It's long, and gross

May 3, 2006 10:08 AM

Recommendationfilter: places to get a haircut in Toronto?

I desperately require a haircut! Any place in Toronto appropriate for a 20 year old? I'm willing to travel to the oft avoided land of "pretty expensive", if need be, but I'd rather not go anywhere that requires me to make an appointment. I'm flexible, though.

What say you, metafilter?

posted by Drunken_munky to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (15 answers total)

I generally find Salon Ray Daniel in Empress Walk (at North York Center subway station) to be useful when I need a haircut quickly. It's not horribly pricey for just a haircut, they'll usually take walk-ins and they do a good job.
posted by jacquilynne at 10:13 AM on May 3, 2006

At present, I go either to the little shop at West Side Mall (Eglinton east of Keele) or to the little shop at Trethewey and Jane. I walk in and they cut my hair for about $25 or $20, respectively, plus tip.

But there's no need for you to go to either of these specific places.

Here's my method for finding a good hairdresser:

Go to a lower-end mall — such as one with a Zellers or a Wal-Mart in it. If the mall's of any size, it will have a hairdresser's shop in it (please note: the shop should not be a First Choice or a Top Cuts or any such chain). This ensures that your haircut is inexpensive. Then make sure your hairdresser is over 30. This means she or he will have experience. I've never gotten a bad hair cut from following these rules.
posted by orange swan at 10:18 AM on May 3, 2006

I'm partial to the old-immigrant-guy barber shops. There used to be one on Yonge, south of St. Clair, on the west side. It's probably still there, but I haven't been by there in years. There's one on Roncevalles where it turns into Dundas, again on the west side and there's one on Bathurst at Richmond (on the west side... conspiracy?). I think there's one on Bloor/Kingsway, near the Brentwood library branch. They're all over the place. The haircuts are basic, good and usually under $20. I find them universally better than SuperCuts and the like. Just look for the short Italian or Portugese men who look to be about a million years old. If they're shaving the backs of other customers' necks with foam and a straigh razor, then you've found the right place.
posted by GuyZero at 11:01 AM on May 3, 2006

There used to be one on Yonge, south of St. Clair, on the west side.

Yup, Jack's is still there. About $20 for a men's hair cut. You don't mention if you're a lady of the female persuasion or a gentleman.
posted by Capn at 11:19 AM on May 3, 2006

Response by poster: Good point, capn!

I am, in fact, a dude
posted by Drunken_munky at 11:31 AM on May 3, 2006

Lots of guys seem to go to Civello, there are always at least two guys getting a cut whenever I go in. It's more expensive, but you'll get a very stylish (and young) cut & style. They have a few locations.
posted by nprigoda at 11:38 AM on May 3, 2006

Hair Sprung! A friend of mine is the proprietress and I highly recommend it.
posted by purephase at 11:47 AM on May 3, 2006

Toronto's pretty big, you know.

There's a barber shop called Tony and Nick's or Nick and Tony's, on College east of Ossington. They're the old immigrant guy barber shop mentioned in a previous post - Eye-talian. Fine barber shop, costs $12.

I usually go to a place in Kensington Market on Dundas. Chinese barbers, pretty decent, cost $4. You can tip 50% of the price of the haircut and it's still cheap. Since I have short hair and get it cut often, $4 is an attractive price. There are half a dozen barber shops in the same area, with prices ranging from $4 to $6, and your choice of language, either Chinese or Korean.
posted by jellicle at 12:14 PM on May 3, 2006

Best answer: I use Nicole at Shampoo on St. Andrew in Kensington. $32, if I remember correctly, but you need an appt. She doesn't work Sun or Monday. If you can get her on Tues, she's the only one working and she plays good tunes.
posted by dobbs at 12:18 PM on May 3, 2006

I'm partial to "Gus the Other Barber" on Bloor near Honest Ed's. If he's good enough for Ed Mirvisch, he's good enough for me!
posted by Robot Johnny at 12:28 PM on May 3, 2006

Sinardi Design, on the north side of Balliol (just south of Davisville and juuuust east of Yonge) is owned by a very friendly and entertaining guy named Nino. $24 for standard dude cut, taxes in. I've always been happy with him. Personality-wise, it's like getting your hair cut by a construction worker, but he's a pro. And did I mention entertaining?
posted by Idiot Mittens at 1:04 PM on May 3, 2006

Evoke, at Yonge and Eglinton (South East corner) is really, really nice.

They're not unreasonably priced (if you book with "new talent"), and extremely good. You should, however, make an appointment.

While you're there, look up at the apartments above Yonge and Eglinton Centre and wave. Or something.
posted by generichuman at 3:07 PM on May 3, 2006

My bf just got his hair done by a woman who works out of her house. Email me (my username atta gmail etc), and I'll zip you her info. She's fantastic, did a razor cut & colour, $60.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 7:35 PM on May 3, 2006

And if you want a cheap haircut that's still pretty good, there's a haircutting school on Yorkville called Marvel. I think it's $6. You don't need an appt but they have odd hours (close at 4 or something). All cutters are near the end of their training.
posted by dobbs at 10:49 PM on May 3, 2006

Response by poster: So, I ended up going down to Shampoo today. That place is pretty hip! I didn't use Nicole, though, because I forgot to ask. But anyway, good haircut. Dobbs, I owe you a beer, or something, if we ever do a Toronto meetup.

Thanks for all your recommendations guys. I really appreciate it.
posted by Drunken_munky at 11:16 AM on May 4, 2006