The Barber Lounge

My previous review of this establishment was glowing and all positive. I had made this place my barber shop and went nowhere else. These guys are a hit and miss… this is what I have discovered. They are definitely way better than Clippers or a Supercuts sort of franchise but the results are still inconsistent. One of the things that is really frustrating about this place is that they only accept cash… so this basic convenience we all take for granted wont be available here and I’ve found myself having to walk about looking for an ATM and paying transaction fees… why can’t they just accept debit like everyone else?
My first few visits, the guys were friendly and we had conversations and it was a pleasant experience with what felt like a small neighborhood barber shop where all the guys probably know each other from high school days… it was pleasant. Then, one day I was sitting there and one of the barbers negative remark about Chinese drivers… I didnt want to make much of it but I felt it was a bit odd that it would be considered ok to say something like that.
Then one day I was getting a haircut and without getting into details, the guy cutting my hair made at least 3 comments towards me which I felt ranged from insensitive to down right stupid. I am not at all suggesting prejudice… I am merely trying to paint a picture of a group of guys who dont seem to have the good sense to speak and behave with customers in a certain way.
Then, on my last visit, I was waiting for my turn when a young Chinese man went before me. The barber in his case was the oldest guy they have and he seemed to be struggling to understand the buzz cut that the young man wanted. I noticed several times he kept rudely saying to the young man, «what do you want, I dont understand»…and by the way, the young man was speaking perfect english and must’ve been barely out of high school. After the young man’s haircut was 90% done, the barber asked if the customer thought it was ok and the young man told him that he wanted to trim his sides a little further to create a sort of line… whatever style choice. it was his choice… the barber looked at him and scowled and said, «No, I dont do that!»…I SIMPLY COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT I WAS SEEING/HEARING…not only was this barber incredibly rude to his customer, everyone else who worked there and heard/​saw this just ignored it and did nothing. Then the barber turned around and walked towards the cash register and was obviously bad mouthing this young man in his native Italian language to the other barbers who were all speaking italian. They chatted with each other and giggled, nobody apologized to the young man… nobody gave this young man the hair cut he wanted… they just brushed him off and that was it… it was time to pay and I noticed that he was very upset and took his complete change without leaving a tip.
I sat waiting for my turn and someone who was obviously a friend of the three barbers was getting his haircut from one of them. They were all joking and chatting in English and italian… it seemed like a cordial atmosphere where everyone was being friendly and having a good time. Then comes my turn… and I didnt even get a hello this time around. I sat down for my hair cut and the same barber who was a moment ago smiling and joking was now scowling and just cutting hair without any chit chat… this is the same guy who I had pleasant conversations with before but was rude to me the last few times. Unfortunately, he was the one that freed up first and I really didnt feel like waiting any longer so I went with him. He starts cutting my hair and does my side burns and asks me, «how’s this?»…I respond and tell him that I would like the sideburns to be straight rather than angled to which he angrily responds that he’s doing it by eye and doesnt have any special tools… I was a little shocked that he flowed so easily into rudeness and nobody else working in the barber shop even batted an eye. I responded…“hey…did I say something wrong… you asked me and I told you… so sorry if you didnt like my answer”…the remainder of the time he cut my hair was tense and uncomfortable with him scowling and not saying a word and me trying my best to ignore this guy and just get through this… I am never going back to this place again!
I highly recommend that, the owner, take a moment to think about whether he is ok with this kind of behavior. So far, it seems he is because he’s been there on most occasions and said nothing. I know for a fact that today at least two customers walked out of that establishment promising themselves never to enter again. I dont recommend that you give your money to this establishment… this kind of behavior is not ok and should be reprimanded, in the absence of which, the establishment itself has to be held responsible. Sorry Barber Shop… you get 1 star… I’d give you negative stars if I could!

I have only been here twice now, but love the place! Great haircuts for the right price of $ 19.

Amazing spot. Didn’t wait at all and got there at noon on Saturday. I’m from New York and will come here every weekend just for a haircut! Kidding, but great spot for sure anytime I’m here. 3 more experienced looking barbers. Didn’t care which one cut me. Got George the owner and he was great. Made conversation. Comfortable atmosphere. Phone was ringing as soon as he hung up. Highly recommended.

