There are barber shops that give record-time haircuts, and there are those that offer a whole experience of relaxation and good conversation within delightful surroundings. Kwentong Barberofalls into the latter subset and has become a venue for male day-cations as memorable as its name.
Richard was having a haircut back then at his old barbershop along Session Road when his barber told him that the shop was about to fold up. The business was for sale and his barber asked him if he was interested. A typical conversation at the barbershop - small talk leading to big ideas. This inspired Richard to conceptualize a first class traditional full service barbershop, a novel in the city.
When husband and wife Richard and Marissa Narvaez scored a space for a grooming establishment in Baguio city, they envisioned a throwback barber shop that would offer hair services both current and classy, while paying homage to a more genteel time of family-owned shops and service with a personal touch.
Since its debut in September 2002, this nostalgic barbershop has blended modern grooming with timeless hospitality, earning a reputation as an "old school" barbershop. By "old," we mean traditional, classic, special, and personal. Despite being imitated, the original shop remains genuine in its services and has never been equaled by others. It's the barbershop that set the standard and elevated the grooming experience for every gentleman in the city.
Kwentong Barbero burst onto the scene in September 2002 and was initially located at the Porta Vaga Commercial Building. The following year, the barbershop moved first to the Lower Ground Floor of SM City Baguio on November 26 when the mall first opened in the City of Pines. On March 16, 2016, another branch opened at Holiday Park Hotel branch. Two years later, on May 3, Kwentong Barberoopened its doors at SM City Urdaneta Central. When the pandemic hit, the shop closed on March 16, 2020 but three months later, on June 7, 2020, the barbershop was again in full swing. On October 15, 2022, the shop moved up to the 3rd floor of SM City Baguio, near Cinema 3 & 4.
With its black and white checkerboard floor, subway tiles and brick walls, evoking the Prohibition Era, Kwentong Barbero exudes a hyper stylish vintage vibe akin to a cozy neighborhood shop. Adding to its charm are original 1940s Koken barber chairs, a piece of history cherished by enthusiasts. The branch at SM City Baguio proudly showcases these iconic chairs, renowned for their durability and classic design. The best part is the services come at a price that won't break the bank, which has come to be the norm in other swanky salons.
After settling into a chair, opt for a shampoo and haircut where a short massage to obliterate tension is thrown in as a freebie. The body massage is anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour of sublime kneading to loosen tight spots and dissolve stress. Like any self-respecting salon, Kwentong Barbero offers the obligatory hair dye, hot oil and hair treatment.
But its authenticity as a traditional barber shop lies in the other services reserved for unkempt dudes and shaven gentlemen alike. Any man sick of plastic razors can book a hot-towel straight-razor shave. The services menu includes other exciting combo packages with price points that don't offend.
But the ultimate and inimitable charm of Kwentong Barbero is found in the barbers themselves, who give you more than a haircut or a soothing shave. Between the snap of the clippers and the buzz of a razor are the sounds of conversation about sports, politics, and life. It's not unusual for a barber to service three generations of a family or witness a man's clean traditional Don Draper cut morph into the receding hairline of Leo Di Caprio. Here, the barber-client relationship doesn't end with good grooming. By the time your barber dusts you off, you would have, in all likelihood, made a friend you'll want to visit regularly. That's a quality that simply can't be copied and is exactly what sets Kwentong Barbero apart from the rest of the hair care industry.