In October 2024, Ireland’s first LGBTQ+ barbershop and salon, Queer Hawk, opened its doors. Located at 3a Aston Place, Temple Bar, clients from across the country have been flocking to the establishment to get their hair cut in a safe community space.

Queer Hawk is the brainchild of Kiro and Thiago, an Irish-Brazilian couple who have been together for 11 years. Speaking to GCN about how the idea came to be, 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.

“It’s a relatively intimate thing, someone is up close and personal, cutting your hair, sometimes asking questions about your personal life, and that always made me feel a bit uncomfortable.”

The more Kiro spoke about this in his own circles, the more he realised it was a relatively universal feeling within the LGBTQ+ community, possibly even more so for women or trans and non-binary people.

“We heard stories of people who have been point blank refused service in places because maybe they’re a lesbian with short hair… Or trans people would go somewhere and then be refused.”

It wasn’t just clients that had experienced difficulties in traditional barbershops, it was also barbers themselves. “So the need for a space that is, in its essence, kind of non-binary so to speak and that doesn’t discriminate and doesn’t make that distinction became clear to us,” Kiro explained.

Thus Queer Hawk was born. The name comes from the Irish slang term ‘quare hawk’, which refers to someone who is a bit unusual or eccentric – “A real character!” as the team says. “It’s a lighthearted way of describing someone who stands out in their own unique way.”

 

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The pair then recruited a supremely talented team, including Andy, Heloísa, Donna, Seán, Shane, and Gabby, ensuring every customer leaves satisfied and feeling good.

“They’re unbelievable. Everyone is amazing. We love the energy” Thiago said.

“I think you feel that when you come in,” Kiro added. “We were just super lucky. From the very first time everyone got together, it was as if we’d all been friends for a million years.”

The response so far from customers has been “amazing”, Kiro said, noting that they had especially received positive reactions from the trans and non-binary community. “People are coming from far and wide and it’s just amazing for us to reassure us that we’re doing the right thing, that we’re on the right track and that we’re providing a service that was needed.”

“It’s amazing to see people so happy here because they feel at home,” Thiago continued. “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.”

There you have it! Whether you want a cut, coffee or chat, visit Queer Hawk for yourself by booking an appointment online here, or popping into the shop at 3a Aston Pl, Temple Bar.