Former President Barack Obama Returns to His Longtime Chicago Barbershop for a Classic Trim
On December 11, 2025, former President Barack Obama made a nostalgic stop at Hyde Park Hair Salon on Chicago’s South Side, reuniting with his longtime barber, Zariff, for a much-needed haircut. The visit came at the end of a trip to Chicago, where Obama inspected the ongoing construction of the Obama Presidential Center, scheduled to open in June 2026.
The Hyde Park Hair Salon has been more than just a barbershop for Obama—it’s a piece of his personal history. Obama first began getting his hair cut there in the late 1980s while working as a community organizer in the neighborhood. Zariff took over as his regular barber in 1998, and the relationship endured through major milestones: Obama’s rise to the U.S. Senate, his historic 2008 presidential campaign, and his two terms in the White House. During the presidency, Zariff even traveled to Washington, D.C., on multiple occasions to maintain Obama’s signature low fade—often referred to as “the Obama cut,” a style he helped popularize and perfect.
In a short video shared by Obama on social media, the former president walks into the familiar shop, greeting Zariff warmly. “I haven’t seen this place in a while,” he remarks, settling into the chair as the two catch up like old friends. The conversation touches on lighter topics, including how Obama managed the stresses of the presidency—mostly through a lack of sleep, he joked—while enjoying the relaxed, community-oriented atmosphere that has always defined the spot.
The barbershop itself has become something of a landmark over the years. Obama’s favorite chair was once encased in plexiglass as a nod to its presidential history, and the salon has drawn visitors from around the world eager to experience the place where a future president got his regular trims. For locals, it’s a reminder of Obama’s deep roots in Chicago’s South Side, where he and his family lived for many years before and after his time in office.
This visit underscores Obama’s commitment to staying connected to the community that shaped him. While in Chicago, he also spent time reviewing progress on the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park—a 19-acre campus that will feature a museum, a branch of the Chicago Public Library, an athletic facility called Home Court, gardens, and public spaces designed to inspire civic engagement and bring people together. The center, now nearing completion after years of construction, promises to serve as both a tribute to Obama’s presidency and a vibrant hub for the South Side and beyond.
As the countdown continues to the June 2026 opening, Obama’s quick stop at Hyde Park Hair Salon offered a heartwarming glimpse of the grounded, relatable leader who never forgot where he came from. In a world of high-stakes politics and global events, a simple haircut from an old friend remains one of the best ways to stay grounded.
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