The Alley Hair Salon

I’m so incredibly sad to see that the Alley closed its doors. This was the only salon I would go to for the 3 years I lived in Philadelphia, starting back at their old spot on Moore. I even came back after moving up to Jersey, they were that good. Cuts, color, highlights, everything was awesome. Great price for the service, and Jeremiah really was an artist. I loved the pets in the space (it probably helps that they loved me), and Jeremiah & Kelly always remembered what was going on with me every time I came in.
RIP The Alley

My hairstylist left
My next haircut was crooked
I was sad
I’ve since moved on
The End

Update: The Alley closed its doors for good on June 1, 2013. They will be missed. :‘(
I’ve been a loyal customer for years & would never trust anyone else with my hair. I have thick, curly hair & I’ve endured a lot of really bad cuts, as well as a number of average but horrifyingly expensive ones in my life. But never here. I’ve entrusted my hair to everyone at the Alley & I’ve never been disappointed. They take their time and really sculpt your hair, and if you’re not happy you can always go back for a touch-​up. I’ve started seeing Robert exclusively since he arrived, because I love to chat with him & because he has amazing vision. I just sit down and let him do whatever he thinks will look good & it always turns out awesome. Even when I don’t get around to getting back in for 3 months. Yeah, they’re that good. Just go.

Service — 5 stars — Kelly cut my hair and did a great (albeit conservative) job. She listened very carefully to what I wanted and cut off very little hair the first time around. She took her time, worked carefully, and ended up going through a second time to cut off more and then thinned out the layers. The end result was pretty nice after styling.
Ambiance — 5 stars — Quite nice and unique for a hair salon. Definitely a place with personality. The tea/​coffee offerings and second floor windows are quite nice.
Value — 2 stars — The price came out to almost $ 50 after tip which was quite high relative to what I’d been used to paying for a haircut. There was no discount despite the fact that I had shampooed at home and bypassed shampooing at the salon. Given that my hair is straight, thin, and very easy to cut, I will probably search for another place that is more affordable in the long-​run for next time.

Please don’t let Robert cut your hair. I got a haircut there, and it’s absolutely atrocious. I asked for layers and I specifically requested that he did not cut it shorter.
Not only did he cut my below shoulder length hair to almost chin length, he didn’t cut any layers at all and he basically just butchered my hair! I was hoping to have a nice hairstyle for Christmas but now I’m regretting even having it done. I could have done a better job in my bathroom.
My hair just looks terrible and I want to cry. Is this guy even really a hair stylist? I’ll never go back.

Yup. Still go there. Still love Jeremiah. Still love my haircut. Best cut in the city.

I finally heard back from this salon, and the receptionist told me that the owners talked it over and feel that Jeremiah did his best on my hair, and are unwilling to do anything more for me. In other words, they washed their hands clean and want nothing more to do with me.
All they had to do was cut the texture off the ends and give me a straight across blunt cut, which wouldn’t have been much. I tried to ask for this the second time, and Jeremiah argued against it, coming across as a bit militant and less friendly and flexible as he did the first time. I felt Jeremiah was getting tired of me and unwilling to do what I asked, so I tried asking for Kelly this last time instead. They absolutely refused. Seems they are either unwilling to do this style, or unable. I thought I had read a few reviews that hinted at them being able to work regular classic cuts as well as the new edgy styles, but I guess I read wrong. Maybe the style is too boring and straight forward, not cool or edgy or punk rock enough for them. Maybe edgy and punk is all they really can and want to do here. My mistake, my bad.
Thing is, I think of myself as a nice person, and felt I was nice during this whole thing. My husband was always there with me as a witness, even when I last called and had a hard time getting a call back, and can attest to the fact. I was never rude, mean, insulting, or difficult to deal with in person or on the phone. Jeremiah told me the first visit if there were any problems, that they would rather I come back there for them to fix it rather than have me go somewhere else, and that it gives them the chance to get to know what I want and get to know my hair… pretty much almost exactly what he said, hubs and universe as my witness. Guess that wasn’t true at all.
At least they offered a refund so I can try to get what I want elsewhere, and the receptionist was always a pleasure, very friendly and welcoming. Still, a pretty negative experience.
*** I was told to find another place to get my hair fixed with the refund they gave me. I am happy to report I found that place at Plume Organic Salon in Philly. That, however, is another review entirely. ^^

Jeremiah is back from PR.
Reading these reviews I wanted to add something. Sure, the place is Goth and Hip and Punky (even the dogs have pink/​blue hair streaks) and there will never be Frank Sinatra piping through the speakers but I am just a few years away my social security kicking in (hope springs eternal) so, if you are also of a certain age, please don’t think this place is not for you. Kelly and Jeremiah are artists, if you haven’t picked that up from the other reviews, besides being two of the best sweeties on the planet (or sweet beasties, take your pick). There is absolutely no tension in this place (you know what I mean) and my hair cuts are fabulous. I rolled in here about three years ago (or maybe four) because I’m lazy and it’s close to home but I have never looked back.

