8 of the UK’s best barbers

Need a wet shave or a quick beard trim and tidy? Take yourself (and your beard) to one of these little gems and you’ll get far more than a spot of man grooming. Expect to find some of London’s finest coffee, the best beer in Liverpool and a massage so tough no knot will ever survive it. Read on to find out more…

By Daniela Morosini

• 1 Cut & Grind, Soho

  Best for: a vintage cut (and a cocktail or 2) in Soho

  This barbershop is pretty cool-looking, there’s no doubt. But trust us, it’s not all style over substance. The staff are trained in precision haircuts, and they make sure every client feels like they’ve had a proper barber experience – not just a bog standard snip or beard trim. They’ve got a stonking bar and excellent in-house coffee, plus an events space with live music downstairs. Might as well make a night of it, we say.

  Visit Cut & Grind
• 2 Voodou for Him, Liverpool

  Best for: male maintenance in Liverpool

  The guys working here are trained up to the hilt, and they’re accredited members of the British Barber’s Association, so you’re in safe hands. What’s more, you can choose your own music and the beer is free-flowing – meaning your dream of getting an excellent fade whilst you’re sipping a cold one and ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ plays is that much closer. Whether you’re here for hair or beard maintenance, you’ll leave feeling very fine indeed.

  Visit Voodou for Him
• 3 The Noble Gentleman, Holborn

  Best for: beard trims in Holborn

  This retro-feel spot is perfect for dapper gents in the Big Smoke. The team here are so passionate about grooming, they’ve got their own line of products that they use in the salon. They bill their treatments as ‘Royal Services’ – and not for nothing, as their attention to detail is totally unflinching. Their beard trims are especially good for keeping your prize ‘tache in check – fit for a king.

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• 4 AceFace Barbers, Birmingham

  Best for: a close shave in Birmingham

  Littered with traditionally styled decor, from vintage barber chairs to signed music memoribilia (which ties in well with its surroundings – it's situated in a listed building opposite the O2 Academy in Birmingham) AceFace Barbers specialise in everything from mod rock n' roll styling to the more popular styles of today. If you're looking for a seriously slick shave or haircut next time you're visiting this vibrant city, this little barber shop is the real deal.

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• 5 Envy Barbers, Covent Garden

  Best for: an A-list trim in Covent Garden

  If you want to get a feel for a salon, take a look at the staff, we say. And judging by the stylish and sharp young men running this joint, you’re going to leave feeling pretty fly. Envy Barbers are but a 5 minute walk from Trafalgar Square and with 15 years of experience under their belt, they set their standards high. If you’re looking for a barber that's a cut above the rest, this is it.  

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• 6 Tyson Hair Design, Didsbury, Manchester

  Best for: the most relaxing beard touch-up in Manchester

  This spot is for ladies and gents, so feel free to bring your other half for a little his’n’hers grooming. With barbers trained in male grooming – and witty banter, judging by all the smiling faces we see in this place – this is the perfect place to get a fresh chop or get your beard professionally finished. Hey, we all need a bit of TLC from time to time.

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• 7 Men's Room, Liverpool

  Best for: the edgiest trim in Liverpool

  This cool joint has perfectly tapped into the warehouse rave scene that sets Liverpool apart. With an industrial feel and banging tunes from a live DJ, this spot feels more like a night out than a quiet afternoon at the barbers. That being said, the cuts are exemplary and the staff are warm and friendly. The perfect pit-stop before heading to the pub for pre-drinks – the team will definitely get you in the party mood.

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• 8 Drakes of London, Fulham

  Best for: the most relaxing wet shave in Fulham

  Whether you’re after a wet shave, a haircut or even a spot of hair removal, these guys have got your back. The service is first-class and the staff are easy-going and highly trained – a formula for a happy customer if we ever saw one. Plus, if you’re feeling a bit tense, they offer a cracking range of massages to ease all kinds of knots and aches. Go on, treat yourself.

  Visit Drakes of London