Mike’s Barber Shop

This is my first time coming here for a cut. Mike is really nice. Asks questions to make sure he knows what you want. There was a short wait but not to bad, it moves.
Overall it is a barber shop, nothing fancy. Go in get a cut and leave. I would consider coming back.

I’ve been going to Mike for the last 3 years, and continue to drive 25 minutes now that I’ve moved from Brookline. No-​frills classic barbershop, one chair and one barber, so if you go during rush-​hour (Saturday afternoons) you’ll end up waiting.
Some tips: His shop is all business. No appointments, walk-​ins only. Don’t go at noon on a Saturday unless you want to wait an hour. $ 18 for a haircut, there is an ATM right outside. He likes to utilize the buzzer so it is useful to know what «number» you like (see here
for more information) but is more than happy to use scissors for everything.
He gives a great haircut at an affordable price. Best of all, its almost always just Mike in the shop (when he is off, there is always the same alternative barber that fills in). Consistency is key, and you get that here… same cut, every time.

I waited in an empty shop for 5 minutes before my existence was even acknowledged. I asked for a simple haircut. A number 1 on the sides, and about half an inch off the top. What I got was a complete shave on the sides and about half an inch of hair LEFT on my head. Oh yeah, he ruined my beard too, so there’s that. If you want to pay $ 18 to have someone not listen to you then ruin your hair, then I recommend this place, otherwise go somewhere else.

So I made the mistake of not scheduling an appointment with my regular barber and he was booked solid for 5 straight days. I live in JP right by brookline and there were only a few other convenient options out there for me. Mike’s was the only one where I was able to walk over and get a haircut that day and while the reviews were mixed (here on Unilocal), there were enough good reviews that I gave him a shot.
After a slightly awkward introduction I sat down and we got started. Right after I walked in though, 4 other people came in and were waiting to have their haircuts after me. I have never had such a quick haircut in my life. I fully recognize that this guy has some talent, but it bothered me a little bit that he rushed through mine to get as many costumers in as possible. Also, I don’t do anything unique with my hair at all. I just like it short, like ½ an inch off everywhere and I’m good to go. He kept asking me specifics about the length and I didn’t really know what else to tell him because I’ve never had an issue before. He seemed bothered that I didn’t know barber lingo (which maybe I should by now considering my age). Lastly, he was going so quickly that he was actually hurting my scalp and nicked the back of my neck along the way. This was probably an unnoticed accident, but I’ve never had a painful haircut at a cheaper place such as Supercuts, much less a local barber.
I really enjoy supporting the local businesses in the area rather than going to a big chains, but I would think twice before coming to mikes barbershop over some of the other barbers in the neighborhood. It’s possible I just came in on a bad day. I couldn’t know. but between his personality and the service I couldn’t give more than two stars. Mikes was cheaper ($ 18 for a mens cut) than my usual barber and this was his chance to win me over as a new costumer… unfortunately, for his business and my wallet he did not :(

i said not too short and he cut it too short. i said ½ inch off the top and he left me with ½ inch of hair. i get to go to my job interview tomorrow with what looks like an army crew cut, when i just wanted a little bit off the top and sides.

Good cut. Open Saturday AND Sunday. Very reasonable price. Everything you could need in a barber shop.

There are two people who do the hair cutting, Mike and another person on Sundays. Mike knows how to do hair well as far as I can tell. I don’t ask for much and he keeps it simple. He’s quick and doesn’t dilly dally. Before you go, you should know a few things
–There is only ONE barber at the time. When Mike isn’t around the other guy is there
–There can be seriously long lines on Saturday mornings, each hair cut takes about 15 – 25 minutes
–He doesn’t always show up at the time his hours state AND sometimes he just surprisingly changes up the hours!!!
That was the most annoying thing. I’d show up at 9 only to find out he won’t arrive till 9:30, wait that amount of time only to have him 30 minutes late. Your first thought is probably that I was foolish to wait around, but no! that line gets long fast and if you’re not one of the first 3, prepare to wait for over an hour!
I have since stopped going to him because I found out about supercuts (they offer a more reasonable price with a shorter wait time because they have multiple hair stylists). I would recommend to a friend though.

This place was great, but a few things caught me off guard just because I wasn’t expecting them. Firstly, it’s called Mike’s Barber Shop because it’s Mike’s shop. He’s the only one there. So if you show up and there’s a line, you’re going to do some waiting. So when I walked in a guy had just gotten in the chair, and there was one person in front of me, and when I saw there was only one chair I almost left figuring I’d have to wait forever. But Mike moves pretty fast, and I only waited about 30 minutes. Mike is also vary wary of the word «short». I told him I wanted it «shorter on the sides» and he assaulted me with a barrage of questions trying to get a feel for what I was talking about. Which was great, because the past few places I’ve tried have definitely cut it shorter than I wanted, and after that Mike wasn’t much of a conversationalist, which I like. All business. And I am very happy with my haircut, I will definitely be returning, just never on a day where I’m in a rush.

