Getting a haircut is an important activity for many people and is usually something that requires a degree of planning and care. You rarely get a spur of the moment haircut, right? People generally have an idea of when their hair reaches a point where it needs to be tamed.
For many people, this means going to the same place for their trim. They have a barber that they stick to. Sometimes, though, it can be nice to break the mould, try something new and experiment with a new place. Stockholm is a city of great variety, with its fourteen different islands all having different characters and each neighbourhood boasting its own vibe and atmosphere.
This is reflected in its hairdressers and barbers as well. There are places where you can get a bespoke service, where you have a consultation with your barber before they even begin cutting your hair. They will offer you a drink (and perhaps even a snack) and will try to make your haircut more than just the ten minutes you are sitting in the chair.
On the other hand, there are also a number of great places where you can be in and out within ten minutes flat. Minimum fuss, minimum time. So whatever your budget, and whatever you are looking for in a barber, Stockholm has you covered. Here are ten of the best.
Since 1979, Salong Andreas has been cutting hair in Stockholm. Located on one of Stockholm’s busiest streets, Gotgatan, they aim to provide professional services in a calm and relaxed setting. They have discounts for older and younger people and if you just need your hair shaved (as opposed to needing a cut) you get a cheaper price. The market is crowded in Stockholm, so they must be doing something right to have lasted almost 40 years. It is also a family-owned business and the two sons of the original owner are currently running it.
Barber and Books
Shop
One of the new wave of barbers that aims to turn a simple haircut or beard trim into a full-blown experience, Barber and Books is committed to making you feel like a king from the moment you step in. The founders took their cues from a trip to New York, where they stumbled upon a barbershop that was also a bookstore. They took the concept back to Stockholm and refined it to create an elegant and sophisticated barbershop that also sells beautiful photo books. They even have their own line of hair and beard products.
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Birger Jarlsgatan is one of Stockholm’s most beautiful streets to walk down and is in the part of town that has some of the city’s most exclusive shops. Salong Birger Jarl reflects this atmosphere, from its location next to an antique shop to its simple but stylish interior. It is more of a classic hairdressing place than a barbershop, so you can also avail services like hair colouring and styling if that’s what you need. However, if all you want is a simple haircut, they excel at that too.
Honest Al's
Shop
Al’s was opened by a Belgian barber who has now lived and worked in Stockholm for twenty years. His shop aims to be unique in its style and aims to perfect the basics of hair and beard cutting and styling rather than offering every service under the sun. You can choose from a senior barber or a junior barber depending on how much you are willing to spend. Either way, you will get top quality service. The shop itself has a real punk aesthetic and is right next to Mariatorget subway station, which makes it very easy to find. They entertain drop-ins on Saturday, but if you want a weekday haircut make sure to book.
Roy and Son
With their first shop opening in the mid-20th century, Roy and Son is a very popular barbershop with a great deal of history behind it. It is so popular in fact that they have opened up branches in Copenhagen and Malmo as well. They have a variety of prices for their services depending on the seniority level of the barber (ranging from junior to master) providing them. A particularly welcome service is their revitalising hangover treatment for anyone looking to recuperate after a night out.
As soon as you step in for your appointment at Grease and Peace, you are met with a cup of coffee and a warm welcome. It is a small barbershop on the beautiful island of Kungsholmen. It feels like a neighbourhood place and models itself on the classic American barbershop where chatting is encouraged, so a visit here feels like meeting friends rather than a chore. They have three barbers, with one taking drop-ins and the other two only working by appointment.
The main attraction of the Royal Barber Shop is Big T, the head barber there who attended the American Barber Institute in New York City and is thus an expert in all things hair and beard. He takes appointments and is a true master of his craft. They have all kinds of services, so if you just want a quick all-over shave with the clippers, they can do that, or if you want something more in depth, that’s no problem either. It’s the perfect place if you want something really special and to see someone who has perfected the art of hair cutting and beard styling.
Adams Drop in
If you are looking for a super quick and painless haircut then Adams Drop In is the place for you. You just walk in and go straight into the chair as one of the three barbers instantly gets to work on giving you the perfect cut. If you do have to wait they have a comfortable sofa as well as a TV. It is simple and there is no fuss. Just remember that they don’t accept card so make sure to hit an ATM first if you need money. It’s less than five minutes away from the Medborgarplatsen metro station on the island of Sodermalm, so it’s a breeze to find.
Salong Oscar
From its retro sign to its minimalist design, Salong Oscar is a place for people who value quality over gimmicks and like to keep their haircuts as simple as possible. Salong Oscar is right in the centre of the island of Sodermalm and is a classic place to get a haircut. It is walking distance from the Skanstull metro station and does drop-in haircuts for very reasonable prices. Also, it is one of the best value locations in Stockholm, so if you don’t want too much fuss then Oscar’s is ideal.
Swedish Hairdressing School
Shop, School
If you want one of the cheapest cuts in Stockholm while also helping out a student along the way, then the Swedish Hairdressing School is the ideal place. Trainee hairdressers and barbers need people to practice on and are, therefore, willing to provide haircuts for excellent prices. They are all very well supervised and only allowed to do this when they reach a significant level of quality and confidence. It is the perfect way to grab a bargain and to help the next generation of barbers and hairdressers.
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