I recall searching for that barber I’d call “the one” – some shops couldn’t cut my thick hair properly while others had barbers that weren’t exactly adept in customer service. It took some looking till I found a shop that I could commit to. However, that shop is all the way in Littleton, a 40-minute drive from downtown Denver. How about the barber shops near the Auraria campus? Recently, I checked out Speakeasy Barber Lounge, specializing in men’s hairstyles and beard trims. Speakeasy Barber Lounge offers a unique experience for clients seeking a classy new cut. Not only that, CU Denver student Van Cung vouches for Speakeasy as one of their new barbers.
Van Cung, a second-year architecture student at CU Denver, started working at Speakeasy Barber Lounge earlier this semester. Van shared in an interview, “I wanted to be a part of it. [It’s] a new shop and I wanted to get my name out there and grow with the shop.” The locally owned 7-month-old barber lounge, which caters mostly to the male demographic, is about a 15-minute walk from the Tivoli. The entrance to the shop is found behind a moving bookshelf. There, one of Speakeasy’s barbers will open the bookshelf and welcome customers into the hidden lounge. In addition to haircuts, Speakeasy offers clients complimentary drinks from their mini bar ranging from coffee and sparkling water to beer and whiskey. The shop radiates an old money aesthetic that will transport customers to a luxurious and relaxing experience. “It’s very clean and well maintained. The owners are on top of their stuff and I’m planning on learning from them as well,” Van stated.
Skilled and friendly barbers stand at the crux of Speakeasy’s quality service. Co-owners Julian and David, who have had years of experience cutting hair, make it a goal for each customer to feel “comfortable and confident that they’ll get a good haircut.” For Van, haircuts aren’t a new mountain to climb. “I have 4 brothers and they needed haircuts. My mom would do them but not the way we wanted them. So, I started cutting my little brothers’ hair and got my license after high school.” Speakeasy Barber Lounge certainly delivers in both quality haircuts and customer service. From my visit to the shop, the atmosphere was friendly and inviting, the haircuts clean and fresh. Van shared that he not only wants to give clients clean cuts, but also become “someone they can open up to and have a good chat with and brighten someone’s day, make them look good and feel good.” Van continued, “You’re a part of someone’s life and it’s good to have a customer come back and share more about their life – it’s like you’re part of their life experience.”
Though Speakeasy Barber Lounge has limited styling options and prices that are higher than your regular hair stylist, starting at $60 a haircut and $35 a beard trim, the Speakeasy experience makes it worth every penny. You can book an appointment through Speakeasy Barber Lounge’s website or check them out in person at 1635 Blake St. Ste. 201.
With an invitation from co-owner Julian himself, “If you’re struggling in finding a barber, or your barber is struggling to give a consistent cut, or you do have a barber but not the right environment, then come check out Speakeasy.” And CU Denver students, take my word when I say that Speakeasy Barber Lounge will be worth the visit.
Photo by Pierre Giguiento.
