A close shave
It’s never been easier for gents to get groomed in Dubai. Here are the top barbershops for haircuts, shaves and more
THE ART OF SHAVING
A classy Manhattan import, The Art Of Shaving sits at the fancier end of the barbershop spectrum. Case in point: there’s lots of mahogany cabinets in its brand new City Walk location, and the barbers wear natty braces (the kind of braces that keep your trousers from falling down, not the ones that make your teeth straight). Modelled on a gentlemen’s club, this luxurious barbershop offers a range of services in its two private booths that includes haircuts, beard maintenance and facials. The Art of Shaving also stocks a range of grooming goods and gift packs. Haircut: Dhs100 Express facial 15 mins: Dhs140
aCity Walk 2, Dubai. Sun to Thur 10am to 10am, Fri and Sat 10am to midnight. Tel: (04) 3400800. Taxi: City Walk. facebook.com/theartofshavingme
JULIAN BARBERSHOP
A tucked-away Media City barbers that’s worth seeking out, Julian Barbershop is located on the bottom of the Arenco Tower. It has a retro British feel to it – you almost expect a bunch of Mods to stroll in at any moment. The boss is Julian Colclough, who is at the shop, scissors in hand, most days wearing his skinny black tie. It’s an unhurried, chatty sort of place with a chilled atmosphere and good music. Shaves, haircuts and beard trims are what’s on offer. Look out, too, for some lovely old photographs of famous men enjoying a haircut in barbershops around the world through the decades. Haircut: Dhs130
Beard trim: Dhs90 aArenco Tower, Media City, Dubai, Sat to Thur 10am to 7pm. Tel: (04) 4473188. Metro: Nakheel. julianhairdressingdubai.com
AKIN
Easily one of the coolest looking barbershop in Dubai, Akin is a minimalist spot of pinewood, concrete and tile that does bang up to the minute barbering work. Akin has a prime spot a few doors down from The Sum Of Us, at the rear of the Sheraton Grand. But with only three chairs in place, appointments are hard to come by and you must book in advance (a second location is due to open on JBR later this year). There are no massages or facials here, just haircuts, beard trims and wet shaves.
All of Akin’s crew are highly skilled and personable, but Jordan Black does a mean fade and looks like a young David Bowie. Just so you know, Akin also stocks clothing from motorbike brand Deus. Haircut: Dhs165
Beard trim: Dhs75 aBurj Al Salam Building, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, daily 8am to 10pm. Tel: (052) 3647092. Metro: World Trade Centre. akinbarbershop.com
1847
Grooming haven 1847 has Dubai covered with five locations in Mirdif, JBR, Grosvenor House, City Walk and Emirates Towers, meaning you’re never far away from help should you urgently need a trim. Always busy, 1847 has an army of therapists and barbers bustling around their shops. Manicures and pedicures are administered in cubby holes, while haircuts and shaves are done in a separate room lined with a row of beautiful vintage barber’s chairs from Italian brand Gioia. The Emirates Towers branch also has a swanky VIP room. As well as all the barbering essentials, facials, massages, manicures, pedicures and waxing can be had at 1847. We recommend the Express Facial, which is a 15-minute blitz designed to clear congested skin. Haircut: Dhs110 Express facial 30 mins: Dhs150
aEmirates Towers, DIFC, Dubai. Daily 9am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 3301847. Metro: Emirates Towers. 1847uae.com
CHAPS & CO
Chaps & Co has quickly cemented its place as a grooming stalwart in Dubai since opening in late 2015. Well versed in the latest barbering trends, its first shop opened in Jumeirah Lakes Towers at Cluster C. (If you’re booking at the JLT branch ask for Rommel, who gives the most extraordinary shoulder massage halfway through your haircut,) The JLT branch was such a success that they soon followed up with a second venue near Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa in Dubai Marina. Last month saw their third branch open in Dubai Design District that’s their best yet. It’s fully equipped with television screens where customers can play FIFA, and you can even order your lunch from one of D3’s top restaurants and have it delivered to you while you wait.
Haircut: Dhs115 Express facial 30 mins: Dhs165
aCluster C, JLT, Sat to Thur 10am to 10pm, Fri 9am to 7pm. Tel: (04) 5516192. Metro: JLT. chapsandco.ae. ALSO: Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa and Dubai Design District