Kirby the Barber

This photo speaks for itself… Gross. This guy has no business charging the prices that he does. I paid $ 58 not including tip. This is inexcusable. Take pride in your work. Tomorrow I have to take time out of my busy day to go to another barbershop to get this fixed up.

Excellent guy, really knows what he’s doing and you can have a great conversation at the same time. I treated myself to the full service and it was a real treat. Heading back again before my wedding and almost worth the drive from Houston!
One thing to note, make sure you have cash. You can buy tokens but, hey, you’re going for an old school service, so why not pay old school?
Great experience, so treat yourself!

The best barber I have been to in Austin. I grew up getting my hair cut by my own grandfather who owned his own barber shop years ago. Kirby brings back where a man can get a cut/​shave/​beard trim from another man the way the Barber God demanded it to be!!! No BS!!! Come on, even his blow drier was discontinued in the 60s I think. Best damn barber so far!!!

Kirby is the best barber I’ve had in Austin, bar none. I’m pretty particular with my hair and tried at least 10 barbershops in Austin. This guy is spot on.
With that said, I wish there were more of him so I don’t have to plan my haircut 3 weeks in advance. I work up north and it’s almost impossible for me to make it between 10AM and 5PM on the weekdays.
He charges a very reasonable $ 29 for service and is a master at giving straight razor shaves and cuts. He also makes his own hair wax from organic ingredients and will give you advice on hair care. Who would have though that guys should only shampoo their once a week at the most?
Check this guy out if you work in downtown and can leave the office for 30 mins. You won’t regret it.

I set up an appointment with Kirby weeks in advanced. I arrived at my appointment 10 minutes in advanced because I heard how punctual Kirby likes to be. But he was apparently behind schedule and had somebody ahead of me. So ended up waiting for a half hour extra.
The haircut was decent, I told him how I wanted my haircut but he didn’t really follow directions and did his own deviation. It was still a pretty decent haircut I have had better for less than $ 29. It was not the best haircut in Austin that I’ve had as I thought it would be. He did use a straight edge blade.
The beard trim was nice. He kinda cut it a little shorter than I wanted but I really liked the shape he made. Probably the best beard shaping I’ve ever had done. He did not use a straight edge for lining up my beard or shaving my throat area. That was disappointing because I love the straight edge warm towel and shaving cream experience. I don’t know if he didn’t do it because he was behind schedule or what but it was disappointing. Maybe if I requested it he would have but it should be given for $ 29.
Overall I just don’t think it would be worth it for me to revisit Kirby. Considering the high prices, area and pain for parking. Definitely not for a haircut. His beard care was great but for $ 29 that is too much. I think Kirby is good at older business style haircuts, but not for younger guys with the short fades and long top.

Kirby is awesome! Knows how’s to cut your hair with out even having to tell him a thing. Definitely the best barber I’ve been to. Important: need to make your reservation online via his website. Will back back for a cut next time I visit Austin!

I’ve been to all the highest rated and popular barbershops around Austin and Kirby is hands down the best! His attention to detail and knowledge is by far the best I’ve experienced.
Fun fact: LBJ used to get his hair cut at this location.

You could just feel the guy was an expert craftsman. Best barber in Austin and the best cut I’ve received in as long as I can remember. He knows men’s styles damn well

FYI to all the butches, other women who prefer traditional masculine haircuts, and transmasculine folks — Kirby listened to what I wanted, gave me a fantastic haircut AND did nothing to make me feel like my presence in his chair was anything out of the ordinary. I was just another customer getting a haircut, as it should be. Not always the case with barbers, so I figured I’d let y’all know. If you need a barber, check Kirby out. I will definitely be back.

I’m definitely the minority here… Nice guy but the clippers hit my head before asking how I like my haircut and the end result was pretty bad.

What can I say that hasn’t already been said? I had a great experience sitting in his chair talking and visiting with Kirby. He is a «man’s man», great conversationalist and knowledgeable on so many subjects. Politics was never brought up, nor current affairs.
If I had to look for a downside, it would be; I was expecting to find a fancier barber chair. No complaints about his current chair, but I just expected one of the more traditional expensive chairs, the kind I want in my man cave.
After 46 years of getting my hair cut, he was the first to point out that I was parting it on the wrong side. He also took the time to educate me on how to take care of my hair, beard and stash.
Thank you Kirby, I look forward to my next appointment.
I rated his service as «pricey» b/​c it is, but I understand and accept the reason why he is «pricey».

Didn’t even attempt to give any direction because I could sense the genius.
Best haircut in 24 years.
¹⁰⁄₁₀

If you are looking for an old fashion barber who knows what he is doing, a real artist when it comes to long beards and enjoy a nice chat, then Kirby is your go to guy. But if you’re looking for a stylist who can give you a scalp massage or sell you products that you don’t NEED, or try so hard to convince you how miley cyrus «needs» to lose a pound and a half to look «better», then my friend, Birds is where you need to go.

