Best Dublin Neighborhoods for Opening a Salon or Barbershop in 2026

"Location, location, location."

You've heard it a thousand times. But what does it actually mean when you're looking for a spot to open your salon or barbershop in Dublin?

It means the difference between a waiting list and an empty chair.

Let's break down Dublin's neighborhoods and find where your business will thrive.

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What Makes a Good Location?

Before we dive into specific areas, understand what you're looking for:

1. Foot traffic People walking by = potential clients. Simple.

2. Demographics match A high-end salon needs affluent residents. A trendy barbershop needs young professionals.

3. Competition density Some competition is good (proves demand). Too much saturates the market.

4. Rent-to-revenue ratio Can the area's average client spend support the rent?

5. Accessibility Parking, public transport, visibility from main roads.

Now let's look at Dublin's best neighborhoods for 2026.

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The Southside Winners

Ranelagh

The vibe: Young professionals, families, food scene, village atmosphere.

Why it works:

• High disposable income residents
• Strong community feel (regulars become loyal)
• Excellent foot traffic on main street
• Good mix of cafés and shops nearby

Average rent: €3,500-5,000/month for a small unit

Competition: Moderate. Several established salons, but room for differentiation.

Best for: Mid-to-premium salons, specialized barbershops, beauty clinics.

Real example: A 2-chair barbershop on Ranelagh Road charges €35 for a cut. With 8 cuts per day per chair, that's €560 daily. Rent is manageable.

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Rathmines

The vibe: Students, young renters, busy main street, value-conscious.

Why it works:

• Massive foot traffic
• Younger demographic = social media potential
• Lower rents than Ranelagh
• High volume opportunity

Average rent: €2,500-4,000/month

Competition: Higher. Many budget options.

Best for: Volume-based salons, student-friendly pricing, trendy cuts.

Watch out for: Don't try premium pricing here. The market is price-sensitive.

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Dundrum

The vibe: Families, shopping center proximity, suburban but connected.

Why it works:

• Dundrum Town Centre brings massive traffic
• Car-friendly (parking available)
• Growing residential population
• Less saturated than city center

Average rent: €2,000-3,500/month outside the center

Competition: Low to moderate on side streets.

Best for: Family-oriented salons, kids' haircuts, convenient suburban service.

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Blackrock

The vibe: Affluent, established residents, village feel, coastal.

Why it works:

• High-income demographic
• Strong loyalty ("my local salon")
• DART accessibility
• Quality over quantity market

Average rent: €3,000-4,500/month

Competition: Moderate, quality-focused.

Best for: Premium salons, experienced stylists, luxury treatments.

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The Northside Opportunities

Smithfield

The vibe: Young creatives, new developments, up-and-coming, urban.

Why it works:

• Area is still growing = first-mover advantage
• New apartment developments bring residents
• Trendy, supports independent businesses
• Lower rents than established areas

Average rent: €2,000-3,000/month

Competition: Low. Underserved market.

Best for: Modern barbershops, creative styling, building a following before rents rise.

Opportunity: Smithfield is where smart owners are locking in 5-year leases now, before the area matures.

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Drumcondra

The vibe: Students (DCU), families, local community, residential.

Why it works:

• Large student population
• Strong GAA community (match day traffic)
• Residential loyalty
• Good transport links

Average rent: €1,800-2,800/month

Competition: Moderate.

Best for: Volume barbershops, student-friendly pricing, community salons.

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Phibsborough

The vibe: Hipster revival, coffee shops, young professionals moving in.

Why it works:

• Gentrifying rapidly
• Creative types = appreciation for quality
• Dalymount developments coming
• Still affordable

Average rent: €1,800-2,500/month

Competition: Growing but still room.

Best for: Character barbershops, vintage vibes, creative styling.

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Clontarf

The vibe: Affluent families, established, seaside, commuter belt.

Why it works:

• High income area
• Strong family market
• Loyal local client base
• Less transient than city center

Average rent: €2,500-3,500/month

Competition: Moderate.

Best for: Family salons, women's styling, established stylists.

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City Centre: Proceed with Caution

Temple Bar / Dame Street Area

The reality: Tourists don't get haircuts. Footfall is high but conversion is low.

Rent: €5,000-8,000+/month

Our take: Skip it unless you're targeting corporate workers specifically.

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Grafton Street Area

The reality: Insanely expensive, only works for established chains with deep pockets.

Rent: €10,000+/month

Our take: Not for independent owners. The math doesn't work.

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George's Street / Aungier Street

The reality: Actually viable. Mix of residents, workers, and steady foot traffic.

Rent: €3,500-5,000/month

Competition: High.

Our take: Worth considering if you find the right unit. More affordable than you'd expect.

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The Emerging Suburbs

Don't sleep on outer Dublin:

Swords

• Growing population
• Pavilions shopping centre traffic
• Airport worker market
• Rent: €1,500-2,500/month

Tallaght

• Massive population base
• The Square brings footfall
• Underserved for quality options
• Rent: €1,200-2,000/month

Bray

• Technically Wicklow, but Dublin commuter belt
• Affluent seafront, mixed town center
• DART connected
• Rent: €1,500-2,800/month

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How to Evaluate a Specific Unit

Once you've chosen a neighborhood, here's how to assess individual units:

The 48-Hour Test

Visit the area at different times:

• Tuesday 10am (quiet morning)
• Friday 6pm (after-work rush)
• Saturday 2pm (weekend shopping)

Count foot traffic. Note the types of people.

The Neighbor Check

Look at nearby businesses:

• Coffee shops doing well = good foot traffic
• Empty storefronts = warning sign
• Complementary businesses (gyms, fashion) = your people

The Competition Walk

Visit every salon and barbershop within 500m:

• What do they charge?
• How busy are they?
• What's their vibe?
• Where's the gap?

The Numbers Test

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Lease Negotiation Tips for Dublin

1. Start with 3 years, option to extend to 5
2. Negotiate a rent-free fit-out period (1-3 months common)
3. Cap annual rent increases (max 4-5%)
4. Avoid personal guarantees if possible
5. Get break clauses at year 3 and 5
6. Check planning permission for salon/barbershop use

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The 2026 Outlook

Where are things heading?

Rising areas: Smithfield, Phibsborough, Stoneybatter, East Wall

Stable areas: Ranelagh, Blackrock, Clontarf, Malahide

Oversaturated: Rathmines, Temple Bar, parts of Dún Laoghaire

The smart play? Lock in a good lease in an emerging area before rents catch up.

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Your location is your foundation

Choose wrong and you're fighting uphill from day one.

Choose right and you've got:

• Built-in foot traffic
• Clients who can afford your prices
• Room to grow
• A lease that makes sense

Do your homework. Walk the streets. Talk to local business owners. The perfect spot is out there.

👉 Vinci 26 helps Dublin salons manage their bookings, build their client base, and grow their business—wherever you're located.

Build something that's truly yours.