5 barbershops in Fort Worth you need to know about

By Rachael Lindley
Photography by Crystal Wise

Barbershops’ roots run deep, dating back to Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Barbers were highly respected members of the community, and in many cultures, they acted as surgeons, dentists and handled minor medical procedures. The iconic barber pole, originally red and white, represented blood and bandages.

In the Middle Ages, barbers performed bloodletting, tooth extractions and minor surgeries. The practice of “barber-surgeons” continued in Europe for centuries until the profession split in the 1700s.

In the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries, barbershops became central to community life, particularly in Black communities, where they served as safe spaces, cultural hubs and even political organizing grounds during the Civil Rights era.

By the mid-20th century, the American barbershop became a place for men to relax and socialize while enjoying a cut and shave.

In the 21st century, there has been a strong resurgence of the traditional, old-school barbershop with modern design, self-care culture and inclusivity.

These sentiments ring true in cities like Fort Worth as men crave places to commune and bond. The common denominator for every barbershop interviewed was that a sense of community and belonging for clients was of the utmost importance to them.

Fort Worth Barber Shop

3529 Lovell Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76107

In 2014, Jonathan Morris noticed that the growing city of Fort Worth was missing a barbershop.

“The craft of barbering was having a resurgence all over the world at the time and was becoming cool again,” Morris says. “I wanted to create a space that not only serviced our community, but also created career opportunities that opened doors for barbers looking to be known for doing what they love.”

Creating an atmosphere where relationships could begin and grow was Morris’s top priority. A thoughtfully designed place where people could come for connection at a human level, more relational than transactional. He wanted to create a space reflecting the diversity of Fort Worth.

“People tend to build deeply trusting relationships with their barber,” says Morris. “You’ll want that with the person wielding a razor to your throat.”

Morris explains that the Fort Worth Barbershop team is not only great at what they do, but they are passionate about learning, growing and improving. Every member of the staff is constantly refining their craft on an ongoing basis to continue their pattern of turning first-timers into long-lasting relationships.

“We turn out some of the best cuts in the city, and we do it without ego,” Morris says.

Fort Worth Barbershop celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, making Morris wonder what the next era of his business might look like in Fort Worth and beyond.

“It’s a little early to say exactly what that will be,” he says. “But I know that this last decade of building relationships in Funky Town has planted the seeds for our future. We’ll see what grows.”

South Barbershop

129 E. Daggett Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76104

Laleh Rezaie’s intimate shop is behind Winton & Waits off of South Main Street.

Rezaie opened the space in March 2019 after cutting hair at Hop Fusion Brewery for free to build up a book of business. She aimed to transform the tiny shop into a cozy, community-oriented barbershop.

South Barbershop evokes a feeling of comfort upon entry. The space has a feminine touch and aesthetic.

“It’s modeled after my apartment,” explains Rezaie.“I figured I would be spending most of my time here, so I might as well make it feel good.”

When March 2020 rolled around, she found herself alone on her first anniversary with a cupcake. She was closed for two months and living off of savings intended for expansion. But ever the hustler, Rezaie added a second chair and rebuilt.

Since opening, she feels she’s become a kind ear for clients going through trying or exciting times. Rezaie notes that the machismo culture in barbering can be challenging, but in her experience, many men find comfort in talking to a woman.

“Most men aren’t good at taking care of themselves, so even a haircut becomes self-care, and then the emotional care comes out because they trust this place,” says Rezaie. “It’s not inherently a man-made space. I think that helps them relax and not be so performative.”

While Rezaie’s specialties run the gamut, she believes her true specialty is community. She is heavily involved in her local South Main community and has featured monthly rotating art since day one.

“It’s a great way to promote local artists,” she says. “While also serving as decor.”

South Barbershop hosts art installations for the Third Thursday Art Crawl, a monthly community art event in Fort Worth.

Local Barber

115 W. 2nd St. #108, Fort Worth, TX 76102

Tucked into a charming courtyard near Sundance Square is Local Barber. The vintage-inspired space is owned by a second-generation barber, Jonathan Razo, who’s following in his grandfather’s footsteps.

