20-05-2025
Adelaide barber defends ‘male only' shop, amid complaints from Tik-Tok user
An Adelaide barber has come under fire from a Tik-Tok user who complained about him being a 'male only' hairdresser who won't let women into his shop.
Robbie's Chop Shop, which is operated by Robbie Ferrante, labels itself as the 'last male sanctuary' where guys of all ages can 'get away and chill' in the South Australian capital.
However, Adelaide-based influencer Elena Téa saying she 'didn't know how the place was allowed to exist' in a scathing video, which took aim at the barber's business concept and social media.
'It's honestly so bad that it's just laughable,' Téa said.
The barber bills itself as a men's haven where you can get a coffee, read a magazine, play video games while you wait for your short back and sides or just talk about men's stuff.
Ferrante told Sunrise on Tuesday that he has already been subject to a discrimination complaint a couple of years ago, which has already been upheld in his favour.
Speaking to Ferrante said: 'The main thing, these days, there's a lot around men's mental health. Male suicide and all that, it's been pushed to the side and it's hard for guys to deal with it.
'Haircuts are a part of life .... It's a good place (and time) to unravel a few of life's problems.'
Ferrante said he gets a lot of repeat clients, who often praise the shop.
'We hear a lot from guys who open up to us ... They appreciate it more than words can say,' he said.
He also pointed to the huge number of female-only gyms around.
'You have a multitude of female businesses. There's nothing wrong with it. But, you have to allow it on the other side, too. Anyone, who is making a complaint about us, usually has had nothing to do with our shop.
'We get nothing but rave reviews.'
A number of women have taken issue, with it, saying they should be allowed in and made to wait outside while their sons, brothers or husband is getting a cut.
On the barber's Facebook page, a number of people praised the idea.
'Great idea can't see a problem with a male only barber ... well done. (I'm) sick of the 'woke' crowd telling the rest of us what to do,' one person wrote.
'I think it's fantastic to see a place where men can go and have a chat and open up to other men. In this day and age, with all the mental health issues out there, I think this would be a positive for them.
'If there can be a ladies' only gym, why can he have a men's only barber?'
