Empire Barbershop

Aaron took care of me, I was a walk in guest with no appointment and waited 2 hours… worth every fu*king penny.

This is one of the best barber shops I’ve been to. I’ve been coming here for over 3 months now. Very impressed how clean the shop is and the staff is very friendly. You will see all sorts of ages come by; from 5 years old to the baby boomer generation. The music they play at the shop is entertaining while waiting. I heard Motown to 90’s R&B to current radio hits.
I highly suggest making an appointment. This shop is in high demand. I’ve see people do walk-​ins, but it’s hours after.
I plan to move to Sacramento, but will make sure I still come here for my haircuts when I can.

First time at the shop. There was confusion with the price. I was told 25 but I got charged 30 for getting a «speciality cut» even though I didn’t ask for one. He said it was because I was an adult and 25 was for high school students. I called back and someone else told me it was because I got a specially cut (even though I didn’t ask for it). It’s only 5 but I don’t want to be duped. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt but just double check your price before getting the cut.
Overall great Enviormemt and good barbers.

Empire is awesome! I heard about it from a friend and needed to get a quality cut in a hurry. At the time, the shop was being remodeled; but like the businessmen I’ve found these guys to be, it was not a problem.
My buddy recommended JC (Juan Carlos) aka HDJC, and I scheduled with him. Told him what I was going for, and he set me up for the long run. Best haircut in years; and that’s saying a lot!
I kept up appointments and he fixed everything that lesser quality barbers messed up when I took trips and needed to stay kempt.
But today… I go into the store front for the first time– and it is really effin classy! A real gentlemen’s spot that is friendly for families, too.
The long range plan is about to be put in motion. But wait, now I have facial hair that I’m trying to grow out and style for the first time.
I look at HDJC like, «I’m in your hands.»
The result:
(In my Katt Williams voice) «This right here…»
To sum it up– every barber in here is of the highest quality, the shop has an appealing aesthetic, and the price point is way beyond, «fair» for the experience. I highly recommend for fashion forward individuals and military gets taken care of well.
5 stars ++++

Always a good place for a fresh haircut. The barbers are good and the place is kept clean.
Make sure to set an appointment ahead of time or come early for walk-​ins.
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*review edited after a mistake was found using square reader. Thanks darick!

I can only tell you about my personal experience, and I’ve only gone to one barber the entire time. But he has been great.
I was looking for a consistent barber for the longest time. Was walking through the mall and asked if they had time. Drew, apologized and said he can get to me tomorrow if I’m willing. I showed up the next day and it was great, I loved it! I already knew it was going to be my new barbershop. I like the old school feel with a modern tint. Old school chairs, the barbers were dressed nice, people chatting with each other, plenty of seating to wait. There were also small tvs playing ESPN. What more can you want at a barber shop?
When Drew started on my hair he asked all the right questions, questions other barbers haven’t asked me. Have been getting cut by him since October 2015. And I wouldn’t trade him for any barber. I’ve had some really good barbers as well.
If you arrive a bit late and they do have time, you can leave your number, walk around the mall, and they will call you when they are ready for you. Convenient!
Open up soon!

Love love love this shop! The guys here are great! My 5 year old son gets his hair cut here. They are all so good with kids. Just went to their Martinez location until the mall location is open again. We had Aaron (sp?) a new barber with Empire. He was awesome also. Really good with my chatty son. More importantly his hair came out on point. I’ve tried other barbers and they don’t come anywhere close to Empire. Thanks for the great service! Can’t wait to see what you guys have in store for the Concord location!

This place really deserves five stars. Excellent service every time. Every barber here gives an excellent cut. The price is higher than other barbers in the area and they usually get booked fast, but you can expect that with the best barber shop around. As long as I’m in the area, this is the only shop that will cut my hair.

Empire is my go-​to barber shop. I would say I am a regular, and that is because of their excellent work. Rick is my regular barber and he is a top notch technician, (but I have also been cut by Christian and others, and I have always been impressed with how much time and effort they all put into their craft. Great atmosphere. Great precision. A well run business that I am sure will leave customers satisfied. I am a big fan and a loyal customer. Try them out and you will probably feel the same way.
–CJ

This is my third try here. They are closed for construction have been closed for s few months. I guess they are not going to open. Would be nice if they updated their website and phone message. Have wasted severe trips.

Lets make this clear. I don’t leave reviews. But there comes a time where you receive such great service, it would be sacrilege to not spread the word.
Barber shops are a dime a dozen these days. GOOD barber establishments are rare. A good barber shop will roll out the red carpet to every customer. A good barber shop will have personable, friendly, SKILLED barbers to greet you with a smile, and deliver with an awesome haircut. Empire Barbershop embodies everything above and more.
I walked in on a Tuesday afternoon and was greeted instantly. Drew got me on the wait list, and within an hour, I was in his seat.
Note: My hair is terrible. It’s fine, not dense and tough to shape. Haircut took approximately 40 minutes and I walked out with the BEST haircut I have ever had. $ 30 is a drop in the hat and well worth the money. I will definitely be back, and am excited to find a local barber who can get the job done. Huge shout out to Drew!
Congrats Empire Barbershop — you have created a raving fan!

