Here are my picks for the top barber shops in Toronto by neighbourhood.
BLOORCOURT
Hollow Ground Barber Shop was founded by three up-and-coming barbers looking to strike out on their own - and show off their collection of barber shop memorabilia. They do a thorough, well-priced shave - and, ladies, they welcome women in the chair as well.
CHURCH-WELLESLEY VILLAGE
There's tons of hair salons in the Village - but if it's a straight-up barbershop you want, your best bet is Ho's Place. They've got a rep for friendly, efficient service, with low waits and a quick turnaround time.
THE DANFORTH
Prince Cuts Kings is run out of Red9 Tattoo by self-taught barber Justin Picones. Though he mostly caters to guys in their '20s looking for trendier styles, he's a whiz with the clippers no matter the client's age.
Bellwoods Barbers has been open on Dundas for just over a year, serving up fades and hard-parted cuts in a setting that's a super-clean, contemporary take on a classic barber shop. (Unlike a classic barbershop, though, you may want to book ahead.)
EAST YORK
Little London is a tiny taste of Britain on Donlands, with two of three barbers on staff hailing from across the pond. Though they're far from downtown, their "friendly neighbourhood barber shop" status has put pro fighters and local TV anchors among their regular clients.
FINANCIAL DISTRICT
At John Allan's they do things a little differently. Sure, you can pay by the visit, but the "grooming club" for men (with other locations around the U.S.) also offers yearly memberships that build in the cost of as many shaves, manicures, shoe shines, and scalp massages as you mgiht need.
FOREST HILL VILLAGE
There are old-school barbershops, and then there's Forest Hill Barber Shop, which has been open and cutting since 1931. (They even still use the same cash register). The guys working the scissors are 40-plus-year veterans, and many of the clients have been getting cuts there since they were kids.
HARBOURFRONT
Down at CityPlace, you'll find In The Cut, where self-taught barber Justin Radam freshens up everyone from local condo residents to the Raptors' Kyle Lowry (and, on one memorable occasion, Justin Bieber).
The tattoo flash all over the walls and general badass vibe helps, but Crow's Nest has been building a rep on their skilled execution of retro cuts since 2010. (Pro tip: Book ahead online.)
KING EAST
Just across from St. Lawrence Market is Adam Barbershop, a small new-ish walk-in spot with a modern feel. In addition to careful cuts, the team of barbers puts plenty of detail into their straight-razor shaves, including warmed shaving cream and a few other nice touches.
KING WEST
Swing up to Richmond and pay a visit to Original Grooming Experts, where they walk the line ably between a fancy spa and a straight-up shave and haircut. Every cut and shave starts with a paraffin hand treatment and a hot towel - get ready to relax. (If old-school is more your thing, Aristotelis is just down the street.)
KOREATOWN
Gus The Other Barber is a classic barbershop that's worth the half-a-block journey past Bathurst. The soccer jersey-festooned shop has been a local favourite for 40 years (Honest Ed Mirvish even used to get his hair cut here).
At Hastings Barber Shop, page through a vintage Playboy under the watchful gaze of a taxidermied deer head before getting a cut by their co-ed team of barbers. They have a handle on both traditional cuts and shaves and more contemporary looks.
LITTLE ITALY
You can't swing a straight razor (note: don't do that) without hitting a vintagey, throwback-style barber shop in Toronto, but Blood and Bandages, which opened up on College in 2008, might have been the first in town to revive the trend. Ninety-seven square feet is all owner Roger Janes needs to turn out a quality cut.
MARKHAM
The Barber Lounge is that "neighbourhood hub" kind of barbershop, perpetually full of locals chattering away or waiting in the comfy lounge area for their turn. Regulars praise the consistent cuts and friendly service.
I Barbieri offers a retro barber shop atmosphere at Eglinton and Bathurst, catering mostly to the particular haircut needs of the local Orthodox clientele. (Owner Anthony Del Mastro gets to do comparatively few shaves - meaning if a customer wants one, he'll do it with painstaking care and detail.)
QUEEN WEST
Hidden into a corner of Black Market Vintage's sprawling basement is Mad One, a tiny shop with a big rep for seamless fades (or, as one customer memorably dubbed it, the "Get Laid Fade"). They also do designs and precise cuts on everyone from kids to Toronto Raptors.
WEST QUEEN WEST
Garrison's Barbershop offers a glorious view of Trinity Bellwoods - but regulars come here for the careful, skin-friendly shaves, the efficient cuts, and the friendly, laid-back atmosphere. At $35, cuts are a little pricier, but you get what you pay for.
YONGE AND DUNDAS
The duo of barbers behind Onyx Barbers have both been cutting since their middle school years, with 30-plus years of experience between the two. At their hidden-away upstairs shop on Yonge, they specialize in black men's hair, doing lineups, fades, and designs.
Axe and Hatchet melds that vintage barber shop vibe (church-pew seating, wagon-wheel furniture) with the salon sleekness that's typical of Yorkville. Instead of trimming you up and shoving you out the door, they'll take time and care to give you whatever cut you're after.
See also:
The Best Barber Shops in Toronto
The top 20 hair salons by neighbourhood in Toronto
Did I miss any? Leave your pick for best neighbourhood barber shop in Toronto in the comments.
by Natalia Manzocco via blogTO
No comments:
Post a Comment