Barber of Hell's Bottom

I don't know how this place stays so consistently awesome over decades. Ever time I go, no matter who is there I have a spectacular experience and get an incredible cut. Shout out to Nathan for helping me look sharp this week!

Brendan gave me one of the best haircuts I've had in awhile. I like my hair medium length or longer and he delivered with an amazing scissor cut. Definitely will be coming back.

I've been going to Julio for years now I moved away and the 16 months I was away I could not find anyone that could trim my beard as well. If you are looking for a master barber definitely book here, you won't be disappointed.

Got a haircut from Brendan today and let me say.. the guy doesn’t miss! 10 out of 10 hair cut and great conversation. If you are new to the area or are just looking for a new barber, I highly recommend him!

I arrived before the 15 minute “grace” period due to traffic. I called to tell them I’d be a little late but was out on hold. If they can’t schedule, I wouldnt trust this outfit.

Julio was wonderful and gave me an amazing cut. Came in from out of town and needed a cut on the fly. I will be back! 👍🏻

Beware! Unfair charges and shady practices. I had a very disappointing experience this week. I recently had to cancel an appointment and made sure to do so in advance. Despite this, I was charged a no-show fee of $190!!! To make matters worse, they charged a card that I never even put on file with them. This kind of shady practice is unacceptable. It seems like they are more interested in finding ways to take your money rather than providing good service. When I called to resolve the issue, I was met with unhelpful and rude staff who refused to acknowledge their mistake. I highly recommend avoiding this place. There are plenty of other barbershops in the area that treat their customers fairly and with respect.

Nathan was awesome, he helped me understand that it was better to save the hair I had than go in a completely new direction. Awesome cut! Will definitely recommend.

Great haircut. Worth the price knowing you'll get exactly what you want. Make sure you book your appointment in advance.

Well for what I'm paying for, the haircut was alright. It was a very nice place to have one, but it wasn't the worth the price after going a few times. By no means a bad cut though.

I came as a walk in but when I asked if anyone was available, the receptionist told me she sent two of her barbers to a nearby barber shop to help them out. I looked up the shop she was referring to and it was some random hole in the wall place no one ever heard of. If that's their quality then I won't be coming back.

This post is not meant to leave a bad review for one barber who was just having a bad day. My overall point: The primary reason why I'm willing to pay top dollar for a reputable barber (as Hell's Bottom is) is to be consistently assured of a quality cut. I think that price gap between what we pay at Hell's Bottom ($95) and elsewhere ($30-40) is so that basic mistakes aren't made & we don't have a 50-50 chance of getting a good/bad cut depending on inconsistent quality. I spend $95 on a haircut - which is crazy in itself lol - but I do it because I (should) know that I'll get just about the best cut possible in the city. I think this is probably a common sentiment among most of Hell's Bottom current/prospective clientele. Overall, I don't think it's acceptable that I had the experience that I had for the above reasons and the amount that I paid. I'll be returning, just with a different barber next time; they have a great set up and historically excellent customer reviews! I'm also not going to name the stylist in question; her social media boasts excellent haircuts, and I'm sure she's a good barber/stylist. However, when I went in she ignored some of the requests I made (like not cutting too much off the top, which she did). She over-cut and actually (I've learned since coming home) made a couple of really bad cuts in the back. I specifically asked for a more square look & my hair has never looked more round than it does now. I also found her to be pretty unkind; I'm hard of hearing, and she got physically agitated when I asked her to repeat what she was saying. To err is human, and like I said I'm sure she is indeed an excellent barber, was having a bad day, and this is one exception in hundreds of great haircuts she has given.

The prices here are no joke...$95 to $110 in my experience BUT they are generally worth it! Honestly I wish I could still afford it, but I had to move on only because it was draining my bank account. I started coming in during the pandemic and got to know Rommel and he was amazing at helping me feel comfortable getting back to the routine and starting to look good again! He's an amazing barber, a good guy, and he is 100% credited with making my wedding pictures look great. Love these folks and love their haircuts. If I get more budget, I'll be back 100%

Nate is your guy. If you life in DC and want a good trim, I can guarantee you won't be disappointed. They are barbers but artists.