Make sure you know Mike’s hours before showing up.
Mike is the only barber who understands «short but not too short.» He’ll even explain to you that he can always cut more hair off, but can’t put any back, so you need to inform him off the bat that you don’t want your hair too short, you like a little bit to mess with.
I don’t know about the «barbershop terminology» a previous reviewer was talking about, but if you are straight with what you want, theres no issue. I tell him straight across for sideburns, buzz on the sides is fine, but prefer scissor cut on top so he doesnt buzz too much off. He’ll do what you ask him to do. The more info you give him, the better.
The only thing I don’t understand is the eyebrows thing. He always asks if you want your eyebrows trimmed. Most guys SHOULD NOT do this, you will come out looking like you stuck your face in a lit gas tank.
Mike is the only one I’ve found around here that listens to me, and if you tell him what you want, he’ll listen to you too. Can’t beat the prices either!

Walked in earlier no line or anything, might just be the time of day.
Mike did a damn good job on the cut, efficient and to the point.
Nice to have a barber instead of most of the salons that are around here, no frills for the sake of it, just a good cut.

Simple
No fuss
Although I was looking for a straight shave, which he does not have… still a good simple haircut, and prices are cheap… less than $ 20 for good quality

I used to go to Mike for 2 years until I moved. If you want a classic, clean haircut, he’s your man. He’s affordable and his shop is reminiscent of those «old style» places with the 50’s music playing in the background. Unlike most barbers today, you will not wind up with a crew cut as an excuse for a «regular man’s haircut».

I was on the fence about writing this review because I generally maintain the view that one should review good experiences more than bad.
But I received quite odd treatment at Mike’s and therefore have to say something. I went here because it presented itself as a barber and I wanted a shave and a haircut. I got the cut, not bad, nothing fancy. But when I asked for a shave was told that Boston has a law that says you can’t give shaves.
This was a bald faced lie.
1. Brookline isn’t under Boston jurisdiction — different counties.
2. I can find no record of this.
3. He was acting weird around me.
I may’ve been reading into it but it appeared that my barber was put off by my visible tattoos and I felt so awkward and mishandled I vowed to never go back. If I’m wrong and there is such a law then I’ll be happy to adjust my rating to a 3 in consideration of that.
But for someone in such a handson service I would much rather you be honest up front than have a listing for it on your pricesheet then lie to me. I should give this a 1 but it was really a serviceable haircut.

It’s okay here. Not the greatest, but not the worst. I’ve been going home to get my haircut at Rocco’s down on the South Shore since I was about 5 so maybe I just don’t like change. I’ve been here once, both time because it’s close to my apartment and I just don’t have the time or patience to drive down to Rocco’s.
The place is located in Brookline Village so it’s really accessible.
I take a star off because he acted like I should know the barbershop terminology of how I wanted my haircut. I wanted it short, but to not see the scalp. He just kept repeating «how short. Like one short or two short?» To which I have no idea what he was talking about. It came out okay the first time, and I must say it did come out better the second time. I’ve never had to wait more than 20 minutes, but it is only him so the wait could get long I assume.
He also kept obsessing about how I should trim my eyebrows. Told me about 4 times. Good to know chief, but if I say no, I mean no.
Other than that, he’s a quality guy to go to in a pinch, but next time, I might make the drive down to Rocco’s.

Worst haircut I’ve ever had. Period. I came home and my wife laughed. Don’t go to this guy. Even Supercuts is better.

I would have given Mike 4 stars but my wife said that my last haircut by hium was the best one (best cut that is) I’ve ever had. And she knos better than me. Overall though he’s a great barber for a good price (18 per cut). I do wish he would shave my neck with a straight edge as my barber did when I was in NY but hey, he’s still good. And, fellas, if you have unwieldy eyebrows, this is the place to go… he will trim them. He’s kind of quiet but if you get to knwo his interests and talk to him about them, he is actually quite a passionate dude.

Both guys who work here do a nice job and I have been to many barbers in Boston over the years.

Great barber – really took his time and was obsessive about getting every hair cut just right. I am used to spending $ 14 plus tip for a 4 minute hair cut that I often end up touching it up when I get home and look in the mirror and see all the spots that were missed. Mike’s costs $ 18 and it’s well worth the extra few dollars to get such a nice cut.

This place is horrible… Stay away. The guy does not know how to cut hair.

Mike is great. Mike took over this shop a couple of years ago after many years of cutting hair elsewhere. I can honetly say I’ve never had a barber as attentive to the details as Mike, and I’ve been to barbers across the country. He practically gets a ruler out to make sure every angle is perfect. My typical barbershop experience elsewhere is to walk in, hand over $ 20, and walk out 10 min later after some samurai with hair trimmers went at me with the careless enthusiasm of someone gunning for their next smoke break. Mike however, will take his time and make sure the job is well done… which can be annoying if you are waiting for him to finish off someone else, but feels great when you are in the chair. If you want the classic old barber shop feel give Mike’s a try… just don’t expect a fancy hair stylist type place where your hair will be sculpted into Hollywood type art.