The Barber Shop

A quant little bar hidden behind a barber-shop frontage. Ambience and vibe are a tad understated but superb. This is the charm of the place. And the bartenders know their way around a cocktail shaker, so it’s a very worthwhile experience. Enjoy!

I had a great experience at this bar. The service was fantastic, and the drink I had was one of my favorites. Such a good selection; I will definitely be back. The atmosphere and decor was so homey and a great place to have a few drinks. Definitely try their gin of the month. :)

Nice bar, Customer service was great, the fries was good. Very comfy and relax for a drink after work

Love the vibe here. Not too loud and the cocktail was super. People are friendly and can answers all related questions about cocktail. Recommended place to hangout with friends, at late night it can be quiet busy. No need to call for reservations.

Walked-in and sat at the bar. Had two cocktails. Bartenders are very professional and very serious (not chatty). Overall, nice experience. Lost the surprise factor now that the entrance to it fr York Street is not longer ‘secret’. The doors are left ajar with a big signage right out there.

Cocktails were great. Really enjoyed my mango flavoured and tea flavoured cocktails. My sister enjoyed her hanky panky and lemon twist martinis. Service didn't offer or provide water. You have to go the bar to get your drink. The machine asked for a tip.

Popped in for a couple of drinks last night after work and had a nice time. Friendly service, incredible bar and great venue. Oh, and I can’t forget the drinks: perfectly balanced cocktails that set us up for a big night

A great little cocktail bar with great ambiance. Hidden away, it has a very stylish but cosy feel. Great cocktail menu. I’m a bit of a Negroni snob, and this one was excellent!! Highly recommended!

This place is a gem. Love the whisky options and the general vibe. I could go back another 0412316 times.

Such a cool place to grab a drink, especially of the gin variety. I came through the laneway in the back, so missed the experience of walking through an actual barber shop. But that's okay, I was just there for a drink anyway. I was actually looking for Baxter's, and assumed Barber Shop was it. Barber Shop was on my "to drink" list too, so it worked out! I am not the biggest gin fan but I love and trust a nice cocktail. I ordered The Grifter, which had Laphroaig (making it smoky), and a dill garnish which made it fragrant. I was surprised how much I loved it and almost ordered a 2nd one! The bartender Jane was really nice as well. She went to Cornell so we bonded a bit over NYC. When it was time for me to head to Baxter's, Jane actually personally walked me over! Inside the back of the alley, there is Barber Shop, Duke of Clarence, and Baxter Inn. They are all great, so maybe you can have a drink at each place!

I really liked the entry thru the barber shop!! The cocktails are little sassy and nice ! I loved this ambience and it is little cozy and romantic. Totally i would recommend this place for your first date or meeting someone special. Not many tables yet we could find a place without booking any table in advance. I totally love the vibe and the place , visiting for the second time. I am giving 4 star though it's one of my fav places in Sydney because the cocktails are expensive and the staff could have been little more nicer.

A "shithot" gin joint! Cocktails and staff are excellent! In Sydney on business flying single ship. Felt welcome and had a great time! Go to the barbershop ASAfP.

Went here for much needed cocktail near the end of a hectic work week and got just what I wanted. Speakeasy ambiance, a "hidden" bar and some damn delicious drinks at not-too-painful (for fancy cocktails, anyway) prices. Whatever you get to drink is going to be tasty, so go with friends who won't mind if you steal a sip (or seven--especially if you get the espresso martini or Go West mixed drink). We had a dips plate, but between two hungry ladies, the six or so pieces of bread and yummy hummus variations disappeared in a flash. Eat beforehand and then arrive ready to get your "I know all about fancy schmancy cocktails" groove on.

We completely stumbled upon this bar while looking for another yet we seemed to have found one of our new favorite spots in Sydney. Gin upon gin upon gin. I liked the vibe as it felt more romantic and secluded compared to the bars in the area. Bartenders were knowledgeable and took pride in making drinks the knew you would enjoy. We will definitely be back.