Had a great experience here. My wife says it's the best haircut I've had in years and I will now come here when I need to look my best. Wes made my experience really good and gave me a hot towel shave which looks and feels great. Thank you!

Well well well, this is my first Yelp review EVER. I'm thrilled to leave it for this biz. I was in yesterday looking to get a professional hair cut for a job interview. ALEX was my barber. Not only did I get the best haircut ever, but they took time to talk to me about the job interview and make me feel comfortable. Yes, it is more expensive than other barbershops, but you get what you pay for. What's better than leaving a barbershop feeling confident about yourself? It was worth every penny, and I will be returning for the COMPLIMENTARY "clean up" in three weeks. Happy to have found my new DC barber. Update: Got the job, thanks Alex!

Since they don't list it on the website, men's haircut as of September 2019 is $95. At least from the stylist I was assigned to when I called. You read that right, $95. Ask yourself: "Self, what do you expect from a haircut that's 2x the price of a normal DC haircut?" If you expect 2x the service, 2x the friendliness, 2x the care, you're at the wrong pricey salon. If you expect 2x the cool tattoos, 2x the wait, 2x the tiny waiting area, 2x the pain booking, 2x the offers for salon coffee, then you're in the right place.

Lauren Canja "LuLu" is a fantastic barber! She is very good at barber cuts and beard cuts! She knows her stuff.

I very rarely write reviews, but ... this place is the best barber I've ever been to. Simple as that. Just came back home after having my hair cut for the first time in a 2-year stint of crazy wildman pandemic growth, so it felt a bit more of a deal. I saw Lauren, and she was so good. She gave great advice, was totally chill and welcoming, had a really wonderful conversational style and my LORD can she cut hair! I was so pleased with the whole experience and will definitely be coming back. Thanks Lauren !!

My experience at the Barber as excellent. Julio was friendly and professional! The result was I am very happy with haircut and experience!

Just a quick update to affirm how awesome, welcoming, inclusive and top notch these folks are in every way! John is so incredibly kind, helpful in efficient in helping to schedule, make changes etc.; Nicole is an amazing barber (who manages to make small talk manageable, low key and interesting) and gives a killer haircut; the folks that wash your hair are amazing (bonus scalp massage); and the whole vibe is chill and welcoming. They are practicing great pandemic protocols, offer awesome products for your hair (and/or cool beanieS or truckers hats for those times when it goes a little long between cut); give back to the community and are just all around f%^*ing fantastic.

$95 for a haircut is no joke. Am I paying for delicacy. Thanks but no thanks. I think it's over priced barber shop. Haircut meets the requirement but I ain't buying a Ferrari if BMW works

So psyched to write this review of Eddie Navarro, who works at the 14th street location inside immortal beloved. I've been a customer and fan of Eddie's haircuts for 3 years now- he is the kind of barber that once you find, you breathe a sigh of relief because you KNOW that your hair is going to be looking perfect all of the time. I actually followed him from a previous hair cutting salon, other barbers had trouble cutting my korean black straight hair but he has no such problems. Eddie is detailed, highly skilled, and open to listening to make sure you have the haircut you want because he cares about his clients and his work. I think in the 3 years and numerous hairstyle changes I've asked him to do, the only thing he has ever asked me if I was sure of was when I wanted to try a top knot...and now both me and my fiancee are glad he stepped in haha If you are looking for a new Barber, I can't recommend Eddie highly enough!!

Yes, this place is great. And that might be all you need to know but if you're like me, finding "your" barber is a tough, drawn out process and once you find them, you hold on tight. So if that's you, keep reading. Lulu has been cutting my hair for a few years now and is the absolute best. My office is a few blocks away from their 9th and Rhode Island location so it used to be super convenient to swing by for a cut in the middle of the day. Well, I've now been working from home for the last 6 months (loudoun county) and still drive an hour each way to see her every other week because she's that damn good. I HIGHLY recommend her. I've always found it hard to find good barbers skilled with both fades and scissors and she crushes. Go see her! Now! Like stop reading and book the appointment. Do yourself a favor and you won't regret it.

