I've been cutting hair on Somerset Street, just west of the Glebe, for longer than I care to admit. In that time, I've watched the neighborhood evolve—new shops open, old ones close, the Lansdowne rebuild, Bank Street change character half a dozen times.
People ask me all the time: "Where should I get my hair cut around here?" Usually they're new to the area, or they've been burned by a bad experience somewhere else, or their regular place closed down. So let me give you the straight answer I'd give a neighbor.
The Reality About Barbershops in This Area
The Glebe and the streets around it have always had a good selection of barbershops. Not the trendy chains that come and go, but actual shops where barbers know what they're doing. The kind of places where you can walk in, describe what you want, and trust you'll walk out looking sharp.
What makes this area good for haircuts is simple: it's been a residential neighborhood for generations. That means the shops that survive do so because they're actually good, not because of clever marketing or being in a tourist zone. Your neighbors have been going to these places for years—that tells you something.
Glebe Ottawa Barbershop
The Shops I Recommend (And Why)
Professional Barbershop - 617 Somerset St W
I'll be straight with you—this is our shop, so take that for what it's worth. But we've been here since 1960, which in this business means we're doing something right.
We're about a ten-minute walk from the heart of the Glebe, just west on Somerset. Shameem runs the shop now, and he's got the kind of experience you can't fake—decades of cutting every hair type, every style, handling everything from a simple cleanup to fixing disasters that walked in from somewhere else.
What we do well:
- Traditional barbering: Razor work, attention to detail, the fundamentals done properly
- Consistency: You'll get the same quality cut every single time
- Honest advice: If a style won't work with your hair, we'll tell you
- No gimmicks: Just good haircuts at fair prices
We're not trying to be the hippest spot in town. We're trying to be the place where you get a quality cut from someone who knows what they're doing, and you leave satisfied every time.
Hours: Sunday: Closed, Monday: Closed, Tuesday: 9 AM - 6 PM, Wednesday: 9 AM - 6 PM, Thursday: 9 AM - 6 PM, Friday: 8:30 AM - 6 PM, Saturday: 9 AM - 5 PM.
Booking: Online at professionalbarbershop.setmore.com or call (613) 235-0322. Weekends get busy—book ahead.
Glebe's Barber Shop - 738 Bank St
Right in the middle of Bank Street, been there since 1965. This is about as "neighborhood barbershop" as it gets—the kind of place where people have been going for thirty years and wouldn't think of going anywhere else.
It's convenient if you live in the Glebe proper. You can walk there, get your hair cut, grab groceries, run errands—it fits into your routine. The barbers know the neighborhood because they've been part of it for decades.
They run a good shop. Clean, professional, fair prices. They'll take walk-ins most times, which is handy when you realize you need a haircut and don't want to wait a week.
The vibe: Classic barbershop atmosphere, friendly without being chatty if that's not your thing.
Rating: Nearly 400 reviews at 4.9 stars—that's not an accident.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9-6 (late on Thursday and Friday until 7pm). Sunday hours vary, so call ahead to confirm.
Phone: (613) 406-0705
Capital Barber Shop - 590 Bank St
Newer than the other two—opened in 2015—but they've built a solid reputation. Cleaner, more modern feel if that's what you're looking for, but still serious about the actual barbering.
They're open Sundays when a lot of shops aren't, which matters if that's your only free day. Location-wise, they're right there in the Glebe on Bank Street, easy to get to.
Good reviews, consistent service, professional operation. They position themselves as more upscale, and the pricing reflects that, but you're getting quality work.
Rating: 4.7 stars with over 160 reviews.
Hours: Closed Mondays. Tuesday-Thursday 10-6, Friday 10-7, Saturday 10-6:30, Sunday 11-5.
Website: capitalbarbershop.ca
Phone: (613) 236-8838
How to Choose Between Them
Look, they're all competent shops. You're not going to get a bad haircut at any of them if you communicate what you want. But here's how I'd think about it:
If you value experience and traditional barbering: Come see us at Professional Barbershop. Shameem's been doing this long enough that he's seen every hair type, every problem, every style trend come and go. That experience shows up in the details.
If you want maximum convenience in the Glebe: Glebe's Barber Shop is right there on Bank Street. You can walk to it from most Glebe addresses. They're flexible with walk-ins. It's easy.
If you prefer a more contemporary shop environment: Capital Barber Shop has the newer, cleaner aesthetic. They're also open Sundays if that works better for your schedule.
