Bolt Barbers Monkey House

West Hollywood, United States

3.7

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 213-596-9110
Website:
www.boltbarbers.com
Address:
8209 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA, 90046
Beverly Grove
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
1.1 miSunset & San Vicente
1.2 miSunset & Hammond
1.4 miLa Brea
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
By Appointment Only
No

Today

Today –
Local time (West Hollywood) 2:54 PM Friday, November 29, 2024

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

West Hollywood’s LATE NIGHT Barbershop. Open until Midnight Thursdays & Fridays which makes Monkey House the LAST Barbershop to close West of the Mississippi.

Not Cosmetologists, We’re Bolt Barbers.

Bolt Barbers Mission is Stirring The Art of Old School Barbering for the Enjoyment & Benefit of Social Beasts aged 7 – 70, while encouraging community amongst dudes to just be themselves!

Bolt Barbers Core Values (See No Evil, Hear No Evil, & Speak No Evil) contribute towards a chill but sometimes mischievous environment aka «A Guys Third Place» offering sanctuary from highly defined roles played at home & work/​school.

Don’t be put off by Bolt Barbers «People Hate Us on Yelp» excerpts that greet you at the entrance. It’s all part of our monkey business.

History

Established in 2009.

Bolt Barbers was founded in 2009 by former P&G marketing executive & corporate drop out «Mohawk Matt» during his mid life crisis. Bolt now operates 3 So. Cal locations in DTLA, West Hollywood, and On Safari (a Vintage Mobile Barbershop aboard a 1954 Spartan All Aluminum Travel Trailer). And Bolt opened Bolt Barbers Monkey Train (aboard a restored vintage Caboose & Box Car) on Fremont Street, Downtown Vegas in 2013. Bolt’s Westside location in Weho closes at Midnight Thursdays & Fridays earning it the reputation of being the LAST Barbershop to close WEST of the Mississippi.

Bolt’s mission is stirring the art of old school barbering for the enjoyment and benefit of dudes aged 7 – 70 while creating community and encouraging dudes to just be themselves. That’s because Bolt IS a third place for dudes to hang after the highly defined roles played at home and work/​school. Bolt Barbers was voted Best Barbershop in DTLA by The Downtown News three straight years in a row (2011, 2012, & 2013).

Meet the Business Owner

Mohawk M.

Business Owner

Ever since he was a kid, Matt dreamed of opening his own barbershop. The old-​fashioned kind, a showcase of the ancient tonsorial arts, updated and upscaled. A place where folks come in to have a shave and a trim («Whatever haircut or shave you can think up.»), and share in a unique community experience.“Reports of the death of the American barbershop are greatly exaggerated,” Matt said, several years ago. «We’ll reinvent the experience for men and boys.» Add bowling, shuffleboard, & root beer, and you start to get a flavor of Matt’s lifelong vision.

It took a while for Mohawk Matt to achieve his goal. First, the former Matt Berman went to college, earning his stripes in the liberal arts, broadcast journalism, and advanced business management. Then he travelled the world as an international marketer.

But his dream wouldn’t die. One day the New York native cashed out of the corporate world and moved to the west coast to indulge his childhood passion. Viola. Bolt Barbers was born.

Bolt Barbers Monkey House — CLOSED also recommends

Bolt Barbers

366

reviews

Barbers

Mohawk M. says,

«2011−2013 Winner, „Best Barbershop“, Downtown News Readers Poll.»

Bolt Barbers On Safari

Barbers

Mohawk M. says,

«Worlds First and Only Vintage Mobile Barbershop. Perfect for Stag Parties.»

