We see it all the time. Someone new walks in, sits down, and goes “I’ve been searching for a good barber near me for ages.”
And look, we get it. Melbourne’s got barbershops on every corner. Half of them are those big chain shops pumping out 200 cuts a day with apprentices who got thrown on the floor after two weeks of training. They’ve got massive ad budgets and walls full of overpriced product they push on you at the counter. Everything looks flashy from the outside but the haircut tells a different story. (Nah we’re jsut kidding, we dont know anyone like that hehehe)
So how do you actually find one that’s worth going back to?
Here’s what we reckon you should be looking for…
THEY ACTUALLY LISTEN
This sounds obvious but you’d be surprised. A good barber doesn’t just start chopping the second you sit down. They ask you what you want, they check if you’ve got any photos for reference, and they give you their honest opinion on what’s going to work with your hair type and face shape. If a barber isn’t asking questions they’re not paying attention.
THEY CAN DO MORE THAN ONE THING
Some shops are all fades all day. And that’s fine if a fade is all you want. But a proper barber should be able to do a skin fade, a mullet, a textured crop, a beard trim, a hot towel shave, whatever you throw at them. Versatility matters because your style is going to change over the years and you want a barber who can keep up.
THE VIBE IS RIGHT
You’re going to be sitting in that chair for 30 to 45 minutes. The shop should feel good. Good music, good chat, no weird energy. You should walk out feeling better than when you walked in and not just because of the haircut. The atmosphere is a massive part of the experience and it’s something you can usually tell within the first 30 seconds of walking through the door.
THEY’RE CONSISTENT
Anyone can nail a haircut once. The real test is whether they can do it every single time you come back. A good barber remembers what you got last time, knows your preferences, and doesn’t need you to explain everything from scratch every visit. That consistency is what turns a barbershop into YOUR barbershop.
THE PRICE MAKES SENSE
We’re not saying go for the cheapest option. In fact please don’t. A good haircut in Melbourne is going to cost you around 40 to 55 bucks depending on what you’re getting. If someone’s charging you 20 dollars for a fade, ask yourself why. And if someone’s charging you 80, they better be giving you a head massage and a cold beer with it.
SO WHERE DO PEOPLE END UP?
A lot of blokes from around Carlton, Fitzroy, Parkville, North Melbourne, Brunswick, and Melbourne CBD end up finding their way to us at Buddy’s Barbershop. We’re on Lygon Street in Carlton, right near Melbourne Uni, and we’ve been cutting hair here for years.
We do everything from skin fades and mullets to beard trims and hot towel shaves. Walk-ins are welcome, or if you want to lock in a time you can book online through our website.
Come in, have a chat, and if you like what we do you’ve found your new barber. Simple as that.
Buddy’s Barbershop Carlton www.buddysbarbershop.com.au