Need a barbershop on Chicago's north side

January 19, 2007 7:51 AM

As a black man living in a predominantly white area of Chicago (Wrigleyville / Lakeview) I have a hard time finding a place to get my hair cut. So I have to make a biweekly commute to the other side of town which is wildly inconvenient. Any suggestions for establishments on the north side?

Chicago is a strangely segregated city as the division is purely voluntary. In the neighborhood where I live (west of Wrigley Field), it is rare to see another black face. It's statistically bizarre, but mostly free of consequence except when I want to get my hair cut and styled correctly.

If you're unfamiliar with the operations of a black barbershop, I somewhat suggest the movie Barbershop. While it's obviously over the top, it does show the sort of stylistic insights and specialized talents a black barber possesses. Supercuts won't do.

posted by mjbraun to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (9 answers total)

There has got to be a black barbershop in Uptown. I would just drive up there and look around Broadway and Wilson.
posted by sulaine at 7:56 AM on January 19, 2007

I used to get my hair cut at Milios, which is conveniently located next to the Belmont Stop on the Red Line. They aren't a barbershop, but the staff is extremely talented. Haircuts will cost you $20-40, call ahead if you're concerned about the price or to find out if any of they have anyone who specializes in what you're looking for. If all else fails, I'm pretty sure they'd be happy to refer you to a barbershop in your area.
posted by onalark at 8:06 AM on January 19, 2007

Devanchan and Ouidad are two places in NYC which specialize in curly hair--all the way from African American to Medusa ringlets--you might try getting in touch with them and see if they can recommend a place in Chicago.
posted by brujita at 8:12 AM on January 19, 2007

IANABM, but I would echo that there have to be at least a couple places in Uptown. Also, I know of a traditional black barbershop on Howard Street just west of Ridge (close to the Fish Keg and across the street from the Dairy Queen).
posted by j-dawg at 8:48 AM on January 19, 2007

brujita's idea sounds crazy but I think it has a chance -- my (black) uncle actually got a recommendation for a barbershop in a different city once. They weren't as far as New York and Chicago, but who knows.
posted by danb at 8:56 AM on January 19, 2007

This is way far away, but in Evanston on the northwest corner of Church Street and Dodge I seem to remember a barber shop which could have been the set for the movie. No idea of the name, sorry. It's just north of Evanston Township High School, on Church.

While you're up there, make a night of it and try one of Evanston's zillions of great restaurants. How I miss my days in Evanston.
posted by orangemiles at 9:28 AM on January 19, 2007

Orangemiles, you're talking about the Church Street Barbershop in Evanston. (I go past it everyday on the bus.) And in googling it I found this Northwestern student article about it from '04.
posted by limeswirltart at 10:10 AM on January 19, 2007

IANABM (nor do I live in Chicago any longer), but I also vote for Uptown (hopefully all the barbershops haven't been gentrified out of there since I left 6 years ago -- if so, maybe Rogers Park?). I seem to recall a traditional black barbershop right next to either the Wilson or the Lawrence el stop.
posted by scody at 11:49 AM on January 19, 2007

If you work in the Loop, there has to be one there. I haven't lived in Chicago in 6 years, but I seem to recall one on Broadway near Diversey (just North)
posted by JohnnyGunn at 1:33 PM on January 19, 2007