Chicago Barbershop

Randomly found this place on Unilocal,and I’m glad I did! I called this morning and straightaway got an appointment for the afternoon (love that this place takes reservations!). When I got there, Drew (at least I think that was his name… man I’m so bad with names anymore, so sorry if I got it wrong!) was ready and waiting. He did a good job on my hair and beard, and was really pleasant to talk to. The place itself is nice enough AND it’s within walking distance for me (major plus). I’m definitely coming back…

Very clean fade for a good price, a good atmosphere and friendly barbers made this a good visit. Also a beer while I waited didn’t hurt.

Best barbers in Chicago, i’ve been to a few in various neighbourhoods and these guys have it down. I’ve had a few different barbers here and they’ve never disappoint. Just be sure to call a few days, even a week, in advance esp. around big holidays. They’re always booked up, which is a good sign :)

I’ve been coming to Chicago barber shop since it opened. I genuinely love this place, there is beer in the fridge and comic books to read. The barbers who have been there are some of the nicest, rad dudes. The barber I usually get cut by no longer works there so I figured I try someone else. I got a the new barber to cut my hair, I believe his name was Mike Torres.
The hair cut I wanted wasn’t complicated at all, just a general cleaning up around the sides and a slight trim up to. I started to worry half way through the haircut when he started to shape my hair like he was in some sort of hair cutting race. When it was finished he showed me in the mirror and it looked fine (from a distance). I got home and my girlfriend asked «what happened to your hair?». When I looked in the mirror I notice a bald spot above my right ear… he also managed to shave around my temples in an attempt to shape them? Upon figure investigation, when I got a look at the back of my head the line was completely jacked up. It was suppose to be tapered but the line in my hair now bounces up and down and the center of the taper is about an inch from the center of my head.
I truly love this shop, I’m not happy with this barber nor the sloppy haircut. Now I need to grow out my hair for a few weeks before I can get it fixed. I would call and ask another barber to fix it but I wouldn’t be able to stand the awkward embarrassment of the other barber in the room like…“hey dude, I was just here but… nah”.

My husband gets his hair cut here all the time and loves it. Not only does his hair look great, but he enjoys going. Great team and cool vibe!

Super chill and affordable. Mike’s a great barber and gives me exactly what I ask for every visit. Highly recommend.

I had an appointment with the barber second chair on left when you walk in, caught only his last name — Torres, I believe. I had a photo to share since descriptions can leave room for ambiguity. I’ve been to this shop before and used a different barber and was very pleased. Unfortunately that was not the case with my most recent trip in.
He did the cut but the fade/​weight line was drastically heavy. I explained I would like it faded more so, that it was too heavy of a line. He attempted to blend more but that meant him just bringing the short part higher and the fade was still heavy.
The photo I showed was a skin fade and he asked if I wanted it skin faded and I said yes but his idea of the «skin» part is at least a ½ or 1 guard. Skin fades have been hugely popular in past couple of years, so I expected a much better fade from actually skin to the length I left on top.
I wouldn’t make another appointment with this particular barber if looking for a skin fade.

Good conversation, great cuts and shaves, beer, whisky, good tunes, good prices, and best of all… they take appointments.

I’ve lived in Bucktown for two years and have been coming here since to get my hair cut by Tim. These guys are great. They’re incredibly consistent and their attention to detail is insane. I consider them perfectionists in the best way possible! Since my very first visit, I’ve given them little guidance on what I want and I always walk out happy. Shaving the back of the neck is a nice way to top it all off!
I’m moving out of state and sadly won’t be back, but while my dad was in town I had him go. «Best haircut I’ve ever had,» he said.

Just wanted to show some love for my favorite barbershop in Chicago. I’ve been getting a cut here regularly for the last two years I’ve been in Chicago. I lived in the loop and the commute was pretty awesome – right off the Blue Line and a short walk over.
I always ask for Mike Banker (make sure you call and set an appointment). Mike is a really chill guy and always gives his undivided attention on every cut. Some of the best fades I’ve ever seen. I ask for a side part, medium fade, starting with a .5 clip fade to a 2 and a little trim off the top. See the picture I posted. If I’m ever back in Chicago, I would go out of my way to get another cut from Mike.
Cliff Notes: My go-​to haircut spot in Chicago. Mike Banker is the man

I love this place. Only barbershop I will go to. Billy gives a great haircut. Always takes his time and is very meticulous to make sure you leave looking your best! All of the guys in the shop are very friendly. Always a fun time when you go. Would recommend this barbershop to anyone!

Come here from Avondale every month for a haircut. Cuts are $ 20 and always look great. The conversation is good and they play records that range from metal to hip hop. Highly recommend. Cash only, appointment required.