I have been to many barbers between Oakland, CA and Washington, DC and none of them give as sharp of a cut as Brixton. My curl pattern is kind of wild and I struggled for a while figuring out exactly what to do with my hair. I would go to barbers and they would low key not listen to me and do whatever and I was never happy with the product. But Brixton listened to what I said, evaluated my hair, and cut my hair into the perfect shape. The best part is that he is consistent af- my cut is always nothing short of perfect. The best part is that his immense talent is matched by his lovely personality. 100% would recommend!

Excellent haircuts. Been coming here since 2015 with a pause when I moved from DC for a couple years. Even though my barber changed overtime with normal turnover (Wes, Steve, and now Alex) Each barber have great personalities. Very happy with Alex, the most comfortable first haircut I've had with any barber (I usually take multiple cuts to get comfortable with a new barber). Seriously, props to Alex. I've been consistently impressed with how professional, friendly, and capable each barber is. You really can't go wrong here.

Guys... you gotta go see Brixton. I've been living in DC for a few years and I was constantly looking for a barber that could live up to my experience back home. And... wow. Not only do I get a great cut literally every single time I see Brixton, but I also just love spending time in his salon chair. Such an awesome guy, and his work speaks for itself. Check him out on instagram, but then go see him for yourself! I will never go to anyone else for a cut as long as I live in the District (or maybe even NOVA--he's that good!)

Their prices are very steep, but if it's in your budget I would highly recommend going here. I'd gotten another hair cut that didn't thin out the top enough, so, in a pinch for time, I went here to just get the top thinned out a bit. And despite saying they would only charge me for half a haircut, they ended up not even charging me - so based on my experience customer service can't reasonably get better than it is here. In the limited amount of time I was here, it was apparent that their attention to detail is also unparalleled. I'll also say they're appealing because it's definitely more oriented towards guys, which is refreshing. And this is evident in both the way they interact with you and the atmosphere.

Went to the location on 14th inside Immortal Beloved and had the "Jr Barber" cut my hair. Asked for a simple fade and it took him over an hour to finish and it still came out awful. I'm sorry but you should not put people out there to cut hair when they can't. It's a $45.00 joke of a haircut. Stay Away!!!

Been here three times and scheduled with three different barbers. TWICE I've showed up for my appointment and the barber hasn't been there. Waited 30 minutes today for him to show up (this was my third trip) and then left. Garbage customer service and incompetence all around. This place gets a lot of buzz but you can't run a business this way.

I've been going to LULU for my haircuts for at least 2-3 years now, maybe even longer since what is time in a pandemic ? She has full creative control over what happens to my head and her soft small hands treat this big dome nice and keep me looking tight for the lack of social interaction that ,before I strived for, and now accept as a given. Surrender yourself unto LULU and allow the magic to happen.

I come in from NY once a month and when ever I take my 13 yr old son he comes back to John at this Barber Shop. The place is hip, clean and very well run. This weekend I decided to get a cut here. Diego was great. I got a great haircut. It is important to book a time well in advance; this is not a walk in type of place and they are pretty booked up.

Ok, there are a few good things about this place, very cool looking, up and coming, caters to an upscale male, and you can get great service. I got a great haircut and I'd always wanted to get a hot shave from someone else. They're professional and take their time here. The bad: prices are HIGH. A friend of a friend runs this place, and I've always wanted to do this, so I did. Their website said a shave and a haircut was $75: http://barberofhellsbottom.com/services. They charged me $110 upon departure. WTF? I paid and gave a nice tip because it wasn't the stylist/barber's fault. I doubt I'd go back though. I can get a closer shave at home using my own straight razor. Great idea, but with those prices, I'm not sure they'll last.

