Garrison’s By The Park Barbershop

Garrison’s is on point — great environment and super friendly staff. Go with Julian — his cuts and beard trims never disappoint, as he always goes above and beyond in detail. I’ve been a regular of his for a while now and haven’t looked back. Highly recommend this shop and crew!

This shop is awesome! Great atmosphere, and very friendly staff. I followed my barber Julian when he became part of the Garrison team and he has kept up with the great cuts and beard trims every time. No matter what barber you go with here you will be getting a great cut! Always a great time.

Great customer service, Barber Byron Dill is a wizard at his craft. The fade is on point, best I’ve ever had!

Time for an update now that my man Yoshio has returned to Japan, and now that Garrison’s is in their new location.
Went back for a cut today with Brayden. Happy to say that this place still has it. Got a great cut, the new shop is probably twice the size as the old one which means a little less crowded coziness, but it’s still got the same friendly, comfortable vibe to it, and still no dead animals on the walls. (Seriously, there is a great barber just down the street from my home, but it’s full of hunting and fishing trophies, so no-​go.)
The only minor grumble I have is that on a busy day they might be running a little behind. I love that they have online booking, but I have a feeling that they don’t add in spots to make up for a late client or a cut that took longer than expected. But since I CAN BOOK ONLINE and I don’t have to show up, put my name down, and then come back hours later, it’s not really much of a complaint.
Go here.

Have been bouncing around, feeling good about myself for the last week and I blame it all on Yoshi. I got the best cut I think I’ve ever gotten in my life. The shop is very relaxed, not at all pretentious like similar barbers. It’s a little pricey but WELL worth the extra $ 5 – 10 to get a cut that you love.

This place is fantastic. Quick service, phenomenal cut, super friendly. Go with Jesse.

Just got back from Garrison’s! Incredible.
4 years without a haircut and I can honestly say I would never go anywhere else but Garrison’s after today.
Yoshio is a magician, a total gentleman, and a surgeon with scissors. I’ve been reluctant to go short for sometime now but knowing I can go to Yoshio is incredibly reassuring.
Couldn’t recommend this place enough if i tried! Will be going back soon!

I don’t go there anymore because it is not feasible for me due to the distance. However it is the best barbershop I have been, that provide great shaves and cuts. Go to Jesse. Period. Tell him what you require, show a picture and he will let you know if he can do it, or what he can do before buzzing away.
He is also a good conversationalist, but knows when to quiet down when you’re relaxing. We share a common interest what the world will be like in the distant future. So it was nice. I really do miss the place, great atmosphere, barbers and price.
However traveling an hour each way is impossible in my life now. However once it is, I will be back, even if it takes a couple of hours each way. (Sunday Drives?)

I went here very recently. Perhaps I just had a really bad barber, but the simple hair cut I got from here is the worst I’ve had in living memory.
I made a booking, hopeful this place would be good based on reviews here among other factors. I don’t want to name who cut my hair out of respect, but they did not do a decent job at all (I didn’t realise it was bad until after getting home in front of the mirror); I have not bothered to chase them up in the first place, but I do not have time to go back to that area anyway.
I asked for a simple trim, nothing fancy, and I ended up with a cut that was uneven on both sides. It really was an amateur cut.
The barber also had a habit of «spinning» the barber chair around to cut hair on both sides, which obviously, in hindsight, I realise contributed to an uneven cut. I found this really annoying, and an almost amateurish thing to do.
This is also the most expensive cut I’ve paid for; $ 39 after tax + tip.
I would not come back here. Goes to show you really can’t trust with high confidence the average review ratings on Unilocal.:(

The barber was a very nice guy and did an ok job until he failed to understand my request. From the start I explained that I did not want the typical shot on sides long on the top type of cut. I stressed this point because I had just paid Vidal Sassoon $ 130.00 for a new style and simply wanted a touch up. Everything went wrong when I asked him to cut a bit higher over my ears because this area grows over very quickly. To my amazement this request was interpreted as cut the sides short. I left with a mullet! at first I blamed myself for not being clearer. After all the barber was from Japan and Might have had trouble with the language. Then I got angry because I was very clear about just wanting a trim from the start. He should have confirmed the meaning of higher over the ears if he was unsure of the meaning of this request. In any case, $ 40.00 ($ 35.00 + tax) is quite pricy when a better cut can be had at the Crows Nest for $ 25.00 flat — but their longs wait times are annoying.
All-​in-​all, if we did not have the mullet problem the cut would resulted in four stars.
Signed,
Krystols husband

This is the barbershop you are looking for. The people are friendly, the space is comfortable and they know what they are doing. I had a cut and beard trim with Yoshio and he is crazy good. He was careful, knowledgeable and dedicated to his craft. I haven’t had someone take such care with my hair in a long time. Make yourself an appointment now. You won’t be disappointed.

Nervous as I was to scope out a new barber/​hairstylist, I elected to stop by Garrisons for a hip new do. Based on the overwhelmingly positive reviews here on Unilocal,I decided to drop in on busy Friday evening. Their easy online reservation system made appointments as simple as a few clicks away.
Garrison’s By The Park can be found right across from Trinity Bellwoods Park, go up a flight of stairs and you are in an ol-​timey retro barbershop. It was busy but not too busy to offer you a friendly welcome.
Yoshi was my barber for this evening. A quick chat and a few deft hand strokes through my hair was enough for him to assess my hair, make a few suggestions and begin clipping away. I knew I was good hands by his deft touch (…you might roll your eyes at me but I can usually tell right away how skilled a hair stylist is by his fine motor skills.) Yoshi was precise and swift. I walked out of Garrisons with exactly the haircut i envisioned, feeling like a million bucks and a lot less guilty for cheating on my usual hairstylist. I’ll definitely be back!

