Blind Barber — Local services in Culver City

The Blind Barber is a really cool concept. You walk into a real barber and go through the back door to get to a bar. The food is good, their specialty is grilled cheese sandwiches. They also have good drinks. I went last night with my two cousins. We had a nice time until the little waitress brought us our bill, which had a 20% gratuity added. When we asked the waitress about it, she informed us that they impose this on all bills over $100. When I questioned this practice the little waitress became upset and said something like, "Well, if you don't think my service was worth 20% gratuity then I'll take it off." She took it off of my portion of the bill and added the entire gratuity to my cousin's bill. We told her to take it off the entire bill and let us decide what to give her. She then went to get her manager. The manager came and reiterated the policy. I asked him where it was written for the customer to see. He said that it was written on the bill. On the bill? After we ordered and ate? I told him that their policy would not stand up in a court of law because it is not posted, thereby revoking the opportunity for the customer to make an informed decision prior to ordering. He went back to see what he could do and returned stating that he didn't feel comfortable eliminating their ridiculous obligatory gratuity. He said he was new to the job. He also said that most restaurants in LA have that policy. No, most restaurants have a policy of imposing gratuity on a party of people over 6-8, not three people. He did, however, offer to comp us a round of drinks, which was at least an attempt to satisfy the customer.

Here is my point of contention, no where on the menu or anyplace else in the bar is this policy of imposing a 20% levy for bills over $100 written for customers to read prior to ordering, eating, and drinking. They wait to lower the boom when they give you the bill. They should have enough sense to know that this is an unethical practice that would not stand up in a court of law. This bar basically penalized us for spending more money at their establishment and blind sided us with their ridiculous policy. They even had another line on the bill to add an additional tip, on top of the 20% levy. And for this reason, I will never go back to the...

Classic speakeasy, barber shop in the front and cool hidden lounge in the back (they open the back part at 6 PM). You can just walk through the 4 or 6 barber chairs to reach the white door at the back of the room and here you will have the most amazing Grilled Cheese in town!

If you arrive later, they tend to have some security/bouncer up front who may deny you if you're not appropriately dressed. Doesn't have to be too fancy, but just no shorts/sandals allowed. Back to the Grilled Cheeses...

Great artisan White bread, nicely buttered with the perfect amount of cheese inside. I went with the number 15 - Pulled Chicken Breast, sauteed peppers and onions, smoked gouda, and siracha BBQ. Came on a plate with pieces of lettuce or kale along with a "MF Dip" of Chipotle Aioli..and Wow! If you're in a meaty mood, I give this one thumbs up to try out. I plan to go back and try out the rest of the Grilled Cheeses menu including Bacon/Avocado and more!

Luckily, my stomach had room for another sandwich, which I ate half there and took my other half to go and I went with the Number 4 - Mozzarella, pesto, tomato with the MF Dip of Truffle Aioli. Another delicious one that hit the spot perfectly. Since I was in a meaty mood that night, I would say 15 stood out as the better option, but #4 was still pretty great!

I also happened to have visited during HAPPY HOUR (6 PM - 8 PM), Peronis and well drinks are only $4 so it's a bargain! Check this place out if you get the chance..definitely heading back and introducing other friends near the area the goodness of these...

Shave & a haircut...........two bits!

Flashback to the Prohibition Era, where Speakeasies offered libations clandestinely to avoid the long arm of the law.

From the outside, Blind Barber looks like a simple, full service barber shop, where customers receive a complimentary cocktail with their cut.

The barbers know just the cut a guy needs to make women swoon.

However, make your way to the back of the barbershop & you're brought back to the speakeasies of old. A full service bar with booths and tables to enjoy one of Blind Barber's signature cocktails or their gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. Blind Barber's grilled cheese sandwiches are legit & worth the $10 price tag which includes a small kale salad.

Friendly bartenders & waitresses help you unwind after a long day of work or to kickstart your weekend off right. The barkeeps kept my club sodas w/ limes flowing the whole night, since I don't drink. Music was on blast & the 90's rap songs on rotation the night I was there brought me back to my younger days. Doesn't the guy on the left look like Lorenzo Lamas? ;p

Once a month, Blind Barber has The Secret Show, a free comedy show on a Wednesday night. Street parking is available in front, on Midway Ave. and the Best Buy shopping center directly behind the building.

Looking to relax? Perhaps availing yourself of a nip/tuck before turning in? Then, I highly recommend checking out Blind Barber in Culver City. Have a haircut & then slide on over to the back for a nibble...