Big Apple Barbers | Best for Fades & Classic Cuts — Local services in New York

Terrible service, clunky website, and ever-increasing prices for deteriorating quality.

As a quick background, I’ve been going there ever couple of months since the summer of 2017 when I first moved to East village, but in the past two years the place has only gone downhill. For one thing, their reservation system is totally useless. I’ve tried placing reservations by calling, by using their online platform, and by dropping by in person a day or a week before. However, every time without fail, I have had to wait for at least 10 minutes despite arriving promptly at the pre-scheduled time. I am now under the impression that they basically just ignore their reservations and take people on a first come, first serve basis regardless of whether someone had bothered to schedule a slot ahead of time. If you don’t mind waiting, this is no problem, but the waiting area is also subpar, comprising of tiny benches and cramped seating. Not a good place to spend time.

They’ve also stopped taking credit cards since moving to their new location, and they blatantly lied to me about the fact that their atm machine CHARGES A FEE. During a recent visit, I expected to pay with my card as I had done for the past two years, but upon learning they no longer accept credit (a fact that was NOT disclosed on their website or when I called), I found myself short of cash. They rudely directly me to the atm machine in the corner, and when I asked, hurriedly told me it is fee-free. Lo and behold, I now find myself with a $10 charge for an “atm withdrawal” corresponding with the date of my visit, adding on to the already-pricey $30+ cost of a simple men’s trim haircut.

The location is also very unreliable; I’ve tried to schedule appointments only to find them closed at random times, or else half staffed. They blast TV and radio at high volumes at all times of the day, and I’ve found that it’s difficult to communicate your preferences regarding your haircut as a result.

Overall, after experiencing rising prices, deteriorating service, and a hostile environment, I will be going to one of the other barbershops in the area, one with better services and better prices. I suggest “on the mark” barbershop at 350 East 13th -...

Worst experience, Igor and the barber in the last chair were extremely rude and uninviting. I went to this barbershop for the first time 3-4 months ago and it was a decent visit (he harassed me to give him a 5 star review the entire time) but I decided to go back after growing my hair out for the last few months and wow was that a mistake! I get there for my appointment and Igor whom I had booked an appointment with is still sitting with someone so I wait, as they finish up I’m not even acknowledged by Igor and he starts walking out the shop and tells the barber in the back to take me, I am a little annoyed by that but I figure let me give him a shot. I went in after growing my hair out for the last 3-4 months, so figuring out a new hairstyle has been complicated for me to say the least. I go in with 3 pictures of what I’d like and immediately I’m made to feel embarrassed and completely disrespected by both Igor (the owner) and the barber he threw me too, he kept saying this guy is showing me 10 pictures he doesn’t even know what he wants and Igor says back he’s in your chair deal with him I don’t want it and thanks for leaving that review (sarcastically) then the other barber says you know I’m just gonna give you a skin fade…… like how unprofessional is that? I’m paying you good money these are not cheap haircuts to walk into an establishment and be treated that way, Never have I walked into an establishment and have been made to feel that way. I would never ever recommend this place to anyone! I ended up getting the haircut I wanted at another barbershop no hard time at all! These guys at big apple barbershop are the worst of the worst. Save your hard earned money and go to a more...

Got a cut from Mike. He was recommended by a friend, but did not live up to expectations. I personally think he has no scissor game. Looking at other reviews, which I checked before coming makes me believe that he mostly cuts people with straight hair, or people that like to keep their hair short.

I have curly/wavy hair and keep it long in a combover style cut. I keep the short side of the combover long, and explicitly told him I wanted to keep most of that length. Also explained I wanted an undercut on both sides. I barely kept my cool when he took the buzzer to the side of the combover I was explicit about. That was the first notion that led to my conclusion about his scissor game being poor. You just don't use the buzzer on long hair. You need to use scissors or it doesn't come out even. He ended up spending 20 minutes on the ski fade, which wasn't bad, but it went up way too high and he clearly didn't know how to blend it with longer hair. He then spent 2 minutes chopping some length off the top. The scissor work on top shows no sign of understanding wavy or curly hair. He cut it as if I had straight hair.

I never write reviews, and originally wasn't going to, but everyday I style my hair I just get mad about my experience. If you have long hair that you like in a particular fashion, I wouldn't suggest going to Mike. Not a bad guy, but he's no more than a guy who will do his best on your skin fade to make up for wherever...