You say black I say white You say bark I say bite You say shark I say hey man Jaws was never my scene And I don't like Star Wars You say Rolls I say Royce..All I wanna do is Bicycle bicycle bicycle So first and foremost, clearly there is bike parking nearby! This was put in about 18 months ago (for the treehuggers of the world! - no comment about myself) Or one could take the metro if one wanted to... This Yelper drove in and there is very limited street parking in Shaw. There is also a metro stop near by. All in all, Mike & the gang did a good job picking a location with good public transportation options--DC in general has terrible parking. But places like this are the reason why Shaw is an up and coming neighborhood! So everyone else has written about [fill in the blank] barber so I will not. This place is pretty laid back and you will get a pretty awesome 10+ minute hairwash with actual hot water unlike certain other places I have been to (not going to name them here). What I will discuss though is the PRICE - All of the YELPERs have noted the high price of $60+ which is very high for getting some of your poor little hairs trimmed off... even if a barber is paying attention to you for more than 20 mins. And even if you are having a real conversation vs some of the crap at say a normal hair cuttery place... (not naming other places though ;) HERE is the catch though - are you ready.. no, gosh, sit down.. get your coffee, relax, have a sip,.. as Aaron Rogers would say, "RELAX." Yes, this place is Pricey. BUT a client is welcome to come back in a few weeks for a 15-20 minute "clean-up" FREE OF CHARGE - (little known secret - I am ruining this place, I'm sorry.. ) So basically, a client is getting 2 or 3 haircuts spread over several weeks or months for $60+ so it is the same price as the 'other guys' but a much much better experience! The Good - Hair wash! Conversation... Oh, and the 45 min cut! The Bad - limited parking... The ugly - the price (but we have talked about this so not really) Overall, I am going back to this place!

I've been to all three of their DC locations for both a haircut and beard trim and have never been let down. Amazing service and staff. I've never had any issue getting an appointment at the times and dates I wanted. They go the extra mile with hot towels, beard balms, straight razor edging, etc I've heard people say the prices are high but if you shopped around DC barbers and hair stylists Barber of Hell's Bottom prices are aligned with every other shop. Also you get what you pay for...so if you want an inferior cut with no customer service than yes there are many shops on military bases in the area that charge approximately $10 for a haircut. However, if you want to look your best while getting top quality service by an experienced professional barbers go to Barber of Hell's Bottom. It is worth your money and time

This shop is dishonest and cheating. They told me the barber was not apprentice but a junior barber. Then, until the guy posted on Instagram today showing that he got promoted from apprentice to junior that I realized I was charged for higher fees ahead of time.

My favorite barbershop in DC -- bar none! I have been going to Nicole for years, and I highly recommend her and her colleagues to all of my family and friends in DC.

Scheduled a week in advance, arrived to shop, and they cancelled my appointment due to the barber not being there. No meaningful attempt made to try and fix situation.

Eddie is a great hair stylist. I was undecided of what hairstyle I wanted, so he started showing me pics to decide which style would fit better with my beard. Definitely, I am returning to him, he listened patiently plus he gave me the best haircut I had since I moved to the States.

John Leach is undoubtedly DC's premiere barber. I fear writing this review since I still want to be able to make appointments with him (haha). But he is truly exceptional! His attention to detail ... the finesse he puts in artistically splicing and styling your hair is like no other. I've been to many other upscale barbers such as "Grooming Lounge" but the professionalism and solid ambiance of "Hell's Bottom" is truly wonderful. I hope to grow into an old man (now 43) with John Leach. Thank you John !

John Leech did a fantastic job! Some places around DC feel rushed (because they are) and impersonal. I did not have any such experience at Hell's Bottom. John took his time, communicated with me, and ensured that things looked right at many junctures throughout the process. I would highly recommend trying these folks out if you're looking for a good cut in DC.

After an absence, I returned here a year ago and am very happy with my barber. You have to decide if the cost is worth it to you. If you have never been, please be sure to ask about the rate for the barber you are interested in since they have different rates. I have been to all 3 locations. If you are claustrophobic, you might not like the 14th Street location. If you try one barber and are not happy, try another until you find the one that is right for you. There is only one barber here that I do not recommend. He cut my neck (not tiny cuts) on two consecutive occasions and screwed up my cut the last time he saw me. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

I really enjoyed coming here people are friendly and for the most part good barbers. I did have an unfortunate experience right before Christmas where my 4" long beard was reduced to a lumpy divited mess + tragic haircut to boot. I looked past that because I had only good experiences before. I also appreciated the willingness to fix their mistakes. Which they did offering me 2 free beard trims to attempt to fix my beard as it grew back out. Trying to make an appointment today seems that prices have gone up $10 across the board, haircuts now $70 beard trims $40. With tip that's like$140/$150. I just think that's a ridiculous price for a men's haircut and beard trim. I like the place but not willing to be gauged. Especially when it seems like at least one member of the staff doesn't know how to trim beards or listen to customers.

