Grooming,Style,Top Fives

Top five – London barbers

One of our number here at Esquire HQ seems unable to leave a barbers/hairdressers/the house without looking like a cross between Jamie Lee Curtis circa “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” and Hillary Swank circa “Boys Don’t Cry”. So, in sympathy, we sent a plea out into the twittersphere in a bid to eke out London’s best shops to get a chop. Here’s what you came back with.

Pankhurst
The fact that Pankhurst is housed within Alfred Dunhill’s Bourdon House should be testament enough. But, with cut-throat shaves, traditional barbershop chairs and personal televisions on offer – there’s plenty to prove Pankhurst the best in the West. Oh, and don’t miss out on the matchless hot towel face massage.
Pankhurst London, The Barber at Alfred Dunhill, 2 Davies Street, Mayfair, London W1K 3DJ www.pankhurstlondon.com

Tommy Guns
A Soho institution, Tommy Guns – slightly scarily – celebrated its tenth birthday this year. From the apothecary-esque own-brand products to the neon art decorating the immaculately tiled walls (not to mention the incredibly competent – and achingly cool – staff ) it’s one of the best. And this comes from an Esquire staffer who was walked out on not 3, not 4 but 5 haircuts at other, unnamed establishments due to “incompetence”.
52 Brewer Street, London, W1F 9TQ. 020 7287 0011 www.tommyguns.com

Murdock
Visions of the demon barber spring to mind when you first set foot in each of Murdock’s three outlets, but throat slashing is low on the agenda. Be sure to check out the website after your visit, Murdock sell lots of lovely booty – including Arckiv sunglasses and bright Huxley jumpers – to compliment your new ‘do.
Three outlets in Shoreditch, Mayfair and Liberty. www.murdocklondon.com

Geo.F.Trumper
The great-grandaddy of barber shops, Geo F Trumper has been around since the mid-19th century, first operating from its Curzon Street outlet, before opening a second on Jermyn Street in the 60s. As close to a Empire-era shave as you’ll ever get, the mahogany-clad interior, cabinets full of mirrors, soaps and brushes dating back to 1875 and impossibly courteous staff make the £27 for a haircut seem like a pittance.
Geo F. Trumper, 9 Curzon Street, London, W1. 020 7499 1850. www.trumpers.com

Jones & Payne
Claiming to combine “East end cool and creativity with West end standard service” Jones & Payne, which opened earlier this year in Shoreditch, is one of the smartest set-ups we’ve seen for a while. The team cut its teeth in the fashion industry, so you know they’ll be up to par (at pain of death). Prices are fair-ish, but a cut with the “master stylist” will set you back £50. Though with testimonals from the likes of KT Tunstall and Georgie Parnell, you know you’re on to a winner.
www.jonesandpayne.com Jones & Payne, 73 Curtain Road,
London EC2A 3BS. 020 7613 6550