Amplify Barber Shop

I got my hair cut by Eli and he was rather creepy. He kept winking at me, asking me where I lived, and telling me to pout so he could wipe hair off my face, like dude, there’s no hair on the inside of my lips. C’mon. He didn’t listen to what length I wanted my hair buzzed (#3) and instead went down to a #1 or something. When I was paying he tried to go in for a hug so I dodged that, paid, and bounced like a bat out of hell.

Eli has been cutting my sons hair for the last two years. Eli is very confident with his ability to cut hair. Rightfully so! Eli can keep it long or take it short. He is flat out good at cutting hair. Eli can brighten your day with his outgoing personality. Tough to find a consistent barber these days. Eli is the one!

Great haircuts! Whole family rolls with Eli. Very very fast. In and out… short waits. Awesome barber.

I’ve been going to Amplify Barbershop for almost 6 years now. This review has taken me a long time to write.
I love Alan, Eli, and the others guys/​gals who have cut my hair at Amplify over the years. I’ve had a lot of laughs, been in some delightfully awkward circumstances, and really felt like I was a valued regular.
But after a lot of consideration, I can’t say I’ll be coming back. This is for one big reason:
The guys who work here regularly disrespect women both in private and through cat-​calling/​leering from inside and outside the barbershop. I can’t stand this sort of behavior, and though I admit my own complicity by not actively stopping it, I *can* have an impact by writing this review, sharing it on Facebook, and bringing my business elsewhere.
Sorry, Alan and crew, but you’ve gotta clean up your act. If you can’t treat women with respect, how can I respect you and your business?

This barber shop is not only close to my house but the barbers are wonderful. The prices are reasonable, the wait is never too long and they care about doing a great job for you. There are a lot of choices for men’s hair these days. Choose amplify and you should be very happy. If you are not, just tell them and they will make it right.

My sister took her two in a half year old here for his first haircut, and the owner’s wife, the pretty red head, was great. I was with them since I was visiting from LA, and she was super gentle and sweet with him. She and her husband took a lot of care with him (he did have a lot of hair) and they made him look like a mini model. I love that they entertained him with the fun car chair and gave him things to look at so he wouldn’t be too fussy. His parents love the cut and will be taking him back!

Eli is a master with scissors. I came in with a vague idea of what I wanted. Something not too trendy, but interesting. Man, he started snipping away and by 5 min in had me a great haircut. After 10 more min of cleaning it up and getting all the details, couldn’t have been happier with what I got. All for 24. So I tipped the man well, as should you if you like what you get. Cause by the time I was done 3 dude were already in line for Eli’s cut

Had not been here in a while. There were three available barbers and I had William for a Straight Razor Head Shave. He did a great job and I walked out feeling like a new man. Kudo’s for getting the stray hairs on my ears and shaping up my eyebrows. Great Job Amplify!

Walked right in and seated right away. Everyone is super friendly and seem to enjoy working together. They created a very warm atmosphere, but perhaps a bit too friendly… the barber asked my boyfriend questions about his life (where he works, how much he pays for rent) and had some personal comments about his own life which were slightly TMI. My boyfriend really prefers to not talk much during his haircuts, and the barber did not sense this from him. He was not super impressed with his $ 24 haircut, but, as he said, «it is shorter,» so 4 stars. Just be prepared to divulge all your life’s secrets!

Got a haircut from Sonam after walking in on a whim while wandering down Telegraph. He was really meticulous and gave me a lot more attention than I’d normally get at a barber shop. He gave me a pretty dope beard trim too that was quick and painless. Definitely coming back. Great vibe in there.

Good haircut and the staff is pretty friendly (though they might give you a hard time, it’s all in good fun). I got an undercut here last time and the owner took a moment to make sure everything was lined up right. I definitely appreciate that sort of attention to detail.

Got a great cut from Sonam. Very clean, really nice fade, and did just enough to the top to make it look clean and styled but not too short. Paid very close attention detail and was also a nice, funny guy. Would recommend him and Amplify to any guy looking for a fresh, clean cut!

Went on a Friday and was sent to the basement part of the shop just across from café 3. I went in and there was just one barber, Eli. He greeted me very enthusiastically and was all around a nice barber. He suggested a haircut, of which I was skeptical at first, but in the end I came to really like it when it was all done. I would really recommend going on a Friday to the basement area because that is the only day he is there. I know I will be going back.

