Public Barber Salon

Stopped in for a neck trim and found out that this place is great! My stylist Emily was very friendly and professional, quite pleasant and quite skilled, very pleased with her work! The receptionist was also very welcoming, and very attentive to my needs and flexibility. After no availability Friday evening she called me on Saturday morning and I was booked for an hour later! I greatly appreciated the overall efficiency and demeanor of the team. The shop itself is amazing, with tall book cases and indoor vines creating a wonderful setting for a haircut. Lastly, an old school Pepsi machine that dispenses Hamm’s. Now that is brilliant. I will most certainly be back for my next haircut.

I found this gem via Unilocal and was pleasantly surprised by my evening spent there! Melina was extremely Awesome! She was attentive and really did an amazing job! Super stoked about my hair cut. I have wavy/​curly hair and literally had a about 14 inches cut off into a great short hair do! Thank you Melina! Your awesome! I’ll be back!

Here two of my favorite things have come together; books, & getting my hair done.
I don’t like to use the word hipster. It is way too overused, & the word has developed a stigma, which I don’t understand. By definition, hipster means «a person who is stylish, trendy, or progressive in an unconventional way.» First of all, what’s so wrong w being stylish or trendy, in any way? And, second of all, what exactly is progressive or unconventional about any of it? Tats, piercings, shocking hair color & cuts… haven’t they all become the norm? Even standard? And since what used to be unconventional has become totally conventional, doesn’t that translate to being… not hipster?
So, I won’t call this salon hipster.
I will call it cool.
This salon is very cool.
I had an appointment for root coverage w full highlights. I met Bridgette & she sat me down, heard me out, & gave me her thoughts. She explained that I didn’t need full highlights, that partial highlights would work great until my next visit. Didn’t up sell me? Props. Bridgette was concerned about preserving the health & integrity of my hair. Props.
When shampoo time came around, well, let me just say that she is an angel at the sink. She massaged my scalp so well that I thought I must be mistakenly getting an upgraded service. Love.
I opted for a moisture treatment, which is imperative for me after years of processed color. While it took a bit longer than I anticipated, I left this salon w beautiful, bouncy hair w gorgeous highlights. A woman that saw me down the street a few minutes later told me that my «hair just looks amazing.»
The best part though? It didn’t break the bank.
The books came from a library that was closing in San Diego. It’s like the owner saved a library collection.
Rescued literature.
Bumble & Bumble products.
Bomb stylists.
Zero pretension.
See? This salon is cool.
5 stars.

Bridgette is the best. She has been cutting my hair for over a year now and does an awesome job. She was able to dial in my style quickly and consistently kills it.
The whole crew here is super friendly and the online appoints make scheduling a breeze.
$ 40 for a guys cut (plus a beer or bourbon) seems to be the going rate these days in SF, but your money is well spent here. Highly recommend.

I made my appointment after a friend suggested this place to me, but I honestly was under the impression that it was more of a gentlemen’s salon. I was happy to hear they are able to accommodate women’s cuts as well. My hair is pretty ragged and I’m horrible at upkeep so this haircut was LONG overdue. I’m always sure to mention when I make appointments over the phone that I need a stylist that’s good with long hair.
Incredibly cool atmosphere, and as all the reviews say they offer you a canned beer pretty much as soon as you walk in the door. I met with my stylist and I was a little bit wary because she was quite young… I explained the look I was going for and I’m pretty sure she understood it and I didn’t feel the need to pull up any reference photos based on our initial consultation. I basically said Khloe K, long A-​long bob but not so blunt please for the love of god don’t leave any ends bluntly cut. I just wanted it to be slightly longer in length in the front and long layers all over. We went in for a wash and that went just fine. But when she finally started to cut my hair it was over before I realized it. She probably cut 5 inches off and it literally only took her like 10 minutes MAX, which was really startling to me. My hair originally fell past the middle of my back and for her to be so quick about it didn’t make me feel so comfortable. I’ve lived with this cut for about two and a half weeks now and I’m still not sure I’m loving the speediness of her cut. I like it, but I have noticed some blunt ends towards the back of my hair which is what I specifically said I didn’t want :(
I would return for sure, but maybe just see a different stylist? The price point and the experience of the salon make it worth the visit. They do push products on you pretty hard in the end and I did cave and purchase them but it would be nice if they didn’t do that I guess. I go in to a salon wanting to relax, and maybe have a nice chat and it sucks when they end the experience with the pushy sales pitch… maybe I’ll be back, if I hear them employing some stylists with better experience cutting and styling long women’s hair…

I got great haircuts at the Geary location but wasn’t as happy with my cuts at the North Beach location.

