Dukes Barbers is a long-standing Wellington barbershop for men and women, based in the Dukes Arcade on the corner of Manners and Willis Street. The shop combines classic barbershop tradition with modern excellence, welcoming walk-ins Monday to Saturday alongside limited appointment bookings for select times.
The business traces its roots back to the early 1920s, when Anthony Janis, who had learned hairdressing in New York after leaving Greece as a teenager, founded Janis Hairdressing and opened its first shop on George Street in Sydney. After that location closed due to a demolition clause, the business moved to Wellington and re-opened on the corner of Cuba and Vivian Street. Anthony's son George Janis later joined the trade, eventually taking over and expanding into women's hairdressing, opening 13 hair salons and barbershops across Wellington over more than 60 years.
Today's team includes Rick, originally from England, who has led the team and cut hair in Wellington since 2014 with over 15 years of experience, alongside Andy, Jet, George himself, and Joey, who also teaches at the Wellington barbers school. The shop stands behind a Barbershop Guarantee: if a customer isn't 100% satisfied with their haircut, the team will make it right.
Dukes Barbers sits in the Dukes Arcade on the corner of Manners and Willis Street in central Wellington, describing itself as one of the most experienced and long-standing barbershop teams in the city. The shop combines classic barbershop tradition with modern excellence, catering to men and women alike, specialising in cutting, styling, grooming and beard trimming and shaping.
The roots of Dukes Barbers trace back to Anthony Janis, who left Greece alone as a teenager and learned hairdressing in New York before founding Janis Hairdressing in the early 1920s. His first shop opened on George Street in the heart of 1920s Sydney, thriving in its prime location until a demolition clause was activated within a year of opening, forcing the business to close. Janis Hairdressing then moved to Wellington, re-opening on the corner of Cuba and Vivian Street, where it established itself as one of the city's best barbershops.
Anthony's son, George Janis, later joined the family trade, working alongside his father before eventually taking over the business. Under George's leadership, the company expanded into women's hairdressing and grew to 13 hair salons and barbershops across Wellington over more than 60 years, guiding clients through six decades of men's grooming trends, from the long locks of the 1960s through to today's skin fades, tapers and quiffs.
Dukes Barbers' current team includes Rick, originally from England, who has led the team and cut hair in Wellington since 2014, bringing over 15 years of combined men's and women's hairdressing and barbershop experience. Andy has been with the shop for over two years and is known for his detail-oriented approach, while Jet joined more recently, bringing classy barbering skills alongside a passion for rugby and sport outside of work. George Janis himself remains part of the story, having cut hair in Wellington for over 60 years and owned more than a dozen salons and barbershops throughout his career. Joey rounds out the team with over two years at the shop and also teaches at the Wellington barbers school.
The men's menu ranges from a Buzz Cut at $34 up to a Zero Skin Fade or Wet Shave at $62, with the signature Dukes Cut priced at $53 and a Long Hair Restyle available as a $12 add-on. For women, a Dukes Cut is $72, with Shampoo, Cut and Blowdry packages ranging from $87 for short hair to $107 for long hair. Discounted Dukes Cuts are available for children and college students at $42, Gold Card holders at $44, and university students at $45. The shop notes that a complete services and pricing list is available by asking in-store.
Dukes Barbers stands behind every haircut with what it calls its Barbershop Guarantee: if a customer isn't 100% satisfied with the result, the team will make it right.
Dukes Barbers is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5:30pm and Saturday from 9am to 4:30pm, with Sunday currently closed. Walk-ins are welcome Monday to Saturday, and limited appointment bookings are also available for select times through the shop's online booking system. The shop is located in the Dukes Arcade, on the corner of Manners and Willis Street, Wellington.