Update: after moving to Oakland, I haven't found a barber that comes anywhere close to comparing. This truly is the 5 star experience.

Hadn't had a haircut in six months due to COVID lockdowns. Decided to treat myself to a real haircut and beard trim at the Barber of HB (14 St). Brix did a fantastic job. Actually, it was the best haircut I've ever had. The cost was a bit high, but it turned out to be a barber experience and not just a haircut. It was worth it. If you go, ask for Brix!

Walk ins welcome it says! I was refused at the door because 'we are booked!' Enough said!

I went there for the very first time by a recommendation. The barber named Raoul if I got that right, was amazing. He gave attention to every detail. I loved the place as it felt like a warehouse feel - brick walls, barber chairs (like from old days), well maintained. One downside to consider is the cost. So keep that in mind.

I love this place and I'm always happy with the haircuts I receive. I've been a frequent customer since early 2015. Wes cuts my hair almost always and always does an amazing job. However, they've recently raised their rates to $70 per haircut, which is obviously pricey. I wish they'd consider perhaps a customer membership program, where maybe you pay a certain amount per month for 1 - 2 haircuts for a cheaper overall price, but for a year subscription.

Barber of Hell's Bottom is a great place not only for men, but for women with short hair as well. The shop itself is very clean, pleasantly decorated, and has a comfortable ambiance. All staff members are kind and courteous. Upon entering, the receptionist will offer you a refreshment, which is nice. Even better are the complimentary touch-ups, which are great for people like me who quickly get annoyed with disorderly fuzz. My barber here is Elsi, and I am very pleased with her work. Not only is she an extremely talented barber, but she is very accommodating of clients' desired style, and will work diligently to get your hair done exactly to your liking. Her expertise and passion for her craft is immediately apparent, and clients are rewarded for it--her attentiveness and dedication to detail has thus far been unparalleled. In DC, you'd be hard pressed to find better. Elsi is also very fun and easy to talk with, so appointments are enjoyable and fly by quickly. If you're looking for a well-executed cut that actually looks good in practice and not just in theory (as with most places in this city), this is your spot!

Ask for Chris if you want the best haircut at the top barber shop in DC. There are no substitutes! I have been Immortal Beloved and then the Barber of Hell's Bottom client since I moved to DC from San Francisco in 2009. When my regular barber moved away, I was a bit apprehensive about finding another, but I needn't have. Enter Mr. Chris Charron, the easy going, quick to smile esthetic genius, in whose capable hands magic happens. Of course, you can get a cut you desire, but the magic of it is that you can just ask Chris to make it look good and he does! Chris has the rarest of abilities to visualize, and dexterity to execute perfectly. Top it with no charge clean-ups he offers, and you cannot go wrong here. Add to that the coolest cave of a shop where one feels welcome and comfortable. You can get a haircut anywhere, perhaps, but your spouse telling you that you look better and better every time you see Chris... that is priceless! I write this quietly wishing that Chris' abilities could remain a closely guarded secret and I could always get a quick appointment, but I think the news is out already. He is not simply a barber, but an artist. He really is the best without trying to be; brilliant, with none of the pretentiousness people at the top of their profession sometimes emanate. Here is one wholehearted praise and endorsement for Chris and his artistic craft, performing daily miracles on people's heads.

Finding a good barber in DC is a tough undertaking, and it took me over a year. But once I found Ryan at Hell's Bottom, I knew my search had ended. He is incredibly detail-oriented and never rushes through a haircut or beard trim. And every time I have an appointment, I leave with a smile on my face. The whole staff is extremely friendly, and the classic barber shop atmosphere is a nice break from the hectic goings on of the city. I've been going to Hell's Bottom for a year now, and I absolutely love it. Yeah, it can be a little pricey compared to cuts in other cities, but the cost isn't at all bad for DC. Do you want it done cheap or do you want it done right? I'd gladly shell out a bit more to know that I'll be looking my best. Plus, first impressions are everything out here.

