We’ve put together a list of the five best old-school barber shops around Fort Lauderdale. Sit back, relax and look fresh after an appointment at one of these manly parlors.
ManKind
Ahead of the wave of barbershops that have come to Fort Lauderdale, Lee Garipoli opened the doors to ManKind in 2005 to bring a one-stop shop of relaxation and refinement. Not only do the barbers offer services for hair and beards, but the staff also offers massages, facials, waxing, manicures, dry cleaning, shoe shine and repair and clothes tailoring. Want to relax after a cut? Hit the pool table or grab a drink at the bar. There really is no reason to leave this man cave.
501 SE Second St., Ste. 103, Fort Lauderdale; 954.525.0209; mankindformen.com
Buck & Beard
Jose Lima went to hair school to prove to his roommate it wasn’t a good fit for him. Instead, he proved himself wrong. Now, Lima is the co-owner of Buck & Beard in the growing 13th Street corridor with business partner Ricardo Colopi.
“The barber shop experience is having a huge comeback,” Lima said. Open for a year, the 10-chair shop sports an industrial look with leather and wood for the ultimate guy’s spot for haircuts, beard work, waxing and manicures. However, women have also become loyal customers. The city is celebrating the grand opening of 13th Street on Oct. 21, and on Nov. 11, it’s holding the grand opening party of its neighbor Milk Money.
815 NE 13th St., Fort Lauderdale; 954.399.2327; buckndbeard.pagecloud.com
Monarchs
After being in the culinary world for nine years, Greg Young made the switch to barbering. Now, he and his business partner Kevin Grande are the proud owners of a place they say is fit for kings.
“Beards are very trendy,” Young says. “It’s not as easy as most make it seem to be. We’re able to provide those services as well as a great experience.” Located in FAT Village, the shop opened in April 2016. With every cut, barbers provide a hot lather and a straight razor for a fresh look. Customers can also enjoy some cold brews and Oak and Cane rum. When the staff isn’t working, they give back to the community with back-to-school cuts and haircuts for the homeless around Thanksgiving.
504 NW First Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954.514.7650; monarchscs.com
Not Your Father’s Barber Shop
At this shop, it’s all about bringing together the old and new. Coming from a family of barbers, owner Zac Jancek was looking for a place for people to relax and hang out—not just cut and jet—when he opened his shop in 2016. Customers can indulge in complimentary beers and play on nine different gaming systems from Sega Genesis to Playstation 4. But when they’re in the chair, it’s that old-school service. Not Your Father’s Barber Shop specializes in classic cuts like the pompadour and slick back, fit with a hot towel shave. “Guys are wanting to take care of themselves again,” Jancek said.
2740 East Oakland Park Blvd., Ste. 100, Fort Lauderdale; 954.451.5999; facebook.com/pg/notyourfathersbarbershop
V’s Barbershop
Keith and Jenna Keltner opened shop in July with the goal to bring back the old school barber shop of yesteryear, where men could get a good straight shave and parents could bring their sons for their first haircut.
“Each barber shop has its own niche,” Keltner said. “V’s is very authentic.” That includes black-and-white tiling, refurbished barber chairs and exposed brick walls. Mark your calendars for Veterans Day because veterans, first responders, police officers and firefighters will receive 50 percent off all services on Nov. 11.
2426 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 954.233.1964; vsbarbershop.com
Pro Barbershop Tips
- Use a light beard oil or a beard butter. It makes your beard more manageable.
- Be selective in what products you use. A lot of products have detergent in them, which can cause hair loss.
- A balm or a conditioner will help your beard go through that two-week itch period that drives guys crazy.