Ireland's favourite LGBTQ+ hair salon Queer Hawk opens second location

From bold cuts to safe spaces, the new Queer Hawk location is more than a salon, it's a vibrant hub for queer identity, creativity, and community.

Image shows workers cutting hair at the Queer Hawk Salon.Queer Hawk is opening its second location
Image: Img via Queer Hawk

Queer Hawk, Ireland’s favourite LGBTQ+ hair salon, has officially opened its second location this time along Liffey Street. Just as bold and bright as expected, the new space is already catching attention with its signature flair and cheeky charm.

The window display had been teasing the community for weeks with the message: something queer is coming and now it’s finally here at 25 Liffey Street Upper.

Queer Hawk isn’t just about hair. It’s a space where identity, creativity, and community all come together. In a post on Instagram they declared, “It’s important to highlight this is first and foremost a safe space for queer people, a place where we’re free to express ourselves authentically and without judgment.”

And while the space is rooted in LGBTQ+ identity, it’s open-hearted by design. “To our amazing allies: you are an important part of our community, and we welcome you with open arms at Queer Hawk.”

 

The name Queer Hawk comes from the Irish slang “quare hawk”, a term used to describe someone a little eccentric or unique. “A real character!” as the team puts it. “It’s a lighthearted way of describing someone who stands out in their own unique way.”

Founded by Kiro and Thiago, an Irish-Brazilian couple who’ve been together for 11 years, the idea for Queer Hawk came from a deeply personal place. Speaking to GCN about how it all began, Kiro shared: It was originally just born out of this feeling that I’d get sometimes when I go to get my hair cut. It just feels a little bit oppressive and a little bit awkward sometimes, especially if you go somewhere for the first time, you don’t necessarily know how the person is going to react to you.”

The journey began in October 2024, when Queer Hawk opened its first location at 3a Aston Place, Temple Bar, the first LGBTQ+ barbershop and salon in Ireland. Since then, it has become a destination for clients across the country.

Thiago added: “It’s amazing to see people so happy here because they feel at home. Queer Hawk is not only a barbershop and salon, we want this space to be a community space, so people can come here only for coffee and chats if they want.”

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