In the Downing Street spot formerly home to Irish pub Quinn’s, a unique new venue recently opened in the shape of The Roguery. A barbershop, bar, café and live music venue, it’s the second outpost in the city for the company, which also has a branch on Cherry Hinton Road. Expect a full suite of barbering services, all kinds of special events, speciality coffee from the Brew Project and a licensed bar serving boutique spirits and locally sourced craft beers. The space is also available for hire if you’re looking for a hip city centre venue for a private event – and if you take out a membership with The Roguery, this is free of charge.
The decision to create this multi-faceted barbershop in Cambridge was inspired by owner Gareth Rivett’s desire to improve the customer experience and encourage people to stay and relax even when they’re not getting their hair cut. “It’s a collaboration of things that work together, which enables us to be in the city centre and run a business that is different,” he explains. The space is impressive, designed around steel, concrete and wood; an industrial style that Gareth calls ‘raw and rustic’. As a venue, it has already hosted unplugged music nights on Thursdays, DJs (until 10pm) on Saturdays, and various themed days on Sundays – and there are plans for plenty more to come. “The Roguery is different from every other shop in the area,” says Gareth. “It’s a place where people can spend time, it’s not just a barber shop: it’s a lifestyle.”
