Public Barber Salon

About a year and a half ago, I was fed up with my dry, curly locks. I’d stubbornly been keeping it past my shoulderblades, and it was with trepidation I walked into my first appointment with Ronnie.
Ronnie was (and still is!) amazing! He took the time to listen to my hair concerns (important for any girl with waves/​curls), and recommended a cut and trim schedule to get my hair back on track. He gently pointed out areas where I was stressing my hair (high ponytails, tight hairstyles), while recommending great solutions to help fix all issues (hairbands instead of elastics, etc.). I always feared getting my hair trimmed, because my curly hair dries at a different length than when it’s wet — many stylists simply cut it as if it were straight hair, leaving me with odd layers once it dries. However, Ronnie took the time to ask about the way I usually part it, how does it usually curl, what styling gel/​cream I have — in short, he tailored the haircut for me. After the haircut he recommended shampoo/​conditioner regimens to help my hair get stronger between cuts.
A year and half on, I’m regrowing out these loose curls much more healthily and couldn’t be happier. :)

I’ve never had a bad experience. Everyone is extremely kind and my hair always turns out perfect :)

Been coming here for quite some time. Staff is very nice and its easy to make an appointment (unlike some places…). I always see Anthony who does a great job on my hair.

Great cut and fun bunch of guys an gals they got me in on a cancellation and I had a beer while waiting so it never is hard to wait. Thank you.

I would not recommend this salon. After waiting 15 minutes past my scheduled appointment time so that my stylist could finish a phone call, I explained to him what I wanted. I asked him not to take off much length and to add texture/​shredded layers. He proceeded to focus only on removing length. Once finished, my hair was not only much much shorter than we’d discussed, but he had added no texture or layers at all. I could not have been clearer, so it’s hard to blame miscommunication in this case. He felt so bad that he didn’t charge me. Maybe this salon is better for short haircuts, but I would certainly not recommend it for long hair and will not be returning myself.

I created this Unilocal account just because Shane is such a great barber. He’s been taking great care of me since I moved to SF and I can’t recommend him enough. I almost didn’t want to write this review, because it’d mean more competition to get a time with him, but for him I’ll do it.

This review is specifically for Ronnie Mason.
Ronnie has been cutting my hair for the past 3 months and I couldn’t be happier!
Not only is he super talented with the clippers — Ronnie’s interpersonal savvy always makes me feel valued, respected, & happy about my haircut.
He takes his time, and his FADES are outstanding. Book in advance — he’s busy for a reason.

Had my hair done my Elvis! He did an awesome job! I can’t wait to go back to him!!!

First visit in Dec 2015: decent cut, but they charged me $ 40 for a men’s cut (the website said $ 30). I chalked it up to an out-​of-​date website and let it go.
Second visit in May 2016: I booked an appt for 1 pm, showed 10 minutes early… and waited for 20 minutes. My barber never showed. I walked out.
What a waste of time.

Great for a reasonable trim and blow out ($ 80 with a $ 20 tip included). The complimentary beers are always a plus, not to mention the Bumble & Bumble products they use. It’s hit or miss with stylists. Shane has been my favorite thus far!

This is a perfect place to relax and get your hair cut. I accidentally called the stylist a barber and kinda offended him. My stylist was super nice and we’d a great conversation about our travel experiences. They give you a shampoo post the cut and style it for ya! Superb place, if you’re in the city. Just make sure that you always have an appointment cos they don’t do walk ins.

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
So I need it a haircut this morning and got there right before opening, about 3 min prior. The receptionist and a hair dresser were present. I asked them to get me in for a quick haircut, the receptionist politely expressed her inability to get me in because they had an appointment at 0930, I was there at 0900. I am in the military so my haircut takes about 15 min to be done. She offered me to get me in another time, but I had a plane to take from SFO. Apparently she wasn’t listening because she asked me twice.

My first visit went very well. I got a last minute appointment and showed up about 20 minutes early to enjoy a beer. The staff seemed very friendly and engaging to their clients. The front desk help me out with booking and gave me a beer. Mary took care of my hair and did all that I asked for.
Thanks guys.

