage, but giving them a modern twist.
The spiffy interior of Sultans of Shave
1. Papa Poika
Meet the latest vintage barbershop in town – literally. Papa Poika was opened April this year in Paragon to much fanfare, with its store design catering to both daddies and their little boys, true to their name which means “father and son” in Finnish.
Despite the retro-looking barber chairs, they are surprisingly comfortable and you can lean back on it for comfort if you choose to do services such as ear cleaning. Each station is also equipped with a unique hair washing booth in front of the chair, so you would lean forward and have your hair washed in comfort by your hairdresser. A Precision Haircut costs SGD 44 while a Full Beard Shave costs SGD 32. Cleaning your ears will set you back by SGD 23.
They don’t do haircuts for ladies, but while you’re waiting for your man to be done, you can choose to have a massage done by their hairdressers for SGD 29 each.
Papa Poika
Website: https://www.paragon.com.sg/stores/papa-poika-barbershop
Address: 290 Orchard Road, #05-30A, Paragon, Singapore 238859
Telephone: +65-6235-4312
Opening hours: 11am to 8.30pm daily, customers are encouraged to make an appointment
2. Premium Barbers
We love how Premium Barbers look from the exterior! There’s a grass patch outside the store with a wooden bench, wooden window panes and even an awning, mimicking an actual old-school barbershop located in the outdoors.
From the decor, to the cologne, to the service, it does a great job giving you your ideal shave and cut, and also inciting some nostalgia in the process. Don’t believe us? A Facebook reviewer has the same opinion, talking about how the barbershop reminded him strongly of his childhood.
Premium Barbers
Website: http://www.premium-barbers.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/premiumbarbers/
Menu: http://www.premium-barbers.com/services/pricing-table/
Address: 277 Orchard Road, Orchard Gateway, #04-12/13, Singapore 238858
Telephone: +65-6702-6228
Opening hours: 11am to 9pm daily
3. Autocutt Barbershop
Those who are looking to really immerse themselves in the vintage treatment should step right up to Autocutt. You’ll get your hair cut while surrounded by vintage decoration pieces, like bikes from the World War, and antique automobile signs.
Did you know Autocutt also carries their own specially formulated fragrance cologne and pomade? You’ll be enjoying a complimentary skim of this after any hair styling or shave with them. For styling, prices start from SGD 15. For a shave, prices start from SGD 35, while a hot towel shave will be from SGD 25.
Autocutt Barbershop
Website: https://www.autocutt.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/autocutt
Address:
• Serangoon: 68 Yio Chu Kang Road, Singapore 545569
• Commonwealth: 47 Tanglin Halt Rd #01-313 Singapore 141047
Telephone: +65-9186-1233
Opening hours: 11am to 9pm daily, customers are encouraged to make an appointment
4. We Need A Hero
Part of the Spa Esprit group, We Need A Hero is a quirky joint catering exclusively to a male clientele. They not only provide haircuts and shaves, but even hair removal services for men! If you’re up for it, get a wax here. If pain is not your thing, you can opt to get an IPL package for (almost) any where on the body.
Waxing costs SGD 17 and up, while IPL packages (6 sessions for body and 10 sessions for face) will set you back at least SGD 500. A basic shave here with a hot or cold towel will cost SGD 35, while a complete shave will cost SGD 65. A hair cut here will cost you SGD 40 and up.
We Need A Hero
Website: http://www.weneedahero.sg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weneedaherosg/
Menu: http://www.weneedahero.sg/barber/
Address: 57 Eng Hoon Street, #01-86, Singapore 160057
Telephone: +65-6222-5590
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 11am to 9pm, Sat: 10am to 9pm, Sun: 10am to 8pm
5. Deep Cuts Barber’s
If you just want a great shave or hair cut, fuss-free, Deep Cuts Barber’s sounds like a great choice for you. Their website is fuss-free and the list of services is short, so you know your barbers focus exclusively on giving the best shaves to men all over. A hot towel shave here will cost SGD 25, while a Gent’s Cut costs SGD 28.
DeepCuts
Website: https://www.deepcutsbarbers.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeepCutsSG/
Menu: https://www.deepcutsbarbers.com/
Address: 61 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169368
Telephone: +65-9852-1184
Opening hours: Mon – Thu: 12pm to 10pm, Fri: 3pm to 10pm, Sat & Sun: 11am to 9pm (By appointment only, walk-in customers not guaranteed a slot)
6. Hounds of the Baskervilles
This rough-edge barbershop is run by barber and tattooist Feroze McLeod, so besides shaving services, you can even come here to get a tattoo done. The shop boasts an Old English interior, adhering to the spirit of its name which derives from the Sherlock Holmes novel. Feroze and his barbers also make sure they dress up to show up every day, complete with neck ties, vests and leather shoes.
