The best barber shops in Melbourne

Lords of the North offers the classic barber shop experience in a space that has a more contemporary and relaxed vibe. The barbers here specialise in traditional barbering techniques, including post-war slick backs and fades and skin fades with a cutthroat razor. You'll often see a huge queue outside, and this tells you two things: this place is the real deal, and you should definitely make a booking. 

This modern barber shop offers more than just a nice cut. Upon arrival, you'll be offered a complimentary coffee or beer, and there’s often a DJ playing tracks or a visiting artist displaying works. They offer wet shaves, beard trims, head shaves and contemporary cuts, and once a week there’s a ladies’ hairdresser available in case you’d like to bring along a friend to soak up the atmosphere. 

This South Yarra barber shop opened in 2013, and since then, the Kings Domain empire has expanded to encompass six stores across two states. What's the secret behind this shop's success? Perhaps it's partly due to the hospitality of its award-winning barbers, who always offer you a complimentary beer or coffee before beginning a hair and scalp consultation. The space, which features French oak timber and marble countertops, exudes luxury and makes you feel like you're really treating yourself to something special. You'll leave here not only with a fresh cut but also with a feeling of utmost relaxation. 

Ever wondered how working-class guys in old photos managed to look so dapper? Wonder no more. Jaunty Briton Chris Pickings has just opened Pickings and Parry, a Fitzroy men’s emporium purveying heritage workwear and manly accoutrements with a barber shop in the back. Enjoy a haircut, straight-razor shave or beard and moustache trim, and leave with pomades for your own bathroom.

If you hate how clinical modern barber shops can be sometimes, with a dozen chairs and barbers quickly working away, then Electric Brain is the shop for you. The shop itself oozes a casual and cosy vibe and is filled with heaps of comics, figurines and bric-a-brac. The barbers prioritise a personalised experience and want to make going for a haircut feel just as easy as grabbing a pint from the pub. 

These guys have more than 27 years of experience in the trade, so you can be pretty certain that the barbers here know what they're doing. Located in the industrial area of Port Melbourne, this is the spot for a haircut, face shave, mo or beard trim. Founder Fabian Sfameni is a third-generation barber who’s been crafting looks from head to throat for the last 25 years. On top of crisp cuts, Rocco's also offers men's grooming and style products including beard oils, combs, aftershave and branded apparel.

Hairdresser Sam Fordyce has been working at Captains of Industry as a barber for more than 15 years, and he believes that the classic styles never really go out of fashion. That's why Sam is your go-to for any mid-century army cuts, buzzcuts and classic trims that you've seen in black and white movies. Sam cuts women's hair as well and has a casual, low-maintenance approach to styling that will (fingers crossed) mean getting ready in the morning takes no time at all.

When you step inside of Barber Black Sheep, you'll feel like you just walked into a rustic cabin. The interior walls are all made from pieces of wood panelling, and all of the furniture is made from wood and brown leather. This barber shop is committed to keeping old-school barbering alive and its fleet of skilled barbers offer haircuts, beard trims and shaping, and wet switchblade shaves for your throat and head. Sit back with a complimentary beer and relax as you get one of the closest shaves of your life.