I remember when I arrived in Dubai in 2012, I started going to 1847 on the Marina to get my hair cut, or a small barber in my office tower. A friend, who had been here a few years longer, suggested a hidden away shop inside Harvey Nichols in MOE. I thought to myself, this is very cool, and just as I’d expect from Dubai, I accepted in.

I wasn’t entrepreneurial enough to spot a gap in the market. Since then, many have.

This list is broken down by affordable, mid range to premium. All barbers nowadays have extensive menus and prices, depending on your preferences or the amount of hair you have on your head. As a ball park, think about if you want to spend AED 50, AED 100 or AED 150 on your cut for the brackets.

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1. Affordable barbers

What I like about the barber setup in Dubai is you have the affordable places, and there are many of them in every corner and part of every complex. Many of them step up from Turkish or Egyptian tradition, and will be better barbers than many cities around the world. They don’t get the attention they deserve. In other cities, cheap quality barbers have been around for more time and have built a cult following. The brand, the tradition and the relationships develop. They represent the skilled, talented people who have migrated here with an entrepreneurial streak, and opened up a no-frills shop, that in turn goes on to create jobs and opportunities for many others. I’ve included the ones I am familiar with below, but there are many that fall into this bracket.

Gents Mania

Gents Mania opened in Al Barsha near Mall Of The Emirates a couple of years ago and has grown to be part of that vibrant community. They have a second place in DIFC, inside Emirates Financial Towers. You won’t find them online though, they don’t have a website or even an Instagram account (shock! horror!). Here are some price info and locations. Their opening hours are much like the others, 10am to 10pm.

Hicham, the owner and founder, is one of the hardest working people I’ve met in Dubai, he knows his trade inside out. Definitely a good place to know.

Super Trim

The first thing you will notice about Super Trim is that it is very bright, the lights glisten on the white walls and marble flowers. There are about 10 chairs and you will be served pretty quick without having to make an appointment as they are well staffed.

You get the full treatment here and will leave feeling refreshed with just a head massage. There isn’t much fuss about Super Trim, but that’s part of the charm.

There are Super Trims in Golden Mile Galleria, Dubai Mall and Ibn Batutta Mall amongst others. This one is at Canal Residence in Dubai Sports City. Opening hours are 10am to 10pm, seven days a week. But you really need to get there by about 9:15pm as they start to close and the shutters are coming down by 9:30pm.

Call on 04 551 4841

Brusko Barbers

This place is at the corner of Cluster G in JLT. It gets 10/10 for interior design. It’s open from 10am to 10pm, seven days a week.

It’s been open for almost two years and is very popular with everyone who knows about it. Its Google ratings are 4.8 / 5. Book online here.

2. Best mid range barbers

If you’re travelling to another city, one you don’t know too well, these are the barbers you are looking to find. Not too cheap as you may not trust someone to get exactly what you want at the first time of asking, but a place the locals use regularly and, somewhere, that knows that doing a good jobs means having a loyal customer base.

Julian’s Barber Shop

Julian is a veteran in the Dubai barber scene, always bringing an air of British cool to your visit, and his place in Arenco Tower in Media City has a very loyal following. Google reviews has this place at 4.7 / 5. Highly recommended.

PDL Coffee Co. & Barbershop

This place has just opened and has spared no cost. It gives all the quality trimmings at at affordable price. There is also a cool bike themed cafe next door and a spa if you feel the need. It’s located just off SZR opposite Al Habtoor City behind Safa park.

It won’t be beat on opening times, i.e. from 7am to 10pm every day. For location and booking details, visit the website.

‘Under the helmet’ – all items on the menu follow the cycling theme but all sports fans are welcome!

3. Best premium barbers

To be fair, most barbers in Dubai offer a premium service. This category is reserved for those that go an extra length. If you go and get a chop or a weekly trim, your pocket will feel it, whereas, if you want an hour without distractions once a week, these are the places you want to spend that quality time at.

Akin Barber & Shop

This is by far the coolest barer shop in Dubai. A unique concept created by well known Dubai entreprenuer Leith Mathhews, AKIN Barber & Shop is tucked away in the busy H Hotel, next door to the popular The Sum Of Us cafe, which serves the coffee for your visit as well..

There are only three chairs here so booking is essential. You’ll get the full service by guys who are clearly passionate about their craft. A nice little touch is that they recently went cashless, so it’s all cards or Apple pay.

They have a great Instagram account as well.

1847

The original men’s grooming salon in Dubai, now with many outlets dotted around the city in hotels such as the Grosvenor House and ‘off the street’ locations such as JBR and City Walk.

If you’re going here just for a cut you won’t be disappointed, but they also offer great massages, facials and manicures & pedicures.

Opening times vary and booking is recommended. Details here.

Chaps & Co

Chaps and Co quickly turned into a chain of barbers, first opening in JLT Cluster C, then Marina and now in D3. They have a popular following and are consistent throughout, the theme, quality and even with their straps uniforms. You can play FIFA while waiting and you are also likely to hear a bit of Kasabian or Oasias blaring out during your cut.

It’s got a Peakey Blinders feel to it, don’t you think?

I’d personally recommend Ahmed in JLT, but as I said, they are consistently good no matter who you select as your barber on online booking. Fridays they do 9am to 7pm, every-other day, it’s 10am to 10pm.

Sports stars Mike Philips and Ross Barkley have stopped by Chaps & Co recently