I moved to Baltimore in December 2011 and my quest to find a good barber has taken me all over the…read morecity (i.e., Northwood, Mondawmin Mall, Greenmount, Mt. Vernon, and Patterson Park). That journey has included frustrations, disappointments, and occasional epiphanies. Thankfully, Conheads Men's Grooming is a welcome reprieve from the bad haircuts and inconsistent barbers and wins my vote in multiple categories.
Location: The barbershop is located on Antique Row right across from Maryland General Hospital and a few storefronts up the street from the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center. Phaze 10 recently opened in the area and Land of Kush is within easy walking distance. The light rail is literally right in front of the shop. Street parking requires some thought, but I always find a spot on Eutaw Street and walk over to the shop.
Ambience: It's clear that the owner(s) went the extra mile and put thought into the overall design. There's a lounge area up front, an outdoor courtyard out back, and a consistent gentlemen's lounge theme throughout. There's also a decent reading selection and soul music classics are always playing in the background.
Service: For $23, you get a shampoo/wash, haircut, shave, and a complimentary beverage choice of water or wine. There's also an esthetician on staff who provides additional services by appointment. Most importantly, I find all the barbers to be very personable and welcoming, extending "hello," "come back again," and "thank you".
Neutral Space: Okay, I might be pushing it a bit here, but oblige me. Black barbershops are normally ground zero for loaded, politically charged conversations on identity politics, religion, sexual relations, interpersonal relations, personal preferences, and a whole range of unsolicited social commentary. In my experience, Conheads is a pretty neutral space and I usually leave feeling relaxed and renewed as opposed to tense and offended. Well done!