DO NOT GO THERE!!! So clueless. I find it super hard to believe the girl who did my hair graduated from cosmetology school. My scalp still hasn’t fully recovered from the 3 dye jobs in two days I experienced there, because the (stylist didn’t know how to do a red streak). I ended up with black hair and the orange streak is coming in beautifully 3 mos. later… In retrospect it was pretty funny, but my hair is STILL recovering!
I meant to give 0 stars.

Cutting my hair is always a huge decision for me. I tend to let it grow and grow and grow. Not having had a haircut in a year I was dumbfounded by the number of choices I had in the city in terms of hair cutting places. I won’t go into all of the logic behind my decision, but I ultimately chose Alley Salon based on the reviews I had read and the style of their website (truth be told). What a great choice that was!
I honestly had no idea how I really wanted my haircut. I went in with a vague description that was probably about as unhelpful as it gets. Being a typical guy, I don’t really look at pictures and say «I want my hair like that.» No worries though as in the end AMBER somehow interpreted me and my wants and delivered an end result that was probably the best haircut I have ever had in my life. To say I was happy was an understatement — I loved it.
The salon itself is pretty sweet and I loved the duplex layout with the open sliding door upstairs. Everyone there seemed very friendly and accommodating. I will definitely be going back and I definitely recommend requesting AMBER as she knows her sh*t and is an awesome person to top it off.
5 star experience all around. Thanks AMBER & Alley Salon!

Jeremiah moved to PR?! Whaaaaat! I’m so devastated!
Tried out Kim, not bad. Definitely a very sweet girl. She’s just not Jeremiah… I’ll have to just hunt him down! I hope all of this is just a rumor and I’ll just see him back on south street soon!!!

Kim has been doing my hair for a few months. I love her! She ALWAYS listens and gives me exactly what I say I want (if humanely possible). She’s not a mind reader, so I don’t know why someone gave her a bad Unilocal for not being able to do so. I’ve had more than my fair share of salon horror stories, glad that’s over. Kim is very friendly, she encourages me to speak up and tell her if I want changes to what she’s doing.
I’m really indecisive with my hair, but Kim always takes plenty of time to hear me out and give me options/​guide me. Besides being skilled (she took me from dyed jet black to blonde and still let me keep a lot of length!) she will make you feel very comfortable. I always walk out of her chair feeling hot and fabulous.
The salon itself is a fun place. Good prices and good music, can’t ask for much more.

Great experience.
Naturally I chose to give this place a shot with all the amazing reviews. They were opened on a sunday since they are short handed right now.
I do have very long thick hair so they booked me for a longer appointment. I got a little trim and a little style, nothing too much or crazy.
I also got my hair straightened and he did a MARVELOUS job. He even recommened me products and a straightener but did not force me to buy anything! He even said that. He said if you want to know about a product and what not I can recommend but I am not going to try to get you to buy it. Which is great because I knew the advice he was giving me was truely genuine.
It was also very cheap. I plan to go here again!

I’ve been faithfully going to The Alley for about three years now, making it the third longest relationship I’ve ever had, behind my wife and my doctor.
I haven’t even been able to live in the same place for that long. I’ve owned three homes now in the last five years, and never lasted more than two years in one spot. You can ask Jeremiah if you don’t believe me. I’ve been in the process of moving into or out of some home during most of my trips to his salon.
Jeremiah is outgoing and social. You feel comfortable in The Alley, like you’ve come to hang out with his family and just happen to be getting your hair cut as well. His wife-​to-​be, Kelly, cuts hair alongside of him, and their pets roam freely through the building.
These are all nice perks but what really puts The Alley head a cut above the rest — ugh, I can’t believe I went there either — is Jeremiah’s dedication to his craft. He may be getting paid to do this but it always feels like he’s doing it because he loves to do it. His scissors are his paint brushes, your head his canvas.

I’m really picky about my hair. I had an amazing hair stylist during college and it took four years to find someone on par.
I LOVE Kelly. She really listens to what I want and doesn’t act uppity or full of herself like other stylists I’ve gone to. I have long, highlighted hair that tends to get really light in the sun. She is really good at making it look natural and giving me lowlights to tone down the blonde.
My boyfriend goes to Jeremiah (we’re kind of lame and make appts to see them at the same time). My b/​f has wavy black hair that looks good long. Jeremiah cuts his hair that when it grows out it doesn’t look mullet-​y or grimey. It looks really, really good.
Their prices can’t be beat. I love their cats and dogs. They just rock.