If you're new to the area and don't know where to start: Honestly, you can't go wrong with any of these three. But if you want someone with serious experience who'll give you an honest assessment of what will work with your hair, that's what we've built our reputation on.
What I've Learned About Haircuts in This Neighborhood
After all these years, a few things are clear:
People want reliability. Once you find a barber who does it right, you stick with them. I've got clients who've been coming to this shop for forty years. That's not because we're fancy—it's because they know exactly what they're getting.
Location matters less than you think. A ten-minute walk for a good haircut is worth it. I see people from all over the Glebe, Old Ottawa South, even Centretown and beyond. If the quality's there, people will make the trip.
Experience counts more than trends. Every few years there's some new style everyone wants. Fine. But the fundamentals don't change—a clean line, proper taper, working with your hair's natural growth pattern. A barber who's been doing this for decades knows things you just can't learn in a year or two.
Communication is everything. The worst haircuts happen because of miscommunication. Bring a photo if you're trying something new. Be specific. Tell your barber if something's not right while you're still in the chair. We'd rather fix it than have you leave unhappy.
Practical Advice From Someone Who's Seen It All
When to Book
Weekday mornings and early afternoons are usually quieter. Saturdays get slammed everywhere—if that's your only option, book ahead.
Thursday and Friday after work are busy because people want to look sharp for the weekend. Plan accordingly.
What to Expect Price-Wise
You're looking at $30-45 for a men's cut at these shops. That's standard for quality barbering in Ottawa. If someone's charging $20, there's a reason. If they're charging $70, you're paying for atmosphere more than skill.
The First Visit
Your first haircut at a new place is always a bit of a gamble because your barber doesn't know your hair yet. Be patient. Communicate clearly. The second visit will be better because they'll have notes, they'll remember you, they'll know how your hair grows.
What Makes a Good Barber
They listen. Not just to what you say you want, but they look at your hair, how it grows, your face shape, your lifestyle. Then they tell you honestly what will and won't work.
They're consistent. You should be able to walk in and get essentially the same quality cut every time. Consistency is harder than it sounds—it requires real skill and discipline.
They fix mistakes. Everyone has an off day. A good barber will make it right if something's not up to standard.
Why This Area Still Has Good Barbershops
The Glebe has maintained its character better than a lot of Ottawa neighborhoods. People live here long-term, they support local businesses, they value quality over flash. That environment lets good barbershops survive.
We've outlasted countless trendy places that opened with big marketing budgets and closed within two years. The shops that make it in this neighborhood do so because the work speaks for itself and people keep coming back.
That's what you want when you're choosing a barber—someone who's been here long enough that they have to be good to still be in business.
Questions People Actually Ask Me
"Do I need an appointment?"
Weekdays you can probably walk in at most of these places, though calling ahead is smart. Weekends, especially Saturdays, book an appointment or expect to wait.
"How often should I get my hair cut?"
Depends on the style. A tight fade needs touching up every 2-3 weeks. A classic cut can go 4-6 weeks. A longer style might be 6-8 weeks. Your barber will tell you what makes sense for your cut.
"What if I'm not sure what style I want?"
Bring photos of styles you like. Your barber can tell you what will work with your hair type and face shape. If you've got a cowlick or your hair grows funny in a spot, an experienced barber works with that, not against it.
"Do you do beard trims?"
All three of these shops do. We do detailed beard work with proper shaping and razor lines. It's part of the service.
"What if I'm balding?"
Honestly, shorter usually looks better than trying to hide it. A good barber can work with thinning hair and make it look intentional and sharp. I've had clients who finally went shorter and wished they'd done it years earlier.
The Bottom Line
If you're looking for a quality haircut near the Glebe, you've got good options. The shops I've mentioned have all proven themselves over years, some over decades. They're not going anywhere because they do the work properly and people keep coming back.
Come see us at Professional Barbershop if you want traditional barbering done by someone with serious experience. Shameem knows what he's doing, we've been in this neighborhood for over sixty years, and we'll give you an honest cut at a fair price.
But honestly, any of these places will treat you right. The important thing is finding a barber you trust, being clear about what you want, and building that relationship. Good grooming isn't about finding the trendiest shop—it's about finding someone who does quality work consistently.
That's what we've built our reputation on, and it's what keeps people coming back.
Professional Barbershop 617 Somerset St W, Ottawa Book online: professionalbarbershop.setmore.com Phone: (613) 235-0322
After more than sixty years on Somerset Street, we've learned that the best marketing is simply doing good work and treating people right. That's what brings people in, and that's what keeps them coming back.