Most expensive barbershop in the world

When we think about getting a haircut or visiting a barber shop, we think about spending $20 or $30. But obviously, there are some expensive barbershops where you can spend way more than that, if you want. It all comes down to your budget, the experience you want to have and so on. Before we find the most expensive barbershop in the world, we need to understand that some of these places are expensive.

Naturally, it’s always difficult to pinpoint why barbershop pricing will vary. But a lot of the time, if you want to go the novel route, there are plenty of expensive barbershops for you to check out. You can end up paying thousands on a haircut if you want. And that says a lot, because not only does it allow you to make a statement, it’s also the name of the barbershop and their reputation you pay for.

Quick answer: The most expensive barbershop in the world is a contested title, but the headline record belongs to London’s Stuart Phillips Salon — a client once booked a $16,000 haircut package including flights, a 5-star hotel stay, exclusive products, and champagne. Day to day, the world’s priciest barbershops (Hommage Atelier, Rossano Ferretti Hairspa, Pall Mall Barbers and others below) charge premium rates for master barbers, private suites, and luxury grooming rituals — not just the cut itself.

Stuart Phillips Salon

They have the record for the most expensive haircut package that was booked by a client. The package was for $16000, and it included flights, a personalized haircut with many exclusive products, as well as staying at a 5 star hotel and also champagne was included in the price. It’s definitely not the regular price that the salon charges, but this is by far the most expensive haircut and barber shop experience which someone had. It’s definitely extremely expensive, but it does go to show that you can fully personalize things and take them to the next level in a way that’s very cohesive and different.

The contender this list missed: the Sultan of Brunei's flying barber

The Stuart Phillips package holds the official record — but ask around about the most expensive haircut ever, and a different story comes up every time: the Sultan of Brunei.

For years, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has had his hair cut by Ken Modestou, a barber at London’s Dorchester Hotel in Mayfair. The catch is geography: rather than traveling to London, the Sultan flies Modestou first class roughly 7,000 miles to wherever he is, every three to four weeks — a relationship that’s reportedly lasted around 16 years. Press reports put the all-in cost of each haircut between £15,000 (the Sunday Times) and £24,000 — roughly $31,000 — once you add the private first-class cabin, accommodation, and fee.

A couple of honest caveats. First, those figures are press reports, not a price list — there’s no salon where you can book “the Sultan package.” Second, the numbers vary between outlets, so treat any single figure as approximate. That’s precisely why the official Guinness World Records title still belongs to Stuart Phillips’ $16,420 cut (29 October 2007, for Italian client Beverley Lateo): it’s the most expensive haircut ever formally recorded, with the package documented down to the champagne lunch and the limousine ride.

So there are really two answers to “most expensive haircut”: the official record (Stuart Phillips — documented, and bookable in principle) and the real-world extreme (the Sultan’s flying barber — unbookable, and possibly twice the price). Both deserve a place in any honest ranking.

Esquire Grooming Lounge

The Esquire Grooming Lounge in Doha is another place where you can spend quite a lot of money. It might not be the most expensive barbershop in the world, but it’s definitely close. You will pay an average of $300 to $500 per service. That being said, they are partnered with the Esquire magazine, and they are known for the refinement and quality. With that being said, their focus on quality is unprecedented.

Bigen Men’s Salon

You can find it in Singapore and more specifically in the Orchard district. But what makes the Bigen Men’s Salon iconic and a great place to check out? For starters, they have a Platinum grooming package that includes a scalp treatment, straight razor shave, hydrating facial, aromatherapy massage, and many other features included.

On top of that, the salon also has soothing jazz, private rooms, and teak wood décor. Not only does it make you feel exquisite, but the location itself is luxurious, too. And that’s why it’s worth checking out, even if it can be rather expensive, to be honest. A visit can rack up to $300+, depending on the package you choose. However, you are working with vetted experts, so it’s very much worth checking out.

Rossano Ferretti Hairspa

You can find them in Milan, Paris, and Monaco, all of which are expensive cities to begin with. Their focus is on haute couture hair services. What makes them stand out is the focus on customizing the experience to your needs. Feretti and his team personalize everything, from the texture to the structure and everything related to the barber shop experience.

The interiors are very slick, unique and distinct. Not only that, but you also have incredible visuals, and clients have access to post-cut styling advice, private consultations and Italian expresso on the house. Granted, getting a haircut here or any other service is not cheap. It does cost around $1500, depending on the package. However, the barbershop is visited by celebrities worldwide, and it has received quite the reputation. That makes it one of the top-tier places to explore and definitely one of the most expensive barbershops in the world.

