How New York’s Cafe-Barbershops Are Reinventing the Haircut

In Brooklyn, something unusual is happening inside old-school barber shops. Men sit in vintage chairs waiting not just for a cut, but also for their espresso or pale ale. These aren’t your grandfather’s barbers — they’re part café, part salon, and totally new.

New York’s cafe-barbershops like Blind Barber combine haircuts with coffee service, offering drinks from Blue Bottle cappuccinos to craft beer — all while you get your haircut. For around $45, you get both a trim and a caffeine fix, turning a basic grooming routine into a relaxed social outing.

What Is a Cafe-Barbershop?

A cafe-barbershop blends traditional men’s haircutting with a coffee or even cocktail service. Customers sit in classic salon chairs, choose from a curated drink menu — often including espresso drinks, beer, or coffee — and get groomed without the usual shop hustle. It’s grooming as an experience, not a chore.

Take Blind Barber in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Launched by Jeff Laub and Adam Kirsch, it charges $45 for a haircut and serves more than ten drinks, including four beers and a cappuccino made with Blue Bottle coffee. Patrons pick any of four vintage chairs and wait their turn over a drink.

"Every coffee we sell might make just $3, but that’s not the point," said co-founder Jeff Laub in The New York Times. "It’s about starting conversations and building friendships."

Why Are Cafe-Barbershops Popular in Brooklyn?

Cafe-barbershops tap into a broader trend of male-focused community spaces. As traditional barbershops declined in the late 20th century, these hybrid venues brought back the barbershop vibe — with modern comforts.

The classic American barbershop faced tough times starting in the 1960s. Thousands went bankrupt as hairstyles changed and social norms shifted. By the 1990s, many were seen as outdated. But today, short hair is back in fashion — even among men growing facial hair — and the classic barbershop cut is in demand again.

"The postwar generations had short hair. Then came the 60s with hippies, the 70s with mustaches, and more unisex salons in the 80s. Men’s hairstyles got more complex, and traditional barbers couldn’t always keep up," explained University of Toronto psychiatry professor Allan Peterkin. "Now, men are returning to shorter styles, and barber shops are the best at delivering that."

These spaces aren’t only about hair. They offer something deeper: a casual, male-friendly atmosphere. “It’s a community hub,” said Emma McKay, executive editor at men’s website AskMen. “In today’s world, there’s a lack of spaces dedicated to men, and barber shops still hold that space.”

What's on the Menu? Drinks Meet Haircuts

At most cafe-barbershops, the drink options are carefully chosen. Many serve espresso drinks made with beans from respected specialty roasters. Fellow Barber, another Williamsburg shop, offers coffee from local artisan roasters and added a full coffee menu in February. They plan to expand the model — including adding a bar — to their Detroit location.

Blind Barber goes further: along with its four beer options, it serves a cappuccino using Blue Bottle coffee.

The coffee isn’t an afterthought — it’s part of the vibe. Customers relax with their drink while waiting for their haircut, often striking up conversations with others in the shop.

Persons of Interest, also in Williamsburg, partners with Parlor Coffee. Their baristas serve espresso drinks, and Parlor founder Dillon Edwards noted, "People who spend $45 on a haircut will spend $5 on a coffee."

The coffee is always crafted by specialty roasters. No instant. No drip machines. Just hand-brewed espresso or filter coffee from respected micro-roasters. At Fellow Barber, that means coffee brewed on equipment chosen to highlight quality. The message is clear: if you’re paying for a premium haircut, you deserve a premium cup.

Where Else Are Cafe-Barbershops Thriving?

Brooklyn may have kicked off the trend, but the concept is spreading. In Toronto, Rod, Gun & Barbers features a backyard bar where smoking is allowed. San Francisco’s Peoples Barber & Shop and Philadelphia’s Duke Barber Co. serve ice-cold beer. Even Portland’s The Modern Man chain offers local beer and bourbon alongside haircuts.

Cotter Barber in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, opened in March with a La Marzocco manual espresso machine stationed on a reclaimed wood counter. It has four retro barber chairs (though open to all genders, most clients are men). The space marries industrial design with classic barber-shop function.

Even high-end barber brands see the appeal. “It’s clearly the same clientele,” said Steve Marks, owner of Persons of Interest. “They want the best haircut and the best coffee.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cafe-barbershop?

A cafe-barbershop is a hybrid business that combines a traditional barber shop with a coffee bar or casual drink service. Customers can get a haircut while enjoying espresso, craft beer, or other beverages, turning grooming into a relaxed social experience.

How much does a haircut cost at a cafe-barbershop?

At places like Blind Barber in Brooklyn, a haircut costs around $45. This often includes access to a curated menu of drinks such as coffee, beer, or espresso drinks.

What kinds of drinks are served in cafe-barbershops?

Cafe-barbershops typically serve specialty coffee from local roasters, including espresso and cappuccino, alongside beer, wine, or cocktails. Drinks are curated to match the aesthetic and clientele, often featuring craft or small-batch options.

Where did the cafe-barbershop trend start?

The trend began in Brooklyn, New York, with pioneering shops like Blind Barber and Fellow Barber. These businesses combined vintage barber chairs with coffee service, attracting a modern clientele looking for both a haircut and a relaxed social atmosphere.

Are cafe-barbershops only for men?

While most cafe-barbershops cater primarily to men and maintain a male-oriented atmosphere, many are open to all genders. The vintage-style chairs and services are universally available, though the vibe tends to be male-focused.

Do cafe-barbershops use specialty coffee?

Yes, most cafe-barbershops serve coffee from specialty roasters. Brands like Blue Bottle and Parlor Coffee are commonly used, with drinks made using professional equipment such as La Marzocco espresso machines.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Café-Barber Coffee

For the cafe-barbershop experience, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend — a balanced espresso with chocolate and caramel notes that pairs well with the barber-shop atmosphere. The Black Cocoa Blend brings bold roastiness and deep cocoa tones, ideal for a rich cappuccino. Both are expertly roasted to highlight clarity and crema, perfect for a stylish yet casual coffee moment while you get your haircut. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.