WHEN it comes to grooming, not all barbershops are created equal. Pulling away from the bandwagon is Burnside Barbershop. The place is considered as the speak easy of barbershops by its discerning clients- thus it brings the haircutting ritual from a basic service to whole new level of grooming experience.
The barbershop, which is quietly tucked in White Plains West in Katipunan Ave. is the brainchild of 5 friends ( Denzil Li, Choi Kapunan, Nico Lumauig, Kenneth Ong, and Gil Pe Aguirre). “We figured that there was still a significant amount of people who visited their barbershop once every 3 weeks just to get the same 15- minute- cut they’ve had for the past 15 years. We wanted to pave the way for self-reinvention. We wanted to make each visit a full-blown experience.” Nico Lumauig added.
The experience begins with one sitting comfortably in barber’s chair wrapped in luxurious German leather. Then, one gets to choose his haircut of choice in a catalog of cuts as shown on an iPad, which the customer can use (with free WiFi) as he is being pampered by the most seasoned barbers in the metro.
For first time goers, one will never go wrong with its signature service known as the Prime Cut. It is billed as the most premium cut in town. It includes a drink, barber’s hot towel massage and pomade finishing. For those who crave for the ultimate in “me-time”, avail any of Burnside’s premium packages. As it is, this is already more than what the average barbershop has to offer, but it Burnside Barbershop is just getting warmed up.
Special Trimmings
Letting one’s hair down seems second nature at Burnside.
First, if the name- Burnside- strikes one as strangely familiar, it is because the facial hair we know today as “sideburn” was derived from the name of an American soldier named Ambrose Burnside.
Second, the interior of the barbershop, which evokes a man- cave- feel to it, was made possible with the clever use of exposed bricks, giant mirrors, tufted leather seats, and a few industrial design elements.
Third, the place exhibits a fondness for coffee and the arts as well. At the recent event held here titled #ComeInAndFindOut, guests were treated to masterful renditions of jazz tunes played by veteran saxophonist Archie Lacorte. On the other hand, with 2015 Philippine AeroPress Champion Kaye Ong of Habitual Coffee present, guests were educated on the fine art of specialty coffee through her concoctions. Likewise, the barbershop shows its support to budding Filipino artists by exhibiting their artworks in a mini-gallery up on the establishment’s wall.
“Our mission has always been to allow every man to be the best version of himself. And we believe that this doesn’t end with proper grooming; it is also achieved with self-expression through crafts,” Nico beams.
Indeed, Burnside Barbershop is a cut above the rest.
Burnside Barber is at White Plains West, Katipunan Avenue, Brgy. White Plains, Quezon City, +639778367237,+6322815468.