Best of Central Coast: top 10 barbers revealed
We’ve counted your votes and the results are in. Find out which Central Coast barbers made the cut.
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It’s time to find out who made the cut.
We went searching for the best barbers on the Central Coast and asked you nominate your favourites.
We compiled the shortlist and then it was back over to you to vote for the best.
It’s clear that for many on the Coast, their barbers do far more than cut their hair. The barbershop is where locals unwind, debrief and feel supported — and leave looking amazing.
The 10 best barbershops were recognised for a wide range of reasons; being great with children, the go-to for stylish trends, and leaders in the community.
Here they are — the best barbers on the Central Coast as voted by you.
10. Fox and Blade, 4/1 Sorrento Rd, Empire Bay
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Errol Baker opened Fox and Blade in 2017, providing traditional service with modern styles.
Baker began his career as a barber in 1982 and owned a salon in Ettalong Beach for 27 years before opening Fox and Blade.
“Barbering is a lifestyle,” he said.
Finding the perfect barber can take time, and Baker said once people found the right fit they “go there forever”.
“Not everybody can cut everybody’s hair, you find someone that does what you’re after and guys tend to stick to them,” he said.
Baker said the barbering industry went through a “big change” in the late 1990s and early 2000s when men’s hair trends swapped from longer styles to short cuts.
He said the key to success for barbers was to “keep learning” and to learn how to do a variety of styles - not just the current trends.
“One thing I’d say to all the apprentices out there at the moment, don’t just become a clipper barber, learn how to do the longer styles too,” he said.
Baker’s clients love his friendly personality, the great chats, his community spirit and the fact you can even get your fishing rod repaired after your haircut.
Jason said he was a “fantastic barber and stylist”.
“A great person who is active in the community, supporting young people,” he said.
Leanne said Baker had a “great personality and lots of local knowledge”.
“Shop is pretty cool looking too,” she said.
9. Gorokan Barber Shop, 88B Wallarah Rd, Gorokan
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Gorokan Barber Shop is a Wallarah Rd institution.
Therese Lobasso, who worked as a hairdresser before switching to barbering, opened the salon 26 years ago.
Clients at the salon ask for a variety of styles, from zero fades to short back and sides and comb-overs for the little ones, so Lobasso and her team have to be ready to “adapt to anything”.
“There’s nothing that we find too difficult,” she said.
As a mum, Lobasso said she loves cutting children’s hair and has plenty of patience for the job.
“We get lots of families coming in,” she said.
Lobasso said the best part of the job was “the people for sure”.
“It’s different all the time,” she said.
“You’re working with different people every day.”
The clients who come to Gorokan enjoy the atmosphere, customer service and friendly staff.
Lee has trusted Therese with his hair for 20 years and said she had a “fun, jovial” personality.
“Therese is friendly, professional and highly experienced at her profession,” she said.
Leah has also been a client for 20 years and said Gorokan Barber Shop “cares not only about your hair but also your wellbeing”.
Tracey said her husband “always comes home looking fantastic” after his haircut with Therese.
“Therese is fabulous and so talented,” she said.
8. Manscape Barbering, 58 Vales Rd, Mannering Park
Cassandra O’Donnell opened her Mannering Park barber shop two years ago.
“I did commercial hairdressing and just happened to love the barber side more,” she said.
Beards are her specialty and she enjoys the creativity of the job.
“I’ve had people travelling from over and out because they love what I do, mostly the beard work,” she said.
O’Donnell said she was “blown away” when she found out she had been nominated for the best barber on the Central Coast.
Jarred was one of the many locals who nominated Cassandra and said she makes people feel “more than welcome”.
“Great friendly barber with exceptional skills and professionalism,” he said.
Brendan has had his hair cut by Cassandra for a decade and said he always receives “great service and a great haircut”.
7. Black Wolf Barbers, 484a The Entrance Rd, Erina Heights
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Black Wolf Barbers is a mix of old world and new, pairing traditional barber service with contemporary cuts.
Jeremy Stephenson opened the Erina Heights salon two years ago and offers haircuts, beard trims, hot towel shaves and plenty of great conversation.
The venture proved so popular he opened a second barber shop and tattoo parlour at Erina Fair a year ago.
Stephenson started his career as a hairdresser when he finished school and switched to barbering five years ago.
He said his favourite part of the job was meeting people “from all walks of life”.
“We try to build rapport and relationships with customers,” he said.
“It’s not just in and out — you have a chat.
“We book out longer timeslots than most places so we can spend that extra time with them.”
Customers often come into the salon early and hang out, enjoying a beer or a turn on the arcade game.
Stephenson said men’s hair trends had changed from the slick hair, longer styles and fringes of a few years ago to a more messy textured look with “super short sides” — and of course, lots of beard care.
Many of his clients trust him to find the right cut to suit them best.
Campbell has been going to Stephenson for four years and said he always “does a great job, (and) listens to what I want”.
“He’s a good guy,” he said.
Suni said Stephenson was great with children.
“He makes my sons feel comfortable and gives them great haircuts,” she said.
Barry said Stephenson “takes the time to talk and listen to what you want, and has a great eye to detail”.
6. 3Kingz Barbershop, 36 Railway St, Woy Woy
3Kingz, opposite Woy Woy Station, has a loyal following of customers looking for stylish cuts.
Sean has been a 3Kingz customer for four years and likes the price, location and the fact he can get a haircut after work.
“Great guy, great rates and great spot,” he said.
Sheridyn has also been going to 3Kingz for four years and said barber Kruz was “the most humble person I have met”.