Sonam gave me a fresh cut and I thank him for that. He’s relatively new to the team but a real nice guy and good with the clippers as well as the scissors. I think people who leave bad reviews here have the wrong expectation of a barbershop. Most barbers don’t even use scissors anymore. They’re not going to spend an hour on your hair here. If that’s what you expect take yourself somewhere else where you can pay for more time in the seat and stop whining. It’s a college barbershop… and happens to be pretty cool

Eli does a great Job! Total pro! Haircut and/​or old school straight edge razor shave. Always has a great attitude. Keeps it light and enjoyable, but always professional! Alan and the gals are great too.
I’ll be back!

Worst experience. Ever. Stay away from this place as the positive reviews are VERY misleading. I went to the barber just to wait for my boyfriend — my mistake to even suggest this place based on the reviews we saw on Unilocal and Google.
I already had an appointment at another hair salon, but the barbers guilt tripped me into getting a haircut at their place by bringing up having to take care of children and saying their’s is only $ 22 as opposed to $ 30 at my hair salon.
Couldn’t leave as we were decent and polite human beings.
My haircut took the barber about 10 – 15 mins. That was the fastest haircut I’ve ever gotten in my life. Should I have complained and inquired on the spot, yes. But, did I? No. Why? Because we were decent human beings, and the vibe there just wasn’t right. Everything felt uncomfortable. I just wanted to leave asap.
My boyfriend’s experience was the worst. His whole head looks like a different shape. Yeah — it’s that bad!!! This is his experience. And again. I warn you. Don’t go here. My boyfriend spent $ 70. Ugh.
«The absolute worst haircut I’ve ever gotten. My experience here was nothing short of awful. I walked in asking for my sides to be taken in and a little trim on the top. I made sure to specify that I didn’t want much taken off the top. After she finished I realised she had taken off about 70% of the volume on my top. And she shaved my sides so close that I didn’t even have sideburns anymore. I couldn’t tell what my hair was looking like during the cut because she turned me away from the mirror. They also forced my girlfriend (who was waiting on the couch) into getting a haircut there, instead of going to her typical salon. She hated her haircut as well. They cut half her hair and left the rest untouched. In the end I ended up wasting money and time on the worst haircut I have ever gotten in my 24 years. This shop is pitiful to say the least. Their barbers are the worst and most careless I have come across. I will never return. I strongly urge anyone that reads this review to stay far away from this shop. Good thing my hair grows back fast.» –Kyle

Best place in town to get a cut. Eli and the crew know how to keep kids entertained and they do a great job. Everyone is always so friendly.

I had a bad experience here today.
I’ve been to Amplify three or four times before. I’ve always gone to Eric, and he’s nice. He always seems to vaguely remember me, and I thought that was very comforting.
Today, I went up to the door at 4:15pm, aware that Amplify closes at 5pm. The door was already locked, though one barber was open and another just started a client, with nobody in the waiting room. Two barbers looked me in the eyes and shrugged, leaving me outside.
I blocked time out of my schedule to get a haircut, not to get turned away because Amplify wanted to close early on a Saturday unannounced.
I went to World Cuts a few blocks away. Staff was friendlier, more detail-​oriented, and the cut was cheaper. I’ve found a new place to get my hair cut, I really don’t recommend Amplify based on this experience and the aloof attitude, which seems unfit for a place where people are putting blades and razors on my head. (The place also reeks of heteronormativity, so if that’s not your thing, :/.)

I brought in a picture of what I wanted, I told him what I wanted, he cut it WAY shorter, about 3 times sorter than I asked for. It’ll take months to grow out. These guys are fast and cheap because they are robots that do just one thing. Eric dry shaved by neck too and it burned for hours afterward. It’s also uneven, shorter on the right. I think he made it so short because he couldn’t get it even.

What do you do when your kid takes his dad’s razor to his head? You take him to Amplify to get it fixed. After a brief analysis of the situation, Tatyana said she would have to cut it very short but she promised it would look cool. Honestly, she had a tough fix to pull off. But my son loved driving the fire engine as she worked on his self-​inflicted masterpiece. In the end, he came out with a very different haircut than I typically would get him but he does look great!

