Clinton Street Barber Shop

Great haircut by junior barber. Then I asked for a shave and Serge did a fantastic job. Good prices too. I will def be coming back here again. The place was hopping on Saturday morning with a long line. With five chairs busy, line moved well.

I’ve really tried to like this place; I’ve been here three times, despite poor experiences. Unfortunately, whilst the people are very kind and the prices are good, they’re too fond of cutting hair. What I mean by that is that they will cut way more than you ask for. I’ve asked them to barely touch a portion of my hair — even showed them pictures — yet they will inevitably proceed to cut ²⁄₃ of it. Every time I came back I tried to be more explicit about not wanting them to cut a lot, but they appear to be hardwired with certain «styles,» of men’s hair and thus unable to follow the customer’s request. I’m on the lookout for a new spot.

The worst haircut I’ve ever got in New York. The guy who cut my hair cut my neck with the razor and I was bleeding. Save your money and go somewhere else.

Great service, great cuts, can call ahead and leave your name or come by to put your name on the list. Only $ 15, and service is beyond amazing.

This place is the BEST. We went there for my son’s haircut. He is only 3 so I am always nervous to get it cut somewhere new. But they did a wonderful job and are so kid friendly. Serge — who runs the shop — is incredible. Everyone there is really great. 5 stars! Look no further!

I switched to make this place my barber. There is a wait often, but they always make it comfortable. Today they had Starbucks coffee for the wait and good jokes going around. The price point is on par, I don’t like to pay too much for my haircut so this place is just right. Will be back often.

This was pretty much my first barber shop visit in the city and boy do they do things differently here. I am so used to just getting my haircut and then leaving. This place does more than just that.
The barber will ask you certain things on how you want your hair done because they want to cut it the way you want it, not what they think you want. The neck shave is done the old fashion way with cream and razor, not with the electric razor they used to cut your hair like every barber shop does that I’ve used. That was something new I’ve never experienced.
The barber also asked if I wanted a hot towel. I looked at him puzzled, «What’s that?». Did not expect it to be a nice head massage.
Now picture this: you get all of this of only $ 16 bucks! I’ll let you think about it and decide where you want to get a haircut.
I also came in at 8:00am when they just opened so I was able to get my haircut immediately.

More than just your neighborhood barber shop. Serge, as everyone else here has said, is indeed great. Great with kids and great with hair.

Frank’s the man.
I’m super picky about my haircuts and have had a hard time finding a spot since I moved here. I also tend to defer to the experts.
Sat down — told him to do whatever he thought was best. Came out with a haircut j can feel good about. Will definitely be back.
At $ 16, it was definitely a good value; but value isn’t all. I’ve had haircuts thatve cost nearly $ 150 (hotel spa) that I couldn’t wait to grow out.
Right on, guys !

This shop is seriously top of the line — I went at 2:00 on a tuesday and there were a few people there. Everyone was friendly, talkative and receptive to what I wanted done. Charged I think $ 16 with shave and I tipped $ 4.00. Great experience

This is easily the best barbershop I’ve ever been to. The cuts are solid, the atmosphere is friendly, and even when the lines are long (and they frequently are) the owner softens the blow with a coffee or a cold beer. I go out of my way to come here every 2 weeks and you should too. This is the «Cheers» of barbershops and one of my favorite parts of my neighborhood. Highly, highly recommended!

This is my go to spot.
Pros:
— haircuts are good
— affordable
— everyone is super nice
— point card!
— Serge will bust out coffee or pizza every now and then, occasionally wine and/​or vodka as well if the wait is long
Cons:
— the wait is usually around 45 minutes depending on when you go, just try to get there early
— it can be a bit cramped (didn’t use to be this way though, only recently since they’ve gotten so much more popular)

Serge is the best. Super nice always. Come for a shave and get a massage and super relaxing time. I would recommend this for a birthday present for guys or before a wedding.

Amazing place. They really take their time to make your haircut exactly what you want. The wait was 1+ hour but it was well worth it. Friendly, great service.