I made an appointment and drove halfway across the city to get here. There was an accident on Armitage and I called at 3:15 asking if it was alright that I was running 10 or 15 minutes late for my 3:30 because traffic is stopped. I was told that was fine over the phone — after rushing around a dozen side streets and making it there in 10, I walk into the shop to a smug barber sitting in his chair, on his phone, telling me I was too late and he can’t take me with a smirk. «Its been closer to 15 minutes, After that I don’t take people «
— Did not offer me another time or appointment, just a blank stare. I never rate places this low but this lapse in professionalism was just too much. How do you expect to build a reputation on being a friendly neighborhood place when you treat your customers like s*it?

I stopped in to get a haircut prior to a very important meeting. I usually get my hair cut at joes barbershop nearby. But they were closed and I needed an immediate fix. I stopped by 15 minutes after they opened and waited for a bit. Drew did a wonderful job. Everyone complemented me on my cut and wondered where I received such a wonderful job. Thanks guys!

Everyone is laughing at my terrible haircut. Just in time for the holidays. Thanks a lot Drew.

The relationship between my barber and me is sacred. My barber’s death at age 82 was more devastating than my second divorce.
But dead barbers cut no hair, so I was in need of a replacement. I saw a guy at a restaurant with the exact cut I needed: the Brooklyn Fade. He directed me to Billy at Chicago Barber Shop.
He will be my barber until:
1. He stops clipping
2. I relocate 25+ miles from his shop
3. I die
Clean shop: floors, counters, barbers’ mouths.
The shop’s environment is laid back.
Four chairs and they all know what they’re doing.
Hot lather, straight razor.
Appointment recommended.
Unisex clientele (women with shorter hair).
Yes I know some of these are sentence fragments with periods.
As of December, 2014 a haircut cost $ 18, which is well-​worth the service received.

This place caught my eye when it opened in the neighborhood, and figured what the hell, why not give it a try. This turned out to be a good move. I had absolutely no idea who these guys were or the great reputation they brought with them, but I can say my experience has been nothing short of great.
No pretense, no corporate schemes or gimmicky themes… just a relaxed, chill atmosphere with a few really nice, easy-​going guys who make you comfortable and provide a great cut, consistently. And the eclectic tunes are always a bonus… these guys play their own catalog of classics, deep cuts, and obscure stuff (at least obscure for an old guy like me). Great stuff.
Note: as I mentioned, I did not know any of these guys or their past resumés, so the first time I walked in, I sat in Mike’s chair. Mike has been my go-​to guy ever since and he does a killer job.
HIGHLY recommend this place!

Best haircut I have ever received. Great atmosphere, friendly barbers, and price you can not beat. These guys really go into detail with their haircuts, and it shows.
They are timely, clean, and provide exceptional service. They could easily charge more for the quality haircuts they provide, but their price helps them remain a neighborhood joint.
The scheduling is simple, there is ample street parking nearby, and the location is great.
Simply put, the best around.

Get a shave. It takes time but is worth every penny!
I’ve seen Billy for a few years now and he is a great barber. He is also the best barber I’ve ever had shave my face and when you have a man take a straight razor to your face, skill matters.

I never cared about a barber, or where I got my haircut, or anyone that. But now I kind of do. Mike, at Chicago Barbershop, will be my go to. That’s my review. Everything below is just details.
I walked in, told the barber I’m tired of my haircut and to do anything he wants to it. Anything at all. Of course, that’s kind of a crappy thing to put a barber on the spot like that, but it was my first time at Chicago Barbershop, and I was testing the waters.
He spent a half hour cutting up my hair, keeping me faced away from the mirror, and at one point even took out a straight razor and sliced away, which was cool. Toward the end of the cut he took his time and really tweaked certain areas.
When he turned me around, it looked good — nothing crazy like I had imagined while being sliced at with a straight razor, but I was happy enough with it. Then when I got home I took the time to notice the intricacies of the haircut. I have a huge cowlick in my hair in the front and the barber seemingly used that to style my haircut around. One side of my hair was a little longer than the other, and there was a real flow to how it was cut. I don’t know much of hair, but I work as a motion graphics designer, and it looks like he used a really interesting method of asymmetrical balance based on how that cowlick curled, and made the cut really unique while not going nuts. I was really, really impressed. It was subtle, but really interesting.
So, I’m a fan. A big fan actually. I expected something crazy, but got something intricate and fine tuned to me. I’ll go back from now on. I’ll tip bigger (which one should do when their barber uses a straight razor) and I’ll recommend both Chicago Barbershop and Mike to anyone who asks. I just wish I had given the cut a closer look while at the shop to show proper appreciation for the detail.