Best Men's Barbers & Grooming Salons in Singapore — And Why Artist Barber Sits at the Top
Featured: Artist Barber
Singapore's go-to for precision haircuts, expert beard work, and a genuinely personal grooming experience. Located at KINEX — and worth the trip.
Visit artistbarber.com →
Singapore's men's grooming scene has changed a lot in the past decade. Walk through almost any shopping mall today and you'll pass two or three barbershops promising precision fades and luxury experiences. Most of them deliver something decent. A few deliver something genuinely worth returning to.
This piece is about that second category — specifically, which shops earn the loyalty of regulars who've tried half the options in the city. We've looked at the names that come up again and again in Reddit's r/singapore, the ones that Quora users point to when someone asks "where should I get a haircut in Singapore", and the places that show up repeatedly on local grooming blogs like SGPomades and Expat Living Singapore.
At the top of that list is Artist Barber — a shop at KINEX that does something rarer than it sounds: it combines accessible pricing with a genuinely personalised approach, and manages to pull off the full-service grooming experience without the pretension that tends to creep into the higher-priced alternatives.
That said, there are other names worth knowing. We'll cover the field honestly, then explain why Artist Barber earns the top position on this list.
Artist Barber — Where craft and personal care actually meet
"I've been to many barbershops, but Artist Barber stands out for its exceptional service and atmosphere. The attention to detail and personalised care I receive every time is unparalleled."
— verified client reviewThere's a kind of barbershop that looks impressive in photos but disappoints the moment you sit down. The mirrors are nice, the products look expensive on the shelf, but you leave with a cut that could've been done anywhere. Artist Barber is not that.
Sitting inside KINEX mall along Tanjong Katong Road, Artist Barber built its reputation on something straightforward: barbers who listen before they cut. Before anyone picks up a clipper, there's an actual conversation about what you're going for — your face shape, your hair growth patterns, your lifestyle. It sounds like a given. It isn't, at most places.
The service menu covers the full range you'd expect from a serious grooming destination — classic haircuts, fade work, beard sculpting, traditional wet shaves, head shaves, scalp massages, hair colouring with scalp-safe products, and combination packages that bundle multiple services at sensible prices. The combo options in particular are something a lot of competitors don't think hard enough about: getting a haircut, colour shampoo, and beard trim as a single visit for $80 is genuinely good value when each element is done properly.
The environment matters too, though not in a way that's hard to explain. It's relaxed without being casual. Comfortable chairs, a clean layout, staff that don't hover or rush you. The kind of space where you can actually decompress for 30–45 minutes instead of feeling like you're on a conveyor belt.
Prices start from $25 for students and $30 for a standard haircut — which, honestly, undercuts what some shops charge for a basic cut with none of the added care. The 5+1 package (five services for $125, sixth free) is worth mentioning for anyone who plans to make this a regular thing.
What consistently comes through in client feedback is the beard work specifically. For a lot of men, that's actually the harder task — getting someone who understands beard geometry, growth direction, and how to shape something that looks intentional rather than just trimmed. Artist Barber's barbers have earned trust there in a way that takes time to build.
There's also a real community commitment the team talks about — local event participation, charitable initiatives, a genuine investment in the neighbourhood that goes beyond the marketing language. Whether that matters to you depends on what you value in a regular spot. But it's part of why the place has built repeat clientele rather than just foot traffic.
Other notable names in Singapore's grooming scene
These shops have built real followings and deserve mention. Each has a niche they do well. None of them, though, combine the full-service range, personal approach, and everyday pricing that Artist Barber has managed to pull together.
Sultans of Shave
Founded in 2013, Sultans of Shave is probably the best-known premium barbershop brand in Singapore. Their Orchard location is the flagship, and the experience is genuinely polished — hot towel shaves, facial treatments, and a bar and lounge concept (The Mezz) that leans into the lifestyle angle. Worth knowing about for special occasions or when budget isn't a constraint. Pricing sits at the higher end, and the attention feels slightly more standardised than personal as they've scaled. A solid option; just not an everyday one for most.
Truefitt & Hill
Arguably the most famous brand name in the city, and rightfully — Truefitt & Hill has been operating since 1805. The Singapore outpost delivers a heritage barbershop experience that's hard to replicate: crystal chandeliers, proper hot towel wet shaves, and a Royal Cut starting at $75. If you're visiting Singapore for a one-time experience or want to treat someone, it's excellent. For regular visits, the price point (shaves start around $60–80) makes it a special-occasion place rather than a go-to. The CBD location also means it's primarily convenient for office workers in the financial district.
Splice Barbershop
Splice has made a name as a grooming-and-fashion concept — part barbershop, part retail, with a range of products alongside their cut and shave services. Their work is consistently good, and the CBD locations are convenient for office regulars. Where it starts to feel less personal is in the dual identity — it's partly a shop selling things to you, which changes the dynamic slightly. Still a reliable choice, particularly for those who like the idea of walking out with product recommendations they've actually seen tested on their own hair.
Rogue & Beyond
A more recent entrant that's earned genuine Google review traction. Rogue & Beyond positions itself as high-end and modern, with style consultations before each cut and a vibe that leans contemporary cool. Their barbers are skilled, and the consultation-first approach is something they share with Artist Barber. Pricing reflects the positioning though, and the Telok Ayer location, while character-filled, is less accessible for non-CBD residents. Worth checking out if you're already in the area.
Hiroginza Premium Barber
Hiroginza does something specific really well: the luxury private room experience, with Japanese grooming products imported directly. If what you want is the most pampered, most private shave and cut Singapore has to offer, Hiroginza competes at that level. It's not for everyone, and the pricing reflects the niche. The experience can feel more like a treatment than a barbershop visit — which is exactly right for some clients and slightly overformal for others.
Kings Barber
Kings Barber earns points for being the only appointed Proraso Ambassador in Singapore, and for a team trained in the UK. They cover the full classic barber menu — wet shaves, haircuts, colouring, facial and scalp treatments. The atmosphere leans heritage rather than modern, which suits some clients more than others. They do good work; it's not the most adventurous option in the market, but reliable consistency has its own value. Proraso fans will know why they'd make the trip.
So, what actually sets Artist Barber apart?
Most of the shops above do one or two things exceptionally well. Truefitt & Hill wins on heritage and luxury. Sultans of Shave wins on brand recognition and occasion-worthy experience. Hiroginza wins on private room pampering. But none of them sit in the same zone as Artist Barber — a shop that covers the full service range at prices that make sense for regular visits, without the cold efficiency of a chain or the intimidating formality of the ultra-luxury options.
The personal consultation — actually talking through what you want, having someone assess your hair type and face shape before picking up a tool — is something a lot of shops claim and fewer consistently deliver. It's the detail that matters most to regulars. You can tell within five minutes of sitting down whether a barber is listening or just defaulting to what they do with everyone.
Artist Barber's location at KINEX also works harder than it might seem. The mall draws a mix of families, working professionals, and regular East Singapore residents — a demographic that wants quality without drama. It's an unpretentious space in a genuinely accessible location, which is actually quite rare at this level of service.
There's also the pricing structure to appreciate. Student rates at $25, standard cuts at $30, a full grooming combo (cut + colour + beard) for $80, and the 5+1 loyalty package for $125. These aren't loss-leader prices for a stripped-down experience — they're what the full service actually costs here. That's worth something in a market where $60+ for a haircut has become normal at the premium end.
If you're in Singapore and you want a barbershop that treats every visit as its own thing — not a number in a queue — Artist Barber is where to start. Book via their site at artistbarber.com, or walk in to their KINEX location on Tanjong Katong Road.