Whether a visit to the Rossano Ferretti Hairspa is worth it or not, it’s very subjective. Quality-wise, it is an unprecedented investment and something you do not want to miss. With that in mind, it’s definitely targeting the rich people in the world. But that’s why you have a lot of celebrities flying in for an appointment. It’s definitely an interesting barber shop experience, and one that surpasses a lot of expectations.

Hommage Atelier

Hommage Atelier is a private grooming atelier in New York that costs on average $250 to $400. But what do they offer for this? You have facials, aromatherapy sessions, but also everything gets scheduled and optimized to your needs. You also have treatments that use high end skincare products from Homage. It’s nice to see their quality provided, and the service is widely used by executives from all over the world. They are booked a lot of the time, but it’s easy to see why, the service is exceptional, and the value provided is second to none.

Tokyo Barbershop Ginza

You might end up paying up to $300 per visit when you visit this place. But what are they offering for the money? You have the clear Japanese craftsmanship and exceptional value for money, along with a multi-step cleansing ritual. A lot of people love and appreciate this barber shop because it’s distinctive, professional, and among some of the best on the market.

Additionally, they use things like the warm stone therapy, grooming products made from matcha and rice, along with creating an exceptional atmosphere. It’s easy to see why people come here a lot, because it’s a high quality barber shop experience you rarely access. As you can see from the video, it’s a zen experience, and it’s all about helping you unwind and relax. Plus, you are getting an excellent set of barber shop services that are much better than expected.

Gentlemen’s Tonic

Gentlemen’s Tonic can be found in Hong Kong and London, and it combines grooming with a very good wellness experience. It might cost you up to $400 per session, but it’s worth it. You have a combination between a luxury spa and a classic barber shop. It works extremely well, and it provides consistent value, along with an excellent return on investment.

You have great ambient light, marble and teak interiors, along with great services. These include anything from massages to cooling tonics and so on. You can visit Gentlemen’s Tonic if your focus is to feel refreshed and enjoy life more. And yes, it works extremely well, it provides consistent value, and you will balance calmness with amazing aesthetics. That’s what makes it such an excellent option to consider, and one of the things you do not want to miss.

Gentlemen's Tonic's members-only club: Dh25,000 a year for a haircut

This list covers Gentlemen’s Tonic’s Hong Kong and London shops — but the brand’s most exclusive operation is one most people will never set foot in: the Gentlemen’s Tonic Exclusive Club inside the Emirates Palace spa in Abu Dhabi.

Launched as a two-chair, members-only private barbershop, the club sold just 20 lockers at Dh15,000 for six months or Dh25,000 — roughly $6,800 — for a full year. Inside: marble counters, televisions built into the mirrors, and personalized engraved plates on each member’s locker. The clientele, per the spa’s own manager, runs to chief executives, businessmen, and royalty — and privacy is the entire product. As she put it, in a normal barbershop “people can see in from the street”; here, nobody sees anything.

Even the walk-in menu tells the story: a shave runs Dh175 plus tax — about four times the average Abu Dhabi barber — and it isn’t one shave but four passes, two up and two down, in pursuit of the closest possible shave. A haircut is Dh205 plus tax, three to four times street prices.

One note: the reporting on the club dates to its 2021 launch, so treat the membership figures as the launch offering rather than today’s price list. Either way, it’s the clearest example of what the ultra-luxury tier actually sells: not a haircut, but privacy, ritual, and a locker with your name on it.

Pall Mall Barbers

You can find it in New York and London, and the price is around $200 or so for a complete package. The barbershop has its roots in 1896, and it continues to be one of the most visited in London. With that in mind, we should note that the locations feel older and like something found in a time capsule.

But make no mistake, their services are very modern and you will be impressed with the razor work, great quality and consistent results. Not only that, but they use hot towels, essential oils, along with a variety of other personalized solutions. They even allow you to pair your visit with a styling session or a fragrance consultation. They offer plenty of these extras, so it’s very easy to just come here and get pampered and relax as much as you want. It’s definitely a spot for busy professionals.

212 Men’s Barber Shop

As we established earlier, Dubai is a place where you can find some exquisite barbers, and thus you will pay quite a lot of money. Expect a single session to be up to $600. However, it is worth the effort, because you have hot towel straight razor shaves, along with hair therapy, facial rejuvenation, and other features. Plus, you get to enjoy all of this in a private suite, with ambient lighting and digital entertainment.

They really go all-out to help create a very immersive and fun experience for you to enjoy. It certainly makes for a good idea to check out this barber shop, especially if you focus on quality. Plus, it’s overall a very relaxing and enjoyable experience you rarely get to have anywhere else. That alone is a great reason to check them out!

