Esquire Barbershop

Excellent neighborhood location and very talented barbers. Highly recommend Barber Justin. Punctual and precise. Involved and dedicated to the craft of barbering.

I’ve passed this place a few times, and I really like the look of the place, it looks like an old school barbershop. I usually go to Father & Sons, on Broadway, but they close early during the week. Since I couldn’t get out of work early I decided to try Esquire, since I know that they’re open until 8p.
I decided to just walked in since I’ve seen the sign outside that says «No Appointment Necessary», you’ll see it on one of the Unilocal photos. There was no one waiting inside, but the moment I got in I was asked if I made an appointment, and was told that they were booked until the weekend. I was tired and hungry so I didn’t want to complain and just walked out. I thought you only needed to make an appointment at Salons???

I tried going here twice because I just moved into the neighborhood and it is very close to my apartment. I read the reviews and was excited for a friendly atmosphere where I could go regularly for a haircut and build a rapport with the staff. I gotta say I was pretty disappointed. The gentleman who cut my hair didn’t even look at me or say hi when we met even though I said «hey, hows it going?». When I tried to describe what I wanted he cut me off and just said «so, shorter?» Both times I gave him a decent tip, I’m not sure why, I think I was just trying hard to like the place, and again he didn’t even look at me or say anything to acknowledge me. The actual haircut was pretty terrible. It was hard to tell in the shop because he kept using a comb to slick the hair on my sides back, but when I got home and got a closer look he hard hardly cut any hair on one side of my head at all, but had cut the other side. So I guess the prices are cheap, but you might only get half a haircut. Strange way to run a barber shop.

The place is small and just wasn’t feeling it. Has no register or place to sit for anyone waiting.
I had Josh and he seemed new, I didn’t like my haircut, especially because I told him I didn’t want to cut the top at all and he literally cut most of it off. Other than the actual haircut, Josh didn’t really talk much or try to create conversation or anything, I’m sure he was just paying attention and focused on my hair.
The experience, place and haircut was not something I expected and just not a satisfying experience.

Ryan is really good. He’s been my barber since the first time I’ve found this place and haven’t left disappointed

Went to this barber shop for the first time after noticing it on my drive home one night! I booked online and set an appointment with Ryan Fields. I must say that I haven’t been this excited about a haircut in a while. Ryan definitely hooked it up and I think I can finally say that I found my go-​to barbershop! I also love that you not only get a haircut but a hot lather neck shave as well. For anyone who hasn’t experienced a traditional barber shop experience, I suggest you check this place out!

This barbershop is quick and Tara always gives me a great cut. I also like that I can book an appointment on the website.

It’s 7:04 as I’m writing this. I walked in as a first time customer and politely asked «do you take walk-​ins?» Dude responds «yeeah, but we’re closed right now. Here’s a card to make sure we’re open». He hands me a card. I look at their posted hours ON THE DOOR and it says they close at eight. Once again, its 7:04. I’m a bartender. If I ever did this to my customers is lose my job. Lost a potential customer.

Over the past few weeks I have been going to get my beard trimmed and hot shaves done in this location by Josh. I thought my previous barber at another local salon was good until I started coming here. Josh is very friendly, listens to what I want exactly, and does fantastic job!
While some people have said it is better to do this at home and get your own electric razor, I disagree. A good barber has skills I could never teach myself. Having a 30 minute shave and trim is an excellent way to relax and leave looking great. I absolutely love how easy it is to book an appointment and how punctual every one is with their clients.
Anyone looking for a great cut (I’ve seen their haircuts as well) and/​or a great barber shop experience should consider coming to Esquire!

I have been visiting this barber shop since the beginning of the year. Certainly, it hasn’t been my last. I would recommend getting a haircut from Tara. She is very compassionate & detailed and highly skilled in her job. I can assure you that you won’t leave her chair unless your hair looks perfect.
— Don’t forget to schedule your appointment online

What a great little shop! Shauna (sp) did an amazing job! Great cut, great conversion, and ended with a relaxing hot shave. I’m definitely coming back and so should you!

Excellent work. Great little barbershop in heart of Andersonville. Convenient and reasonably priced.

My husband just came home from Esquire Barbershop, and he looks SO GOOD! This is a thank-​you note to Justin who gave him a serious tune-​up!
A few months ago my hubby let himself go completely! He didn’t shave or get a haircut for 3 months… and he started getting mistaken for a homeless man! Seriously, I posted a picture of him on instagram, and someone asked «who is that homeless guy?»
He finally came to his senses, and got an appointment! Justin turned him from homeless into hunky! I cant stop looking at him because he is so handsome now! His hair is beautifully coiffed, and his beard is groomed to perfection. THANK YOU JUSTIN!!!
Sincerely,
Happy Wife