Absolutely the worst haircut I’ve ever had in my life. Typical situation where the «barber» doesn’t listen to you and does whatever he pleases then gets offended when you tell him that it’s not what you wanted.
I asked for a fade and for him to take some off the top with the back tapered out. He then proceeds to give me a buzzcut and even had the nerve to try and tell me that I «NEEDED» this kind of hair which, I’m too embarrassed to post pictures of.
He also missed 3 spots on my left sideburn, and back hairline. Seriously, terrible. Thanks Eli, for nothing.
Never again.

I’ve been going back to Amplify for the grand majority of my Berkeley college career, and they’ve never fallen off once. You most likely won’t have to wait, but if you come in during a busy day there’s a stack of Playboys and a pool table dead and center for your enjoyment.
Amplify is the first barbershop where I’ve felt truly welcomed, a step or two past the superficial niceties that any basic haircutter can offer. They’re perfect for whatever occasion– whether you’re hoping to look spiffy for an interview, trying to spite an ex, or just because it’s a Friday.
At $ 21/​haircut (plus tip, usually I just give $ 25), some detractors might argue that this is too expensive a cut. Totally understandable. If you’re pinching pennies this shop may not be your go-​to.
But you’re essentially paying for ambience here; Amplify boasts a distinctive laid back atmosphere minus the hassle of carrying on disjointed conversations with the guy behind your chair. So if you hate your current relationship with your barber — which is most likely founded on awkward silence — it’s definitely worth the couple extra dollars.
TLDR; Eric is a bonafide G who consistently knows how to cut his hair on point. He also saw me penning this review so he knows he has to live up to the hype. And he will.
Always a good time, with great conversations, and an even better haircut.
¹⁰⁄₁₀ would recommend.

I’m loyal to my old barber in SF, despite not having lived in his vicinity for almost 5 years now. Still, it’s not convenient to go to SF everytime I need a trim, particularly since I have child care issues.
I stopped by Amplify based on good reviews. It was a quiet Saturday afternoon so I got right in. The playboys and the pool table in the waiting area were a nice touch but not what I needed this time since I was in a chair right away. Erik from Hercules came out and gave me a great haircut with very little in the way of prompting; not bad for a first time. We conversed about jobs and cars and such… it was a little surreal having my haircut by someone about half my age. Surreal or not though it was a good cut so I’m happy and will be back if/​when I need a cut and want to stay in BKY for it.

In summary: decent hair cut in a pinch, cash only.
Had called ahead and received an energetic ‘AMPLIFY!’ on the phone instead of a hello — I thought they must love cutting hair and decided to try it out. So there I am, in on a Sunday to get a trim as a walk-​in without an appointment. As I sat there waiting I noticed that most of the people coming in were regulars and exchanged first name greetings with the barbers — always a good sign.
When it was my turn I explained what I wanted to the barber who seemed to get the gist. I was then turned to face the sidewalk as the barber explains that he has been cutting hair for 30 years and that the chair is from the 1950’s. I spent the entire haircut facing the alley and sidewalk which is unusual because typically the barber or stylist will have you face the mirror so you can watch the progress, but hearing that this guy has 30 years cutting hair helps me get over this discomfort.
The second thing that kind of threw me was that the barber was putting product in my hair to cut it which was a little odd. Ah well, here comes the straight razor shave which is nice because no one does this anymore. Finally I get handed a mirror (I’m still facing the alley and sidewalk) and asked how I like it. Remember there’s product in my hair already so it’s looking pretty good, and I’m feeling pretty satisfied with my cut.
Fast forward to the first post-​wash and I realize it’s cut unevenly on top, a couple spots were cut incorrectly, and faded way too high. Luckily there was enough hair to do some self-​trims and salvage a faux-​hawk until my next hair cut (someplace else).
Like my summary says, good to stop by in a pinch and I’ll chalk this up to a one time goof. Going forward I will surely plan ahead and try another place before coming back.

I have been coming here for almost two years now. This is an old fashioned barber shop, no reservations, men’s magazines in the rack and you can still get a straight razor shave. Eric is the barber who cuts my hair, great guy, cuts my hair exactly like I want and does a nice job.