Pankhurst London

Pankhurst London has a lot of things going for it. They have the rock and roll edge along with a great luxurious experience. For starters, this is a barber shop that focuses a lot on privacy, and they do want to deliver the best possible experience. The décor is great, and the overall approach to creating a barber shop is nothing short of distinct and unique here. Plus, they do want to continually push the limits and provide you with innovative, creative results every single time. It’s a great combination between rebellion and having a great grooming ritual. Yes, it might cost you around $400 for the complete service, but it’s worth it.

The Art of Shaving Barber Spa

Many expensive barbershops can be found in New York and The Art of Shaving Barber Spa is definitely one of them. You will pay around $200 to $300 per shave. But is it worth that kind of money? That’s always the million dollar question. Their focus is to bring you a sensory experience that includes aromatherapy, along with traditional techniques.

What they do here is they provide a 4-step shave, which is cool. They prepare, lather, then shave and finally moisturize you. All of this is performed using handcrafted razors and pure essential oils. The results are amazing, since you are getting an exceptional quality, and the overall experience is stunning. That’s why it’s worth checking them out, if you want a great barber shop in New York and money aren’t a problem.

Homme Luxury Barbers

It can end up costing you $1000+ to get a haircut and other services. But guess what, it’s one of the top tier barber shops you can find in the world, let alone Mexico City where this is located. But it truly is one of the most impressive spots where you can get a haircut, shave and other similar services. They tailor every single detail to your needs, they use premium products, and you even have advanced scalp and skin care treatments, among others. Overall, it’s an excellent experience and you will be impressed with the value provided.

Dunhill Barber Ginza

Their barbers will provide you with an amazing and very high end experience. The company offers a stunning shaving and grooming solution, along with a variety of other premium services. The best part is that all of these are adaptable to your requirements, and you can get a truly impressive experience. Yes, it can be costly, but it’s totally worth it.

BarberforD Erawan

What makes this spot different is the fact that they offer private grooming suites for each client. It’s found in the central part of a mall in Bangkok. You have great prices, a luxury experience, along with a true focus on privacy and security.

Record vs. reality: what "most expensive" actually means

With a Guinness record, eleven shops, and a flying royal barber all in one article, it’s worth sorting out what “most expensive” actually means — because the number changes depending on which game you’re watching.

There are really three tiers. First, the official record: Guinness lists Stuart Phillips’ $16,420 haircut (29 October 2007, Covent Garden, London) as the most expensive haircut ever formally recorded — for client Beverley Lateo of Pisa, Italy, who reportedly couldn’t find a stylist she liked in all of Italy. The package was documented in detail: champagne lunch, head and scalp massage, personalized L’Oréal products, and a return limousine from the airport.

Second, the unbookable extreme: one-off and royal arrangements like the Sultan of Brunei’s flying barber, where press-reported figures run to £24,000 per cut. Impressive, but you can’t buy it, so it’s trivia more than a market price.

Third, the real luxury market — what an actual person can actually book. Here, elite men’s haircuts in major cities typically land between $500 and $1,000, from celebrity stylists and flagship shops. That’s still serious money, and it buys the things that genuinely differ from a $30 cut: a master barber’s eye, unhurried time, and private space. Tokyo’s century-old barbershops illustrate the top of this tier well — one 90-year-old Tokyo institution offers a 100,000-yen (roughly $670) course where six specialists attend to a single VIP client.

Keep these tiers in mind when you read any “most expensive” list — including this one. The record is a stunt, the Sultan is a story, and the $500–$1,000 tier is the actual market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the most expensive barbershop in the world?
A: There is no single official holder of the title, but Stuart Phillips Salon in London is famous for a record $16,000 haircut package. Other contenders for the world’s priciest barbershops include Hommage Atelier, Rossano Ferretti Hairspa, and Pall Mall Barbers.

Q: How much does the most expensive haircut cost?
A: The priciest haircut package on record cost $16,000 at Stuart Phillips Salon — though that included flights, a 5-star hotel, and champagne. Regular signature cuts at luxury barbershops typically run into the hundreds of dollars.

Q: What is the most expensive barber shop service you can book?
A: Full luxury grooming experiences — haircut, hot-towel shave, facial, and styling in a private suite — at top-tier shops like Hommage Atelier or Gentlemen’s Tonic. These rituals prioritize privacy, master craftsmanship, and premium products.

Q: Why are luxury barbershops so expensive?
A: You are paying for far more than a haircut: highly experienced master barbers, one-on-one private suites, premium imported products, and an unhurried luxury experience. At this level, the barbershop’s reputation itself is part of the price.

Conclusion

Clearly, finding the most expensive barbershop in the world is quite difficult, since there are lots of expensive places to check out. All these barber shops listed above are known for their high prices, but also for the premium solutions they provide. The quality delivered is downright excellent, and you will be amazed with the consistent value and results they bring to the table. We highly recommend giving these a try if you’re interested in a luxurious grooming experience and money is no problem!