Bolt Barbers Monkey Train Barbershop — CLOSED

29

reviews

Barbers

Mohawk M. says,

«2014 Winner „Best Barbershop“ Best of Las Vegas, Review-​Journal Editors Pick,»

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20 reviews of Bolt Barbers Monkey House

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Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
Awesome barbers. Awesome hours. I think they offer beer as well?
I can understand how some people might not like the people who work here, but the people who work here do the meanest cut in the Hollywood/​West Hollywood area. Since I don’t really talk when I get my hair cut, i don’t mind if the barber acts apathetic. I’m not paying for enthusiasm, I am paying to get the best hair cut I can find. You’ll find that here.
Also…I like the people here. They just aren’t great «salesmen.»
Place rating: 4
Culver City, CA
After agonizing for over a month on where to get my haircut after relocating from the East Coast, I gave Bolt Barbers Monkey House on Melrose a try — a recommendation from a very fashionable bi-​coastal friend. No frills, but a fun retro trendy chill atmosphere. I was offered a beer, which is totally cool, but I was driving back to Culver City. I will definitely go back here again. $ 30 for a men’s cut is totally decent and right around what I was looking for.
Place rating: 1
Burbank, CA
I have visited the Monkey house several times in the past for haircuts and Brandon did a spot-​on job.
I visited this week for the first time in several months (not from the area originally) to get a shave. I won’t mention the barber, but I received one large cut and over a dozen small nicks. I couldn’t tell at the time that the shave was performed how badly chopped my face had become due to the low lighting in the shop. I also noticed many missed hairs and many hairs that had been cut not wiped away from my neck at all. Oh and no lotion or aftershave was applied.
$ 30 for a hot towel shave that was most definitely not on par is ridiculous. I’ve had good experiences with haircuts, but the fact is Bolt Barbers should be vetting the personnel who work there better. I will not be returning.
(Will try to post photos)
Place rating: 1
Los Angeles, CA
«People hate us on Unilocal» and with good reason. I’ve been to a number of well respected barbershops in NYC and LA. Sometimes barbers are a bit uppity at these places but if I get a good haircut I don’t really care. Same goes for really good bartenders at cocktail places, but a good cocktail is usually worth it.
I walked in and got a bad feeling immediately but stupidly didn’t listen to my gut. No one seemed to care I was there, they were empty but seemed upset I didn’t have an appointment. They DIDN’T honor the help deal with some excuse that it was old. Either take it off or honor it and for God’s sake you could be a bit apologetic about it.
My Barber was the most apathetic person about cutting my hair I’ve ever had. He didn’t seem to care about making it look good and he succeeded. I look bald on the side. He didn’t even style my hair when I asked him but instead handed me product to do it myself. So I got a shitty overpriced haircut from a shitty place. This was the first time in my life I haven’t tipped for a haircut.
I don’t normally write negative reviews but seriously, this place sucks.
Place rating: 4
Los Angeles, CA
Just heard the terrible news — RIP Mohawk Matt. He was a cool and friendly guy.
Place rating: 5
Beverly Hills, CA
Excellent job by Denise! I found this place and I am looking forward to come back when I move to LA next month.
Thanks a lot!
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
I was having a hard time finding somewhere that i could get a hair cut late night and boom!!! Bolts lights were on at 9pm. I stopped in and i had to wait just a few minutes till the next person was available. I told my Barber Shawn that my hair needed a lot of fixing lol because it was looking crazy and he gave me a badass undercut.
Ive lived in LA for 5 years and Its awesome that i finally found the right place and person that can cut my hair.
Shawn is super easy to talk to and is frickin hilarious. Did an awesome job cutting my hair and he has this massage thing that is AWESOME!!!
Place rating: 1
West Hollywood, CA
The service is surly and slow, with zero adherence to scheduled appointments. Competency of the barbers ranges widely — from good to dismal. Overall, a very unreliable place.
Beyond that, there appear to be other bizarre social agendas here that I cannot quite explain.
Place rating: 4
Los Angeles, CA
Great cuts. chill atmosphere.
Place rating: 5
Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA
Came an hour before closing, the guy at the front desk was cool, very attentive and offered me drinks while I waited. I was the last one in the shop and got a great haircut.
Richie is hilarious and is a walking piece of art. Def worth meeting.
