Royal Barber Shop

Good value and service… but their hours are sporadic at best. Phone calls are NEVER answered… I’ve left numerous voicemails that were never returned. They will close for extended periods of time… no signs or messages on their voicemail letting customers know what is going on. But once you’re able to get in the shop, you receive excellent service. The Owners are friendly and courteous. I just wish they would take their business more seriously. I believe they are a Husband/​Wife team giving the haircuts. Both very friendly, but the Man definitely more competent giving haircuts than the lady. Nice clean environment… and I really appreciate the sports on the TV. They’ll even give you the remote! You can’t beat the pricing either. I’ll continue using this place… whenever they’re open.

Not as happy this time around. A lady (Kim?) cut my hair. I was charged two bucks more than the previous haircut (and outdoor sign). I later found a clump of hair on my head was about ½″ longer on one side. I returned the next day at 11:00 and they were closed. I waited 20 mins. Sign shows they open at 11:00 am. I came back two days later as they’re closed on Wednesdays and after leaving a message for a call back and still closed at 11:00. Tom showed up at 11:15. He did fixed my hair but only after telling me it was only a little bit longer although I saw the evidence on the floor that it was a lot longer. I thought I found a quirky little spot instead the only quirk was left on my head. I won’t be returning.

I had seen several positive reviews, so I thought to give this neighborhood establishment a shot. My four year old was in desperate need of a trim, and we went by around 10:30 a.m. on a Saturday. So… it turns out they do not open until 11 a.m. Fair enough. We come back when they should be open, but there is not a soul around. However, the illuminated «Open» sign suggests otherwise. Hopefully others will have better luck.

I needed a good looking haircut/​beard trim for a wedding and had not been to a professional in 5 or so years, preferring to give myself hair cuts at home. I’ve walked by many times not quite knowing what it was all about. After reading a Unilocal review I decided to give it a shot and walk in. I was asked my name and what style I wanted and given an awesome haircut/​beard trim for a decent price. I will definitely go back!

cheap and hassle free

in search of inexpensive and local (and good) barber shops– Ive settled on the tattooed «stylists» at bishops for a couple years now. They do an okay job. When I recently saw that they were opening a branch in Beaverton– I thought to myself, «well, time to look for a new place!» I happened upon the Modern Man– part gentleman’s club, part barber shop, part old fashioned speakeasy– locally owned by a bona fide hipster and off a side street on NE Alberta — it seemed perfect. A $ 24.00 haircut gets you whiskey to sip and a cigar when you leave– the haircut was … good, a week later it was great, and I sung the Modern Man’s praises to anyone that would listen!
Until now.
Finding my pockets a bit void of cash and needing a trim, I couldn’t rationalize even the $ 24.00 it would cost me to enjoy the vintage inspired coolness of the Modern Man– I settled on the chatty Asian husband and wife a block from my loft. I had been in once before, not for a haircut but for a beard and neck trim. My hair at the time was being grown out for locks of love and I instructed him to not touch it. We chatted easily as he trimmed me up and made me look a bit less like Jesus. He charged me $ 5.00 and asked if I needed any sunglasses that were oddly for sale in a glass case. I didn’t. Last week, I walked in again, over a year later and he happily greeted me and ushered me to the chair. I gave him instructions and he went to work on what would be one of the best hair cuts Ive received. Then to my surprise he asked how long ago I donated my hair, he asked about my job and remembered I lived a block away, he asked about my dog, and my life and whatever else we had talked about my previous visit — a warm old fashioned neighborly feeling washed over me. Something I think the Modern Man is trying to achieve and Bishops, well, I think they are a lost cause.
So for $ 12– I received and outstanding haircut, helped a REAL local business and honestly felt really special. I’m a Royal convert– I almost bought some sunglasses as I was paying. I figure with the $ 12 I am saving– plus the gas money it would take to drive anywhere more than a block away– I can bring in my own whiskey to sip on and probably some to share!

Bishops, Rooks, and the Modern Man receive a lot of attention in this town. They’re great businesses and barbers, but the two best – and cheapest – cuts I’ve gotten in Portland were from Royal. It’s run by a Vietnamese couple, and its storefront doesn’t look too impressive. With cheap wallets and luggage out front, Royal is in desperate need of a brand revamp. But these two know what they’re doing. They’re methodical and extremely talented, and time spent with them is a joy. They’re also adorable and kind and remember minute details about your life. I was charged half of what I’d pay for an inferior cut, which means I’m going here as long as they’re open – which I hope is for years, until they retire.