I've been getting a semi-monthly beard trim from Steve for about half a year now and I can't speak highly enough of his work (from what I've seen everyone else there does great work too). A true beardsmith if there ever was one. Top-notch skill with scissors aside, the Hell's Bottom staff are also extremely friendly and attentive to the needs of customers. I'll definitely continue my patronage and I strongly recommend Hell's Bottom to my bearded friends on a regular basis. I don't know why anyone would go anywhere else.

I have been getting my hair cut in the DC area for quite some time now and I have tried almost every top rated place between here and Baltimore. My haircuts have ranged from $12 to $70 and while I was mostly ok with them, I always found myself with the same hair cut no matter what I said (I'm looking at you Grooming Lounge!). Enter Hells Bottom. From my first interaction on the phone with them I was impressed. The lady was very professional and friendly when making my appointment and that always helps with the rest of the experience. 10am on a dreary Thursday I wandered up to the corner shop and headed in. The receptionists were, again, really friendly and helpful offering coffee, tea or water and then my barber came out. Most of the barbers have a fairly hipster look to them but the customers ranged from young guy looking for a hip cut to the older grey haired business man in a suit looking for a conservative cut. I was somewhere in the middle. John R. and I chatted about what I was looking for and where I wanted my haircut to go but in the end I really left it up to him to be creative. After the shampoo with a great scalp massage, I went back to my chair and John got to work. Sure we chatted but it wasn't forced conversation so if you want to just sit there in silence and relax with little interaction you can do that but if you want to chat a bit that seemed welcome as well. Anyway, after about 20 min I had a great hair style that I love. He definitely gave me a solid update to my looks. We talked about how to style and what to use and all that jazz. I was immediately happy walking out of there. When I get home, under my harsh bathroom lighting, is when I typically find the lack of attention and detail in the haircut and usually have to trim a but here and there to make things even (especially on the sides where, for some reason, nobody seems to be able to get a tight cut even. I usually get edges and ridges...). Not this time. My sides were perfectly shaved and faded. The next day, after I washed my hair and styled it again, I was relieved to find that the styling was easy to replicate. In short this is my go to place from now on. My hair cut was $60 and I was very happy with it. John R. did a great job and I would have no problem sending friends to him. Great place, great hair cut. These guys (and girls) are knocking it out of the park here. Oh, and their space is cool as hell. Even on a cold, wet and dreary morning in DC, the space and the staff made me feel warm again. Now if I could only sip scotch while getting my hair cut......

A really great haircut with professionals who take their trade seriously. The cut comes with a free clean up that goes beyond what you would expect from an ordinary clean up. Very much worth the price. My biggest complaint: they only offer you water, coffee, and a variety of teas. I would give this place a 6 out of 5 stars if they offered scotch or whiskey. We must unite in our petition of DC government to let Barber at Hell's bottom provide whiskey to their loyal patrons.

I've been going to Barber of Hell's Bottom and exclusively been attended to by Elsi for seven months and I can't see myself going anywhere else. While everyone there is extremely attentive and courteous, Elsi is simply a cut above. While I used to think that I knew the right way to handle haircut, I've since learned that I've been wrong for 29 years. Elsi set me on the right path and I wouldn't think for even a second to question her judgment. I let her know my overall thoughts and she executes in a way that improves on whatever it was I thought I wanted. Elsi is good at her job, but more importantly, she's just pleasant to have taking care of you. Can't go wrong with either Elsi or anyone else from the HB crew.

One of the best haircuts I've ever had. Arthur at their Church Street location is a major talent.

My overall impression is that this is a place for men designed by women. My hair cut was good. Nothing special. A solid good hair cut. It is what I am looking for, but for 60 dollars I felt that I did not get enough bang for my buck. There was nothing wrong with my experience, I just did not feel that I was provided a service nor an experience that justified the high price point. If this is place is supposed to cater exclusively to men, it should be more men oriented. Simple things like some Sports Illustrated, maybe some TVs on SportsCenter, some complementary beers would go a long way. Men's hair cuts are a fairly often required necessity whereas women's hair cut are closer to a luxury. This place should reflect this different perception if it wants to create a loyal costumer base. Being off the beaten path only reinforces the need for it to create a better identity. The place has potential, but it needs to men up. I hope that I can come back in the future and experience a changed shop.