It’s worth going out of your way to get a cut here. Yoshi (think: Mr. Pringles, but from Japan) and Alex are amazing barbers and take the time to figure out what you want and, more importantly, what you need. Accommodating and friendly, all the staff make sure you are looked-​after from the moment you ascend the steps to the welcoming — but not too trendy — shop. At first blush, it may seem more expensive that your average establishment, but a good cut lasts longer and grows into itself and it’s well worth the extra $ 10. I’ve been to the Terminal, Truefitt & Hill, Crow’s Nest and Garrison’s is still the best value for the money.

This place is bad on a technical level. I was swooned by the branding and easy booking system, but was left completely underwhelmed. My haircut was uneven on the sides, and parts of my hair were so bad I had to get it cut just two weeks later. These barbers need better training.

Thank god for Yoshio @ Garrisons!!! On the day before Easter and 2 days before departing on a tropical vacation, he was able to to fix what had been previously hacked at after only 2 weeks of grow out.
This spiffy lookin’, snappy dressing, mustachioed Japanese man was likely the most professional barber I’ve EVER been to — hands down. After explaining my problem, Yoshio took a solid 5 – 7 minutes examining my hair from every angle to, running his fingers over it to test how it fell and planning his attack. He began to work quickly and after 30 minutes, not only had he corrected my cut, but he had given it a new trendy spin that I immediately loved.
The price might have been a touch higher than I’m used to paying, but fella’s, I think you’d agree you’d rather pay that extra couple bucks rather than have to head out for that important interview or date with a sloppy hack job.
As for the shop, it’s a rustic little walk up right above the White Squirrel Coffee Shop across from Trinity Bellwoods Park. They have an expansive collection of mens magazines ranging from GQ, Esquire, even Playboy, so you can be sure to find something new if you’re uncertain. That being said, you’d be in safe hands to simply trust these guys by saying — «give me something cool.»
Looking forward to getting a shave with my next haircut!

Been to a number of barbers across the city and Garrison’s is the best by a long shot. Awesome conversation, amazing setting and extremely professional. I had Alex give me a cut and beard trim, not only did he take his time making sure he knew what I wanted but he also gave his own recommendation which was awesome. I’ve had my beard trimmed at a couple other barbers and they always butcher it, if you’re looking for a quality hair cut and beard trim this is the place for you. Not even that pricey for a true barber shop.

Terrific place to get a haircut. Different folks have cut my hair each time I’ve come here, and each time I’ve enjoyed a high quality cut as well as a fun conversation. As a huge bonus the people cutting hair work really well with clients who want a new look without quite knowing what they want.
The online booking is snappy, ambiance is nice, and I always feel like I’m getting really excellent value for money. I’ve been twice and will keep going so long as I’m in this area of Toronto.

Coolest barber shop in the land. Fun old-​timey décor and up to date magazines. It’s just for boys… But when my bangs look insane Dustin will make an exception.
Full disclosure, obviously I’d met Dustin outside of this barber shop as I know him by name and was brave enough to pop in… but it’s exactly this sort of awesome ‘tude that makes this place where I’d send any manfriend.
PEPPER POINTS to all men who get groomed by the great boys at Garrison’s.

Just had my haircut here. Rushed, rough and not at all what I asked for. Plus, the guy had me facing the other chairs in the shop for most of my cut, so I couldn’t see what he was doing. At the end of the cut he turns the chair to the mirror and guess what… I cut your hair way shorter than you wanted!
He seemed to have his own idea of how I should style my hair, because he didn’t ask for much input and seemed to have made up his mind the moment he got started. For $ 45 (after tax and small tip) I don’t think I’ll be returning. Too bad, the shop itself is nice, maybe the other guys are better…

It’s not often I get my hair cut on a Monday. Not ever to be honest. That’s why when I picked up the phone to make an appointment at Garrison’s, I knew magic was about to happen. A barbershop that is open seven days a week? They must be insane.
I was right. Though Garrison’s and White Squirrel (the coffeeshop, not the elusive downtown rodent) are neighbours on Queen West, Garrison’s subtle black door presents you with rising stairs. The delightful voice that took my appointment was nowhere to be found but Alan was waiting for me on the couch. Alan takes to you like you’ve known him for eleven years. Our conversation was extremely inappropriate — just the way I like it. If he wasn’t a genius with the scissors, I might have been offended, but this was a great cut. (If I do say so myself.)
Then came the shave. For $ 50 I got the shave and a hair cut that clocks in at just over an hour. Spa-​like is one way to describe the experience, but I prefer to use «heaven.» A gentle lather is applied to the face, followed by a scalding hot towel. And I mean your entire face. I closed my eyes just in time and kept them that way the whole time. Then more lather, then a shave. Another lather, another shave. A hot towel. Lotion. And an ice cold towel to close the pores.
You’ll feel so relaxed you might want to stick around a while. But then I would remind you that other people would like to get their haircut too so GTFO. Don’t come here too often, or I will harm you.
Walk-​ins welcome.
Obligatory Title Pun: Securing a STRONGHOLD on my beauty needs.
Menu Readability: Their website has an animated favicon. How’d they do that?
Need to mention: They give you free _​_​_​_​here.
What this place teaches me about myself: I need to start my week with a shave and a haircut. Always.