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Birds Barbershop Opens Eighth Location at North Austin’s Domain

March 15, 2016 by Kristin Leigh 17 Comments

Birds Barbershop Domain Austin

Birds Barbershop at The Domain (Birds Barbershop)

The lead singer grins at me as she belts out an indie rock-infused cover of Coldplay’s latest radio hit. I return the smile and sip my icy cold Shiner beer, sitting back on the plush, mid-century modern couch, taking in the moment.

No, I am not at some private SXSW showing. I’m just waiting to get my haircut at the newest location of Birds Barbershop at The Domain.

Birds Barbershop: Austin Original Since 2006

Founders of Birds Barbershop

Portman and Rapaport relax in front of one of Birds Barbershop’s eight locations (Credit: Birds Barbershop)

Birthed in 2006 with their first—and still my favorite—Birds Barbershop location on South Lamar, childhood friends Jayson Rapaport and Michael Portman quickly realized Austin was seriously lacking a no-fuss, quality barbershop that catered to men and women alike.

From the carpet of Astroturf to the tongue-in-cheek LA-preppy stylings, to the genuinely friendly, punk rock hairstylists who work their magic on the tousled locks of Austin women and men, Birds Barbershop has a burgeoning barbershop empire that’s as unique as the city itself.

Inside Birds’ New Location at The Domain

Birds Barbershop Austin Haircutting Salon

Play arcade games while you wait (Credit: Birds Barbershop)

I push my bangs out of my eyes, eager to freshen up my locks, and swoon over the design of this dreamy barbershop. Each of the eight locations is designed to reflect the neighborhood it inhabits, and Birds Barbershop’s newest Rock Rose location at The Domain in north Austin is no exception.

Shuttlecocks Decorate Wall Birds Barbershop

Shuttlecocks adorn the walls of this Birds location (Credit: Birds Barbershop)

Intricately-etched flamingos and palms paper the walls around each styling station, and I debate playing a quick game of Pac-Man on the free, old school arcade machine. I opt instead to listen to the indie tunes and admire the giant, full wall shuttlecock installation that’s one part art museum, one part Beverly Hills country club. It’s easy to get inspired about style inside of a Birds. Deciding on a new look is easy when you’re nestled within the walls of a hip, sensory-rich salon.

In the nearly ten years since the first location opened, Birds has popped up in Austin’s favorite neighborhoods—Hyde Park, South Congress and Burnet, just to name a few. And, despite such rapid growth, walk-ins still have to wait their turn for a cut or color on a busy Saturday. The fact that customers are offered a free Shiner while they wait doesn’t hurt either.

Earned Recognition

Birds Barbershop Rock Rose Domain

Welcome to Birds Barbershop at Rock Rose in The Domain (Credit: Birds Barbershop)

Birds’ local roots have garnered national acclaim on ELLE’s 100 Best Salons, and locals have voted for the business as their favorite place to get a haircut in Austin Chronicle’s annual poll ever since it opened.

Staying true to their neighborhood-focused growth, and providing meaningful jobs for a team that continues to mature and grow alongside the company, Birds Barbershop has made its way into every corner of Austin, and has a vision for expanding beyond our city limits in the coming years, starting with a Houston location scheduled to open this summer.

I dust off the remainder of my shorn locks, swivel out of my chair and check out my new do. I smile into the mirror as I take in the scene behind me. A little girl gets her first haircut from a patient barber with knuckle tatts; sultry Johnny Cash blares through the speakers; and the denizens of north Austin relax into their swivel chairs while stylists work magic. It feels so Austin, and this is one small business I am so thankful has thrived through our past decade of growth.

If Birds Barbershop makes its way to other Texas cities, I think they’ll be better for it. This salon is one cultural export we’d be selfish not to share with the rest of the state.

The newest Birds Barbershop is located at 11420 Rock Rose. To learn more about this local business, visit Birds Barbershop’s website.

 

@kristinmleigh wants to know:

What’s your favorite Austin company you’ve watched grow over the years?

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Kristin Leigh
Kristin Leigh
Kristin Leigh
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Filed Under: Discoveries, Local Business Tagged With: north austin, rock rose, the domain

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Comments

  1. JeebusATX says

    March 15, 2016 at 9:28 am

    I love the Bird’s on S. Lamar and Burnet, but Bird’s on S. Congress is where I cut off all my hair to donate to Wigs for Kids in 2013!

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  2. Kate Cargill says

    March 15, 2016 at 9:54 am

    Great place to get a hair cut. Burnet and 41st locations are great!!

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  3. AliCat says

    March 15, 2016 at 9:58 am

    I love Bird’s! It’s one of the first Austin-y places I went to when I moved here 6 years ago. So happy there’s another location in North Austin!

    To answer your question: I’ve loved seeing Verts Kebap grow and expand their menu and locations. It’s another one of my absolute favorites.

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  4. Kerri Groen says

    March 15, 2016 at 10:01 am

    Love Bird’s!

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  5. Tom Whitt says

    March 15, 2016 at 10:06 am

    Bird’s is the word.

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  6. Drew Hamlin says

    March 15, 2016 at 10:49 am

    I’ve seen Bird’s every time I’ve driven to downtown, and have loved any cuts I’ve seen.

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    • Brittany Highland says

      March 16, 2016 at 7:04 pm

      Congratulations, @drew_hamlin:disqus. You’re our winner! You get a 4-pack universal cut card AND Birds’ hair products. What a steal! Hit us up at info@austinotstagi.wpengine.com, so we can get you your goodies.

      Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway. We have two other giveaways going on right now. One is for Dart Bowl tickets for Friday night (see https://www.instagram.com/p/BDBQWhLzExY/?taken-by=the_austinot) and the other is for VIP tickets to Austin Wine & Cider’s Grand Opening (sign up for your chance to win at http://bit.ly/AustinotBest).

      We love local and giving away free stuff, and we thank all of you for reading. Reminder: we’re all volunteers and do this just ’cause we love Austin.

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  7. Alyssa Anne Hicks says

    March 15, 2016 at 10:56 am

    Yesssss!

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  8. Jason says

    March 15, 2016 at 11:25 am

    Is there any other place in Austin to get a haircut?!? Birds for life!

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  9. Justin Wiseman says

    March 15, 2016 at 12:26 pm

    Been going to Birds since I moved to Austin 7 years ago!

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  10. Lawruh says

    March 15, 2016 at 1:39 pm

    Bananarchy

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  11. Michelle Butler says

    March 15, 2016 at 2:35 pm

    I’m loving the new additions to The Domain!

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  12. sassy_sarah says

    March 16, 2016 at 5:21 am

    Birds rocks!! It’s the perfect setting for a great hair cutting experience. Great music, free beer and video games, rocking decor and fantastic stylists!!

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  13. Jake Lara says

    March 16, 2016 at 9:11 am

    Love the new location, not just because I live next door so it’s super convenient, but the interior design is my favorite of all the locations! Birds definitely fits in the new Rock Rose district that brings a local flare to the Domain that was much needed. Went for the first time last weekend and Lydia gave me an awesome shortcut! ??

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  14. KingAdam says

    March 16, 2016 at 9:38 am

    Can’t wait to see the new location!

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  15. Turner Bilodeau says

    March 16, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    Nice, a location even closer to home!!

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  16. Bs Spoke's says

    June 5, 2024 at 12:27 pm

    One of the best hair salon i have ever visited..

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