The 5 Best Barbershops in Melbourne Worth Your Trust and Your Hair
Not sure about you, but every time I’m on a barber’s chair, I wonder if I’m about to look sharp or suddenly attached to hats. I learned that the hard way before a rushed set of headshots, when a quick trim turned out to matter a lot more than expected.
In a city known for its style, Melbourne’s barbershops and hair salons don’t mess around. There’s no shortage of options, but not all of them hit the mark (trust me, I know).
That’s why, to save you the hassle, I’ve gathered my team to look for the best barbershops in Melbourne. Here are the ones we’d also visit for that monthly trim!
How much does a haircut or beard trim cost in Melbourne?
A men’s haircut in Melbourne usually costs AUD $30–$60. On the other hand, a beard trim alone is around AUD $25–$40, and getting together often falls in the AUD $60–$90 range.
1. The Melbourne Barber Shop
Address: 394 Russell St
Phone: +61 3 9663 8548
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday: 7:30 AM – 12 PM
- Sunday: Closed
If barbershops had personalities, The Melbourne Barber Shop has an edge. It would be that one who knows engines, pours you a coffee, and somehow still gives a razor-sharp fade without missing a beat.
We loved its automotive theme. From what we’ve seen, it seems to attract a very specific crowd and gives the shop a distinct identity that regulars connect with.
From what we’ve heard, they’re very precise with their work. Skin fades, in particular, get a lot of praise. There’s also a noticeable emphasis on consultation. Barbers here don’t just cut—they advise too.
The service range is also great for a mid-range price point. Besides the usual haircuts, they also offer extras like moustache, ear, and eyebrow trims.
The biggest drawback we saw was actually a side effect of its popularity. The shop is often busy, and walk-ins can struggle to get a seat. Booking ahead seems less like a suggestion and more like a survival strategy.
I’ve been fortunate enough to see George many times
“I’ve been fortunate enough to see George many times over the years. While I moved away quite some time ago, a booking at his barber shop forms part of my quintessential Melbourne experience whenever I return (along with a footy game and a bowl of pasta around the corner at Pellegrini’s). If you’re looking for a professional outfit with old world charm then look no further.”
Alex Mengel, Google review
He is a true professional barber
“Great haircut with George. He is a true professional barber. Takes the time to explain what he is going to do and checked in at each step. Also had a great chat a delightful espresso!”
The Candidate Coach, Google review
2. Empire Barbershop
Address: 3A Station St, Oakleigh
Phone: +61 422 261 779
Business hours:
- Monday: 10 AM – 6 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday: 10 AM – 8 PM
- Friday: 9 AM – 8 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 6 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
For those fathers looking to have a trim with their sons, Empire Barbershop is a great choice. They offer a kids haircut, besides their usual services like adult haircuts, skin fades, beard trims, and more.
They’re very consistent with their service. It doesn’t just show in the quality of the cuts, but in how the barbers handle clients too.
We talked to a client who missed his appointment. Somehow, the team still found a way to fit them in and even comped the haircut. That flexibility is a great value for those with unpredictable schedules.
Manav, who’s one of the barbers, is the shop’s secret weapon. Clients said he’d visualise the final look before even starting, which makes him really great at styling.
There are even customers with a botched cut from elsewhere coming here, and Manav would rebuild the look entirely and disguise the unevenness.
We quickly found the tradeoff, though. Pricing lands more in the premium-local range.
The team at Empire Barbershop is very nice and friendly
“The team at empire barbershop is very nice and friendly. I once forgot about my appointment and couldn’t make it on time (obviously I don’t encourage this) because I was a having a very busy morning. But the team opened up a slot for me and gave the haircut for free. The quality of haircut is always very good. I usually show a photograph of a hairstyle and get something almost exactly the same as the photograph. Highly recommend!”
Abdul Hamid Mahi, Google review
Had an amazing experience here
“Had an amazing experience today. The haircut i got is exactly what I wanted. The guy manav is too good. During the session didn’t felt any sensation of hair pulling. Manav made it very smooth and he is very friendly. Definitely recommended.
Prince Chauhan, Google review
3. Ikigai Barbers
Address: 419 Lonsdale St
Phone: +61 481 297 050
Business hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Wednesday: 10 AM – 6:30 PM
- Thursday to Friday: 10 AM – 7 PM
- Saturday: 10:30 AM – 5:45 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 5:30 PM
There are only a select few barbershops in Melbourne that know how to handle curly hair, and Ikigai Barbers is one of those!
That technical range is what stood out about them, and clients have backed this up. We’ve heard they really understand how to cut and style curls properly.