Great place. Not too expensive. Cool place, first time I have gotten offered beer while getting a haircut.

Have had consistently great services here! I’ve bopped around to differently stylists, and really they’ve all been great. The manager knows how to hire!
Lovely and stylish atmosphere. And the prices don’t get any better than this. A gem in this city.

This place WAS great!
Its unfortunate that the previous stylists and colorists were not treated fairly and left because the people here NOW… Horrible. I am now following my other girl to her new salon (will not disclose her name here).
Ariel cut my hair dry. She told me what I asked for could not be done mean while the stylist no longer at Public used to do it for me ALL THE TIME. She also recommended and performed a treatment for my hair, and DID NOT tell me it would cost extra. She was also pushy about the products they sell. She made me stand up (?) and cut my hair like that… Questionable. She was a nice girl and bet she meant well but really not happy with her service…
I did not ask her to dix anything because she was just going to make it even worse. My hair is uneven, not what I asked for and greasy because of this MENDING mask she put on my hair.
I have never paid more than $ 40 + tip at this salon and with this bad experience I ended up paying $ 25 more!!!
Go somewhere else, it’ll be WORTH your money there! Sorry, Public, you lost a great crew!
Ps. The long time Manager there (with the Dog) is awesome, always! I believe she does mens cuts! Check her out :)

Pros:
1) super convenient location for me
2) a beer while waiting is super cool
3) décor and staff are pretty cool
4) Amy does a great job every time!
Cons:
1 and only: it’s more expensive than your «typical» barber and they recently raised rates (guys $ 40 before tip), but you can come here knowing you won’t get «butchered» and walk out with a great haircut every time. So, ditch your cheap barber and come here… I did 3 years ago and haven’t looked back.

1. Super hipster salon… I was pretty early to my appointment, but being surrounded by books, 90s Hip Hop, and offered libations by the friendly receptionist made me not mind my wait time at allll
2. Audrey was awesome. Not much of a talker, but listened to exactly what I wanted and gave solid advice when I had questions about my hair. And I really appreciated her patience for blowin out and tryin to tame my fro – the struggle is so real sometimes, but she was a really good sport about it.
3. Shampoo wash + cut + blowout/​style for $ 60? Not bad, in my opinion!

I had a great experience at Public Barber Salon earlier today from start to finish.
The receptionist Colette was super friendly.
I was way overdue for a new ‘do and wanted to change it up. I had my hair highlighted and cut. Jenny did a great job! She understood what I wanted and was spot on with the pictures I showed her and what we discussed.
I love my highlights! So far the cut looks and feels good. I have very curly hair so I usually have to give a new cut a few days.
I love the location, look, vibe and music in that spot. I was there for a while, I had water and decided to have a beer that they offered, that hit the spot while I sat under the dryer.
Overall thumbs up! Thanks Jenny.

I’m still extremely happy with Public. My hair looks great and I am SO HAPPY that online booking is a thing there now.
The prices have gone up slightly, but the quality of products and staff is still top notch.

My dad and I would always go to the barber once a month on an early Saturday morning. Always made it routine. After he passed away, I kind of stopped going. Then, when I turned 20, I decided to buy myself a pair of clippers, and shave my own head. For 11 years, I had not seen a barber.
I woke up today with some bad bedhead. I knew with the holidays coming up, I should probably get that taken care of. Well, staying in a hotel, I did not have my clippers. I whipped up the Unilocal app, and I found this place. At first, I was trying to go to the location on Geary, but the area was a fucking madhouse. I didn’t realize it was that close to Union Square. There were as many pedestrians as there were idiot drivers. So I saw there was another location, and headed up Grant. it was the first time I saw Chinatown in the daytime. I am surprised I did not run anyone over.
I finally saw the Grant Ave location, but realized parking would be an issue. But, I made it a point to get a haircut, dammit. I drove up the hill on Filbert (best chance for parking) and then back down another hill (I think the down hill was Kearny). I then took another loop. Thankfully, I found a spot back down on Kearny. I was driving an Impala, mind you. I am shocked I didn’t blow out the engine backing into the spot, but I somehow managed to make it, and also without hitting anything or anyone! I then walked down the street and headed inside.
The place looked unlike any barber shop I have ever been to. The walls were lined with hair care products and books. I was greeted by a little terrier and a friendly hostess. She asked me name, I told her I was a walk-​in. She said they were booked, but to wait a minute. She offered me a beer, I figured what the hell, why not. It was like noon.
I sat few a minutes and I was introduced to Chauntae, she told me she could squeeze me in. I was forever grateful, especially after the effort I just took to park my car. I told her to just take it all off– I like to keep it easy! She was very friendly. She gave me a fresh cut buzz, trimmed my eyebrows (that has NEVER happened to me before!) washed and rinsed my hair, shaved my neck line, and then put oil on the top of my head. Whatever she put on me, it smelled so good, it was kind of making me hungry!
I was presented with a mirror, and I gave my nod of approval. I then proceeded to thank her profusely. The total was $ 20, I gave Chauntae a $ 20 and the cashier a $ 20 (the cut was $ 20). I knew it was the holidays and they saved mine, and honestly, I didn’t know what to tip barbers. I mean it’s not like I ever had a shave, a wash, a neck shave, and oil put on my head before. AND my eyebrows trimmed? I didn’t even know that they did that to guys? Hell, I guess there is a first time for everything!
I told them I will have to make this a monthly habit– since I will be in town for an extended period! I cannot wait to come back! Thank you again for being so accommodating to a grungy out of towner!

