Barber’s tales
3 hotspots to get your dose of debonair
Nowadays, a usual trip to a street corner barbershop only requires two things: P50 and 10 minutes max. But major throwback: Men used to gather and hang out in barbershops to unwind, chill, make new friends, and, of course, get a haircut. It was a momentous affair: No one visited a barbershop in tattered pambahay outfit, or slippers, or stained shorts, or loose sando.
But things are changing (yes!). Blame it on #selfies or men’s reawakened self-consciousness—whatever the reason—but a trip to a barbershop these days has become more, well, like it used to be: Extensive and expensive (because of the extra pampering services).
Enter a new tribe of men’s lounges that offer not just a simple hair cut but a meticulous overhaul: Spa, massage, movie marathon, or drinking session, name it. The difference, these modern barbershops say, lies in the details. Men, after all, have that inner “goddess” they’re just afraid to unleash. Who doesn’t love to be pampered, anyway?
We scouted three new, young, male salons you (and your dad, uncle, grandpa, brother) should visit now. Don’t tag along your girlfriend, she’ll be jealous!
FELIPE & SONS
Mezzanine A, LPL Mansion, San Agustin Street, Salcedo Village, Makati
Where is the perfect place to hang out and look good at the same time? It’s definitely not in a salon geared for women. Felipe & Sons owners Marco Katigbak, Martin Warren, and Paulo Canivel were looking for a place “where a man can relax as a man.” It was nowhere to be found so they decided to build their own. Tadah! What came out was a baby they’re proud of: Felipe & Sons, a traditional barbershop and a modern haberdashery, with the comforts of a lounge and the service of a traditional barbershop. Here, you can do so much more than a selfie in a full-length mirror. Get a well tailored suit, a crisp white shirt, a choice of cool sneaks, a book or magazine to read, and booze and drinks to set the mood. Of course, of course, you should get a proper shave and clean haircut, too. It’s their bestseller, after all.
“We believe that Manila’s becoming more and more cosmopolitan. It’s having its own unique vibe and we’re loving it. Men’s grooming should be on the same level as exercise and diet because taking care of himself is always the nature of a man. We believe that a man should be an easy blend of style and substance,” explains Ervin Maca of Felipe & Sons Haberdashery.
Replete with quirky, hand-me-down mementos like vintage shoes, typewriter, and a Louis Vuitton luggage, Felipe & Sons transports you to the old Manila swag ambiance our lolos would surely love to revisit and relive.
BRUNO’S BARBERS
Liberty Plaza 102 H.V. dela Costa St., cor. Valero Salcedo Village, Makati
You’re the boss when you’re at Bruno’s. It may sound so masculine, but expect to unleash your inner feminine side. Get ready to indulge in an array of stress-busting treatments once only reserved for a spa: Facial care, massages, hair color, styling, and even shoe cleaning. Bruno’s may be associated with a traditional barbershop: leather seats, scissors, and mirrors, but the comparison ends there. Enter a predominantly whitewashed area that’s homey and not clinical, comfy and not overwhelming, relaxing without the fuss and frills. Bruno’s Barbers also offers women services (yay! you can tag your girlfriend or wife along). What the barbershop promises is a quality service that is nothing over the top.
“Our philosophy is simple: To provide consistent high-quality and innovative grooming services through generations. As hairstyle trends change, we adapt to these according to the needs and demands of our clients with respect to their personal and generational preferences,” says Bruno’s vice president in business development Jose Marco Pascual. He adds that more and more men are willing to pay a higher price for a haircut, “because men now are more open and are no longer shy about pampering themselves.”
BACK ALLEY
Alpha Salcedo Condominium, Bautista St. corner Sanchez St., Salcedo Village, Makati
At Back Alley Barbershop, expect quality grooming and service even grandpa would love. Its battlecry? For men to become a “better dude.”
“What we want to bring back is the essence of a traditional barbershop, a place where men could relax, feel connected, and get groomed. Our underlying philosophy is #BetterDude. For us a #BetterDude is discerning in everything_the music he listens to, the beverages he drinks, his overall aesthetic that he would like to present to others,” says Back Alley business development manager Rafael Tan.
Equipped with the best tools of the trade (like a mineral shampoo from Japan), Back Alley takes pride on its roster of talented hairstylists (all men) to execute your dream cut and style. They got you covered from haircut, clean shave, and a massage.
“At Back Alley, we value the customer-barber relationship. It’s quality over quantity. That said, we believe barbers can better groom men by setting an atmosphere that is conducive for them. We value old-school aesthetic by being simple and straightforward, which is reflected in the services we provide: cut and wash, shave, and our treatments,” he adds.
For a total R&R experience, there’s a complimentary drink (Aeropress handbrewed Yardstick coffee and Katipunan Craft Indio Pale Ale) and they play #TBT vinyl records, too. It feels like chillin’ at home, except you’re in a barbershop.
No comments:
Post a Comment