From the perfect haircut, to a nice close shave, to a comfortable environment to chat about last night’s game, finding a barbershop that suits your style — and budget — can be more difficult than it looks.
While locating the right barber is often just a matter of trying different shops until you hit on the right one, there’s nothing quite so horrifying as when a barber gets your haircut very, very wrong.
But have no fear, Coconuts Manila has put together this handy guide that should help you avoid a haircut horror story.
We’d like to think that on this list are some of the best barbershops you can find all over the metro. This includes spots for a quick cut as well as old school barbershops where you can take your time and enjoy a full range of services including food and drinks.
For fellas in Metro Manila looking for a place to get a fly cut, try these spots out and let us know what you think.
Back Alley Barbershop
According to Back Alley Barbershop, everything from the tools to the products and processes were deliberately chosen and reviewed to “ensure you are groomed the right way.” The haircut itself is “complemented by our curated playlists, with selections from jazz, blues, rock, and house, and our beverage offerings, hand-brewed coffee and craft beer.” A cut and wash (with barber’s massage) runs for PHP400 (US$7.68), according to their website, while a quick “no frills, fast service buzz cut” goes for PHP250 (US$4.80) Check out their website and Facebook page for more information.
FIND IT:
Back Alley Barbershop has three locations at:
G/F, Alpha Salcedo Condominium, Bautista St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11 am — 9pm
Contact number: +63 9475185736, +63 9152561879
2/Floor, San Antonio Plaza, McKinley Road, Forbes Park, Makati City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11 am — 9pm
Contact number: +63 9151359591, +632 625-8670
L/G, Building C3, Bonifacio High Street Central, 30th Street, Taguig City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11 am — 9pm
Felipe and Sons
Felipe and Sons is one of the first places to bring the concept of classic barbershops back to Metro Manila in 2013. While many other shops that offer premium pampering and grooming services for men followed, Felipe and Sons continues to be a popular choice for the men’s grooming market. From their original location in Salcedo Village, Makati City, the “barberdashery” recently opened their fifth shop in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. They are a one-stop-shop for all your gentlemanly needs, allowing you to get a haircut and get fitted for a suit all in the same place. Services range from the simple haircut to beard sculpting. Check out their website for contact details and more info on packaging and pricing.
Felipe and Sons has branches in Pasig City, Makati City, Taguig City, and more. For more information, check their Facebook page or website.
KAPWA Studio
Unlike the others in this list, KAPWA is a start-up barbershop with just one location in the emerging “hipster” enclave of Poblacion in Makati City. So if you’re looking for something more artistic, like a haircut with a particular design, the barbers at KAPWA — who consider themselves artists as much as barbers — are probably who you need to see. Check out their Facebook page for pricing.
FIND IT:
KAPWA Studio is at 5059-A P. Burgos St., Poblacion, Makati City
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 11 am — 8 pm
Contact number: +63 9550992934
Smash Brother’s Barbershop
Smash Brother’s Barbershop in Ortigas gives you a similar classic barbershop service as Back Alley and Felipe and Sons at a price that’s a bit more affordable, with haircuts starting at PHP350 (US$7). While some men get their haircut at salons, a unique feature of this barbershop is that they offer hair treatments and other services for women, too. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
FIND IT:
Smash Brother’s Barbershop is at Unit 3G Corinthian Executive Regency,
Ortigas Ave., Pasig City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9am — 9pm
Contact number: +63 9478999170
The Urban Barber
The vibe in this Quezon City barbershop feels more like a cool bar than a barbershop, which would definitely appeal to the millennial crowd. Cuts start at PHP320 (US$6.14) for what they call a Bro Buzz and PHP370 (US$7.10) for something more precise, a service they call A Cut Above. Their Facebook page has videos of some of the barbers and their work.