I rarely write review but I’m sure as hell goin to make one for this wonderful place. Words cannot even begin to explain how great this place is. I heard about this place from a cousin that is a loyal customer mind you her hair is gorgeous. At the same time my cowowrker has beautiful hair and when I finally asked her where she gets her hair done she said «Public» I finally decided to make an appointment to check it out
Notthing but miracles happen here I’ve been here various times for my hair and other times for my sister’s appointments.
Lets get down to the good stuff:
The lovely Bridget Kuhn did a balayage on my hair and killed it she blessed my head with godly color, I’m slowly but surely goin blondish (mind you my skin tone is darker so it’s hard to find someone who can blend your hair with the undertones of your skin but she did) I got great service and a wonderful hair style
Now, Chauntae is amazing that girl works her ass off and is soo great when it come to mixups. I am very picky and very low on patience so to have a place where I can relax is just amazing. l have no regrets and will be a customer for more hair years to come!
Thank you Public!

Receptionist was on point friendly and offered me a water or beer when I checked in. And she didn’t make fun of me for choosing a water.
Audrey cut my hair and in the subsequent week I have received more compliments than on any previous haircut in my life. I have even been told my hair matches my personality better!
I will return!

I had another great haircut with my favorite hair gal, Kelli! Aside from the awesome samples she gave me to try at home, I was super happy and impressed with how quickly I was in and out of the salon — we ended up having a little extra time at the end of my appointment where I asked Kelli to trim another inch off my hair and she did an excellent job of executing the extra trim before her next appointment. She was super sweet as always and I’ll be back again soon.

I kind of just want to hang out here. Not in a creepy way, but… you know. Well, maybe you don’t, so let me clarify:
1) Complimentary beer while you wait!
2) Everyone who works here is way cooler than me, but in a friendly, approachable kind of way!
3) Very ‘un-​San Francisco’ prices for very ‘un-​Super Cuts’ results.
I wish that Public Barber Salon could correct all the mistakes I’ve made in the last year, but I’m grateful to them for at least redeeming all my cumulative haircut blunders in under 45 minutes.

I judge a hair salon by the following 3 things:
1. Judge by the stylist, not the store.
2. Judge the haircut on how it grows out (usually after the 3^rd day), not right after.
3. Judge your stylist on how well they follow instructions on what TO do and what NOT do.
I’ve tried a number of shops around SF (People’s, Supercuts, Elite) and I have to say my favorite is Manee. Manee gets the 5 stars. For an asian guy in his early 30s, I usually go for the fade. As simple as this sounds, it is hard to do well, especially for asian hair. I’m particularly picky about my fades as I don’t like it super high nor super low. And trust me, you only become this picky when you’ve experienced a number of bad haircuts yourself and you learn that it’s equally important to tell your stylist what TO do and WHAT NOT to do. Look at my review for Follicle Hair Salon for context.
For myself I don’t like hard lines, I don’t like my arch around my ear to be too high, I don’t like the shearing, and I don’t like my fade hella high or hella low. These are all things a stylist would naturally do if I didn’t tell them otherwise. Trust me, sometimes the style forgets. Manee is an expert at following directions and has hit every note perfectly and consistently.
I’m reluctant to post this review, as Manee is hard to book, but I feel that his work is well deserved and deserves a Public praise :).

Best barbershop I’ve been to in NorCal. I’ve walked in and gotten a cut. But I usually make a reservation as I have been turned away due to other patrons.
Now I have a curly-​ass head o’ hair and it usually poses an issue for the amateur. So, I typically just get a buzz cut. But, I let the front desk women know about my trials and tribulations and she had Jenny cut my hair.
Jenny was super cool and very competent. My head of hair looks like a million bucks and it didn’t break the bank!
Thank you Public and Jenny.