Barbers in Manchester

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

Guys, we’ve all been there. You step off the train in a new city, for a business meeting or big night out, and you suddenly realise your barnet is more Catweazle than George Clooney. If you’re in Manchester, you’re in luck. The city has an abundance of hairdressers for men, ranging from fiercely traditional barbers to cutting edge coiffeurs. Whatever your style, there’s a pair of scissors with your name on them.

Looking for a haircut so good, you’ll come back to the city for more? Read on.

Our top picks

The Portland Barbers

The Portland Barbers, Unit 22 Hatch, Oxford Rd,, Manchester, M1 7ED - Visit now

In a short time, Hatch has become one of the most vibrant and vital districts of the city, with everything from smart gift shops to top-class street food. It needs a barbershop to match, and with The Portland Barbers it has the perfect fit.

Rubber Soul

Rubber Soul, 16 Whittle Street, Manchester, M4 1LT - Visit now

Based in the heart of the thriving Northern Quarter, Rubber Soul towers over the competition when it comes to stylish and affordable haircuts. With a soundtrack of blues, rock and the best local bands, Rubber Soul is championed by all manner of Manchester-based musicians looking for something a little more special than short back and sides. Headed by the expert men’s hairdresser Davey, and his equally-skilled colleague Leanne, this hidden gem is no bog-standard stuffy barbers. Word of mouth is everything when it comes to great haircuts, and there’s a good reason people travel here from around the country.

Crown Barbers

Crown Barbers, Campfield Arcade, 300 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4FH - Visit now

Want a quick, no-fuss trim? Crown Barbers on Deansgate is an excellent choice. Always busy and impressively consistent, this is tailor-made for the city gent with no time to spare.

RPB

RPB, 35 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1LX - Visit now

Another Northern Quarter gem, RPB aka Ross Paralane’s Barber shop, is a relative newcomer to the city but has already become a firm favourite with local footballers, both City and United. Best of all? It’s the only barbershop in Manchester with an alcohol license. Perfect if you want to start your night early.

Barbarella

Barbarella, 34-36 Oldham Street, Manchester, M1 1JN

Retro by name, retro by nature, Barbarella hairdressers has been tucked away at the back of the city’s leading vintage emporium, Pop Boutique, for longer than anyone can remember. Hairstyles might change but the space has remained admirably resistant to change, right down to the Jane Fonda prints from the sixties sci-fi film it took its name from.

Flanagans

Flanagans, 41 King Street West, Manchester, M3 2PW - Visit now

Based on Manchester’s equivalent of Carnaby Street, this King Street barbers has a suitably high-end feel, full of dark leather and traditional wood panelling. It’s a gentleman’s establishment, providing hairstyles to match.

Where to go in Manchester

Chorlton
Restaurant
Horse and Jockey Chorlton

Chorlton’s magnificent Horse and Jockey has had an almighty do-over, transforming it into one of South Manchester’s top must-visit drinking and dining destinations.

The Curling Club - Vinegar Yard
Castlefield
The Curling Club

New Jackson in Manchester is having a full scale seasonal takeover. Think curling lanes, lively bars and a packed line up of DJs and performances.

Chadderton Town Hall
Manchester
Event venue
Chadderton Town Hall

Chadderton Town Hall is a magnificent example of Edwardian architecture . Built in 1912/13 in the style of ‘English Renaissance’ and recently restored maintaining its traditional features in regal reds

Tangerine
Chapel Street
Restaurant
Tangerine

Manchester’s latest must-visit multipurpose venue, offering top-level food, drinks and live shows.

Bar Posie
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Posie

A new cocktail bar from the crack team behind 10 Tib Lane and Henry C.

Manchester
Food hall
Kargo MKT

Mighty food hall in Salford Quays, with around twenty street food vendors, serving a huge range of cuisines.

Asap Coffee Interior/ Counter
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
ASAP Coffee

If you’re looking for quality coffee and a decadent brunch in a setting that nails the Northern Quarter brief, you’d struggle to do better than ASAP Coffee.

Interior of George St Chapel
Manchester
Event venue
George Street Chapel

This beautifully restored former Independent Methodist Chapel in the heart of Oldham is as much a creative hub as a heritage landmark.

Manchester Visitor Guides

Manchester Restaurant Deals

Manchester's restaurants are bending over backwards to create deals that take the sting out of eating out. Here are the best of the bunch for January.

Bars & Pubs

Pint of mild, limited-run natural wine or cocktail drowning in dry ice? You'll find them all in Manchester. But maybe not together

Tasting Menus in The North

Looking for the finest luxury multi-course restaurants in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best tasting menus in the city.

Casual Dining in Manchester

Casual dining doesn't mean low effort. Manchester has a host of laid-back restaurants where you can drop in and kick back.

Vegan and Vegetarian Food

Whether you’re a proud vegan or merely curious, let us guide you towards the best vegan food in Manchester for Veganuary.

Sunday Roasts in Manchester

Looking for the finest roast dinners in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best Sunday dinners in the city.

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Culture Guides

A doll with makeup peeks out of a hanging wall of butter yellow fabric. Red and black threads descend and cascade around the doll.
Exhibitions in the North

This season, exhibitions across the North West feel attuned to the world beneath the world – the forces and stories shaping how we see, feel and imagine.

Music in the North

Manchester’s starting the new year with a run of gigs from some of the country’s best underground exports.

A performer in a bright red costume sits on a snowy stage set, holding a large snowball between their legs with a surprised expression. The colourful winter backdrop features snowflakes, hills, a snowman, and a traffic light with glowing lights.
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

Textured portrait image of Jarman
Theatre in the North

Theatre across the North West splits between festive escape and sharp, urgent work exploring politics, power and resistance.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.

Food and Drink in the North

Hear ye, hear ye. Take some eating-out tips from our wintertime guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.