These new hair cutteries offer more than the ol’ shave-and-a-haircut.
Floyd’s 99
316 Club Barber Spa —— One observer called the 316 Club Barber Spa in Chicago “the Cadillac of haircuts inside a boys-only, Rat Pack-esque paradise.” This men’s barber club, in the heart of the Windy City’s financial district, is a masculine oasis from the cares of the dog-eat-dog world of Big Money. Here, patrons can relax in a Vegas-style atmosphere of manly bonhomie while getting a traditional trim and shave, man-style mani-pedi, and face treatment, topped off with a hot towel and a shoe shine. Need a soothing bevvy to help you relax? Not a problem. Just order at the bar and have a seat near the fireplace. How about a game of pool? Rack ‘em! The 316 is the only high-end men’s styling salon that we have ever heard of that has its own pool table—quarters not required. The 316 Club Barber Spa takes walk-ins any time, but also offers flat-price, yearly membership packages that allow you unlimited access. Memberships start at $650 per year. Sign us up. 175 West Jackson, Chicago, 316barberspa.com
Text Michael Mattis
Floyd’s 99 —— What do you think when you hear “shave and a haircut?” If not “two bits,” then probably a couple of old guys hanging out at the local barber shop while their wives get treated at the local beauty parlor. Times have changed and so have barbershops. One establishment in particular is Floyd’s 99. Since 2001, brothers Paul, Rob, and Bill O’Brien have been changing the way we think about traditional barbershops. When they first opened their doors in Denver, their initial thought was to open a place that catered to both men and women, offer a great haircut for a reasonable price, and have a lot of fun in the process. Eight years later, they have locations in Colorado, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The moment you enter a Floyd’s 99, you can see by the décor that they keep the old tradition alive, but with an edgy, modern twist. There’s the famous rock ’n’ roll poster wall, with music to go along with it, stainless counters, and a shampoo bowl at each station. Services include a hot lather neck shave offered for men and a relaxing shoulder massage. The stylists/barbers are just as unique and hip as the place, each with his or her own individual style. With Internet stations, plasma TVs and walk-in service, who’d ever want to leave?
www.floydsbarbershop.com
Text Natalie Shirinian
The Barber Lounge —— Closet metrosexuals, rejoice! You are no longer confined to the corner recliner at the manicurist and need not resign yourselves to undercover operations to maintain your manes. Evoking a mod sensibility with an urban twist, The Barber Lounge in SF’s SOMA district has resurrected the barbershop of yore while offering services once exclusive to salons of the snooty variety—with nary a barbershop quartet in sight. Offering quality coiffure to both guys and dolls, the concept of the salon/barbershop/spa was developed by owner Greg Griffin, who thought to marry masculine and feminine salon experiences. Crops, crimps, shaves and shellacking abound at the urban digs, as well as visual displays of local artistry. This month, the salon hosts its Second Annual Anniversary and Art Event, where the works of eleven of San Francisco’s brightest young artists will be shown and sold, and will continue to decorate the walls for four months. The bright and airy wood-and-stainless-steel aesthetic is the ideal mascu-femme environment in which both sexes can enjoy their respective treatments. Ladies can be spray-tanned and spackled by trained aestheticians, while gentlemen can get trimmed by master barbers. The nail care services offered blend exotic and therapeutic treatments to create a unique pampering experience for both established and new clientele. Voted “Best Massage” and “Best manicure and Pedicure” of 2008 in San Francisco Weekly’s annual Readers Poll, the numbers don’t lie. With the cool and quirky collection of styling staff and plethora of pamperers, a sense of entitlement is not necessary to enjoy everything The Barber Lounge offers. 854 Folsom St., San Francisco, www.barberlounge.com
Text Gareen Darakjian