FIND IT:
The Urban Barber is at 2/F CKB Center, 203, Tomas Morato Cor. Sct. Rallos,
Diliman, Quezon City
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 10 am — 8 pm; Friday and Saturday, 10am — 9pm
Contact: +632 373-5517; +63917 823 9975
Titan 22 Barbershop
This barbershop’s concept is more for the sports fan in your life. They’ve created a comfortable place where sports fans can come get a haircut, watch a basketball game, and talk to other fans (including the barbers) about the games. Haircuts start at PHP250 (US$4.79). Check Titan 22 Barbershop’s website for more about their services and pricing.
FIND IT:
Titan 22 Barbershop has four branches at:
G/F 12 Two Parkade, G/F, 30th St., The Fort
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11 am — 10 pm
Contact number: +63 9175138721
230-231 S Maison, 2/F Conrad Hotel Manila, Marina Way
Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 am — 10 pm
Contact numbers: +632 368-2496, +63 9176514339
3/F Vertis North Cor. North Ave Barangay Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 am — 9 pm; Friday — Sunday, 10am-10pm
Contact numbers: +632 720-9528, +63 9176291524
3/F UP Town Center, Katipunan Ave., Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11 am — 9pm; Friday to Sunday 10 am — 9pm
Contact numbers: +632 368-2498, +63 9178750568
Razor Sports Barbershop
This is another sports-themed barbershop at Trinoma mall in Quezon City. While it’s inspired by basketball (because of its co-owner Philippine Basketball Association Player James Yap), they also offer services for women. Haircuts with shampoo and blow-dry start at PHP350 (US$6.72) while beard shaves go for PHP200 (US$3.84). Tip: Stay updated when you follow their Facebook page. They constantly post discount offers and promos.
FIND IT:
Razor Sports Barbershop is at 3/F Trinoma Mall, Quezon City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am — 9pm
Contact number: +63 9173262641
Macho Mucho
This barbershop calls itself a “barbershop and salon hybrid.” The haircuts at Macho Mucho start at around PHP180 (US$3.45), much cheaper than most other barbershops of its kind. A “cut with style” from its salon menu starts at PHP240 (US$4.61). Macho Mucho is originally from General Santos City but they have a Metro Manila location at SM North EDSA in Quezon City. Check out their website and Facebook page for more information.
FIND IT:
The Thirsty Barber
The Thirsty Barber takes the classic barbershop to another level. The barbershop, managed by Felipe and Sons, also has a full bar and restaurant hidden in the back. If you’re in the mood for that, head on over to San Juan to get a trim while you throw one back.
FIND IT:
The Thirsty Barber is at G/F Promenade Bldg., Wilson St., Cor. P. Guevarra St.
Addition Hills, San Juan City
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 1 pm — 2 am; Friday to Saturday, 1 pm — 3:30 am
Contact number: +63 9954572594
Suave Brothers Razor Co.
Suave Brothers is a popular spot for gentlemen going to school on the University Belt on Taft Avenue, as it is right across the street from De La Salle University. For those who have long gaps between classes, you can come over, get a haircut, play some Playstation, and enjoy Vietnamese coffee, among other drinks they offer. Check out their Facebook page for more information on pricing and services.
FIND IT:
Suave Brothers Razor Co. is at Unit G14 WH Taft Residences, Taft Ave., Manila
Hours: Monday to Friday, 10 am — 8 pm; Saturday, 10am — 5 pm
Contact number: +63 9164431650
Slick Barbers Co.
For yet more “hipster” haircuts at affordable rates, Slick Barbers offers their cuts for a bargain PHP250 (US$4.80). Check out their Facebook page for more info. And this Coconuts Manila feature for the story behind what started out as a “pop up” barbershop.
