Manhattan Barber Shop NYC — Local services in New York

Worst Haircut I have Ever Received

First, I want to acknowledge that this may be partially my fault. This place gets good reviews, and at least from a visual inspection, and based on what I could hear from the customers, there is a good atmosphere and rapport between Barbers and customers.

It may be partially my fault because I walked in without knowing the place, and without an appointment. I asked if they accepted walk-ins. They said yes, I could get a haircut from a certain barber, and they asked me to wait for him. The place got great reviews, it seemed like a good place, so I thought I was good.

When my turn came, I sat down for my haircut and as I always do, I looked for a photo I keep on my phone of a bad haircut (photo with light background attached to this review.) I explained to the Barber that I wanted to make sure that I didn't end up with the divots, or holes, on either side of my head that barbers have given me before. Again, I showed him that photo. I asked him to give me a haircut with #2 clippers at the bottom and blend up to #4 clippers near the top. And I said that my hair should have a low blend to make sure that those two holes are avoided.

Here's another place where it may be partially my fault. He told me I should use the barber next to me instead of him. But she said to him "No, I have too many appointments." Then my Barber said, "I'm sorry, I don't speak English very well, but I know how to give a haircut." That should have been my cue to get up, say thank you very much, and look for another Barber Shop. But in the moment, I didn't want to be dramatic. And the guy seemed nice.

At first, the haircut seemed to be going well. But as he progressed, he started going more and more nuts with the clippers, obviously ignoring or misunderstanding my request to use #4 at the top, and not seeming to know how to do a low blend. Sure enough, I end up with a big divot in my hair. It's not so bad on one side, but drastic on the other. And both sides are clearly way too short near the top, with no blend with the hair on top. Exactly the same problem I've had so many times before.

Why is this concept so hard for so many Barbers to understand? With him, it may be that he literally couldn't understand me, but still, it's a common problem at many barbershops. And shouldn't it be he case that when you ask for a regular haircut you don't end up with divots on your head? Shouldn't that be automatically avoided without explanation?

I really hesitated to write this bad review. Again, partially because I should have known. Also because my Barber was a nice guy who is perhaps just learning the trade. I don't know.

But I feel like people should know: Only use this place if you know the Barbers and know what work they do. I got stuck with somebody who seems to be something like an apprentice, and I ended up with a disastrous haircut. Okay, maybe "disastrous" is too strong a word, because my profession and life don't depend on physical appearance. But since I explained so clearly what I wanted, I feel like a Barbershop charging $45 (not the most expensive Barber for sure, but you can certainly get a better, cheaper haircut in Manhattan) should be able to fulfill a relatively simple, straightforward request. And if an otherwise professional place is giving a beginner a chance, the person should probably be...

Here's how this sorry excuse for a haircut ended up costing $90.

it all started when I forgot to bring my hat to work. I was planning on going to my barber this weekend but now I had to try out a new place all because my hair was a mess and I forgot my hat. I walked in at around 8:50a, and waited till about 9:05am. cool cool, no worries, I'm a walk in. In all fairness, I'm a new client, I have no rapport with anyone. So the woman barber sees me. I know she has no basis on what I am looking for and I don't even know hair terminology. so I point at another guy and say "I want the sides and back short like his and the top a little longer." she proceeds to do a half decent job on the back and sides and doesn't touch the top. I reiterate, "I don't want the top long, just longer than his." she isn't thrilled because she thinks I said I want it long. but she barely trims it. I tell her, i'd like it a little shorter. at that point she is really not thrilled, claiming that's a whole other new haircut. I tell her, "Actually, leave it". the truth is the whole thing looked so bad and her technique was non existent. She claims she wants me to be happy, but we're too far beyond that and I just want her to not touch my hair. I'm not a monster, I pay in full and tip 10 bucks.

I'm so bitter the next two days that I decide to go to my barber and tell him I have a problem and I need his help. I remove my hat and he just laughs. he grabs the other barbers and shows them the horrible lines, terrible fading, sloppy inconsistent lengths of hair, squared on one side and rounded on the other. in less than 20 minutes he fixes it. I'm no longer bitter. expensive lesson learned.

For the record, the other barbers were doing a good job on their clients, so this is just one review from one person about one haircut. so take it for what it's worth. too bad it cost me...

I just called one week ago I spoked with Roman and asked him if It was necessary a appointment to get a hair cut at 9am for my son..he said no..I said ok..because I have to go to work I told him..so the day came..today Dec 28th I was there before 9am. When I get there 2 more customers where a head of me..and he said u have one a head of you i was on time ..before 9am..then 4 of the workers came...with two or more customers all of them where seen before me..930.am I was still waiting..at the end I left..without the hair cut for my son..never again I'll come back..there..Roman..looks like he have his own people..or his preferences..for me that will be the last place in earth that I will visit...for me the worse.

Excuse me Mr Roman..I was clear when I call u last week..and told you that I'll be there on the 28th at 9am..that's why I did call u ..to make a appoiment..also..when I walked into ur barbershop I told u Good Morning...I call last week and i spoked with you about to bring my son today at 9am...u r liying.. I know that u have to keep ur reputation as the best place in Manhattan ..that's the business I understand...but like I said u have your people..if u open at 9am..and I was there before 9am..n u had already two peoples?..u know what I think? that this one it's not the best place for this..and i don't have to get into any argument with u as a owner of the place this is my opinion too bad for u..because that was a insult for me and my son and yes u have good reviews but u have bad ones too..including mine..i have nothing or anything else to said about u and ur barber shop..im done..never ever again coming back there..and if anyone ask me about ur barbershop..of course u will know what my answer will be..and let me be clear .it wasn't a misunderstanding..u know what u did...but it's ur business ah..n happy new year for u...