Consultation is also a huge reason why clients have always left them with a 5-star review. They take time to assess face shape, lifestyle, and texture before even picking up the clippers. The result? Clients walking out feeling more confident.
We also loved how calming and clean their shop is. All the staff are patient and attentive throughout. They don’t rush clients through appointments too.
From a styling perspective, Ikigai is in an interesting space. Their technique is a blend of Asian and Western, so this also gives them an edge.
However, their booking and cancellation policy is a bit strict. It can end with a full charge if you don’t cancel on time.
I always leave feeling happy and fresh!
“Always the best experience having my hair cut and beard lined up with Darren. I have never experienced a barber who pays attention to detail like him. Especially having curly hair, I have always found it very difficult to find a barber who knows how to cut and style curls! Darren genuinely cares and I always leave feeling happy and fresh!”
Stevie Bankster, Google review
My barber was amazing throughout the whole process
“Just got my haircut at Ikigai and honestly, I’m really happy with the result. The place has a great vibe, calm, clean, and welcoming. My barber, Hsuan, was amazing throughout the whole process, really warm with her communication, attentive to details, and made sure I got exactly what I wanted. It’s been a while since I walked out of a barbershop genuinely feeling confident about my haircut. Definitely coming back!”
Brandon Atmaja, Google review
4. Onyx Studio
Address: 1/377 Little Bourke St
Phone: +61 3 9602 4625
Business hours:
- Monday: 10 AM – 6 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday: 10 AM – 9 PM
- Friday: 10 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
An experience at Onyx Studio isn’t just a quick in-and-out barber visit. Clients described it as something closer to a tailored grooming session.
They have a consultation-heavy approach. Multiple clients loved that the barbers take the time to study how their hair grows before doing the actual cut. Sometimes, the barbers would even honestly say what wouldn’t work for them.
Every service here isn’t rushed. That slower pace seems to be just how they work, and it shows in the results: sharp, considered, and actually suited to the person wearing them.
This is a great place for those who want a full grooming experience. Beyond the usual cuts and fades, they also have beard trims, straight razor work, and brow grooming.
The price is where expectations need to be managed. They sit on the higher side, but for most people, they have their money’s worth.
Top Barber experience
“Top Barber experience, Sebastian offered me advice on what style would best suit, ran me through how he was going to create the shape and texture I wanted and how to style. Would highly recommend one of the best barber experiences i’ve had.”
Simon Ogden, Google review
Great vibes, good music, and top-tier service
“This barbershop goes hard Sebastián is a real pro at what he does. He knows exactly how to get you right every time. I always leave looking fresh with a clean fade and a sharp cut. Great vibes, good music, and top-tier service. If you want to look sharp and feel confident, book with Sebastián — he never misses.”
Juan Alejandro Huerfano, Google review
5. Another Man Barbershop – Queen Victoria Market (Melbourne CBD)
Address: 139 Victoria St
Phone: +61 493 625 204
Business hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 8 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 9 AM – 4 PM
When our team looked at Another Man Barbershop, we were impressed with how they’ve packaged their services.
You’re not only getting a haircut here. You’re being nudged towards a full reset session with hot towel shaves, head massages, and bundled treatments.
Those packages really help. The “Another Man” bundle, for example, combines a haircut, shave, and head massage into one sitting.
While the price isn’t exactly the most affordable, it makes sense if you’re the kind of client who prefers a full grooming ritual to piecing services together.
Interestingly, the shops also handle a wide range of clients. In one instance, a child’s haircut had a surprisingly smooth experience here after previous struggles elsewhere.
Add in the fact that they’re open on Sundays, and they’ve earned a huge point with accessibility and convenience for us.
That said, there’s one report from a client who missed an appointment. He had repeated calls and messages after already notifying the shop.
Best haircut experience
“Hands down the best. Best haircut experience and best haircut. It’s a great spot right on the edge of vic market, open and full of light. I’ve been seeing Eddy for almost a year, and every time it is a joy to witness art in motion while I’m in the chair. And to feel the confidence it gives me having such a great cut! Very grateful – do yourselves a favour and book it in.”
Jesse Williams, Google review
Will be having my haircuts here from now on
“Ever since my barber of 3 years moved, I been on the hunt for a new barber for half a year. Tried different barbers from close to home and around work but they never really hit the mark. Then I tried here, and am very satisfied with the service i get. It’s a 10min walk from my workplace so that’s very convenient. Tobie is amazing and her attention to detail really shows. I’ve got curly hair which I can tell right away when a barber is accustomed to it or not, Tobie definitely knows her stuff. Will be having my haircuts here from now on.”
Sudden Surge, Google review