His grandpa Joe originally opened in the same exact location in 1987 boasting clients like former Red Sox player, Jim Rice and co-founder of XTO and co-chairmen of the Texas Rangers, Bob Simpson.

Razo took over the barbershop location in December of 2018. The transition took about seven months, where Razo embraced the hustle of a working valet, DJing and cutting hair in a closet-sized space a stone’s throw from his future business.

“I was trying to figure out where my niche was. I was fortunate enough to learn at different barbershops. I had experience with African Americans and Hispanic people,” says Razo. “I was trying to accumulate as much experience as I could so I could service anyone who came to my shop.”

Local Barber has five barbers who specialize in modernized classic cuts while staying current on hair trends. The shop also has rotating merchandise and offers beer and TX whiskey shots to anyone getting a cut. A musician will even set up in the courtyard, on occasion, to play live music.

The shop’s impeccable style echoes Razo’s finesse.

“Aside from barbering and spending time with my family, I like to go to antique shops… I like to capture that feeling of Americana from the 20s on up to the 60s and 70s,” says Razo. “I want to make people feel like they’re going back in time a little bit.”

The shop does capture an essence of a bygone era, with its pennants, posters, photos and wall hangings.

Razo strives to create a culture of familiarity and ease in his shop.

“I want customers to leave happy and want to come back and recommend family, friends and even bring their kids if they want to share those memories with us, that’s great.”

Founders Barbershop

5500 Overton Ridge Blvd. #204, Fort Worth, TX 76132

Ben Gamboa’s Founders Barbershop is more than a space with a chair and clippers. When he left his job in prosthetics and orthotics and opened the barbershop, he set out to build a foundational institution in the male community, fostering connection. Founders Barbershop was opened in 2019 and has become a safe space for men. In a world where male vulnerability is often discouraged, barbershops remain one of the rare spaces where men can be seen, heard and supported.

Gamboa stresses the importance of a barbershop as a staple institution in the community, as men most often come to barbershops during pivotal moments in their lives. Not only does he believe barbershops to be a safe space for men to talk about what’s going on in their lives, but he also feels that father-son relationships develop and deepen in barbershops.

Gamboa says that this multi-generational tradition allows boys to watch how other men carry themselves and behave through actions and conversations.

“Going to the barbershop was our (Gamboa and his father) Saturday morning routine… even if they are a young child, they’ll remember that for the rest of their life,” he says.

Founders Barbershop welcomes families of all kinds and prioritizes being actively involved in the community, hosting Hope Local, a local nonprofit organization that helps support vulnerable families.

Gamboa and his wife have also created their own house brand of beard grooming products.

“We created our line of products during COVID… we use raw materials to make everything, it’s 100 percent organic,” Gamboa says.

The products have no harsh chemicals, no preservatives and all-natural fragrances.

At its core, Gamboa wants Founders Barbershop to be a simple, classic shop that people can rely on and be comfortable walking in and asking for what they want.

“We try to keep tradition alive — haircuts, shaves and hot towel services,” says Gamboa.

Standard Barber

1210 6th Ave., Suite 100, Fort Worth, TX 76104

Cody Elrod has been cutting hair for 13 years. He and his wife moved from Nashville to Fort Worth in 2017. After working in another shop, Elrod and his wife began dreaming and planning for their own in 2021 and quickly sprang into action. Standard Barber opened in January 2023.

“We wanted a traditional, old school barbershop where people can come in and get a great haircut, have a drink and hang out,” says Elrod. “There’s a reason why the chairs swivel. We want people to have conversations. We take our client relationships very seriously.”

Standard Barber boasts an impressive collection of bourbons for patrons to enjoy. Elrod and his brother have always loved whiskey, collecting it over time.

Aside from haircuts, the shop boasts an extensive men’s retail shop that carries high-quality clothing and accessory brands like Vustra, Grayers, Brixton, Katin and Druthers, among others. The shop also offers Ranger Station candles, incense and fragrances. Standard Barbershop’s grooming products are from Shear Revival, a plant-based hair brand.

As a father of two boys, Elrod began offering a father and son hair cut package, making it a one-stop shop for quality time.

“We want people to look good and feel good when they leave here,” says Poncho Ladino, shop manager of Standard Barber.