For the past 8 years I’ve stuck with the same hairstyle which is military style and it was this year that I’ve finally decided to change it up to a modern pompadour style. I’ve been to a few barbershops but none have the same feeling and professionalism as The Barber Lounge. I found this place from doing some research and decided to give it a try and this was my experience:
As I walk in, I was immediately greeted by George who’s station is the closest to the door. At first I thought wow this place is small with only three chairs, to some people that is a negative thing but to me it only means that all the barbers will get to know you better, whether he is cutting your hair or not. While I was waiting I did feel kind of out of place since it seemed like everyone was a regular customer, but I will soon realize that this is how they treat all their customers. The wait wasn’t long as it was near the end of their day.
I really had no one in particular so whoever was done, I would be next. I had Charlie to cut my hair. The first thing I warned was about how asian hair does not like to listen and it’s different. He reassured me that he has cut asian hair before especially when he was in Scarborough and I will be in good hands.
While I was getting my haircut, I got to know Charlie a lot more and George as well. The funny thing is it felt like they already knew me. Charlie corrected me and explained to me having shave 1 on the side is too short and 1.5 is much better. George took a stab of what I do as a career and came shockingly close and knew I take the GO train to work. The conversation was never a bore.
Charlie ended my haircut with a nice razor finish and I couldn’t be any more happy with his work. The haircut costed only $ 19 but since it was also Chinese New Year, I felt generous and paid $ 25. Honestly, you can’t find this kind of experience, environment and professionalism for this price.
I am glad to have given The Barber Lounge a chance and meet Charlie and George. Well done gents, I will definitely be visiting again!

George and crew are the best in the GTA. Great guys and lots of laughs. I moved 30 km away but still make the trek. They’re worth it.

Decided to try this place after passing by everyday for work. Best decision I’ve made in a long time. Tried many stylists before, most of them aren’t consistent.
I told George what I wanted and he nailed it every single visit.
It’s a small shop but everyone makes you feel at home, even clients.

I had honestly thought places like this had died off, the neighbourhood Barber shop had become a dinosaur in my mind, replaced by hair dressers and salons disguised as barber shops. After being turned down by a «barber shop» in disguise because I didn’t have an appointment I hit my Unilocal app and found this place, boy am I glad I did.
Walking into this cozy shop on Markham’s main street and hearing the buzz of people talking in conjunction with the snip snip of Barber’s shears immediately washed away the bad taste of the sterile, nuevo «barber shop» I previously mentioned. This place was seriously old school and I LOVED it.
The owner greeted me cheerily, figuring out they only took cash I asked him where the nearest bank was his response was «don’t worry, get it after! Besides I don’t want you to lose your spot! We trust you, just leave your shoes.» After a chuckle I knew I had found my new barber.
Having not cut my hair or shaved my beard in upwards of three months, it goes without saying that I was looking hobo-​tastic. I was seated in one of the three Barber chairs and an elderly Sicilian gentlemen named Sultana went to work with a precision and vigour that would make Edward Scissor hands green with envy. Soon I was looking clean and respectable, with a perfectly trimmed beard and short hair. My cut and beard trim cost me under $ 30 before tip.
Besides the excellent services, the atmosphere of this place is amazing. It’s truly a place for a man to come, get groomed and relax. It’s a place where you can discuss current events, sports, or politics without the hassle of your Twitter feed. It’s a testament to them that there was a lineup on a Thursday afternoon. I was glad to see people bringing their young sons here to pass on the tradition of a true barber just like my father had done with me. I for one will be back here frequently.
This place is simply a gem.

This place is a classic barber shop and the best cut in Markham. With three chairs it is a busy place full of locals. The Barber Lounge has great location in the heart of Main Street Markham and reasonable prices. Just ask for George who mans the chair closest to the front window.

I decided to check this our after a few positive reviews from Google Plus — I was very happy to visit and found myself a new regular barber shop.
This is classic barber shop with some modern touches like leather couches, flatscreen tv and newspapers/​magazines. When I popped in, it felt like more going to friends place — the owner and barbers were very friendly. I didn’t have much a wait and the barber paid alot of attention to the detail of my cut. In general, I got exactly what I wanted and the price was $ 17.
I definitely will return!