The trend of barber shops doubling up as watering holes seems to be making waves. There’s House of H in Cape Town, and now Bar Ber Blacksheep in the chic inner city Bolton Road complex, the new art district in Rosebank, Johannesburg.
The quirky name Bar Ber and bar is quickly becoming buzzy and invites pre- and post-shave whisky drinking and cigar smoking. The interior is much like speakeasies of the Prohibition era, with chequered tiles on the floor, and the ambiance is completed by industrial lighting, apothecary jars in a dark-wooden cabinet, and regal chandeliers that illuminate proceedings as you wonder at the man cave mystery.
It isn’t long before I’m drawn to the bar section, and ordering their house whisky, Monkey Shoulder, on the rocks.
It works superbly well neat, over ice (appropriately named the Brass Money), or whisky cocktails like the Ginger Monkey with ginger ale and orange, or the Apes and Apples with red currant syrup, sherry, lemon and soda.
Those opting not to have their hair done can hang out on the charmingly studded retro sofas or bar stools around high cocktail tables, where they can enjoy infused gin, martini cocktails, and a variety of mocktails - all made with fresh fruits - as well as beer and whisky.
Choose from custom services, be it a quick shave or a trim on your way from work in the evening, or an executive experience with all the trimmings (three hot towels and a hot foam shave with all the bells and whistles).
Bar Ber Blacksheep also offers a range of unisex hair styling services, so smile, ladies!
The barbers here are Dwayne Potgieter and Margo Mundell and they’ve been combining solid traditional techniques with contemporary styles since Bar Ber Blacksheep’s inception.
If hunger strikes while you’re getting a haircut you can order pizza from Coalition, one door along, right from your salon chair.
The Bar Ber Blacksheep barbers operate from 7am to 7pm, and the bar is open to black sheep from 10am to 10pm or later.