I love this barbershop. My husband and two sons come here and I must say we are very satisfied. We are a bi-​racial family (asian/​black) and we have found it hard to find barbers who are able to cut and blend the type of hair my guys have. We have seen more than one barber here and they are all good. Most recently we have been seeing Justin and he’s great. I don’t want to say one is better then the other because they are honestly all really good. Every single one of them are so welcoming and you can tell they are passionate about their craft, respect each other as a whole team and most of all care about their clients.
The shop is clean and well branded. I love the New York vibe they have and how they are all well dressed with button-up’s and dress shoes. Their Instagram page is very helpful when I’m looking for a certain cut or design for my sons.
Whenever I come in or call they are so respectful and attentive. You walk in and they acknowledge you right away and try to accommodate you to the best of their ability. This is the kind of business you feel good supporting. I have no problem or doubts paying their prices and 20% + tip!
They also have great taste in music!

Great customer service. You can probably go to any of the barbers and get an outstanding cut. I’ve been to Austin and Rick, and both did a great job.
This place is very welcoming, they greet you friendly and have a great attitude towards all customers. All barbers are very professional and have good skills.
I’ve been to a lot of barbershops, and this is the best I have ever been to.

Love the convenience of this place and their hours.
Theyre definitely skilled barbers, I have yet to receive a bad cut. They pay attention to detail and expect at 30min to 60min for your haircut. Make sure you schedule an appointment, otherwise prepare to wait nearly 2hours. I like that they take your name and number down so you don’t need to wait in front of their shop. However, you would literally need to be there and can’t call in for them to take your name/​number down.
One thing I can see them improving on is their customer service. I’ve been to other local shops that have that «at home» feeling which is great. Empire looks great and feels fancy but without the right customer service; I’d prefer to go back to the local barbers who I can have a conversation with and know each other on a first name basis.

I was growing out my hair for about 7 months and it was finally time to cut it. Walked in with no appointment knowing the wait time was going to be a while and sure enough it was. I got my number and name taken down and got a call an extremely quicker time than I was told and this was during a Friday in peak hours. Justin greeted me asked me what I want and put in his advice on what would look best for me.
The haircut was extremely clean, lines were great and Justin was very relaxed and easy going. definitely got a loyal customer from me.

It’s best to make an appointment especially when you’re going to a good business. We walked in, checked in and still got accommodated. That’s great customer service! Honest and real!!! Keep it up guys!!! Highly recommended and will refer too!!!

My girlfriend asked me what do men look for in haircuts. Like women go for how long or color and many other variables but most men can agree that their haircut depends on clean lines. And this place has been the guarantee place for clean lines I’ve ever been to. I’ve been going for over a year and started the process of my man bun here as well. They are very well rounded in terms of popular and modern hairstyles and are always very engaging with their customers to guarantee that your haircut is to your liking.
The vibe and atmosphere here is also like a time machine but with a modern twist. Old school look and feel with a modern steeze that makes it an over all welcoming establishment with happy and personable employees. I love coming by because not is it a great barbershop, it’s just a great place.

As a woman, I appreciate the clean cut of a man and Empire is the place where mine gets his done. I’ve been continuously impressed with this shop that I just HAD to write a review for this place from a lady’s perspective!
Never have I seen a barbershop this well put together, clean, and classy… I didn’t think shops like this even existed in the bay! All the barbers there are so courteous with their customers, and I love how the shop has such an all-​around gentlemanly feel to it. Everyone I see coming in and out of there leave nothing but pleased (and better looking I have to admit!) People have actually stopped my husband just to compliment his hair or ask where he gets his haircuts.
I see that the wait seems to be the main issue for some at this shop (not necessarily the work), but when you’re as talented, professional and meticulous as the Empire guys are, the shop is definitely going to be busy with eager customers. I know a bunch of guys who go there now (including all the men in my family) and I never hear of any complaints from them. Yes, waiting 2 – 3 hours on a busy day isn’t ideal for anyone, but you know they’re that good if people are actually doing it. Also, we learned to just plan ahead and make an appointment! Simple as that. Word on the street is they’re looking for more barbers so I don’t think the wait would be much of an issue for too long anyway.
Thank you Empire Barbershop for keeping my man looking and feeling fresh! :)

Man, I wanted to like this place.
I went here twice, and my biggest problem is how long it takes to get a freakin haircut! I come with appointments so it’s not the wait, they literally took 1 hour to give me a simple cut. I told the guy I had a job interview after and he was still texting and talking on the phone. Haircuts should take 30 mins tops!
Also I’m from LA, idk if it’s different here, but nobody would ever do weird shit with your sideburns without asking. Came out with weird curved lines, definitely should have asked me before my sideburns are all pointy. I asked for a low fade and did not get it, even with a picture this time.
If you want a sharp LA fade (in 30 mins or less) I recommend VIP barbershop in Concord

My husband comes here. I have to say I like coming with him just to travel back in time in a good way. This place is legit. The ambiance is trendy, yet traditional and classic. The decoration looks as if it was thought through from the tiles to the chairs. The staff are extremely polite and are all true gentleman. The owner is the epitome of charisma and always has a great attitude.
Gentleman, if you like quality and you take good care of yourself, this is your place.