Sunset Barber Service

A 20 $ haircut is what you get here. So I can’t say I was expecting too much, but I do have to say if I gave a kindergartner 1 $ my cut might have been better and more thought out.

I went into Sunset Barber Service early Saturday morning in order to beat the crowd. The place was empty and as I expected Jay to walk out, a very kind older gentleman appeared and told me to grab the open barber seat. Turns out, it was Jay’s Dad who was the previous owner of the place and was in town visiting for the holiday. Man, he gave me the best haircut! Jay has spectacularly cut my hair before; I know where he gets his skill! Cool place — go early and beat the crowd.

Worth the wait. Went on a Saturday morning and waited about an hour (4 people ahead of me). Great conversation and a great haircut.

Hands down my favorite barber shop in SF.
What makes this my favorite barbershop is simply because of Jay, very polite barber, always comes through never disappoints.

Jay is a fantastic barber and I think he gives the best haircut in the City. His price is inexpensive as well. Testament to his terrific haircuts and reasonable price is the long wait… if people are willing to wait, it’s for a good reason.

Jay is the man.

As a balding man, I’m rather… sensitive about what few remaining strands of hair. Each hair cut becomes a potential moment of trauma: Will this be my last ever (I wonder)? Can my hair possibly look worse than it already does? Is my barber the type that specializes in amputations, gallstone removal, or making meat pies? Fortunately, most modern barbers don’t follow in the footsteps of the barber-​chirurgeons of the Middle Ages (although their poles descend from pieces of wood wrapped with blood soaked rags), and I’ve learned not to visit stylists named Sweeny Todd who work on Fleet Street, but although the potential for injury is low in modern barbering, the potential for trauma remains high.
The Sunset Barber Service offers is basic barbering for the working-​class man (or woman), two things that are disappearing from San Francisco than hair from my forehead. Although the well-​coiffed proprietor doesn’t run nearly as hipsterlicious a shop as many of the young and audacious stylists in the Mission, and you’ll not be served a free shot here, you do get a high-​quality haircut for an incredibly low price (20 $). Although patrons are served as they arrive, I’ve never waited for more than 30 minutes. The owner, Jay, and his father are great guys who are willing to offer up both small-​talk if needed, or silence if one is grouchy, terrified, or hungover. These guys do great work.
The finest testimony to Jay’s talents I can give is that I find myself getting compliments on my appearance whenever I get a haircut from the Sunset Barber Service. That alone makes his work (or maybe the shape of my head) worth five stars.

Great place! Been going to Jay for a few years now. Does a great job and always enjoyable to chat with him.

Today was my second time here. Came again coz I liked my haircut on my first visit. Today I came, didn’t really know what I wanted with my hair, just told Jay to make it short, and then he started working on it. Really nice talking with him, and really nice to hear how he always spend his Monday with his family, especially his kids. My hair was nicely done, totally new style I’ve ever had. I almost had my hair cut at campus, but I was so glad I came to Jay!

Usually a very long wait and the dude that owns the place is less than friendly to new faces. Haircut was rushed, didn’t really take the time or give me chance to say what I was looking for.

I really wanted to like this place, after failing to get last minute reservations at other competing SF barber shops. This place takes a no nonsense approach to first come first serve reservations. I was looking for a smart haircut, and a barber that would at least take some effort for a clean cut.
I read the many reviews here on Unilocal and thought, «hey, a 4 star place really can’t go wrong. At least they would try and do right, with service at hand. Especially a barbershop in a competitve market. Some reviewers say best barber ever?»
I arrived today Friday at 4pm, with four customers in front of me and the barber. Of course, I know Fridays are going to be popular, everyone trying to get a hard start on the weekend (and this should be old news to any barbershop). I started sensing after I walk in that the barber would really like the amount of patrons to start slowing down.. .as he gives a brief sigh of worry.
So after waiting an hour, I explain to the barber what I like. Pretty simple standard stuff, a fade on the side and back and a trim on the top. So he starts plowing my head and it was one of the fastest fades I had ever experienced. This was my first time getting a cut here, and not once does he pause to say, want it shorter? Is this fine? No he did not «read my mind» like another reviewer suggested. After just a minute after he starts, i say to myself there goes that smart haircut look.
I felt like a sheep, just getting my hair shaved down. During the cut, he pauses and starts playing text message on his phone. Now, I understand if business is light and your customers weren’t waiting long but here I am after waiting an hour and the barber starts to text. I am a pretty patient person, but when he does not take patience on my haircut and rather spend time texting (with 4 other customers waiting after me) — that’s when I don’t think the hype is worth it.
While trimming the top, he just uses clippers with a comb. Doesn’t even stop to use shears to trim the top it out evenly. I was baffled. It was like zero $ucks were given.
I paid the $ 20 and jetted. Luckily, hair grows back but unfortunately my visits here will be bald. Next weekend I will be going elsewhere to get the cut trimmed out evenly. Damn, my bad.

I found barber shop on Unilocal and brought my 92 year old farher in for a haircut. He took his time and did fantastic job on my father best i have seen him look in recent years. My dad smiled afterwards and said I look great I feel 60 years old. Lots of laughs

I am very happy with my hair cut and I will be coming back!

It’s hard to find a good consistent barber, but Jay is one of them! One of the best! A friend of mine recommended me to come here about a year ago and have been coming here ever since! No need to pay $ 50 for a hair cut at a salon. Just come here. You won’t regret it. His dad also cuts my hair and just as good!
Great vibes, chill atmosphere, great company and an awesome haircut!

Great haircut, great price and quick.
By far the best and most consistent quality haircut around.
This place is what a barber shop should be… yes you may have to wait, yes the owners don’t coddle and hug you… and yes, you’re going you’re going to get a high quality haircut.
The people who complain about this place can go back to Great Clips… There are plenty of us who love to come here.

I just was in to this place for the first time and the barber had about 4 people waiting in the place. I wasn’t approached or even greeted. He just pointed to a free seat. I asked him how long the wait was and he said about an hour. So I asked him if I could come back later. «Sorry first come first serve basis». Okay? So I’m supposed to wait one hour and don’t even get an offer to schedule another time? I’m outta here. (Looking at the other reviews he seem to give good haircuts but with that service he’s not having me as a customer.)

GREAT and FAST haircut. He gave me suggestions on what will look better instead of just cuting the hair and and hoping for a good outcome (like all the other barbers I’ve been to in SF). Will definitely come back!

A strong haircut, FAST, for a good price, and with a loyal following.

This place is great. Jay is such a solid guy, too. I can always count on a good haircut here. In fact, it’s the only place that my wife fully endorses. What’s more is that it’s a super friendly, laid back environment. Even if there’s a wait, you can plop into the massage chair and crack open a sports mag or a cigar aficionado’s guide. Bottom line: you’ll leave happy and looking classy. This place is a gem. I’ll miss it whenever I move.

I went back after being away for a long while and having a few mishaps from my regular guys. The cut was good, very simple and nothing to write home about. As I was driving away and double, triple checking my cut in the rear view mirror as I always do, it hit me. This is a place to get a haircut. It’s not the place to get the bald fade, lines in the side of your head or even crazy designs. It’s a barber shop where you get a simple cut that’s good and makes you look good.
I often fluctuate between looks. Currently the hair is way too shaggy and it’s time to get back to the bald feezy, but when I am just looking for a simple cut, I will be right back here with our boy Jay.