Ted’s Grooming Room

I was suddenly in need of a decent haircut for an appointment that just came up! My usual barber couldn’t fit me in at such short notice so I took a chance and headed to Ted’s GR on Great Queen’s St, Covent Garden… First impressions were mixed. I managed to just beat the rush and got seen very quickly (hooray!) however I soon realized that I had no way of expressing specifically what I really wanted. I’ve become lazy because my usual barber knows how I like it cut, so when I suddenly had to explain myself beyond general terms, it was mildly hair-​raising!
Luckily, my Turkish barber Mustapha was very patient and friendly and with the aid of a smart phone I got the cut I was looking for, at less of a price than I usually pay! Would definitely recommend, however a word of caution about the Turkish coffee — ask for sugar!

Since changing from ‘Ted’s Cutting room’ to ‘Ted’s grooming room’ the quality has gone rock bottom and prices increased. Make sure you have at least half a day free to sit and wait while each barber allows his friends to jump in front of you in the queue. The novelty of having your ear hairs sizzled and a hot face towel doesn’t last long. Mediocre haircuts, a lot of time wasting and gimmicks.

£40+cut+razor beard shave+2 washes+hot face towels twice+arm, shoulder, neck massage…+a Turkish coffee and Turkish delight=awesome

Thought I’d treat myself to the Cut a Dash haircut and beard trim/​shave at the Ottoman Lounge as my usual barber at Murdock Liberty was on holiday. It was a complete disaster.
I’ve been growing and carefully maintaining my beard for a year — it’s something I was really proud of. I showed Ergun photos of my previous beard trims and told him that I wanted a careful scissor trim, not too much taken off, just tidying and a wet shave on my neck. He then proceeded to run a pair of clippers with a grade 1 guard down both sides of my face before I could stop him. The result was no beard on my cheeks or sideburns and the rest hanging under my chin. It looked ok in the dark salon, but they moment I got outside I saw how bad it was: patchy, thin, uneven, and topiared into a really weird unflattering shape, like a Billy Connolly goatee. A year’s growing a thick, square beard undone in 10 minutes.
They also offered a manicure while I waited which, while very nicely done, they didn’t tell me this was an extra £12. If you go the Ted Baker site, it’s implied that the manicure is included in the Cut A Dash package which is very misleading.
The haircut was average — I’d expect something similar at Mr Toppers.
I will never come back to The Ottoman Lounge again — if you have a beard and you value it, I wouldn’t either.

What an amazing experience. Five full stars and worth every penny. I had «The Full Ted «for 42.50. Amazing hair cut, beard trim, shave, massage, and conversation. As as American traveling on business I needed a good cut so I could look fresh for the office on Monday. Ted’s delivered. Easily the highlight of my entire weekend.

Need to pamper yourself or feel that your other (male) half needs some pampering? — Well, let me tell you that the Ottoman Lounge at Ted’s Grooming Room is the perfect place to accomplish that task: a hot-​towel shave, a manicure, a massage, a haircut, a facial… and all that topped off with Turkish coffee (or beer) and the friendly banter of the entirely Turkish staff?
I’ve been a fan of the Turkish shave for a while now and while I typically go to my trusted local barber in Dalston, I figured that I should go and treat myself to something special… and the Ottoman Lounge seemed to be the perfect fit for that! I made an appointment online and I was surprised that I was even able to choose the barber. I went for Ergun Ottoman (I think the name is a coincidence) and I seem to have made the right choice… read on!
When I arrived at Ted’s Grooming Room on a cold autumn Saturday morning, I was greeted by the hustle and bustle of a really busy barber shop. Every seat in the upstairs salon was taken and there was at least one person waiting in line for each of the chairs. But… my quest let me downstairs into the Ottoman Lounge. There I was welcomed by the hostess; she took my coat and offered me a Turkish coffee, which I gladly accepted. (I could’ve also taken a beer, but it seemed a bit early for that ;-)
While I was waiting for my turn, I was able to watch the barbers do their business on my «predecessors». I was especially mesmerised by one barber who treated his client with the utmost grace: the scissor moved along elegantly, the shave was done in a very professional manner and while he was clipping away at the client’s hair, a woman sat down next to them and he received a manicure. Turns out the barber was Ergun — my barber! I had only signed up for the shaving package (Shaving Grace), but in retrospect I really should’ve opted for the manicure as well; this would’ve been an additional charge of £12. (Which seems to be a reasonable price for London.)
All in all, I’m very happy with my experience at the Ottoman Lounge — I definitely left the place with high spirits and a cheek smooth like a baby’s butt!
PS: If you’re looking for a more simple haircut and shave, I suggest to simply use the upstairs barber shop.