Hounds of the Baskervilles
Website: http://www.facebook.com/HoundsOfTheBaskervilles
Address: 24 Bali Lane, Singapore 189860
Email: [email protected]
Opening hours: 11am to 10pm daily (closed on Sundays) – walk-ins only!
7. The Golden Rule Barber Co.
Established in May 2014, The Golden Rule Barber Co. aims to bring the most enjoyable shaving or hair cut experience to men everywhere. Rather than it being a silent affair, the team at The Golden Rule Barber Co. strive to provide a homely, social atmosphere for their clientele, where your barber feels like your friend and you get to meet new people while in the barbershop chair. Their Full Cut starts at SGD 38 and a Hot Towel Shave will set you back SGD 30.
The Golden Rule Barber Co.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGoldenRuleBarberCo/
Menu: http://www.thegoldenrulebarber.com/book-now.html
Address: Both outlets are at Race Course Road, please click here to see the addresses.
Telephone: +65-6810-7291 and +65-6341-7291
Opening hours: Please click here to see the addresses.
8. LA Barbershop
This relatively new offering for dapper gentlemen was recently reviewed by us. There are only two hair cutting booths here, so you truly get a personal experience from their smartly-dressed barbers. Enjoy a cup of coffee as you enjoy their hair cut and shaving services. Fancy something a little more different? They also offer ear cleaning services with an interesting variety of gadgets that will guarantee you a unexpectedly relaxing experience.
LA Barbershop
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LA-Barber-Shop-362803934077889/
Address: 238 Thomson Road #02-02, Velocity@Novena Square, Singapore 307683
Telephone: +65-6904-4311
Opening hours: 11am to 9.20pm daily, customers are encouraged to make an appointment
9. Sultans of Shave
Why sultans? The good people behind Sultans of Shave wanted to really trace the art of shaving back to its history, including those that waited on the sultans of the Ottoman Empire. In order to bring the trendy dapper gentleman look back to Singapore in all its authenticity, Sultans of Shave went to England to “train to shave and be shaved”. A shave starts at SGD 40 and a haircut starts at SGD 48.
Sultans of Shave
Website: http://www.sultansofshave.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SultansofShave/
Menu: http://sultansofshave.com/services/
Address: Outlets at North Canal Road, Centrepoint and Craig Road. Please click here to see the full addresses.
Telephone:Please click here to see the telephone numbers of each outlet.
Opening hours: Please click here to see the opening hours of each outlet.
10. The Panic Room
No, this isn’t an escape room adventure. The Panic Room started off as a mobile barbershop that plied void decks across HDB flats literally “on the streets”, Singaporean style. According to them, they don’t strive to be as “cool” as the other barbershops, but just want to give you an enjoyable cut or shave that brings you back to “carefree weekday afternoons”, without the exorbitant prices. Hair cut and shave starts at SGD 35. P.S. They even have a side-store selling vintage records!
The Panic Room
Website: http://thepanicroom.com.sg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepanicroomsg
Menu: http://thepanicroom.com.sg/webstore/en/content/24-services
Address: 311A Geylang Road, Singapore 389350
Telephone: +65-6746-1565 or +65-8228-9063
Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 11am – 9pm, Sun: 10.30am – 6.30pm (closed on Tuesdays and public holidays)
11. Jermyn Street
Jermyn Street is an actual road in London, and it is known to be one of its most historical and fashionable districts, especially for gentlemen. The barbershop Jermyn Street in Singapore is actually the only overseas member in the Jermyn Street Association of London. If this barbershop sounds high-end already, that’s because it is. With a 4.9 star rating on Facebook, you know that you’re getting some top-notch quality for your buck. Cut and shaves are above SGD 50.
Jermyn Street
Website: http://www.jermynstreet.com.sg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jermynstreetSG/
Address: 108 Amoy Street, Singapore 069928
Telephone: +65-6220-4010
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11am – 9pm (Wed 7am – 9pm), Sat 10am to 8pm (closed on Sunday)
12. Truefitt and Hill
Another barber that started in the place where dapper began, London, Truefitt and Hill was established in 1805 and now has over 200 years of brand heritage, having been recognised as the oldest barbershop in the world. Their London store has even served English monarchs through nine reigns! If you want to be treated like royalty and given the most premium hair cut you could ever ask for, look no further.
A traditional hot towel wet shave costs SGD 60, or enjoy a royal cut for SGD 75. There’s something for everyone here too, as they also provide kids’ cuts for SGD 50 and up, and even basic manicures and pedicures that start from SGD 60.
Truefitt and Hill
Website: http://www.truefittandhill.com.sg/
Menu: http://www.truefittandhill.com.sg/our-services/
Address: Outlets located at Ann Siang and Capitol Piazza. Please click here to see the full addresses.
Telephone: Please click here to see the telephone numbers of each outlet.
Opening hours: Please click here to see the opening hours of each outlet.
Featured image taken from here.
