5 barbershops in London
Photos Truefitt & Hill
Words Benedict Browne
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In need of a quick fix? These barbershops have you covered.
Question: What makes a man stylish? It’s a long answer, so let’s succinctly break it down into two categories. Firstly, internal qualities. These can include good manners, charm, intelligence and wit. Then there are the external qualities. From quality-made shoes, well-fitting clothes, and, great grooming regimes and a well-kept head of hair.
Regularly having your hair cut is a sign of self-care which is important, and there’s really no other kind of grooming routine or practice makes one feel anywhere near as good or confident in oneself. So, if you’re visiting London and need a quick fix, visit any of these five barbershops for a truly unique experience and a sharp cut (and maybe a drink, or two).
Avanzato Grooming Lounge
Despite only being a year old, Avanzato Grooming Lounge is already a thoroughly respected and popular barbershop. Located on Duke Street, which is in the heart of the city’s illustrious area of Mayfair, the barbershop shares a space with a few menswear brands that should also be on your radar. These include; Private White V.C., an outerwear-focused heritage brand that makes all of its clothing in its ancient factory in Manchester; and Bennett & Winch, a luxury accessories and luggage label that also makes everything in the UK.
Menswear aside, Avanzato Grooming Lounge is helmed by Stefan Avanzato. He ran Dolce & Gabbana’s barbershop for many years and is also the go-to barber for many important celebrities and influencers. He’s curated a space that’s incredibly inviting, with iconic images of the like of Roger Moore and Marlon Brando hanging on the walls. His style is modern but reflects those classic cuts from back in the day that is just as handsome now as they were then. Overall, if you head to Avanzato Grooming Lounge, you don’t get a typical barbershop vibe, it’s almost like a members club, where likeminded stylish folk hang out and talk about the important things in life, like shoes and hair products.
Haircuts starting at £60.
Avanzato Grooming Lounge, 73 Duke Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 5NR
avanzatogroominglounge.com
Joe & Co
Situated in Soho, Joe & Co isn’t your average barbershop: it’s modern, not traditional, and with that serves up a contemporary experience. Located on Peter Street, the walls are whitewashed, and the interior is bright and fresh with a communal feeling – “Friendly barbershop banter is also provided free of charge,” its website reads, which is refreshing and fun. You certainly get the impression that everyone is welcome, too, and with that, no request is too far or out of the question. Founded by Joe Mills, who’s a celebrated celebrity stylist, hairdresser and recipient of GQ’s Barber Of The Year Award, you can relax in knowing that the haircut, shave or beard trim that you’re after is going to be of a very, very high standard by his experienced staff. While you wait, there are the latest fashion and lifestyle magazines to flick through, and endless supplies of coffee, wine and beer on offer.
Haircuts starting at £46.
22 Peter Street, Soho, London, W1F 0AG
joeandco.net
Ruffians
Originally starting in Edinburgh, Scotland, there are now several Ruffians around the UK (so find the one that’s best suited to you via their website) and the majority are in London (it’s usually a good sign when there is a handful as it shows that business is going well). Ruffians take inspiration from America’s barbershops of the 1950s and blend it with the sophisticated and traditional barbershops of St James’s and Jermyn Street. The walls are all panelled with aged wood, which gives it a warm, cosy feeling and all of the Belmont chairs are in their house blue leather. Even though you can’t smoke inside, the chairs even have an ashtray fitted in the arms to nod towards the old-school aesthetic. It’s a nice touch. For refreshments, they have their own brewed pale ale and roast their own coffee beans. The style of haircuts here are certainly a bit more fashionable and adventurous, but nevertheless still razor-sharp. That brings me to traditional wet shaves, which they do very, very well. The overall vibe is very laid back, relaxed and also fun. The staff are young and experienced, and always up for a chat.
Haircuts start at £40.
63 Wigmore Street, Marylebone, W1U 1PX
ruffians.co.uk
Pankhurst
Founded by Brent Pankhurst, his eponymous barbershop is something of a landmark in Soho. The master barber is also renowned for doing things differently, and that can be seen within the shop. Located on Newburgh Street, which has a dozen or so excellent menswear stores, Pankhurst has an old-school vibe that’s inviting and cool and defines itself as being part speakeasy, part gentleman’s club. The walls are all painted light grey for a modern feeling and on them hang iconic photographs, while scattered around are large, commodious sofas and armchairs that engulf you. On the coffee tables, you can find leading men’s magazines to read and get lost in while you wait your turn (with a drink in hand). There are two stations upstairs and several more downstairs and the chairs themselves are very special as Brent commissioned Bentley to create them. Pretty cool, right? The style of barbering here is again very classic and traditional. Don’t come here expecting for colouring, or a crazy style that’s fashionable. What you get here is your short-back-and-sides executed to an elite level. It’s charming and sophisticated, and you come out looking a whole lot better than you did when you walked in. Pankhurst is without a doubt an institution, and one of London’s leading barbershops.
Haircuts starting at £55.
Pankhurst Barbershop 10 Newburgh Street London W1F 7RN
pankhurstlondon.com
Truefitt & Hill
Founded in 1805 (yes, 1805), there’s not a lot about barbering that Truefitt & Hill doesn’t know. In fact, it’s officially the world’s oldest barbershop. It should come as no surprise then that it also has a Royal Warrant, issued by H.R.H The Duke of Edinburgh, which underlines the fact that it’s a barbershop of esteemed quality. You can find it in the region of St James’s, which is a short walk away from Buckingham Palace and other famous landmarks and institutions in London such as The Ritz and The Royal Academy of Arts. It’s unquestionably a place of fine tradition, with aged, oak panelling, old paintings and drawings hanging on the walls, charming chairs, and a nostalgic old aroma. The barbers there are dressed immaculately, are gentlemanly and professional. They offer traditional haircuts, shaves and facial treatments – don’t go there asking for a buzz cut, or anything that verges close to being trendy – which will make you feel like a true royal (even if it’s only for an hour).
Haircuts starting at £50.
Truefitt & Hill, 71 St James’s St. London SW1A 1PH
truefittandhill.co.uk