Just received what I can confidently say is the worst haircut of my life there.
The problem here is that the guy cutting your hair is extremely abrasive (very social as well) and ends up just cutting your hair the way he wants it. I wanted a different style, and specifically told him that I just wanted a simple hair cut where I could part my hair to the side, and he was just obsessed with me growing me hair out and slicking it back even though I told him I didn’t like that style. In the end, it turned out to be a mixture of what I wanted and some of what he wanted, which resulted in an absolute shitty hair cut that looks ridiculous. I am embarrassed to even walk around with it right now, it’s so bad, and I have several presentations coming up.
At the end of my hair cut session, I went to pay him for the haircut, and he told me that since the haircut is so bad, he won’t make me pay. Well, I’m glad we agree on something at least.
This hair cut experience aside, the owner will chat with customers for minutes on end while you’re sitting there with your hair half cut. He’s like half paying attention most of the time. I have seen customers sit there for up to 5 minutes because the owner’s friend came in and they just started chatting.

Great experience and good start to the day. I just dropped in on a Sunday morning and the place was busy but it all worked out and I felt incredibly impressed by the result.
Definitely coming back for a beard trip and shave next time I’m in NY

Never had a bad haircut from this place, which is probably why it’s always packed. I have two tips for that «problem»: I came in once on a Thrusday morning at about 8:15am (they open at 8:00am on weekdays) and there were two men in front of me, but the place was empty by about 9am. I have also come at about 10:30 — 11:00am on a weekday, just before the lunchtime crowd, and had a similar experience. Otherwise, be prepared to wait, but it’s well worth it. I’ve had my hair cut by each regular barber, and each one has been great. They listen to what you want, make you feel comfortable, and try to get you on your way as quickly as possible.
The hot towels and fresh neck shave are great touches, especially for a $ 16 haircut. If you live or work in the Downtown Brooklyn/​Brooklyn heights area, go to this place.

Went in today for the first time. I used to go to Elegant Barber Shop in the Slope but since moving here less than a month ago needed another high quality barber. After debating whether to go back to Elegant or try to find a new barber in the neighborhood I decided to try these guys out.
After descending the steps, I signed into their legal pad. About ten people were ahead of me so I made use of the iPhone. A few short planet money episodes later I was sign by one of the Russian ladies (she stands farthest away from the door).
Without much ado, she begins buzzing away. About 15 mins later it all looks decent. Nice razor work on the neck and fast scissor work on the top left me confidant she did an overall good job on the skull. The sides were even, length on top was appropriate and proportionate.
However, the attention to detail I received at Elegant was not met. I’m sure Elegant goes above and beyond but it was something I had come to expect. They even strategies ways so my hair wouldn’t stick out as much (my Mexican heritage leaves me with very straight hair!).
While the lady at Clinton wasn’t the most creative or detailed she got the job done.
Overall, 3.5 stars but will round up. They’re pleasant guys and gals with good attitudes. If I need a quick cut will come back again.

Where Sergei knows your name… It’s like the barber shop of old (or your favorite Cheers episode Russian style). All the barbers (male and female) are Russian. They always have the TV set to a game whether it be football, soccer, etc. Often, they have someone pickup desserts, beer, soda, or coffee and share with everyone waiting.
Here’s the trick:
Get there early or prepare for a wait. Whatever Sergei tells you, expect double the wait. However, it’s WORTH IT, people! Just plan ahead. Put your name on the sign in sheet and grab a card on the way out (the 10^th haircut is free).
Prices are great (around $ 16 plus tip) and they finish you off with a hot towel. Expect a great cut and an even better shave if you opt for that. While waiting, expect a lot of laughs as the crowd is always great. It gets crowded so take your cell phone chat outside, please.

Serge is my dude. He runs this fine establishment, and he runs it well.
There’s a lot of barber shops out there, and even more barbers, and as far as I can tell, Serge is one of a kind.
It’s not just because he’ll give you an excellent cut for a very reasonable $ 16…although he will. It’s not just because he remembers everyone that comes through his door… although he does. It’s not just because he’ll bullshit with you and make you comfortable however he can (including offering up a bit of alcohol) because he’s just a welcoming type of guy… although he is.
It’s because he actually, truly wants you to be happy with your haircut.
A lot of barbers want you to be happy in the sense that they want your business, and don’t want you badmouthing them out there to the Unilocal masses.* But whenever he cuts my hair, it seems like Serge cares more about it than I do.** He cares that it’s going to grow in and still look good. He cares that I think it looks good. And even after I give him the OK and I’m ready to leave, he’ll come back in for a few snips just to make it perfect. I bet if I came back in a month and told him I wasn’t happy with it, he’d shape me up for free.
Also, I appreciate the excellent air conditioning, the returning customer card, the complimentary neck shave and of course the hot towel to finish it all off. It’s the little things that count, and Serge does them all right.
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*I would never do this.
**This might be because I’ve given up on looking good long ago.