Where's the best place for a guy to get a haircut in the city?
Adam J., Hell's Kitchen
Not to sound too much like the Starr report, but it depends on what your defintion of the word "best" is. And it also depends on what kind of guy you are. If you are looking for a cheap hair cut and a New York tradition, Astor Place Hairstylists fits the bill. Even if you factor in round trip subway fare and a tip, you'll walk out spending less than 20 bucks. Men's trims start at 12 dollars and the multi-level establishment offers other services such as shampooing and dye jobs for the NYU and downtown clientele. Their window, festooned with pictures of celebrity clients, has been a Village fixture since the days before you could find three Starbucks within two blocks of the Gap at Astor Place and Broadway.
Gothamist knows people who swear by John Allan's and Bumble and Bumble but cuts there cost a tad more than 20 bucks and could cause budget-conscious New Yorkers to make sure their hair is quite shaggy before making an apointment.
With all of the new franchises opening up in the city these days, you might try Supercuts' online haircut reminder. True geeks might think the future of cutting one's hair online has finally arrived, but don't get too excited just yet. The service sends you an email to let you know when you're due for a trim. If you're spending so much time in front of a computer monitor that you don't look in a mirror enough to know when it's time for a haircut, Gothamist thinks you might have other grooming problems of a higher priority.
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I can't vouch for the guy cuts, but I got an awesome haircut from a student (hi, Phil!) at Space on Spring & 6th for twenty bucks. Guys and gals can also get free cuts at Bumble, if you don't mind going to a Monday night "casting call."
hah, it's pretty funny - I just came back from a hair cut at Astor hair. I go there all the time, and I did have a regular barber whom I was happy with, but then he left and all the replacments I have tried have given me a hack job, but nothing to the point where it wasn't better once I styled it my own way. Still, you can't bet the price, you just have to know what to expect.
I've convinced most of my work colleagues to go to Jerry's buried in Rock center. The downside is that so many people loved my recomendation for "George" that I have to book a day ahead of time now. The secret? The hot towels they use to massage your face afterwards. Ummmm.
As for Joe Allens, it's pricey to pay for the year upfront, but you can get your hair cut every week if you want. And play pool with a beer while waiting. Just don't ask the girls out on a date. Also, you have to pick one or the other location, you can't switch.
This is an opportunity to recommend Chris, owner of Creoza Salon at 412 Lexington Avenue (92nd & 93rd) (212-427-9357). Chris cut my hair for almost 15 years, until it thinned to the point that I decided to razor cut it myself every Sunday. She'll take the time to get to know you and your preferences, and enjoys doing something other than a straight "business cut". And you can count on her hairwashers to give a great head/neck massage!
Go to Chinatown's Doyer street, which is sort of a winding alley off of Pell. All the cuts are $6, $7 or $8, and are pretty good for all basic cuts (at least on thinning, white guy hair). The added bonus is that these places are mostly fronts for illegal "massage" parlors, mah jong, bookies, or other nefarious activities. But if you think about it, you could get a cut and lunch (at Excellent Pork Chop House), with tip at both, for less than $15. That's better than Super Cuts even with a coupon (which is the benefit of signing up for the reminder service).