Pitchfork   The Dissolve   Festivals: Chicago | Paris
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Yanking those summer oxfords and madras shirts out of winter storage can be a disheartening experience, especially when we find that the grime on the collars seems to have intensified over the months. Wash & Stain bars from the Laundress have their uses year-round in removing stains, naturally, but we tend to think they really come in handy when the sun comes out and we've got nowhere to hide.

$6/2oz at The Laundress

There's a spot in Brooklyn where cyclists can make pitstops for some quick repairs and a can of beer or two. With a bar in the front, the bike shop will send you on your way tuned-up and relaxed, though hopefully not off your game.

A new laundromat in Ghent, Belgium just took this idea of social multitasking a step further. Wasbar Ghent puts two time-consuming, regular, and often solitary tasks, doing laundry and getting a haircut, in the context of a bright cafe. Put simply, the goal is for patrons to actually enjoy their time doing errands.

Design studio Pinkeye had the huge and very busy student population of Ghent in mind. In addition to laundry machines and a unisex hair salon, the location has a full-service bar, Wi-Fi, and a generous number of tables to allow customers to get the basics done in the midst of mingling.

Not keen on folding your underwear in a busy cafe? Not to worry, there are private folding rooms to keep everyone comfortable.

Attention bearded gents of Brooklyn: the days of schlepping to Manhattan for a true barbershop experience are over. Last month, Sam Buffa, co-owner of Manhattan’s F.S.C. Barber, opened the Barber & Supply Flagship in Brooklyn to offer discerning dudes of Kings County a standard cut/shave (and then some…) that’s fuss-free, high on quality and low on pretension.

Truly a flagship, the 3,000-square-foot space—a former garage—was transformed to create a modern, airy take on the time-honored tradition of a communal barber experience. Drop ceilings were removed to expose original beams and a vaulted skylight was added to create a sky-high vibe with lots of natural light. The 1,300-square-foot barbershop area showcases ultra sleek Belmont barber chairs from the '60s. A massive 16-foot Grand Central’esque bench is anchored in the center so fellows can hang out, chat and chill like a crew. The walnut flooring warms the space just enough to curb that “I’m in a cold garage” feeling.

The front of the shop is used as an apothecary that boasts a well-curated collection of fancy grooming tools, as well as products. Hard Water Pomade by Baxter, Alder’s Dry Shampoo and Sage Styling Cream by Malin+Goetz are just a few items displayed on antique glass shelves. Don’t forget to grab a Kent Folding Pocket Comb for on-the-go grooming. Buffa plans to hold rotating pop-up shop collaborations with quality brands to keep it fresh. To check out a list of services or score products, visit Barber & Supply at fscbarber.com.

Barber & Supply, 101 North 8th Street, Brooklyn. Hours: Monday-Friday, 12 pm–8pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 10am–6 pm; (718-522-4959)