Place rating: 5
Cabot, AR
I had the uncommon pleasure of having my hair and beard cut by Richie the Barber. Richie is a tatted-​up clown with a handlebar moustache, the first haircut I’ve gotten from such a character.
After two polite refusals, Richie convinced me to partake in some bracingly strong whisky, and once that happened the conversation started flowing. Richie is one of the most regal and stately freaks I’ve ever crossed paths with. It was like having your hair cut by a Cirque du Soileil performer. The haircut was good, but the experience was what I paid for. Any adventurous person living in LA owes it to themselves to meet this guy; he seems like something that would spring from the mind of Rob Zombie (whose beard Richie used to cut).
Definitely the most fun I’ve ever had getting my hair cut.
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
Thank you!
My barber was out of town and of course, as soon as he leaves my hair growth process speeds up and I needed a barber. I always drive by the Money House and its always full of happy people getting their hair cut.
Now, I hate going to new places that could alter my image, so imagine how nerve wrecking this experience was…
I walked in as was greeted by everyone. It almost felt like I was in one of those old movies where the juiciest gossip and all the towns business was handled at the barber shop. It was such a warm environment I almost felt bad that I had never been there before.
I told the receptionist what I needed and they got me in the chair quickly. Because I have used the same barber for years now, I completely forgot how to explain the growing patterns of my hair. It grows funny so its important that the barber cuts it properly or else…
And of course he cut it perfectly. I had no words to explain what was needed but his experience and skills made my silence not a problem. He gave me a nice full glass of root beer and I just sat there, nerves and all, drinking until it was over. Truly skilled barbers need no instruction and that is what you will find here. Thank you for perfecting my personal image and not making me look like a loony toon.
check them out when you have a chance. Its exactly what you need to do. I will gladly visit Monkey Houses again.
Place rating: 1
New York, NY
I know some people think its funny that they post «people hate us on Unilocal,» but trust me, there is no conspiracy against this place, it’s a second rate Barber shop.
My normal barber was not available and I needed a cut and a beard trim for an event later in the evening. I have been going to barbers for shaves and beard trims on the regular since 1998. I know when someone is doing it right and when someone just sucks.
ANYWAY, I sit down in the chair with the female barber, can’t remember her name, don’t want to really, and after telling her briefly what I wanted done, we get into an argument. Her argument was that the drug violence in Mexico, particularly in ciudad Juarez, was a thing of the past. And I said to her «yeah, but if you read…» she abruptly cut me off and snapped «I don’t need to read nothing!!» There was no further conversation for the remainder of the haircut.
Seriously, trying to argue that point, that Mexico has emerged from the cartel violence that has devastated 1000s over the last 10 years, is not so much indicative of someone completely out of touch and ignorant. It’s more indicative of deep seated anger issues, and possible psychosis. I got the feeling if I told her the earth was round she would argue it was flat.
This is not the kind of person you want cutting hair or handling razors near my neck!!! Since we didn’t speak for nearly 40 minutes, the haircut and beard trim were awful.
I tipped out of pure sympathy for this poor woman.
People really hate them on Unilocal for a reason. Don’t go here.
Place rating: 2
Los Angeles, CA
The extra star is only for the cold rootbeer on tap and the fun atmosphere.
Guy behind the counter was a dick.
Hair cut was pedestrian.
Price is absurd.
Place rating: 5
Rosemead, CA
Ive been coming back to bolt now for a little over 2 years or so. Both locations are great and usually im able to get right in for a cut. I wear my hair grown out and sometimes shaved down pending on the seasons. Every now and then I switch up barber dudes and gals just to try someone or something new. When I do this, I usually have a short convo with the guys up front, letting them know what im trying to do to my dew and they recommend me to a person at the shop they think can do what Im looking for. Anyway, I keep coming back and you just cant beat the solid service.
Tip:
Use their online systems for appointments and stuff or just call and see whats happening at the shop day of.
Place rating: 1
Los Angeles, CA