So, our tour guides are walking us through the CBD amongst all the commercial bars and busy restaurants in between banks and office blocks, we're completely unaware of where we're going. Michael says, 'oh, do you guys mind, I just want to book in a hair cut', so as he struggles to get in (mostly because he was pushing the wrong door) we're scanning it and obviously saying that it looks closed, staring at the glass door for opening hours I completely miss the bottles lined up in the barbers cabinet or the lettering that reads 'licensed to sell alcohol' ..or something along those equally as obvious lines. Chris pushed the other door and in we went, Michael points to pictures of celebrities on the walls and comments that,'everyone famous gets their hair cut here when they're in Sydney' ...we just stood staring at the actor who played, Big in Sex in the City and wondering who everyone else is whilst the guys are stood the the top of the stairs wondering when we might catch on, well, we thought we'd leave them to their booking whilst perused the photos and tried to place faces but a glimpse of the glowy lighting had me intrigued (still clueless, but intrigued). As walked in to the unmistakable sound of a cocktail shaker filed with ice and the vigor of a good bar man to shake it.. I think, I just about caught on with a huge grin and slightly delirious laugh - BRILLIANT! I LOVE THESE KINDS OF BARS! That is a secret cocktail bar with limited guests.. (I'm sorry, I'm sure i was supposed to be backpacking.. but I could enjoy this level of fabulous the whole year through). I'd like to mention that this is the second time they've done this to us, with Newtowns 'Butchers' being another - I've reviwed the butchers, aka, Earl's Juke Joint on here too. The cocktails were superb, with two espresso martinis, a gin version of a salted caramel espresso martini and a apple an ginger gin fizz for me.. oh how yummy. The ambience is wonderful, great music, soft lighting and if you're as good as it as many friends and tour guides are then, a big element of surprise. I loved it.

This was one of many standout cocktail bars on our cocktail crawl. We wanted to go to a bunch of places famous for mixology and this place was another great one on the list. You walk through a barber shop and then into a cocktail bar in the back. It's a fun speakeasy place that feels hidden and mysterious. Really great spot. You can then head to Baxter Inn after the fact and enjoy another great spot really close.

This place wasn't hard to find, but you won't know you've found it.. LOL.. I love the concept and the barbershop out front is a great call.. I stopped in for an early happy hour.. The staff was awesome and was about their business. They recommend various Gins according to my taste and then made me a fabulous drink. The music was awesome and the atmosphere was chill and laid back. If you're looking for a great time and drink, definitely stop in..

Came here by accident around 7:45pm on a Monday while looking for Baxter Inn. The cocktails looked great until we sat there for a few minutes waiting for 3/4 open bartenders to serve us. The bar was not crowded at all so I was surprised at the lack of service. 2/4 bartenders seemed as though they were on training bc they were taking orders from the head bartender so I'll give them that... Tldr; if you're looking for Baxter, after the alley, find stairs further down. Don't bother stopping by barbershop.

You are going to wonder if you've made a mistake. You are going to open the door to a real (and very old fashioned) barbers shop and you really are going to think this is a joke. No way this is a cocktail bar! When we went there on a Saturday night at 5pm the barbers shop looked closed. It was empty and deserted. We tried the door and to our surprise it opened. We headed for the large, signage-less metal door at the far end and it opened onto a perfectly reproduced speak-easy. Low lights, soft furnishings and cool jazz. The bar is all 20's ceramic tiles, wood and glass. The bar staff are all hipsters with top hats, flat caps and waistcoats. It's awesome and a real treat.

If by some weird twist of fate Batman was born in Sydney instead of Gotham this is where he'd hang out, both as Batman and as Bruce Wayne. By day he'd be all done up in corporate gear and he'd come down from the Wayne Enterprises offices on York St and drink an Old Fashioned (complimentary cocktail comes with your cut, and hey, you don't get to be a billionaire industrialist by turning down a free drink, do you?) while the boys got the straight razor all up in his face business. And when night fell he'd be spooking about inside the bar out back, it's so dark and moody in there he'd fit right in. If people even noticed him at all. Hell, he'd probably be hitting on girls at the bar, it's a pretty sexy kind of place, in that classy, money-to-burn kind of way. I mean, there's no way he'd be hanging out at Ryans Bar with all the jerks in their penguin suits, is there? Nuh uh. Cocktails'll run you $18/19 here, and there's some awesome beers (like White Rabbit) around the $8/9 mark.