I’ve been to this location a few times, a big fan. The guys are friendly and professional and the haircut is top notch.
I don’t mind waiting when I drop in, the seats are comfortable with papers to read and they offer you a beer or coffee.

Went yesterday and left very impressed and completely satisfied.
When you go in, you’re handed a queue number and told that you’re free to pop out and your place in the queue will still be maintained. You then get to sit in an extremely plush and comfortable chair and are offered a beverage while you wait. I went for water myself but they had a full range of soft drinks and Efes beer as well (Not sure if they charge extra for alcohol but I definitely got the impression that it’s included). There were only 2 other people ahead of me and 4 stylists yet the wait was around 30 odd minutes. Mostly because they really take their time when you’re actually in the hot seat so that’s a good thing.
I believe all the staff are Turkish (or at least the great majority are, and my stylist certainly was), and they’re all incredibly friendly and helpful. Anyway, when it was finally my turn I told the guy what I wanted and he got to it pretty efficiently. Another staff member came around at some point with a jug of some cock tail which they were offering everyone (I believe it was Sangria).
Haircut was thorough including fully shaving the back of the neck, scraping above the ears etc… He even trimmed my nose hair and did this thing where he lit some wax thingy on fire and burnt off extra hairs on my ears. There was of course a wash (+head massage) pre/​post cut, and a full range of styling products available. In my book, the whole experience was phenomenal value for £24.5 (this is of course wholly subjective but I certainly would be willing to pay £30 ish for it) and I can’t see myself getting my hair cut anywhere but here for the foreseeable future.

I waited 1 hour 10 minutes for my £20 hair cut. Also, one of the staff insisted that another customer had arrived before me even though I was already sat waiting when he entered the place. I’ll never go back. Waste of time, waste of money, I don’t like that they advocate line jumpers and most of all. The haircut was rubbish.

Impeccable and professional service from the moment you step in. ‘Sir let me take your coat’ ’ sir what would you like to drink’ Haircut and shave to your exact desire. And most surprising is the jewel in the crown ‘ottoman lounge’ downstairs where you will be treated like royalty Thank you to Ercan and the team. tee

i always try to visit mayfair branch but .
this is the second times i go there (out of 8 times) and once done, i make my way to another hair dresser/​barber.
as a fashionable label, they must know how to cut trendy cuts, i know they are not tony and guy but in a way to listen for what the customer needs
the problem that each time i go there a new stuff is working i believe that once u get used on a hair dresser u are happy to use him again and again and not each time to go under a new scissors experience. there is no consistency.
plus as turkish barbers, they must be great in threading. especially that it is a part of their services. i must admit that once out of 8 visits i had a good threading for my bear. not all of them know how to do it they try but rubbish must be someone there good in threading if we must pay for that!!!
the idea is there. just someone must tight it up lovely guys. but not what i expected at all and each time i say i will never go there and then i say i will give it a agooo. but never worked. sad!

Well, firstly, even 1 star is too much for Ted Grooming Room. I visited this hair salon because of the reputation of Ted Baker and the experience I had was absolutely horrible. Everyone was talking to each other (including someone who was cutting my hair. would never call him a hair dresser) in Turkish so loudly even when I was getting my hair cut. After a while, he asked me how it was like and I literally hated what he had done because it was not even close to what I asked for. I didn’t tell him it was bad or anything but instead, I asked him politely to cut more in a way that I expected. Then he kept on cutting my hair rudely while expressing that he was unhappy by speaking Turkish angrily to himself. Anyways, I would never ever recommend anyone to go and enjoy this rubbish experience. It’s not about the price, it’s all about their service and skills they have. I am happy to spend much more money in other hair salons if I get what I am paying for.

A simpe shave. A simple haircut. Or a full shave, haircut and massage. Stunningly modern luxurious barbers, great drinks on offer, excellent Turskish barbers. Thoroughly welcoming environment. And exceptionally competitively priced. Cannot recommend it enough. They have a new regular customer in me!

A simpe shave. A simple haircut. Or a full shave, haircut and massage.
Stunningly modern luxurious barbers, great drinks on offer, excellent Turskish barbers. Thoroughly welcoming environment. And exceptionally competitively priced. Cannot recommend it enough. They have a new regular customer in me!