Shave, Haircut & More

Five locales where dapper downtown dudes go for a spruce up!

The muted tones of cordial conversation mingles with the buzz of electric clippers, the snip, snip of scissors and the occasional snap of a hot towel as it’s cooled before being carefully placed on a client’s face. Such is the scene at many of Salt Lake City’s thriving barber shops. But don’t expect the same one-size-fits-all experience you may have had when accompanying your dad to a barbershop as a kid. Today’s barber shops, while solidly targeting men, are more akin to salons, offering a full-service experience that goes well beyond haircuts to beard trims, skin care, waxing and more. Following are five downtown shops redefining what it means to be a man.

Kristina Wells, founder of Barbiere (341 W. Pierpont Ave, #2, 385-240-5104, barbiereslc.com), offers the classic barbershop experience along with modern cuts for all hair types in a light and airy setting. Wells’ product selection is huge: if you’re looking for rare beard oil or a styling gel that’s not too wet nor too dry, this is the place.

City Barbers (241 E. 300 South, 801-243-6915, citybarbers.co) is an authentic barbershop with Old-World charm. Vintage barber chairs from the 1920s, paired with grooming products from around the globe, make a visit there like nothing else in Salt Lake City. Every barber ion the shop has International accreditation in men’s classic barbering haircutting styles.

Located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, Deseret Barber Shop (135 Social Hall Ave, 801-328-1910, deseretbarbershop.net) is one of Salt Lake City’s longest-running. The original shop opened in Deseret Gym in 1910, and even though the gym has long since gone and the shop is now located in the City Creek Center, the owners honor tradition by keeping the name and offering precision haircuts and hot lather neck shaving.

The beginnings of Ray's Barber Shop (154 S. Main St, 801-359-7297, raysbarbershopslc.com) date back to 2005, when Ray Francom, a third-generation barber form Wyoming, opened up shop in Salt Lake City. What began as a one chair shop in the foothills, has now grown to three locations in Salt Lake City and Ogden, employing more than 30 professional barbers. Ray’s downtown location is a nostalgic barber shop that will remind you of the traditional shops of the past with trained barbers who know and understand modern styles, giving you the best of both worlds.

Step inside The Bureau Barber + Shop (281 S. Weechquootee Place, 801-410-4007, bureaubarbershop.com), and you’ll blood pressure is sure to immediately drop. Clean white walls punctuating by shiplap and marble accents create a serene and welcome backdrop for indulging in some serious ‘me’ time. At The Bureau, classic meets modern with premium quality, every time.