Copenhagen's best kept secret: Retro Bobby's arcade barbershop

Bobby's mullet blows in the wind as he pilots his dinky motorcycle down Copenhagen's cobbled backstreets. Wobbling past kebab shops and contemporary design stores on his way to work, he looks like a living relic from a bygone era: the 1980s.

A turtleneck peeks out from beneath his blue denim jacket, which perfectly matches the wash of his jeans, and a Freddie Mercury-esque moustache conceals his upper lip. This getup is, in part, why he's often referred to as "Retro Bobby".

But it's his unconventional barbershop that's truly earned him his retro reputation – the perfect place to unleash your inner-child, or your inner-geek. Ruben og Bobby is a basement world crammed with vintage video games, hulking pinball and arcade machines, classic consoles and old-school toys. Thoughtfully posed action figures are stuffed on shelves, curated in self-evident categories such as Ninja Turtles, He-Man, Pokémon and Power Rangers.

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Though Bobby's own hair is – to put it mildly – bold, he's a skilled barber capable of all kinds of cuts, from the 90s bowl to the latest in disheveled-chic. In a tiny room behind the salon's front desk, there sits a single barber's chair in front of a mirror and a first-generation Nintendo for customers to play during their snip. Beat the high score and receive a 20% discount off the price.

Customers pay for their new doos in Danish Krone, Bitcoins or cool retro stuff – because Bobby also accepts trade-ins for his goods and services. Though his business model might not conquer the world, in Copenhagen Ruben og Bobby works. But why?

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He has created something much more than a barbershop or vintage toy store. The space functions as both an interactive museum and art installation of sorts – a nostalgic homage to a time of chunky plastic, ground-breaking creativity and experimental design left behind in our race towards a more virtual future.

The shop is a refuge from Copenhagen's crowded hotspots and a worthwhile place to hang, whether you're due for a trim, looking to buy or just feel like playing some vintage games. With special events like 8-bit music parties and arcade tournaments it's a social environment too – so don't be surprised if you end up befriending a bunch of Danish locals, including Retro Bobby himself.

Retro Bobby

Ruben og Bobby is located at Bjelkes Alle 7a in Nørrebro, Copenhagen's hippest and most multicultural neighbourhood. To book a haircut, and for more on the shop, check out rubenogbobby.squarespace.com. Explore more of the city with the Pocket Rough Guide Copenhagen. Compare flights, find tours, book hostels and hotels for your trip, and don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before you go.