02/23/09

Best Haircut in a long time.

by vin46

I have very difficult curly mature hair, I don't like to spend much time on it usually a little serum and finger into place and let dry and let mother nature take it's course. I have received some really interesting shapes in the course of my lifetime to say the least.! After looking in the mirror this morning I saw a true disaster staring at me in the face..Knarly ratted hair which the last stylist said would not happen if they thinned it...WRONG!!!! I walked into Chelsea Barber as a last ditch effort to try and restore my once glorious mane, if it were not to work out I would have simply purchased shaving cream and just shave it bald and call it a century. I was greeted by Ray he asked what to do with it I meekly asked for a tape-up the haircut I have been trying to acheive for 2 yrs. Ray went to work and WOW!! my hair has not looked this good in a long time it's absolutely perfect ! He did not rush at all the care he showed my hair is reflected in how good it looks!! Thanks Ray!!

• Pros: The art of listening, and not having some nasty queen butcher your hair!!!!!!
• Cons: none

07/10/08

A Cut Above

by borfudin

I have had a lot of haircuts, in different countries and many barbershops or stylists, but never have I had a haircut like the one I had here. It was perfect: the barber was skilled, and interpreted my requests to perfection. The banter was friendly but not intrusive, and his use of the razor on my neck and around the ears impeccable. The hot towel at the end made me feel like a new man. It was exactly what I needed, and all for a very reasonable price. I'm a happy customer, if you work or live anywhere nearby go and have a great haircut.

One word of caution: the early morning is not always the best time to go, unless you get there right at 9 a line builds up for the one barber who opens the shop that doesn't start to go down until the others get in around 9:30. Shoot for 10:00 - 10:30 for minimal wait times during the week. I imagine the late afternoon is a good time as well.

• Pros: Service, Ambience

04/02/08

Overpriced Barbers in out of way location

by zblissnj3

This place is so out of the way who would want to spend $30 bucks on a haircut from a barber? Overpriced place that I could get the same haircut from any ol' barber.

Other than that the place was nice and clean.

• Pros: Good haricut
• Cons: Out of the way

02/28/08

Fine Barber Shop

by ddarras

I've been going to this barber for several years and it has consistently high standards. In reference to the post below about "the lady", I've found her to be the very best and most capable barbers I've encountered in 12 years of going for everything from 10 dollar to 75 dollar cuts.

The waits there are long so you need to budget your time accordingly. Maybe one day they'll take appointments, although that makes it harder for walk-ins.

01/05/08

Take a Minute to look at the client's face, Ma'm!

by newyorkknewyork

I went there only once. I sat down, and the woman (the only woman working there) got her scissors and was about to start cutting my hair. she didn't even look at my face. I said: maybe you want to know how I like it..?? she was like.. OK..? I explained her that I wanted to keep it as long as it is.. just cleaner and less messy. maybe my ords were confusing?? I told her PLEASE don't cut it short.. especially on the sides( and I explained her why.. explained her how my face looks like..!!) in 2 minutes my hair was shorter than my pubic hair!!!! it maybe the shortest hair cut I ever had. Then I tried to explain her that it was way too short.. she said in an impatient way that it's because its wet, and that she hardly cut anything. I then asked her to cut this and that part shorter (because I looked awful, which makes sense: she doesn't know how I look like.. didn't look at me!!) she then sighed and said: "You said you want it long.. now you are asking me to cut even more.. I don't understand!!"

then she was trying to be sarcastic and asked me (with a silly smile) if i needed anything more??

Now I'm going to wear hats for a week or so till my hair grows a bit. But I don't think that's what I paid for! Maybe she knows how to cut.. but she doesn't know where to cut, what to cut, and what not to cut. and she doesn't listen to the client. and if she listens, she obviously doesn't understand what he said.

the shop might be good.. but Avoid that woman by all means!

and if she is reading this: I hope you learn something now.. madame!

• Pros: Clean!
• Cons: That Woman!! I can't judge the others working there, but as I watched, they seemed to know what they were doing.

06/05/07

Changing of the Guard?

by bwean

Does anyone know what happened recently with some of the old barbers gone, and a couple of new ones in their place?

Throwback price tags for classic shaves and haircuts at Chelsea's retro barber shop.

by Contributor

In Short
In-the-know gents head to this class-act, bargain barber for a great shave and a killer cut. Three chairs make for long waits, but fans are happy to oblige--especially since the skilled staff listens rather than hacks away, and they don't bore clients with the customary chit-chat so often found in salons. The finishing touch? A hot menthol-soaked towel to complete the sleek grooming and keeping devotees coming back for more.

02/18/05

leaves you feelin fresh

by benjam26

Supposedly this place can be so busy that there's a line out the door. I went before lunch and was sat down immediately. Great cut: Quick, done how I asked, nice barbers with good conversation. Best part, $25. And at the end, they treat you with a hot towel with hint of menthol to clean you up and send you of feeling refreshed. Highly recommend this place, just watch out for their peak hours, weekends and holidays.

12/23/03

Clean cut!

by wardog1210

Chelsea Barbers is a great find. Way west on the corner of 23rd and 10th Ave. in a quiet residential neighborhood with a voyeuristic window to watch passerbys, it offers some of the best for men's haircuts and shaves in the city. With only 3 chairs, meaning 3 people on staff, the wait can be "2 hours". Regardless, if you come during these times or during offpeak hours, the cuts are quick and comparable to expensive salons. You may even find someone to chat to while you wait. Shaves are meticulous and involve the use of several products and creams. Following each cut/shave, be ready for the steaming hot towel to end the service.

Cuts: $20

Shaves: $20

It's a steal, but word on the street is that the prices will soon rise. Could this have anything to do with an appearance on "Queer Eye for The Straight Guy"?

• Pros: Inexpensive, Great cuts, Quality
• Cons: Crowded at times, Long waits, No appointments