Rudy's Barbershop — Local services in Seattle

A Good Barbershop Hindered by a Touch of Hipster Hubris

I've been going to Rudy's for years. The addition of a West Seattle location is a long-overdue and welcome one. The new store is large, clean, equipped for large amounts of traffic, and fairly straightforward. They offer military buzz cuts, short trims, long trims, beard trims, and coloring services. Average price for a haircut is probably about $40 for most people. Their stylists do a good job working with kids, if that's a concern for you. Their prices aren't completely outrageous when compared to other mid-range to high-end barbershops, and the stylists are usually pretty friendly and straightforward people who aren't afraid of some cussing and frank conversation for those who welcome it.

However, if I had a complaint (and what review is complete without that?) it would be that the seating is very minimal (and not terribly comfortable), the parking situation is not great, and there are only ever a handful of stylists working and you never know how long your "not an appointment" is going to take (despite the fact that the store has about a dozen chairs).

For those who have never been to a Rudy's: you walk in and you get your haircut (seems simple); unless - of course - twenty other people called in ahead to put their name on "The List"; which is somehow different from an "appointment", I guess, somehow. In which case, you'll be sitting around for an hour, at least.

Despite the weirdness with "The List", I definitely recommend Rudy's for just about anyone. Their stylists are knowledgable when it comes to hair products, and you'll probably come away from it looking good, even if you leave it up to the stylist to choose...

I generally recommend this place bc I usually have a good experience. However I recently went in for my usual buzz cut appointment. I was literally 3 minutes late and the stylist was visibly upset for which I apologized for being late. She proceeded to furiously rush through the buzz cut in 5 minutes. Evidenced by the fact that when I got home I noticed she didn’t trim the hairline on my neck. Furthermore, I asked to get a quick rinse off at the end of the appointment (which is standard for a pretty much any men’s haircut esp a buzz cut) and she refused. Citing that she didn’t have time and ushered me to the register where we waited for 3 minutes while the front desk person finished up on the phone. I commented that in the time we waited here she could have simply washed my hair. No shampooing would have sufficed. She once again refused stating that I was nearly 5 minutes late (I was 3 minute late) and that washing my hair would make her late for her next appointment who she claimed was there waiting. I turned to the waiting area to literally no one sitting there. The stylist refused to entertain the conversation and walked away back to her station as I checked out. I complained to the front desk person who said I had to wait to get a rinse for which I refused. I’m the easiest customer Rudy’s has: I get a freakin buzz cut and pay $22 for it. Avoid Ciarrah. Clearly she lacks the competency or decency to perform a simple buzz cut and rinse you off after. I don’t think being 3 minutes late and apologizing for it upon arrival warrants this treatment nor poor...

I’m new to Washington and new to the area. Because of the pandemic most haircut places require appointments, but in this situation I haven’t gotten to scheduling one and am in need since I start a new job next week and I want to look groomed. I called Rudy’s if I can walk in and they granted a spot for me to come in. For this I’m giving them 2 stars instead of 1. My experience of a haircut felt not like a barbershop and more like a franchised salon like a Supercuts or sports clips. My hair isn’t super long to begin with, but I like having a nice tight look on the sides and back that blend to the top and fits the shape of my head. I felt my experience was rushed and careless in detail. I asked for a 1 on the sides and a blend to the top sides and a little off the top. After a rushed job it still wasn’t short enough so I asked if it could get tighter and the barber, Scott, scoffed at me which I was shocked about and thought how unprofessional. To which at that point I have made the decision to never come back to this place. I paid for the haircut and tipped generously. I am not pleased of the quality of my haircut and will take future business elsewhere.

To future customers, if you want fair value and a high quality hair cut this is not the place, but if you don’t mind getting price gouged for a cheap service this is...