This article is part of the “Urban Discoveries” series, in which we seek and discover exciting and well-designed places to eat and drink around Europe, especially in Vienna. This time, though, we did something else, and on the occasion of a bearded friend’s birthday and the need to buy him a present, we visited a barber shop and did a shoot there. The text was written again by my collaborator in this series Maximilian Martsch with the birthday child and soon to be model (probably) Lukas standing in. Thanks to the lovely guys at Brothers Barbers for the warm welcome and the excellent time.
When you think about a beauty salon for men, Brothers’ Barbershop is probably pretty close to what you’d imagine. It’s a happy place for the well-bearded half of the population until they leave again. Or a little less bearded. Or bearded in a more sociable way. Anyway, you get the point.
Right when you enter, you will be completely taken in by the stylish yet relaxed vibe of the place. Wooden shelves full of products for your manly hair and beard, exposed brick walls, a lovely lounge corner if you have to wait for your appointment, and the old-fashioned, black leather barber chairs. It’s a mix of modern interior design and nostalgia, best displayed by the vintage ads for shaving necessities. While you wait for your appointment, you can enjoy a beer, a coffee, or even a cocktail if you are up for the extra kick – they want you to feel comfortable.
And yes, they also have a traditional barber’s pole spinning happily outside their shop. A little trivia on the side: the red, blue, and white striped pole is the conventional sign for a barber to label his shop. It is said to have been in use as a trade sign since the Middle Ages. There are several explanations for using red, blue, and white. Probably the most ghoulish one refers to the spill of blood (blue represents venous blood) and the use of white bandages, which goes back to when barbers were consulted for simple medical procedures like tooth extractions.
Blood is luckily not an all too frequent sight at Brother’s Barbershop – at least nothing happened during our visit. But joke aside, even though the barbers use open razors, they are all well-trained and know how to handle their equipment, so you always feel safe. The barbers are also part of the experience at Brothers. Not only are they living examples of up-to-date hair and beard styles, but they are also constantly cracking jokes with each other and the customers, which contributes to the friendly, fraternal feeling in the shop.
In the end, the interior, banter, clean shape, and hot towel make a visit to Brothers’ Barbershop a real treat. It might not be the cheapest option to get a haircut and shave, but the quality and overall experience compensate for that. If you want to visit Brothers’ Barbershop, get an appointment beforehand because their waiting list can be extended.
For more information, impressions, and appointments, go to http://www.barbershop.wien/.
Michael Hoffman Photography 