Tons of compliments. It is a great cut. I’m very happy.

Kirby is a master of his craft. I came in for a beard trim and haircut and he did a wonderful job. I came to him after having a bad beard trim elsewhere (that I had to shave off and restart) and finally got the courage to let someone else touch my beard. I’m so happy I chose Kirby after reading all the reviews. Anyone who needs a barber that does quality work on hair and beards then go to his website
and make and an appointment.
great conversation if you are into that as well.

Kirby is awesome. I lived in Houston before moving here to attend UT and I had the same barber for some odd 18 years. Kirby is excellent and is at a very reasonable price at $ 19 for a haircut and straight razor shave on your neck. Loved it and am coming back for sure!

Kirby is a hell of a barber and does a great job on my beard. His customer service is second to none, the kind you used to see before barber shops became male salons. Check his web site, book online, valet your car for free at the Driskill, and go get cleaned up. You won’t be sorry.

Excellent work. Would definitely recommend (and have). This guy knows what he’s doing and he’s a hoot to shoot the shit with. Nothing is more relaxing than a hot lather and straight razor shave. And at the end he pulls out one of those old fashioned mechanical neck massage machines… that combined with online booking leading to the lack of having to sit there, wait, and hope you get a chair makes it a perfect lunch break errand. The rest of the work day just flies by.

Customer service, customer service, customer service!
Kirby cut into his lunch break to give me a trim. It was my first appointment, and he lived up to the hype.
To keep it simple — there is no shop in Austin that offers quality styles at this price!
Keep Killing it Kirby

I went to Kirby after seeing the reviews. I left extremely satisfied with my haircut and plan on returning in the future. What makes this place special is that you are treated right. There is no price on that. With other places you never know who will be cutting your hair, but here you will be sure to have a professional taking care of you.
Great price, highly recommended!

I originally ended up at Kirby’s because of the convenience to my office. He had a few good reviews at the time and I wasn’t thrilled with the other downtown options. I’m not interested in paying for beer, water, or Playboy. Just a haircut.
But Kirby is so much more. A true professional barber at a more than reasonable price. He’s quick but detailed. He’ll conversate but not to the point that it’s uncomfortable. And a hot lather neck shave is included. Did I mention it’s only $ 19? I don’t work downtown anymore, but still come there for Kirby.
I’ve sent two more people from my office to him and they have similarly excellent experiences. Don’t go to the frilly spots. Save your cash and step up to what a barber should be.

Cannot recommend highly enough. Gimme 10 stars. Last minute appointment, got me in and out quickly, with superior service all the way around. Straight razor finish for $ 18???
Go. Just go see him.

«Between the cradle and the grave lie a haircut and a shave.» Samuel Hoffenstein
For the best one in town, Kirby is the man. Hands down.
As a connoisseur of fine things and a gentleman pilgrim of the U.S.A, I have frequented barbershops in Chicago, Washington D.C., Connecticut, and a true gem of America, South Bend, Indiana. Kirby really is exceptional. When he moved to his new location and I couldn’t find him (help!), I tried a host of other local Austin favorites, including a few locations of Bird’s. Cuts were okay, not great. Something was really lacking, and I couldn’t pinpoint the loss. Kirby is not only cheaper than Bird’s, but far supreme as a craftsman. The hot lather shave and old-​school after shaves that burn a little really hit the spot.
Bird’s will try to lure you with a free PBR, but we past the ironic Brooklyn PBR drinking stage, that was so 2007. It has become kitsch.
Kirby’s is authentic, no-​frills, sharp, and affordable.
You don’t have to take my word for it, have a go.

I came across «Kirby the Barber» while reading reviews about a well known Austin barbershop chain that I was about to make an appointment at. Their downtown location looked cool, old school and was fitting the vibe I like from a barbershop. Everyone kept talking about how you must get your cut/​shave from Kirby because of his attention to detail and good company. As I was picking up the phone to call, I was glad to read a review that said Kirby had moved on and was now operating out of Charlie’s Hairstyles on Brazos St. I hung up and looked for his new contact info.
2 hours later I was in the chair at Kirby’s new location.
Kirby is a rad dude and makes you feel like a friend instantly. He’s that perfect balance of talkative and comfortable with silence (a good hint that he’s paying attention and dedicated to what he’s doing). I’ve gone through a lot of barber’s in the past few years and none of them responded as confidently as kirby did to my usual jabber of hairstyling confusion at the beginning of the cut. 30 minutes later he was done, and the haircut was just what I needed. No additional questioning about style or length throughout the cut, he knew what was up.
Where Kirby really impressed me though was his shave. I’ve been getting shaves for 2 years now with every hair cut and have never received the same attention to detail or closeness of shave. He did two passes (which was a new method to me) and then gave a nice face/​neck massage. The whole process (cut & shave) was done in under an hour.
After I was out of the chair the girlfriend gave the approval nod (first in a while!) and I was on my way.
Thanks for your time and conversation Kirby. Good luck with the new space!