The King of Shave

You will walk in and your hit with welcoming smiles and hellos from Gene and Diego. Sit down and it’s easy to relax, listening to the Argentinian tango music in the background. You feel like you could make yourself a drink and just kick back for the rest of the day. All worries are gone.
Gene and Diego are great guys. They’re fun, their banter is hilarious, and they just make life a great time. The cherry on top is they are seriously good at what they do. I say things like «this but a month ago» or «do whatever you think», and they nail it every time. The King of Shave gives me the best cuts I have ever had in my life, and I will recommend this place to everyone.

The bottom line is this place provides the best haircuts in Philadelphia, which is why I continue to come back. Gene is excellent. I personally recommend this place to any of my friends looking for a haircut near Center City. Lastly, the booking system online is very convenient.

Is it possible to feel passionate about your barber shop? No. Of course not. That would be absurd. What is also absurd is how incredibly awesome The King of Shave is. Seriously.
Let’s start with the owner/​barber Diego. I love Diego. The man is hilarious. He’s a great conversationalist and you never have that awkward barber moment where either (a) you both realize there’s nothing to say and it gets quiet or (b) you both realize there’s nothing to say but worthless banter ensues. Take note: he’s such a talker that he sometimes runs behind schedule (or perhaps it’s because he really is careful with his work). Regardless allot for a little extra time before your date (with yourself. at home. with netflix and tears).
But of course you didn’t come here for witty banter. You came for a good haircut and a nice shave. My hair sucks. But Diego always finds a way to make it look way less sucky. That’s high praise given the suckiness of my hair. He remembered the way I liked it styled after only one appointment. That’s pretty impressive. I haven’t done a straight shave there, but he’ll do your neck and it is done expertly. I mean, really he’s the real deal. I haven’t worked with Gene, but my sense is that Diego has some really highs standards for whom he will employ.
Scheduling: Do it way ahead of time because The King of Shave is also the King of Booked (ha). Luckily there is a super easy online booking system (no account required!), which really streamlines the whole process. Sometimes they’ll be able to fit you in, but I never counted on it, and honestly didn’t want to put Diego in the awkward position of turning me down. Actually, one time I misread when my appointment was, and was going to leave because he was booked but then he squeezed me in real quick just before I went on a vacation. That was super nice and it’s things like that, that really makes me happy to give him business.
Know this. Cash only. It’s a pain in the butt. One time I forgot to have cash. I felt the fool. He said come back whenever with cash. I did asap because I was embarrassed. Diego didn’t seem concerned. But again, neighborhood barbering at it’s best. Diego is serious about his business but he’s also serious about his customers.
Anyway, I recently moved from Philly, but wish he’d open an outpost in my new city. That’s something I feel passionate about.

Received a great haircut from Stefanos. Perfectly shaped and worry free. He listened to what I requested and delivered! My new go to place for a haircut.

My boyfriend finally found an awesome barber and recently found out he is no longer working at the shop. It is a great environment and a great place. But unfortunately he will not be going to king of shaves for his haircuts unless Ryan comes back!

i’ve been going to Diego since he opened. He is truly the best and a very nice guy.

I heard about this place from a friend at work and I have to tell you Diego did not disappoint. This place was fantastic. Really great relaxing atmosphere and the barbers attention to detail was great. You can book your appointment online, I recommend booking a few days in advance because spots fill up quick.

As an executive recruiter image to me is crucial. I’ve been going to the King of Shave for at least three years now the barbers at the King Of Shave are very detail orientated. I frequent here at least once a week. 5 stars all around must visit for your next hair cutting need!
Best Regards,
Scott Berry
Sr. Research Analyst

I always enjoy my experience in Gene’s chair. Always a great cut and never rushed. Best part is the online appointment maker, just so convenient.
Thanks, Gene, for my 4-year-old’s first real cut today!

I am a medical professional and have been going to King of Shave to have Diego cut my hair for almost 3 years. I have always been very happy with both the excellent haircuts I have been getting and also the relaxed, friendly atmosphere at King of Shave.
A few days ago I decided to go with a completely different hair style and showed Diego a picture of what I wanted. Without any hesitation Diego went to work on my new «modern mohawk» hairstyle. I was very happy with the combination of a modern new look for me and something that would not make me look ridiculous at work.
Diego is excellent at what he does and I always enjoy the banter in the shop as I get my cut.
Hightly recommend!

