A secret gem in the heart of London. How many salons do you know which double take as an art gallery at night. Get your haircut during the day then every second Thursday of the month come to the FlaxonPtootch™ art events for some drinks, live, music and a whole range of art from graffiti to sculpture. And once you get used to the manager and beautiful staff you’ll never be able to understand how you lived before.
Flaxon
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
flaxon ptootch is an independent, not-for-profit-so-far gallery that reflects the diversity of its north London home. Its a down-to-earth focal point for local NW5 creatives and now exhibits award-winning artists, photographers, cartoonists — and many more besides. Monthly free public preview evenings offer a slice of London’s diverse art scene. You can visit the gallery from 7pm on the second Thursday of every month throughout the year, sample the art, listen to some intersting music and — if you get there early enough — be plied with free drinks and canapés! Previous(lively) events have included spoken word, poetry, fashion shows and music(including appearances by D.J. Semtex, I Blame Coco, Mr. Hudson & The Library, bits of the Alabama Three, Jimmy Screech and playwright Nick Grosso’s Edinburgh Festival show). Visit for more information or give them a call.
Oliver S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 London, United Kingdom
Flaxon Ptootch is not your ordinary hair salon. Squeezed between Nando’s and the Rio’s Naturist spa on Kentish Town Road, this place tries to mix art, music, booze and haircuts and gets it right pretty much every time. The salon is acerbic white, with big comfortable chairs and a great lighting scheme. Even better though is the fully stocked bar out back and kicking sound system that comes into its own in the evenings. Stylist and owner Michael takes control with the scissors, the decks and also the cocktail shaker as he runs a joint that is a hip salon during the day, bar and music venue at night, and art gallery when he feels like it. Admittedly, I haven’t yet had a haircut from him yet, but if his hairdressing is as good as the parties he throws, then i’ll definitely go. I actually went to one of Flaxon’s private views, which is about as far off a stuffy Mayfair do, and more of a good excuse to have a great party. Showcasing a selection of upcoming London artists, the selection of work exhibited was contemporary and innovative, and fitted into the décor perfectly. Flaxon will also give you a 2 for 1 haircut(a haircut is about £40 depending on what you have done) if you introduce a mate of yours to their establishment. So, the next place I go to get my hair cut will be here, with a friend — although I probably won’t go next door for a massage afterwards.
AmberL
Rating des Ortes: 5 London, United Kingdom
I like this gallery because it is a very down to earth without any airs and graces, unlike so many other galleries in London. It still has an exciting air to it. It has monthly private views to preview its regular art exhibitions, and they are usually fun. The art is varied(photography, street art, illustration etc) and some of it award-winning. Its a good place to unwind with laid-back people, enjoy a canapé and rinks while viewing what’s on the walls and listen to a bit of good music later on.