Ever since leaving my barber in Santa Barbara I have been to 5 – 6 different shops all over the bay trying to find a great barber.
I’m happy to say I finally found one. Ronnie at Public did an exceptional job. I got one of the best haircuts in a very long time for a great price. He took the time to understand what I wanted as well as understanding the limitations of my hair type. He also ran through exactly what he was going to do before even beginning and made sure it was clear. It was also really nice to see that while the only stock a few brands of product, they are the best brands.
The free beer is also a great add on!
They have a great website too with their updated rates.

Im Asian and they can cut Asian hair. They can cut hair really great actually, well not just great but REALLY GOOD! So if you are Asian I do recommend coming here. better yet, if you have hair they we will take care of you. So I would recommend them, even for you bearded ones… they will make you look great! Anyways, I just happen to be a bearded Asian so I DO KNOW how it looks.
oh they serve beer with your cut!

This has become my go to, since I (somewhat shamefully) abandoned my long-​time barber.
The attendant is very friendly and will offer you some tea or beer. The stylists are great at what they do, especially if you bring them a few photos to describe what you want.
Unfortunately they get pretty busy so even when you snag an appointment (hard) they are likely to be running ~30 min behind.
Pro-​tips:
+ book at least 3 days in advance, same-​day rarely works out
+ there is an online reservation system on their website
+ bring some photos to describe what you want
+ try not to confuse the Geary location with the North Beach location (far walk)

Went from an $ 80 haircut to going to public for half the price and a better cut. Alicia never has an off day and I always get a flawless cut. The also carry Baxter of California and Bumble & Bumble products

Absolutely hands down the best in the business. You can tell everyone here loves what they do and are masters at their craft. Always a warm smile and cold beer! Public is the Best Barber Salon in the Bay :)

Good stuff

Called in for a last minute haircut and they made space for me. Heard a lot of great things about this place. Had the pleasure of getting my haircut from Ronnie. He’s super cool and down to earth. He even plays the cut safe by cutting the sides first at a bigger number (I had no idea how short I wanted the sides cut). He started at 3 and because he did that I knew that I wanted it at a 2. Well done Ronnie! I’ll for sure be back. Great atmosphere inside in which they sell the artwork that is inside. ONE STOP SHOP PEOPLE!!!

Go for Shane
He’s a perfectionist, he takes his time on details
My hair looks neat and clean after he cut it
If you’re asian he’s, your guy. never been comfortable enough to let someone cut my hair
Tips — don’t come late, be on time
Because he needs every minute he can get to make your hair as perfect as you wanted

I got a bad haircut here. I’m Asian and have straight hair. I’ve always tried to go to places that have a lot of Asian clientele because I feel that barbers need to cut their teeth before they learn how to properly tame Asian hair. I made an exception here and it was a mistake. I think the stylist was competent and made a valiant effort, but my unruly hair was out of her league. it took a month to grow back out.
so, probably an ok barber, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you have Asian hair.
oh they serve beer with your haircut.

I was more than a little nervous finding a new barber in SF after years at my go-​to salon in Florida. Thankfully, my fears were put to rest by a professional, clean, and awesome haircut just in time for the new work week. I’ll definitely be back — thanks Sam!

Went in for a hair cut the yesterday for the first time and I’m glad I did! I been looking for a new place to go and I’m glad I found this place! Not just Sage did a amazing job on my hair they gave me ice cold beer!

Mary always gets it right — positive vibes and flawless result — will be back as always!

Mary is the only person I will ever trust to do my hair again. I came to her a totally and complete frizzy mess and told her to «take care of it,» without really knowing what I wanted done. I just wanted my hair to look good and I decided to leave it up to a professional and I put all of my trust, and hair, in her hands.
Turned out to be the best choice I’ve ever made! Have you ever not known what you wanted until you finally got it? Well that’s what happened to me. Unable to describe the look I was after nor able to find any pictures to resemble, Mary used the contours of my face, my shape, and what she knows of my personality and interests, and customized the most flattering cut for me. She personalized the whole and experience and made me feel like a million bucks!

sage is the only stylist I have trusted in years to do the job both how I envision and with a modern and current twist
she is a delightful human and an insightful, artistic stylist. spending time with her is worth driving into the city.

