The best barbershops in KL

Those in the know would recognise Rif in its previous set-up as an Othrs outlet. Today, Arief of Rif Hair Studio is still the go-to for haircuts and beard trims (+RM10 for wash). Everyone is welcome, of course, though you might sense that this is a shop with style; think mods, mullets, and precise parts. If you’ve not heard of slow barbering, you’ll experience it here where a cut is an hour long because Rif takes the time to get to know you with a thorough consultation. Besides, you can’t rush magic. 

Haircuts from RM75.

For the fellow looking to indulge in a little excess, Somar James nestled in Solaris is a high-end space steered by a team of skilled stylists. On the menu: anything from a classic cut to fade, colour, wash hair treatments, beard care (even colouring and design), facial and waxing, plus manicure, pedicure, and massage. If you can’t choose and have a couple of hours to spare (plus RM400), hey, go for the Chairman package and tick all of the above. 

Haircuts from RM100.

As one of the city’s biggest barbershop success stories, Huuk Barbershop still takes pride in being your friendly neighbourhood go-to. It offers everything you’d expect: hair cut, colour and wash, beard trim and colour, hot towel shave, and waxing. This formidable formula seems to be working well; Huuk has recently expanded to The Exchange TRX, Publika Shopping Gallery, and The Starling, plus shops at three Pavilions (Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Jalil and Damansara Heights), Sunway Pyramid, and more.

Haircuts from RM80.

Don’t let the name put you off; the blades aren’t rusty in the least at this sleek barbershop located in Apollo Men's Wellness at The Starhill. Spread across 2,239 sq ft, the men’s establishment also offers therapies for the body, mind, and soul, plus luxury fashion, lifestyle beverages, and more. Back to the barbershop: all the extras hint that you’re in for something special by some of the finest barbers in town, whether it’s a cut, colour and wash, a traditional hot towel shave followed by a face mask, or even a head and face massage. 

Haircuts from RM140.

Kingsmen Barbershop’s Republik Damansara Heights outpost is a stylish addition to the city’s high-end barber game. Here, luxury awaits. Seek solace in old-world surroundings with contemporary conveniences; think plush leather chairs and warm wood panelling, all adding to the classic barbershop atmosphere. A waistcoated barman whisks you to your seat, and after the cut, shave, massage, wash, and top-to-toe treatment fit for royalty (add-on a manicure and a pedicure while you’re at it), you’ll feel like you’ve had an afternoon at the spa. 

Haircuts from RM88.

Christina’s big idea for Jelly Roll Social Club, situated in Solaris, is simple: a friendly, relaxed space for haircuts and conversations. If you struggle to articulate exactly what you want, chances are Christina will coax it out of you — and deliver a cut that exceeds your expectations whether you're on the lookout for a classic scissor cut or a hot towel shave. Fine grooming goods by Mentega, such as hair clay, water-based pomade and salt spray are also available for purchase at the barbershop.

Haircuts from RM50.

Sequestered away on the first floor of a shoplot in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, The Mankind Barber is a genuine hidden gem of a barbershop where you can ask for anything from a flat top to a fade to a facial scrub. For a truly exceptional way to spend an hour, ask for a haircut followed by a hot towel shave, resulting in a relaxed, smooth finish. 

Haircuts from RM55.

If a good old-fashioned chop is the order of the day, then head to any one of the seven Jadioc Barbershop outlets around town. It’s deserving of its spot here on this list due to its accessibility (with set-ups at shopping malls, so you can get all your errands done in one trip) and affordability (cuts from RM50). If you need a snip or a styling upgrade for your beard, you’ll be welcomed into a Jadioc Barbershop with sharp scissors — and you’ll walk out with the confidence of a fantastic fresh trim. 

Haircuts from RM50.

Kevin Tan’s The Oven Cuttery is all about one-on-one barbering in a comfortable and casual (and very cool) environment. It’s first and foremost home to Mentega, Kevin’s own fine grooming goods line — but it’s also a barbershop, where you might ask for a beard trim, a hot towel shave, a haircut or anything else that strikes your fancy. After, chill out at the café on-site by Ellipsis turning out specialty coffee and pastries. 