Wow, this is a cool bar! This place is hidden behind a Barber Shop (hence the name) but there is also an entrance from Clarence Street through an Alley way. I stumbled across the back door when looking for the Baxter Inn. What I like best about this place is that each cocktail that seems to be crazy heavy or just like a weird combo (ie: Ice cream + Wine + Vodka) turns out to hit the spot and be tasty and light, perfect for summertime. The waitress seemed to truly care about getting us a cocktail that would suit us. I am very impressed!

Good location, good service, great cut. Appointments are required which could be good or bad depending on your needs. Personally I prefer a set time instead of sitting on a hard bench for 30 minutes like at most barbershops. I'm taking off 1 star for the cost which is on the expensive side. This is the CBD though so it's not unexpected. $80 for cut + beard trim.

Awesome vibe, I actually thought it was closed but luckily my girlfriend pushed the door and it was open. We opened the second door and we came out to a solid speakeasy. Great gin bar. If you don't like gin or soeakeasies. Do not come. Best for everyone.

Actually was looking for Easy Eight, but ended up here by mistake. Still, a good mistake. Love gin and the cocktails here were good. Yep it's pricy but pretty much standard Sydney cocktail prices. Didn't try the food as there wasn't much options. The place is a little bit small with dim lighting but we sat in and then went outside as well and it was quite good. Nice ambience and could chat at the same time without the music being club loud. Would go back again!

For a Gringo down under, I'm learning everything is more expensive here and haircuts are no exception. But...I did get the best haircut I've ever had, with great conversation. Good atmosphere. Good people. I'll be returning on a regular basis

To find the time for a proper barber shop shave is a rare luxury for me, to get one this good(thanks Ryan) is amazing! Do yourself a favor and book here with the whisky experience and enjoy a great shave and a beautiful whisky. Life is good

Quite a fun hidden speakeasy behind a storefront barbershop. On York Street, walk in the barbershop doors and straight to the back up the stairs and slide through the metal door to enter a dark and intimate speakeasy like bar. There is some open floor seating as well as bar seating. Drinks were above average. Bartenders are very skilled. We enjoyed the gin theme! Will definitely visit next time we're in town.

Outstanding! Another wonderful hidden bar. Gin is the specialty, and the menu drinks are creative. I had the Smoke and Bandages (which sounds unappealing, but turned out to be a delicious roasted rosemary concoction) and my wife had an Aviation she told me was yummy. I'm surprised to read other reviews mentioning poor service. The bartenders were VERY attentive to us, but also had a sense of when to leave us alone with our drinks and conversation. A+ as far as I'm concerned

The Barber Shop follows in the line of speakeasy's with a modern twist that is extremely popular at the moment. The difference is: Here they do it better than anyone else. I was only able to find the bar after my friends, both native to Sydney showed me where to find the shop floor, and then one of the barbers had to invite me inside and show me where to pull to access the bar. When trying to describe the style of the bar, the phrase that springs to mind is modern steam-punk. Not that it has any victoriana, nor the traditional brass or cogs, but that it mixes an almost brutalist industrial style with a love of wood and Gin. The atmosphere is great, the room is very dark and the place is busy without being crowded. Not being a fan of gin I felt slightly concerned that I wouldn't be able to find anything for me here, but I was able to have a vodka cocktail, and there were whiskeys and beers available. However, Gin is clearly what you drink here, the menu looked like a beautiful old newspaper which a large portion dedicated to just listing the types of gin that were available. I have never seen so many, from across the globe in one place. Looking at the bottles behind the bar, there were three types of vodka, half a shelf of whiskey, finished off with rums and then at least 5 full shelves of Gin. I know all of my friends would love to come here, and hell, if I lived near maybe I would like Gin a lot more too.

Hair's a mess, need cut... Verity struck, no scissors! Head got soused instead. - Dan P.

Never before has there been such an innovative concept that makes the wheel, penicillin and the iPhone seem inadequate marvels. I visited the barber shop for 2 quick drinks on a Thursday afternoon, the bar tenders were very helpful to point out their speciality beers and had agreed to merge two bar tabs to help out our beer-split-bro-admin policy. Only a fool would say no to a 2014 brew and a 1930's haircut wrapped up in one hipster venue. My hairdo was exceptionally orchestrated by their resident English hairdresser with a taste for fashion. All considered, brilliant concept, great service, exceptional clippers and sexy patrons. Done. And done again!