I came to try this place for the first time for a cut and a hot shave. When I arrived at 10pm there was 1 guy working it was the owner. Seems to be if you offer special deals at late hours you might consider to have someone there to back you up if it gets busy but that was not the case. I give them props for the front desk guy with takes your money, signs you up for their club, and gets you beers but he cant cut hair haha.
When I arrived a group of five guys was already in line and would have been around a 2 hr wait. Luckily I asked the group if I could cut since I was alone and they said its cool. So After 2 guys I got my cut started about an hr later. My haircut was pretty good I’ll give them that but not for the normal asking price they charge. Plus the owner made it a point to mention he wasn’t making any money off my haircut and shave because I had used the Unilocal deal offered as well and come in during the special time lol. In my mind I was like so your basically telling me you suck for knowing how to get a good deal? lol
Needless to say he finished the haircut and started the shave, the whole process took much longer than I expected. I then made the mistake thinking that I would leave the place ready to go out that night shaved and cut. The shave was more uncomfortable than I expected and also was not very good at all. There was plenty of visible hair left around my nose and mouth area which I had to shave once I got home before going out. Maybe its just me but if I owned a business I would expect to be as good or better than my employees as a leading example. Instead the owner spoke of his past professions and living around the world while all this occurred. 1 beer, 1 bad shave, and 2hrs later I knew when I left I wouldn’t be back. Funny thing is they have plenty of signs inside saying people on Unilocal hate us lol hmmm…
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
Seriously, every guy should come here.
Open late. (which is perfect for me)
Everyone is super friendly!
They give you free beer! (just ask nicely)
And most importantly, EVERYONE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING!
Best barber shop in LA!
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
Love this place.
First of all, the cuts are great. I have straight asian hair, so I usually either get a faux hawk or have my barber shorten and fade up the sides while keeping the top long so I can slick it back with some product. In any case, the end all be all is that I never once had a bad cut here and have had several different barbers (most recently Tim).
Second, Bolt Barbers is a sick place with a great casual atmosphere. Join their membership club for a small one-​time fee of a few bucks, and you are greeted with an offering of a nice cold beverage every time you walk in the door (whether an IPA or an orange creams soda). Few TVs and magazines to pass your time and an awesome Golden Retriever to keep you company.
Third and fourth, pricing is affordable (especially on Tuesdays when USC students can get cuts for $ 18.75) and Matt and everyone are sociable and friendly.
You definitely should try this place out.
Place rating: 5
Aurora, IL
Alright so I’ve been going to Bolt Barbers since we moved to West Hollywood a few months ago, and haven’t really found a barber there yet that I’d specifically request… Not to say that any of the barbers I’ve ever had there are bad, quite the opposite, they’re all equally great. That changed today.
I walked in like I usually do in the middle of the afternoon and just say I’m looking for a haircut, nothing more specific than that, and get seated with whoever is available. Today, this was Mateo who (according to the conversation at the shop) was working his first day at Bolt Barbers. Well, the haircut I got absolutely rocks, and is easily the best cut I’ve got from Bolt so far.
Don’t let the whole «new guy» thing scare you away, Mateo is awesome.
Place rating: 5
Redlands, CA
I’ve been living a lie. I thought that I was fine with the haircuts that I used to get. I used to go to Supercuts. Yeah, I was that guy. Then I started going to a hair salon in the mall. I never made an appointment so if they were busy, I’d just shop around until someone was available. Then I started going to a place that charged $ 15 for a cut and I was fine with the substandard haircut (and substandard service) that I got.
Bolt Barbers Monkey House has revolutionized my world. My barber, Brandon Massengale, hooked me up with an awesome haircut and great hang out.
The haircut. You’re barber is going to take the time to learn and verify how you want your hair cut. I have a duck tail thing going on at the back of my head. Brandon M. took care of it and now I’m duck tail free. No other barber has done that for me. And amazingly, I did not have any little itchy hair clippings on my shirt or neck.
The hang out. You can play Playstation or bowl. You can shoot the breeze or read a magazine. They barbeque outside and watch the sports games on the flat panel TVs.