Haircuts from RM50.

Adding to the growing list of tenants at APW is 52 Barbers, a barbershop specialising in men’s cuts and shaves. The compact space accommodates only two chairs, and is run by McBe (formerly of OTHRS barbers). Easily recognisable with its ceiling-to-floor windows and teal frames, the quaint shop is quite minimal by way of decor – exposed concrete flooring, walls with simple chalk drawing, and a phonograph tucked in a corner.

Services you can get here include shaves, beard trims and bespoke gentlemen cuts. The best part is, the haircuts are finished with a refreshing hot towel service. Prices start from RM100. 

Haircuts from RM100.

OTHRS, pronounced ‘others’, is all about people. Go in for a trim, cut or shave from Andrew, the one-man barber maestro, and be treated to a side of conversation and great music. It has a hip-but-homey vibe without a hint of pretension. 

Haircuts from RM49.

Treat yourself to a truly fantastic cut at Sweeney Ted. Ted founded the barbershop after cutting his teeth at OTHRS Barbers and Oven Cuttery; and though he’s now got his hands full at Sweeney Ted in Perth, over here at The Hub, you can still book a sharp cut with specialist barbers, Jeremy or YC. 

The barbershop also stocks O’Douds, an American cosmetic and self-care brand dedicated to a simple, sensible and sustainable approach to hair.

Haircuts from RM75

Originating in Mayfair, London, Gentlemen’s Tonic offers traditional barbershop services with a modern styling. This is the award-winning establishment’s first foray into Malaysia (they have outlets in Hong Kong, New Delhi, Dubai and several other locations around the world), and their new space at Publika is handsome, especially with the dark wood interior and chrome gold finishing.

Grooming remains the key service offered here and that includes haircuts, razor head shaves, scalp treatments, beard design, wet shaves and more. Granted, the brand targets the middle-to-high end of the market with cuts starting from RM115 and shaves from RM75. But what you’re paying for is the pampering experience and also the attention to detail, from the way your barber styles your hair down to the design of the chairs and mood lighting.

What really sets Gentlemen’s Tonic apart from the pack is their wide-ranging menu that also offers facials, manicures and pedicures, and even massages, making this a one-stop centre for all your male grooming and pampering needs.

Haircuts from RM115.

A chop and cut at Nimroc at any of its dozen outlets across the city is paired with good music and great conversation – politics is an oft-covered topic, as befits old-fashioned barbershops where men meet like-minded men. Classic, sober styles are Nimroc’s signature, though they also do contemporary cuts.

Haircuts from RM30.

Many would argue that the barbershop boom in Kuala Lumpur is credited to Joe Flizzow’s success with Joe’s Barbershop in SS15 Subang Jaya circa the early 10s (the same year he released ‘Havoc’, incidentally, with the infamous bar “Budak Subang Jaya memang ada gaya”, hey?) – at a time when, suddenly, facial hair was the fad du jour and the word ‘hipster’ lost all meaning. Today, there’s a Joe’s Barbershop in any neighbourhood in the Klang Valley, and even in Melaka, Ipoh, and Johor – but at its core, like its founder (or… president?), Joe’s Barbershop is New York hip hop: all black and white floor tiles, exposed brick walls, with The Notorious B.I.G. blaring out of the speakers. 

Haircuts from RM25.

A cut at Truefitt & Hill is an indulgent delight: face massages and foot scrubs, hot towels and the zing of a sharp razor, though it does come with a heftier-than-most price tag befitting its status as the oldest barbershop in the world. The top-notch traditional gentlemen’s grooming institution offers products, services and treatments that run the gamut from beard trim to shave and shape, from cut and colour to manicures and pedicures. Alfred Hitchcock, Cary Grant and Oscar Wilde have all enjoyed the Truefitt touch.

The establishment, by a co-owner of Shino’s, carries old-school touches: gentlemen’s cuts, a straight-razor finish, wood paneling. Your hair is in good hands; the hairstylists are themselves hyperstylish. At the back, a vape shop holds court.

Children’s haircut, RM25; men’s haircut, RM35.