I’d go nowhere else.
If I did I’d pay twice a much for an experience half as noble.

Yeah, so after months of plugging The Alley I finally got my hair did by Jeremiah.
I don’t have the words to express how much I LOVE my hair. My boyfriend had been promising me for months that once we got a little more financially set, I could get my hair cut and get crazy colors put back into it. When I came in, it was just past my shoulders, with horrible roots, and no real style. 4 and a half hours and a mere $ 90 later, and I’m ecstatic with it. I don’t know how the hell Jeremiah did it, but he took off only 2 inches, and I have definition!
The $ 90 covered a cut, root/​all over touchup, highlights, red and purple swatches, and styling. For comparison, my boyfriend’s sister was paying about $ 120 for a cut and highlights on the Main Line. (Well, until she sees my hair and I get convert another person!)
If this wasn’t enough, Jeremiah really remembers his customers and, like others have vouched, really works with you to give you a style you’ll love. My boyfriend comes in about once every two to three months, and once we got to work on my hair, Jeremiah asked about our move, if we liked our new place, etc. He remembered that little blurb from a customer’s life that he only sees a few times a year. That, fellow Unilocalers, is a level of customer service that you won’t find at most salons.

The Alley and Jeremiah were very worth making the tedious trek to Mifflin St. back in the day. And ever since they relocated a little closer to South Street it’s made it even better. Because not only is it easier to get to, it gives Jeremiah and Kelly a spot that really does suit them better (even if I do miss the electric purple).
I have to say too that I’m not fully sold on some of the off reviews, and I’m not just saying that because I’ve had a great track record of six amazing cuts from here in the past year. I can sympathize with the people who had to wait an extra while longer. But if your reading so many 5 star reviews, than your also reading into the demand for Jeremiah. And that can be a tricky for a smaller salon to deal with. So keeping that in mind you can either do two things — 1) Factor in a wait time when you’re planning ahead, because it should be expected. 2) Request Kelly, or check the availability for both. Because she isn’t a slouch with the scissors and gives a great cut in her own right.
Also as Emerlyn G. said, While Jeremiah is capable of giving you the haircut of your dreams, he isn’t a mind reader (is there any hair stylist that is?). Every time I set foot in The Alley I come in knowing full well what I want done with my hair (or at least with a good idea of it). And every single time Jeremiah has worked the scissors like only he can, and the cut came out exactly as I was hoping for, if not better. But if you come in with zero ideas then you shouldn’t expect to come out with the best cut that you ever had. At the very least you should be glad that you don’t come out looking like Aaron O. (just saying). If you tell him what you want, he’ll be the one to deliver the best results.

Doesn’t get much better than this (for people like me at least).
The Alley is unlike any other salon I’ve been to (is it really a salon?). I went on a Friday afternoon and was the only customer. But seeing as how there are only 2 cutting stations I can’t imagine it ever feeling crowded or busy.
Jeremiah is just as everyone else reports — patient, nice, and willing to help you through the decision process. Don’t be intimidated by the photo album of crazy cuts and colors — he does professionally fun perfectly.
Warning: CASH ONLY (it’s cheap though, don’t worry).

Article in Philadelphia Inquirer about The Alley:
What can I say that has not already been said? If you are still on the fence about going to The Alley — just go! You will not regret it.
Jeremiah was able to squueze me in on New Years eve and I was thrilled. I wanted a cut and some crazy red color. I knew I couldn’t go to just any salon for the kind of punky color I was going for. I have been going to the same boring salon for over 6 yrs and I have had the same boring cut, too. Jeremiah changed all that.
What was really amazing was when I showed him pics of my ideas and he asked me what I liked about each one. He managed to incorporate everything I liked, from the color to the cut. He really takes his time and listens to what you want. Not only that but you can give him the freedom to what he wants cause he knows what the hell he’s doing. So in the end I got an awesome awesome color that I love and that I have literally been stopped while I am out and complimented on! Then he gave me the perfect cut to compliment the color. Oh and I didn’t want my bangs cut cause I was growing them out after a previous bad cut and he told me we should trim them up a little to make them more manageable and so they go w/​the cut… the craziest thing is that I love what he did with my bangs and I wanna keep ‘em now! He did what I wanted initially!
I just really can’t say enough good things about this awesome salon. Jeremiah will spend a lot of time on your hair and it will show in the end. He seems like a total perfectionist. Oh and he totally doesn’t goop up your hair with tons of products either, that in the end you feel like you need to buy. Great prices, cool shop, and good music! Def ck out The Alley!
I added a couple pics to my profile of my hair and my sister’s.