The backdoor of this place is in the same laneway as the Baxter Inn, we decided to go later in the evening. You walk in through "the barber shop" and the bar is through a nondescript room in the back. It doesn't have the ambiance of the other places, but it's not bad.

I love this speakeasy...I had been to a few top rated/recommended bars in Sydney during my stay, but this by far was my favorite. The entrance to the bar is through an unassuming door at the rear of the barber shop. It's laid back, has plenty of seating, and serves absolutely incredible (and creative) cocktails. I ordered the Fleet St Cocktail while my friend had the Apple Celery Ginger Fizz, and both were perfection. The bartender (whose name escapes me but has the mustache to fit the decor and he had recently started working here) was extremely attentive and served up cocktails that could compete with any top bar in New York.

Get the sausage rolls. You get two, and they taste amazing. other than that, it's a bar. If you go in through the front, you walk through an actual barbershop -- which is novel, I guess. Prices are decent, lighting is WAAAAY too dim, but the waitstaff is fantastic. It's a recommend, but get there early on a thursday/friday cause it gets packed.

I downloaded Yelp specifically so I could write a review on this great little place. I didn't get the chance to have a drink in the back (10am on a Thursday) but did manage to luckily sneak a walk in spot for a much needed trim. (Thursday morning are quiet apparently, Sydney siders so if you're walking past... And it's Thursday?!) Really cool place with laid back, GOOD barbers. I wished I hadn't shaved the night before so I could have experienced their cut throat razor shave but alas. If I lived in Sydney central, this would be my local. Very reasonable prices for a 30+ minute cut. Thanks guys for he great experience... And thanks for the directions to Culture Kings I am now $250 poorer!

We had a great time at this speakeasy! The drinks are delicious. Sit at the bar if you have a chance.

Really cool place for a drink....nicely hidden gem! good atmosphere and crowd. Vast range of Gin :-)

Cool spot in a hidden alley on Clarence. Mostly gin drinks but they have other spirits. The vibe inside is very rustic chic, and the outdoor patio is a nice added touch, BUT that is where all the smokers are. Bartenders were nice enough, but not as fun/friendly as all of the other spots we visited in the area. In comparison, this place was the most pretentious, but that's ok. Drinks were ok, ambience was cool and music was good. No queue to get in and doorman was nice.

An awesome little discovery! We walked into here thinking it was a different bar, but stayed as the staff were great an their cocktail menu is awesome!

Loved the speakeasy vibe of the place. Gentlemen's grooming service venus in front by day, cool, hipster, exclusive feeling bar in the back by night. My boyfriend and I stumble on this gem while walking around looking for Grandma's Bar. We noticed people heading here and were glad with our decision to follow them. Detail is key at this establishment, from the vintage posters on the wall, the antique furniture, and the handlebar mustaches that sit below each bartender's nose. Might I add that they also make a mean Old Fashioned. Service was fast and friendly on a Thursday night.

I have signed up to Yelp with the express purpose of leaving a review of this bar. I went in for a quiet after work cocktail on Friday night where I was met with the most condescending & rude bartender I have ever come across. There were no niceties, I was berated for asking if they carried a particular gin, told I was going to ruin said gin by asking for it to be used in a dirty martini & that there was no way I could taste the difference anyway. I promptly left after finishing the drink that clearly offended the bartender. It's a lovely little space, & I love gin, but nobody deserves that kind of attitude.

I used to be a big fan of the Barber Shop but I have to say that my latest visit was disappointing. The staff were disengaged to the point of disinterest, whereas they used to be much more personable. My glass of rosé was a nice summer wine but probably not sufficiently so to draw me back again.

Gin bar with a great list of house cocktails. Very laid back vibe, good service, with a cool decor.

An amazing experience... Thought we were going in for a haircut but behind the second door is an awesome cocktail bar!

Love it! Love the fun of finding these places - the inconspicuous door that opens up to the massive room (that is the bar behind) delightfully surprises you. You would not know that existed if you walked past the shop front - you would just be left wondering why is there a doorman in front of a barbershop for. This place was packed on the Saturday night and was buzzing with energy. Cool place to come have drinks.

Great atmosphere. Friendly staff. Drinks aren't cheap. The whole fake door front is super cute and continues through the whole bar.