“Always full of love towards anyone who enters his kingdom,” she said.
Mia said Kruz was “the best when it comes to customer service”.
“He’s super attentive, welcoming and always provides a great service,” she said.
And perhaps the highest praise of all, Tom said Kruz was “only bloke who I’ll let cut my hair after six years of not having a haircut!”
5. Straightlines Hair Barber, 8/412 Central Coast Hwy, Long Jetty
Michael Smith has seen plenty of changes in the barber industry in his 30 years in the business.
Smith, who opened Straightlines two years ago, said the biggest changes have occurred recently.
“Barbering has come a long way in the last five years,” he said.
His barbershop is “like a man cave” where he offers beers for the guys and soft drinks for the children, and plenty of chats and camaraderie.
“I just love dealing with the people,” Smith said.
The longtime barber said it was “really nice to be recommended” as part of the best barbers on the Central Coast.
His clients like that it is easy to book an appointment at Straightlines and appreciate Smith’s talents and friendly personality.
Lauren said Smith was a “passionate barber who is skilled, kind and accommodating”, while Rhyse said he was “not only a wicked barber but becomes mates with clients as well”.
Byron said Smith was “a legend”.
“Always does a great cut, offers cold beer,” he said.
“All around lovely bloke.”
4. Uniform Barber Shop, 100 Mann St, Gosford
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Uniform Barber Shop has quickly become a go-to for the Coast’s stylish set.
The sleek salon opened last June, offering haircuts, shaves and a select range of high end street wear.
Owner Samuel Tate started his career as a barber by cutting his friends’ hair and working with a charity to provide free haircuts.
Since opening his own barbershop, he has built strong connections with clients who come in for clothing, cuts and chats.
“People often say they like the relaxed environment, that it’s peaceful,” he said.
From skinfades, side parts, hot towel shaves and “heaps of beards”, Tate enjoys the creativity of the job and guiding clients to a style that suits them best.
One of his clients, Ben, has trusted Tate with his hair since the salon opened.
“Sam genuinely cares about his haircut and his customers — easily the best guy around,” he said.
Aaron started visiting Uniform just over a year ago.
“I have difficult hair to cut, and Sam perfects it every time,” he said.
Jordan said: “Top bloke, super sharp cuts, there is no better!”
3. Geezer’s Barbershop & Shaving Parlour, Summerland Point
From children’s cuts to men’s haircuts, razor shaves and beard trims, Wade at Geezer’s can do it all.
The creative barber is also skilled at intricate patterns, from popular characters to team logos.
Wade has built a loyal following across the Central Coast for his welcoming atmosphere, skills as a barber and great service — and he has lots of little fans, too.
Hayley, who nominated Wade, said was “amazing with the younger kids”.
“(He) always goes out of his way to make sure it’s a good experience,” she said.
Eliesha said she was “always happy with the results” after a trip to Geezer’s.
“My kids love Wade and won’t go anywhere else, not that I would,” she said.
Tamara described Wade as an “all around legend of the trade” while Kirby said he offered more than great haircuts.
“It’s the professional and friendly atmosphere when you walk into the shop,” he said.
Tyson said Wade’s “professionalism and attention to detail is second to none”.
“He takes a lot of pride in every cut,” he said.
2. Barber Raj, 3/206 West St, Umina Beach
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Joel Raj‘s bubbly personality and creativity with the clippers are just two reasons why his Umina Beach barbershop has become so popular.
Located inside Zapp’s Hair Studio, Raj’s salon caters for all ages.
Raj has been a barber for five years and said he was “always up for a chat”.
“I love meeting new people every day and making people feel good about the way they look,” he said.
Raj said being nominated for the Central Coast’s best barber “feels awesome”.
“To do something that I love and be part of the top barbers on the Coast means the world to me,” he said.
Raj’s clients love the competitive prices, fresh cuts and good chats that come from a trip to his barbershop.
Cheryl said he was “an awesome guy and hair cutter”.
“I only ever hear praise and good reports about his handywork, shaves and cuts,” she said.
Karly said Raj was “amazing with kids”.
“Hands down best barber on (the) Coast,” she said.
Steve has been going to Raj for eight years.
“Miracle worker with any style, very passionate and just a great human being,” he said.
1. Hearts & Minds Barber Emporium, 5/243 Main Rd, Toukley
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Danny and Laura Banford have created much more than a barber shop.
In just two years, their Toukley space has become a hangout where locals can enjoy an espresso coffee, chill-out, chat without judgment and learn how to improve their mental health.
Danny initially learnt his barber skills from Laura, a hairdresser and barber, before doing further training and becoming qualified in the United Kingdom.
The couple moved to the Central Coast in 2016 and took over the shop in Toukley a year later from a barber who was retiring.
The barbershop and espresso coffee bar also runs regular men’s mental health nights with a variety of speakers.
“It’s been fantastic getting the community involved,” Banford said.
“Our whole ethos has always been as a barber shop it’s a place for a man to come in and relax and get away from the stresses of life of being a dude basically.”
Banford said as a barber “you’re part of people’s lives”.
“I get to do what I love everyday with people who I love,” he said.
“Not just the colleagues (but) the community, the dudes that come in.”
Hearts & Minds’ clients rushed to nominate the salon for its excellent service, positive vibes, talented barbers and “next level” atmosphere.
Craig said “I go for the shave but stay for the chat”, while David said the “whole shop has something great going on, it makes getting your hair done awesome”.
Benita said the duo were “creating an environment where they make a difference in people’s lives”.