I had been looking for a barber in the Philadelphia area that knew how to do a good professional shave. Diego took care of that. A good razor line and cool conversation. I will definitely be using The King Of Shave again. Gracias Diego!!! From your friend «Dani Alves»

Well walk then ask them if they took walk-​ins they said yes then he asked me what I wanted I said to shave and a haircut they said sorry I have a 10 o’clock appointment well I’ll never be going there again

This is an old-​school barber and shave shop, and I was very happy with my experience there. I used their online reservation system to book my appointment… very convenient. I was actually 10 mins late for the appointment, and called ahead to let them know. It was no problem, and I was seated immediately after I arrived. Since my appointment was somewhat last-​minute, I did not specify a barber… I got Robert, who was apparently new to the shop. He was very experienced, and did a very nice job. We discussed what I wanted, and I told him a few things that were important; he handled the rest.
They seem to do a very nice job, and I’ll be back to try them again in the near future. My only two negatives, and the reason for four vs. five stars is that they don’t take any electronic payments, so bring cash. Also, I think their barber stations could be a little better maintained… what I saw was average, but things could have been a little cleaner in my opinion.

Been going to Diego since he was a young lad working at Groom.
One of my first times going to Diego, either he or I (still debating), messed up the appointment date by a week. I end up showing up for my ‘scheduled’ appointment, with no record of it in the books… this was discovered after waiting for an hour and no customers remained. ‘Apparently’, the appointment was in the books for the week before and I didn’t show up… we still give each other jabs for that.
When he took the risk of small business and opened up King of Shave a year or so ago, I had to follow. Since, it is nearly impossible to book an appointment because he is so famous… fortunately, the online reservation system works marvels.
While the haircuts and straight-​edge razor to the neck are nice, Diego brings a level of jovial comraderie with his customers and Gene (other barber behind a chair) that you don’t get in most places.
Words of wisdom: Book appointment early, show up on time, bring cash, and have stories to tell.

I come to undo what I did. A couple weeks ago, I did not give a great review because I was not happy with my beard shaping (or really, lack of it) and overall shave experience. Within a few days, Diego, the owner, emailed me to apologize and thank me for my sincerity and ask me to come back in for a haircut or shave free of charge. I replied thanking him for the outreach, further explaining what happened, and said I would come in but absolutely compensate him for his service. I booked another important and then stupidly came in a week early, having confused the days. (Sometimes I get confused). He realized the confusion but said come back at 6:00 tonight. I came back and he did a stellar job, is a hilarious and as nice as it comes person, and would not accept any payment or tip despite my insistence.
This is a great man, a great owner, a great shaver/​haircutter. I will be booking a haircut with him soon and look forward to it.

So far I’ve had two cuts here. One from Diego and one from Gene. They were both exactly what I wanted. They are both professionals and really skilled. They are both great conversationalists. They cut our whole family now including our hard to please 13 year old. Even he walked out with a strut with his new freshie. Just don’t try walking in. They are almost always booked in advance so book online.

Whether this is your first time going to a“traditional” barber or you regularly get straight-​razor shaves, King of Shave is one of the best in town.
The best way (although not, I understand, the only way) to get a reservation is to go to their website and book it online. You can tell them what you want (cut, cut with beard trim, etc.), when you want your appointment, and who you want to cut your hair, and boom, that simple, you’re done.
The barbers are very nice and very thorough. They’ll ask specific questions to make sure they do your hair the way you like. I’d recommend pampering yourself with a beard trim if you wear a beard – it’s so relaxing to lie back in the chair. It’s worth it.

Just had my haircut this morning by Gene and I can say with absolute confidence that it is the best haircut I have ever had.
Gene took his time, listened to how I wanted things done, and took time to get to know me through conversation (he did not simply cut my hair and rush me out the door as other places may do).
I am very satisfied with the level of service provided and received and I guarantee that I will be returning regularly.

This is a good, old fashioned barbershop not far from Center City in Philly.
There appear to be only two chairs being used in this shop. I went in for a straight razor shave with Diego. Scheduling an appointment is very easy — using their website.
The shop itself has a great vintage feel with a mix of old fashioned fixtures modern accessories. The shop just feels like a barbershop for men — nothing unisex about this place.
Diego is very personable and the shave was great — with all the expected oils, hot and cold towels, etc. Diego took his time and did a nice job. If he nicked me at all, I never knew it.
All in all, a very interesting place — I would return on my next trip. There is no where I know of where I live to get a shave like this. Good stuff.

Today was my first haircut at The King of Shaves. It was a fantastic experience. Diego and Gene were very welcoming. Gene did a great job. He took his time and ensured the haircut was to my liking, and he made me feel comfortable as a first-​time customer. The shop has a great location at the corner of Pine and 11^th with large windows so passerbys can gaze.
I highly recommend this shop to anyone looking for a great haircut.