FIND IT:
Slick Barbers Co. has three locations at:
3919 Yague St. Cor. South Ave., Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Makati City
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 2 pm — 10 pm; Sunday, 2 pm — 7 pm
Contact number: +63 9357152488
1403 Apolinario St., Bangkal, Makati City
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 1 pm — 10 pm; Saturday to Sunday, 11 am — 8 pm
Contact number: +63 997755902
1059 Arellano Ave. Cor. Estrada St. Malate, Manila
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 1 pm — 10 pm; Saturday to Sunday, 11 am — 8 pm
Contact number: +63 9977595902
HQ Barbershop
Looking for a quick cut without all the extra stuff you get at other barbershops? HQ’s selling point is its quick — and cheap at just PHP200 (about US$3.84) — 10-minute cut. They promise the same quality you get at other shops at a fraction of the cost and time.
HQ Barbershop has locations in Quezon City, Manila, and more. Check out their Facebook page for more information and the location closest to you.
The Village Barber and Supply Shop
The most noticeable feature of this barbershop’s Taguig City location is its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Manila Golf and Country Club. This barbershop is managed by the same guys behind Back Alley Barbershop and is priced similarly. If you’re looking to not only get a haircut but also relax after a long day at the office as well, they might be worth checking out. Aside from their location at Forbestown Center, Taguig City, they also have shops in The Grove in Pasig City and Nuvali in Laguna province, though those obviously won’t have the same choice golf course view. Check their Facebook page for more information.
FIND IT:
The Village Barber and Supply Shop has three locations at:
2/F, Eight Forbes Town Road, Forbestown Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11 am — 9pm
Contact number: +63 9064514554, +632 886-4636
2/F, The Grove By Rockwell, Eulogio Rodriguez Jr. Ave. C5, Pasig City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11 am — 9pm
Contact number: +63 9954683607, +632 650-1842
2/F, Cinema Building, Solenad 3, Santa Rosa – Tagaytay Rd., Santa Rosa, Laguna
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11 am — 9pm
Contact number: +63 995 264 3367, +649) 258 0548
The Barberian
For the guys in Metro Manila’s south, The Barberian is a popular barbershop that maintains the classic feel. A haircut here comes with a range of free drinks from hot chocolate, to iced tea, and even whiskey. According to the barbershop’s Facebook page, “the barbershop is one of the few places where men can be men without having to apologize for it. We intend to keep it that way. From the services to the feel, this place is for manly men.” Haircuts start at PHP450 (US$8.64) for a basic haircut and shampoo. Tip: They’re also known to give a mean barber’s massage after the haircut, complete with stretching.
FIND IT:
The Barberian is at Westgate Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 am — 8 pm
Contact number: +632 805-0342
Hombre Barberia
Hombre Barberia is in the heart of BF Homes in Parañaque. It’s not only a barbershop but a tattoo parlor too if getting tatted up is your thing. For pricing and information on other services check out their Facebook page.
FIND IT:
Hombre Barberia is at 290 Aguirre Ave. BF Homes, Parañaque City
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am — 9p m
Contact number: +632 275-5461
Bond Street Social
Also on Aguirre Street in BF Homes is Bond Street Social. The shop was named after Bond Street in London and opened to not only offer haircuts to “southern gentlemen,” but also to give Manileños a place for barbershop talk and socializing. They offer services mostly for men, including haircuts and shaves. Check their Facebook page to inquire about services, pricing, and setting appointments.
FIND IT:
Bond Street Social is at 59 A. Aguirre Ave. BF Homes Subdivision, Parañaque City
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 12 pm — 9 pm; Friday to Monday, 10 am — 9 pm
Contact number: +632 801-9415
Bruno’s Barbers
It may not have the same bespoke stylings of some of its hipster competitors, but nationwide chain Bruno’s Barbers remains a popular pick for plenty of Filipinos men to get their haircuts. Bruno’s says on their website that they’ve become the “go-to” place for grooming for men nationwide. Check out their website for a location near you.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in October 2017, but the Coconuts crew is bringing it back from the archives since the information it contains remains relevant and useful. Rest assured, we’ve reviewed and updated it to make sure this oldie but goodie will still serve you well.
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