Sage is amazing. I am a very picky lady who happens to have platinum hair. That is really long. That doesn’t happen. Why??? Well usually bottle blondes have fried ass hair and it’s starts breaking off after a while…
But not this gal!!! Why you ask. Well because Sage has the patience of a saint and does a bang up job every time!!! She has transformed my just out of dreads unhealthy mess of hair to a thing of beauty– AND always gets my roots to Match (which surprisingly enough is really tough). This skilled sweet lady is amazing and I won’t go to anyone else —
Not only that the receptionists are super friendly and on it!
Sage and this place are true gems! And I love me some gems.

Alicia is the amazing! I moved to SF for LA a year ago and Alicia is the only person that has cut my hair. I refuse to go to anyone else. Why is that? It’s because she’s freaking awesome!

This is the first time I have gotten my hair cut and was greeted by, «Welcome! Can I get you anything? Water, beer?» BEER?! Yeaa, this place is already in my good graces.
But the haircuts? Ohhhh the haircuts. So. Good. This review is mainly for Ariel because I refuse to go to anyone else now, but I’m guessing everyone else there is of the same calibre.
I’ve lived in the Bay Area for 3 years and have gotten my hair cut an average of once every 1.5 months, going to a different place nearly every time. Ariel is the first hairdresser that I’ve found here that has given me a haircut I absolutely love. She makes sure she understands what I want, despite my total inability to articulate hair cutting terms, and totally delivers. Right now I’m rocking a mohawk, which looks fantastic thanks to Ariel, and she’s even been able to cut some cool design lines into the side. Compliments galore!
The only downside is that I’m super cheap so I usually can only afford it every other month because I’m a broke student. I go somewhere else on the off months to get it shaved, which has resulted in some serious hair butcherings, but Ariel is a saint and just empathizes with me then fixes the damage.
They also recommended some cool products that I now use on the daily. Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray is the cat’s pajamas.

Wow. Just wow! I LOVE this place. I get a haircut every 3 years, so I’m always a little nervous about trying out a new salon. I usually grow my hair down to my butt then chop it all off to my chin to donate so definitely a huge change.
For the life of me, I can’t remember the name of the girl who cut my hair… but she did an awesome job! She had long blond/​brown hair that was wavy. I was really nervous since I was not only getting my hair cut but I also wanted to try something new; shave a small portion on the side and get a fade. She really took into account everything I was saying and made some great suggestions. I felt so at ease the entire time I was there. She explained each step so that I could mentally and emotionally prepare myself. I love, love, love my haircut. I WILL be back in 3 years for my next hair cut. The reason I get a cut every 3 years is also because I donate my hair. The girl who cut my hair carefully braided my hair and rubber banded it before cutting it off. Then put it in a bag so I could easily take it home and send off to my donation place. The service here is so great!
Btw, they offer everyone a beer or water when you walk in. How cool is that?

The owner and manager responded to review. I think its great they acknowledged their mistake and offered to rectify the situation.

I walked in today with perhaps one of the scariest challenges any stylist can face: curly top wants a big chop. I have never had my hair super short in my life, and while I had a party good idea of what I wanted, I was really at the mercy of my stylist.
Four words:
Alicia f%cking nailed it.
As soon as I saw my cut in the final stages I was dancing in my seat. I couldn’t wait to share the photos back with friends and family. Great job babe!

I broke up with Public Barber some time in 2012 — I can’t really remember exactly why… but I I am back for 2015.
In April, I was placed with Anthony and was very pleased with the cut — he really understood what I wanted — even better it didn’t grow out bad. (Nothing is worse than 10 – 14 days after a haircut and already looking frumpy). Anthony is also great for conversation and I enjoy chatting with him. I request him every time now.
Good stuff:
–a complimentary beer.
–friendly staff.
–a sharp looking ‘do.

Sage Schofield is amazing. If you want someone who listens to what you want, and gives you what you want… then this is your main woman to go to! She gives a cut and colour of perfection for a price that would be a hell of a lot more if you want anywhere else. From Seattle to San Francisco she has kept my hair on point for years.

So, after a decade of medium to long hair, I decided to get a modern pixie. Being both scared and excited, I managed to snag an appointment with Samuel.
Let me tell you about Samuel. He’s so nice and professional. His consultation and advice were on point. He made me feel super confidant about the plunge I was about to take and the cut ended up being fab.
Sam took the time to look over my hair’s texture, make sure everything was going to fall where it was supposed to and gave me styling tips for my new look.
All in all, I look freaking fantastic!