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About The Barber Shop
The Barber Shop is a management simulator from developer Ayrton Alexis that lets you run a barbershop from scratch. Released in 2025 for PC, it focuses on daily tasks like hiring staff, assigning haircut styles, managing inventory, and tracking customer satisfaction. The goal is to upgrade your shop from a shabby space to a thriving business by balancing expenses, employee performance, and client demand. It leans into slow-paced strategy, with no multiplayer or complex narratives. Players track revenue, tweak services, and monitor repeat customers. The game appeals to fans of small-scale simulators like Stardew Valley or Two Point Hospital but with a minimalist aesthetic and business-only mechanics.
Gameplay
Each session starts with managing a few customers, assigning barbers to specific tasks, and choosing from a menu of haircut styles to match client preferences. You earn money through tips and sales, which unlock upgrades like better chairs or additional staff. Minute-to-minute, you juggle inventory (shampoo, combs), adjust pricing, and monitor a mood meter for each client. Late arrivals or mismatched styles lead to complaints, while satisfied customers return daily. The UI is straightforward but requires constant attention to queues and resource levels. Progression is linear, every tier of upgrades requires hitting financial milestones. Controls are mouse-based, with drag-and-drop for assigning tools and managing staff schedules. The pace is deliberate, punishing rushed decisions but rewarding methodical planning.
What Players Think
The Barber Shop has a 4.5/5 rating from 12,300 PlayPile users, with 84% completing the base business upgrade. Average playtime is 3.2 hours, though 23% of players spend over 10 hours on maxing out shops. Community moods are split: 68% describe it as "Cozy" and "Relaxing," while 32% call it "Predictable" and "Monotonous" after the first 40 hours. 67% of players have unlocked achievements, with "Hired 15+ Barbers" being the most common (78% completion). Critics at PC Gamer praised its "deceptively deep economy" but noted repetitive early-game tasks. 41% of reviews mention the lack of customization for haircut styles as a drawback. The game remains in the top 5% of most-played simulators in October 2025.
PlayPile's Take
The Barber Shop is a solid pick for casual sim fans who enjoy low-stakes business management. At $29.99, it offers a relaxing experience with minimal learning curve, but its repetitive late-game may frustrate those seeking depth. Achievements are abundant but not challenging, ideal for players chasing completion without grind. While it lacks innovation compared to rivals like RimWorld or Oxygen Not Included, it excels as a distraction-free, cozy time sink. Skip if you prefer high-stakes decision-making, but try it if you want a game that feels like running a small, stress-free business.
Game Modes
Single player
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