The Melbourne CBD has a strong concentration of hairdressers, ranging from walk-in barbershops to appointment-only colour specialists. You’ll find them spread across the city grid, with notable clusters along Collins Street, Swanston Street, and the laneways around Flinders Lane and the QV precinct.
What to Expect From CBD Hairdressers
Most Melbourne CBD salons cater to a weekday professional crowd, so appointments are easier to secure early in the week. Prices reflect the city-centre location: a women’s cut and blow-dry typically runs from $80 to $150, while a full colour treatment can range from $180 to $350 or more at higher-end salons. Men’s cuts at dedicated barbershops generally sit between $35 and $65. Many salons in the CBD also offer express services aimed at lunch-hour visits, including blow-dry bars and quick trim slots of 30 minutes or less.
Established Salons Worth Knowing
Rokk Ebony has operated in the CBD for decades and runs a training academy alongside its salon floor, which means competitive pricing on some services with fully supervised work. Toni and Guy maintains a presence in the CBD with consistent results across cuts and colour. Waisman Hairdressing on Collins Street is a long-standing local name with a reputation for precision cuts. Mr Barber and Frank’s Barbershop both operate in or close to the CBD grid and draw a regular weekday clientele. For keratin treatments and smoothing services, Alchemy Hair on Little Collins Street is frequently cited. These are not exhaustive; the CBD has dozens of independently owned salons in addition to the larger names.
How to Find and Book
Google Maps filtered to “hairdressers” with your location set to Melbourne CBD returns a current list with verified opening hours and recent reviews. Bookwell and Shortcuts are two booking platforms used by many CBD salons that allow you to filter by service type, price, and availability. Instagram is worth checking for colour-specialist salons in particular, as most post recent client work that gives a clearer indication of style and skill than a website alone. If you’re after a walk-in barber rather than a booked appointment, most barbershops along Elizabeth Street and around the QV and Melbourne Central areas accommodate drop-ins during off-peak morning hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there hairdressers in the Melbourne CBD open on Sundays?
Yes, a number of CBD salons trade on Sundays, particularly those inside shopping precincts like Melbourne Central and QV. Hours are typically shorter, often 10am to 4pm or 5pm. Confirm directly with the salon before travelling, as Sunday trading hours can vary by season.
Do Melbourne CBD hairdressers accept walk-ins?
Barbershops in the CBD most commonly accept walk-ins, while full-service salons generally prefer or require appointments. Some salons hold a small number of same-day slots, which can be checked via their booking app or a quick phone call on the morning you want to come in.
What is the average cost of a haircut in Melbourne’s CBD?
A standard women’s cut with blow-dry averages $90 to $130 at mid-range salons. Men’s cuts at barbershops run from $35 to $55. Colour services start around $120 for a single process and climb well above $300 for balayage or full highlight work at premium salons.
