Refreshingly Unhip: Five of SF's Old-School Barbershops
To tweak a song lyric*, I’m an old school kind of guy who likes his coffee black(-ish) and his parole denied (except in cases of caffeine-related incidents). And when it comes to getting my mop dropped, I prefer the barbershops of yesteryear, where the guy snipping my hair makes snippets about how he’d run the world if he were president, and where the guy sitting next to me could care less about that Justin Beaver kid's latest haircut. Yes, tell me how it all went wrong sir, because you — like my hairdo — strive for perfection.
These five refreshingly unhip barbershops are some of the last of a dying breed, stoically resisting replacement by stylish, Mad Men-inspired replicas or a generic SuperCuts. It should also be noted that each barbershop declined an interview (and all lack websites), thereby verifying their old-school cred:
Asano Barber Shop (Laurel Heights)
3312 Sacramento St., 415-567-3335
Old-school quotient: 9; Asano can tell some stories, having been around for a World War or two. His prices are also thankfully out-of-date ($17 for a full service cut and head rubdown).
X-factor: Appointments are required if you wanna get shorn here, as Asano is busy and refuses to rush out one customer to get in the next. Customers say he’s a man of few words, but when he talks, people listen.
Arcade Barber Shop (Financial District)
333 Bush St., 415-956-4049
Old-school quotient: 8; Along with a haircut, they’ll shine your shoes and “massage” your shoulders with an odd contraption that may or may not be street legal.
X-factor: Multiple reports agree these guys know their gridiron. Bounce any fantasy question off these hair jockeys and you’re sure to get some straight talk.
Financial District Haircuts by Leo (Financial District)
456 Montgomery St. (at Sacramento), 415-781-7007
Old-school quotient: 8; accepts only cash or check, and Leo has been an SF fixture for generations.
X-factor: Leo had such a devout following at his last gig that he decided to open his own place. He may have to start renting out the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium soon judging by his cult following.
Ingleside Barber Shop (Ingleside)
393 Ashton Ave. (between Legion Ct & Ocean Ave), 415-584-8997
Old-school quotient: 10; Owner Gary alternately tells jokes and offers life advice to anyone who looks like they need it.
X-factor: If you play your cards right and you’re a man of a certain age, he’ll pour you something to take the edge off while he literally takes your edges off.
Rick's Barber Shop (Outer Richmond)
5349 Geary Blvd. (between 17th Ave & 18th Ave), 415-668-7670
Old-school quotient: 9; Let’s take stock of Rick’s trending tools: #FlatBlades, #FourTowelShaves, #SheersOnSteroids, #PickledCombs, #Playboys, #GuysWhoDon’tComeHere
X-factor: Rick doesn’t have much patience for postmodern haircut requests, it’s either a Gentlemen’s Cut or a Gentlemen’s Trim. This is the place to come if you’re a part-on-one-side kind of guy.
*song credit: The Dismemberment Plan’s “Sentimental Man.”
Where are you favorite places to get your mop cropped?
halow iam awlad iwas awon barpershop when iwas staying in africa okey now so iwant to go to schol and get cirtifacayt my nomber 602 810 7369
By on August 25, 2011
Hello...I've been having my hair cut since 1972 at Union Gent on Union Street by Chuck Tumminia. This is a neighborhood, institution that's got more stories than Herb Caen had in his heyday. From my first visit when they were tightly buttoned next to Perry's, to across the street, and now around the corner on Charleton Court. This is the original location of "Tales of the City". Bravisimo to the gang for long survival and sorry you missed a great one.
By on August 24, 2011
Amazon Barbershop Geneva and London Streets. It's been there for quite awhile. Plus they shot a Nike commerical in there in the 80's.
By on August 24, 2011
Willy's Barber Shop on 22nd St between Mission and Bartlett.
By on August 24, 2011
I used to go to Rick's when it was the Star Barbershop in 1949-54. I can't remember the barber's name, but he was a bookie as well and took bets while cutting hair.
By on August 24, 2011
If you are talking old school, check ou Caladonia Barbershop in Sausalito, Ed is the guy to see. Good jokes, great cut, even has had sevreal well known celebs in his shop. Nice selection of Marilyn Monroe photo's.
By on August 24, 2011
Rick's is great. Bounced around from shop to shop for a few years until I finally made it all the way out to the Richmond. A great $12 haircut? Almost unheard of in this city. Great guys behind the shears.
By on August 24, 2011
I second the Marina Barbershop on Lombard. Chris has had, and has, his problems, but he provides a great haircut at a fair price. He goes around your head at least twice to make sure everything is done right. I moved away from SF in 2006 and every time I need a haircut, I wish Chris could cut my hair. Glad to hear he is still around.
By on August 24, 2011
I go to Daddy's Barbershop in the Castro. This is the place to go for fades, burrs, crop tops, flat tops and good looking IBM or Gov't cuts (clean cuts). These guys treat every cut like an advertisement. Excellent conversations of current events.
By on August 24, 2011
You forgot Chicago Style Barber Shop (on fillmore cross geary) and Esquire (on geary cross fillmore). These are where black people have gone for years.
By on August 24, 2011
You forgot Dick's International 2 block down from Rick's. I think they are cousins. You get a good cut there and they use a straight edge on your neck and side burns, also you get the shoulder rub at the end.
By on August 24, 2011
1512 Barbershop on Pine and Polk...Sal is a third generation San Francisco Barber. His straight razor shaves are the closest you'll ever get and he even named his award winning rye after the place!
By on August 24, 2011
The title say's "Old School Barbershops". Not one mention of the Fillmore shops that have been around for decades. Sad.
By on August 24, 2011
Don't know why you felt the need to preen throughout that ludicrous first paragraph... but at least you included Arcade. Last good haircut I had, before we moved to Silicon Valley...
By on August 24, 2011
Louie's Barber Shop in the Castro is also great, and the folks who work there are super nice. I've had my hair cut by both Don and Luis and they did a great job.
By on August 23, 2011
The Marina Barbershop on Lombard and Octavia is about as old school as it gets. Chris is the barber there. He has no front teeth, doesn't use clippers, has gout, smokes while cutting your hair, and has done time in the clink. Needless to say, it's a great place for a cut
By on August 23, 2011
Some of these shops are in the financial district :)
By on August 23, 2011
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