Karim, a delivery rider, completed his work delivering orders and food parcels across Dubai before deciding to visit a nearby barbershop that offers a Dh5 service for a shave or haircut.
While prices of goods and services have risen, these Dh5 barbershops have defied inflation and are now appearing in busy communities and neighborhoods across Dubai.
More than a decade ago, one could only find Dh5 gents salons in certain areas like International City, Sonapur, or Al Quoz. Now, they have sprung up in almost every busy corner in Karama, Al Barsha, Al Quasis, Al Nahda, and Deira.
They have remained as affordable as the Dh1 abra ride on Dubai Creek or the Dh1 karak chai from your favorite hole-in-the-wall cafeteria (although some now charge from Dh1.50 to Dh2 for a cup). There may not even be a decent Dh5 shawarma now, but you can still get good grooming for just Dh5.
When Karim entered the barbershop in Al Barsha, it was bustling with customers getting haircuts or beard trims. The bright lights inside matched the bold, brightly-colored facade of the barbershop, covered in big letters advertising Dh5 services.
Karim asked a young Pakistani barber to shave his beard, receiving a good deal and service. “The price of a branded double-bladed disposable razor is almost Dh5 apiece, and you still need to buy shaving cream. Here, you just sit back, relax, and let the barber do all the work for you. You can even enjoy a few relaxing taps and shoulder rubs from the barber afterward,” he told Khaleej Times.
“Of course, our service is not as detailed and meticulous as the medium or high-end ones, but we get the job done,” noted Mohsin, 41, a Pakistani businessman who owns a chain of Dh5 barbershops across Dubai.
“All basic services such as haircuts, shaving, and head massages are priced at Dh5. But we also offer hair coloring and other services from Dh10 to Dh20, depending on the product brand the customer prefers,” he added.
The price factor has undoubtedly made the Dh5 barbershop stand out, Muhsin said with pride, noting that they serve not only blue-collar workers, laborers, or delivery riders but also white-collar employees and professionals looking for value for their money.
“There is no classical music playing in the background or free tea and biscuits, but we pamper our customers for a penny,” he added, also assuring that cleanliness and adherence to sanitary guidelines are strictly observed as municipal inspectors visit regularly.
Muhsin entered the business with significant financial support from his cousin in July 2021, when he opened his first Dh5 barbershop in Deira. Now, he has branches in Al Nahda, Al Quoz, Al Quasis, and Al Barsha. Some shops are open until after 2 am.
He pays his barbers a monthly salary of around Dh1,700, but the staff earn more from the tips they receive from satisfied customers.
Barbers are skilled and work quickly in a well-defined assembly line-like manner. They can do a haircut or shaving in about five minutes, sometimes simultaneously servicing two customers – like when they are waiting for the hair color of one customer to set, they are already preparing another customer for a quick shave.