It’s funny how you arrive at a certain moment, and the trip it took to get there. I have been going to the same barber for awhile now, but he went on a month long vacay so I had to find someone to give me a nice fade. I googled barber shops that offer fades in Chicago, and quite a few popped up on the radar.
I looked at them real quick and couldn’t decide. I wanted to try a particular cut that involved a razor part, so I ended up googling that. The name that popped up is Justin Albrecht. I took a look at his Instagram page and I was impressed. I saw that he works at Esquire Barber shop in Andersonville. I made up my mind that I would have to give him a try, so I went on their website and made an appointment.
I love that he is appointment only, and this is because sometimes I wait over an hour just to get a cut from my current barber. He was pretty much booked up, but there was a final spot open on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The first thing you need to know is that this place is cash only. So go ahead and bring that cash money, there is also a Chase Bank right around the corner if you forget.
This place is old school, except for the flat screen TV’s on the wall that was showing the game. I walked in and was promptly and warmly greeted. You can’t miss Justin, he is the dude rocking the epic Rip Van Winkle beard. I sat down, and waited for my turn, and he actually got to me 10 minutes early since he is so efficient. I told him I wanted a high fade with a razor part. He looked at my oddly shaped head and got to work.
He dropped some science on how my previous barber has been cutting my hair the wrong way, and I totally agreed with him. First he faded me up and then he gave me a neck lather with a hot towel. He also put some lather on the side of my head where he was going to do the razor part. He expertly used the straight edge razor and put a nice part on the left side of my head.
He finished up and then put some nice pomade on my hair and styled it up. I wish I had somewhere important I had to go to afterwards since I was looking so fresh, and so clean. It looks like I have found a new barber. His name is Justin, and he works at Esquire Barber Shop. He rocks an awesome beard, and he is a virtuoso with those hair clippers. Nuff said!!!

This a 5 Star service, no bullshit, no attitude, come as you are kind of place. You’ll see guys from all walks of life here getting their hair cut, which is pretty cool.
Seems like Ryan and I tend to have the same schedule and I’ve liked him a lot, I don’t think he can give a bad cut. The online scheduling system is cool, it makes going in a pretty no-​stress situation.
Why didn’t I start coming here earlier???

My mom is a hairstylist and has been cutting my hair for… well, ever. Now that I have moved from my hometown getting back for a regular haircut has been getting harder and harder, so I was faced with the harsh reality that, after 25 years, I needed to find a place to get my hair cut and start paying for those haircuts. A tough pill to swallow.
So I did what any normal person would do and went to Unilocal.Decided to stop by after seeing the Unilocal reviews. Had Justin cut my hair and he did an amazing job. Made the «first haircut» painless and easy on the wallet. Definitely will be keeping him as my resident barber! Due yourself a favor and book an appointment, you won’t regret it!

Thanks to @barberjustin for doing me a solid and squeezing me in for a haircut even though I was running late for my appointment. Check him out if you need a consistently great cut and/​or hate yourself for getting your hair cut at a pretentious salon by some chick named ‘Mandy’ that doesn’t know what a razor part is and talks with gum in her mouth and smacks her lips while telling you all about why she thinks Kylie Jenner is «lyke soooo much hotter» than Kim Kardashian.
Tips:
— Visit their website to make appointments online! Don’t be the guy that interrupts a dude getting his hurr did because the barber has to stop to answer your phone call.
— Street parking can be difficult to find at times especially during peak hours. So come early. Call if you’re running late.
— It helps to know what you want, example «high fade with a razor part. Or bring a picture.

I’ve been coming here to see Justin for about a year now and am nervous to write this review — I don’t want to make it harder to get an appointment! But seriously, if you’re a dude with short hair and live anywhere near Andersonville, this is where you should be getting your hair cut.
The plusses: Inexpensive, efficient (your cut takes about 20 minutes), precise and consistent cuts (from Justin), great online appointment scheduling system, cute pug usually sleeping in a dog bed by the door.
The minuses: None.
Sure, it’s nothing fancy, but what more could you ask for at this price point? I understand they are upping the prices again soon, but it’s not cheap to keep a storefront open in Chicago these days — just look at all the vacant stores not far from here along Clark Street. It’s worth the extra few bucks. Go here. Now.
As for Eli N’s review on Justin, it looks like most of that dude’s Unilocal reviews are one-​star. Poor guy. Maybe, just maybe the problem isn’t everyone else but him?

If you’re on Unilocal looking for a barber shop in Chicago, you can rest easy, you found it. Schedule you’re appointment with Justin on esquirebarberchicago and call it a wrap.
I originally found Justin on Instagram, (yea high tech I know.) I sent him an email with some questions as I just had gotten a jacked up haircut a few weeks ago. It was really bad, trust me. He told me to wait a little bit longer before coming to see him to let it grow some, instead of just saying come in and taking my money. I waited and a few weeks later went and saw him.
The dude is chill and can shoot the shit well.
It was apparent from the start that he is very passionate about his career. Took a couple minutes to inspect my hair and then began his magic. 20 minutes later I had the best haircut I ever had. He was always inspecting his work and making small adjustments until it was perfect. The dude is a master of his craft.
He will be my go to barber whenever I’m in or near Chicago.
Check him out on Instagram @barberjustin

I concur with the other 5 star reviewers