My 14 month old’s hair got butchered there. It was his first haircut too. So sad. Don’t take your kids there.

Been stopping by here since I moved to the Bay Area, and I’ve only had amazing experiences at this place.
I’ve mainly had my hair cut by Eric who is the man. He’s a real cool, laid back guy who gives an amazing cut. He is efficient as well, so you don’t have to worry about it taking forever.
Place can get pretty packed, especially in the non-​summer months when Cal students have classes. Like most shops they aren’t open Sunday and Monday.
You can expect a good cut, solid music (lots of 90s hip hop and decent satellite stations), and ask for Eric

I’ve been going here for four years ever since I started my undergraduate career at UC Berkeley. The owner Alan is one of the funniest and nicest guys I ever met not to mention really good at giving any type of haircut. All the barbers there specifically Eli and Eric all bring great vibes and a relaxing environment to the barber shop. Eli is a fun loving guy who cares about each individual costumer and always provides the best service and you can never go wrong with a haircut from him. Eric is a talented barber with a lot of charism as well and has a great sense of style. Alan the owner keeps the barbershop clean and hospitable for everyone. This place really does feel like home and I’m going to miss it once I graduate, so for anybody wondering where they need to go for a great cut for an even better price and amazing service, ITS HERE.

So, today was my first visit at amplify. It was kind of the most awkward things I’ve ever encountered at a Barbershop. I got my cut by a new girl learning to cut hair D: she was trying but i felt she didn’t know what was going on. She was very kind. But she left my hair all uneven and cut off my side cut hair, and messed up my lineup. Other barbers kept coming and fixing my hair super weird. Other thing some other barber which im sure was the lead barber or boss was using the hair dryer to remove his clients hair and he blasted hair all over my face so rude. The shocker was when she charged me full price when she doesn’t know what to do i expected like 15 but no 21 i even tipped her a buck because i felt she was annoyed with other people telling her what to do. Will never go back.

Eli is the man! I like my hair cut with scissors only and Eli gives me a great cut every time. He doesn’t rush, but he is efficient and gets you in and out in no time. (He’s there Mon/​Wed).
Amplify is a great spot with chill staff. The owner Allan is a cool guy and also gives good a good cut… but he can be a little eccentric. The waiting area has comfortable couches and a pool table… so bring a friend. Although I’ve never had to wait very long.
Best spot to get a cut near campus for sure!

Went here for a mid-​Movember tidy-​up. I had a razor shave for everything except the moustache for $ 25. On the whole, up there with the best razor shaves I’ve had — skins feels extremely smooth afterwards and my moustache is looking more distinguished than ever before.
Pleased with the shave. Venue itself looks like it could do with a bit of refurbishment and at 2pm on a Saturday afternoon, I was surprised to see how quiet the shop was. Still, one of the most central barbers in Berkeley with decent service. I’d go again.

If you’re easily offended, can’t take dry, sarcastic humor, and have an issue with «joking around with the customer», don’t go here. You’ll find it unprofessional.
That being said, if you enjoy a very relaxed, friendly, laid-​back environment, this place is right for you.
Great place, friendly people, and a cool atmosphere.
Know that its a Barber Shop, not a hair salon. They can do fades like no one’s business; they are Barbers, not hair stylists, so don’t go looking for extreme precision with scissors for a spike that is a little higher on one side than the other and that will, when blow-​dried, slightly lean over to one side.
They use a flat razor for the trim as well, which, again, is very barbershop-​esk.
I’ll go back. A $ 25 well spent.

I wouldn’t recommend this place if you have medium-​length Asian hair. I was trying to get a faux hawk going by this black chick and the end result wasn’t too great. The sides and back were done well because she knew how to use her clippers, BUT the top of my head was BARELY worked on. I would say she spent about 85−90% of the time going back and forth along my sides and backs and HARDLY spent any time using a pair of scissors on the top; When I came home and showered, I realized how thick my hair still was and it was not the business.
Despite the mediocre haircut, I must say that the service was fantastic. The lady doing my hair continued to work on my hair about 20 minutes after the closing time. She spent about 40 minutes total working on my hair. I appreciate the time spent on it, but almost all of that time was going over and over and over my sides and back with the clippers.
Cost was about $ 21 or $ 22. CASH ONLY.