By Jessaca Giglio
The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.).
DURHAM
Most guys I know care about things like their hair. And, of course, most guys I know like beer.
Several places in the Triangle have capitalized on that have-a-drink-while-getting-your-hair-done concept, and it’s worked well for establishments that cater to women, such as Primp Salonbar and The Junction Salon & Bar in Raleigh.
Jenean Eberhardt wants those who prefer a barbershop-type environment to be able enjoy the same kind of pampering.
When Eberhardt and her business partner, Laura Butler, opened Rock’s Barbershop in downtown Durham in December 2013, the plan was to offer haircuts, straight-razor shaves and a beer bar. A lack of funds got in the way, so the two moved forward with the barbershop that serves complimentary beer to customers.
In May, Rock’s is finally getting its bar and changing its name to Rock’s Bar and Hair Shop.
“When we are doing hair, the bar will be open,” Eberhardt said. “We do a complimentary beer with service, but now people can come in and get a beer before and after, and people can socialize when they’re there.”
The place will offer four rotating taps of local craft beer, along with bottles and cans of what Eberhardt calls “good” beer.
Eberhardt hopes to work with North Carolina places such as Ponysaurus Brewing, Haw River and Bull City Ciderworks, which she says will give customers an option other than beer.
She plans to rotate taps based on demand and on what seasonal beers are available.
Draft beers will be served as pints and cost about $5 or $6. Special taps will be about $7 to $8, said Eberhardt, who also co-owns Rock Paper Scissors Salon and Gallery in Durham with Butler.
Rock’s bottle and can selection will consist of higher-end brands such as Dale’s Pale Ale, include bottles up to 22 ounces and range from about $3 to about $16.
Eberhardt says the purpose of the new Rock’s is not to be a bar — it’s main focus will still be haircuts and shaves — but it hopes to be a “masculine-focused” place to relax and grab a drink until it closes “an hour past hair time,” she said.
“It’s really the kind of place where it’s a Thursday afternoon and I want to meet someone for a beer, that’s where I’d want to go,” Eberhardt said.
The bright, 2,200-square-foot space has 15-foot ceilings, will seat six at the bar and have chairs, tables and benches scattered throughout.
Rock’s Bar and Hair Shop will also have an outdoor patio with a view of the American Tobacco Campus, a picnic table and a space for more.
Eberhart hopes to add a pool table and dartboard to the mix, and has started an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign as a way to raise the $3,600 needed to pay for the games.
“I think my husband called it a clubhouse,” Eberhardt said. “The ultimate clubhouse for grownups. I’m calling it a grooming lounge. Old school barbershop meets community space, where people come together to hang out.”
Rock’s Bar and Hair Shop is at 119 W. Main St., next to The Pinhook.
