The quintessential men’s barbershop is making a comeback. These are the best of the best.
A new appreciation for good old-fashioned grooming is taking root around the U.S. In West Hollywood, California, reclaimed wood floors and walls covered in bright white subway tiles set the tone at Baxter Finley Barber & Shop, from men’s skin-care brand Baxter of California. Take a seat in a circa-1900 porcelain-and-leather Koken chair for a no-frills cut and shave. Nearby, at the Proper Barbershop—a hip Los Angeles joint adorned with street art—you can have a cold beer and play Xbox games as a stylist perfects your coif with Layrite, the original pomade. In New York City, the Blind Barber has a cocktail lounge, a kitchen, and even a bouncer. Pair a hot-and-cold-towel shave with a thin-crust pizza and a BlackJack (Jack Daniels, Grand Marnier, and blackberries). Meanwhile, at Miami Beach’s Sloane Square Barbers & Shoppe, a shoulder massage comes with a shave and cut, plus a drink is included with everything from beard trimming to nail grooming. And in New Orleans, Cesar Rivera, from the legendary Aidan Gill salon, just opened Magazine St. Barber Shop, where he uses an antique towel steamer for hot-towel shaves. Afterward, kick back at the cypress bar with a local Abita Amber.
Baxter Finley Barber & Shop 515 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, Calif.; 310/657-4726; baxterfinley.com; services from $40.
Proper Barbershop 7950 W. Third St., Los Angeles; 323/272-3287; properlabarbers.com; services from $20.
Blind Barber 339 E. 10th St., New York City; 212/228-2123; blindbarber.com; services from $20.
Sloane Square Barbers & Shoppe 1322 Alton Rd., Miami Beach; 305/673-0877; sloanesq.com; services from $26.
Magazine St. Barber Shop 4224 Magazine St., New Orleans; 504/267-7823; magazinestbarbershop.com; services from $25.
