The Gentlemen’s Chair

I’m sure it’s a good shop it just seems every time I called or showed up at the shop there was no one home…

Tom has been the most consistent and communicative person to have cut my hair. I drive over an hour to go to have Tom cut my hair, and I feel that he undercharges for services rendered. I’ve had approximately as high quality cuts at 3x the price and with an amount of exclusive cattiness that was nothing short of a reality TV show. None of the pretense exists at Tom’s shop; he is practicing his craft with sincerity. I fully trust Tom when I consult him on a direction for a look, and to deliver on the execution.

Tom is the best. Period.
I’ve know Tom for 20 years, yet never let him cut my hair. I always had my own guy to do that, and it was good. Right to the point my barber passed away and I had to find someone else.
I still didn’t go to Tom, I tried to find a replacement that was close to home or whatever, and it was a disaster.
Several bad haircuts later I gave him a shot. Tom nailed it first try. He took one look at my head, and the grown out remains of the last and most latest of bad cuts, and then told me how it should be done. His cut that day was the best cut I had ever had done for me, and now he is the only person who cuts my hair.
How much do I like his hair cuts? I live in Santee and drive to IB to see my barber. That much.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this review. I have thus far refrained from doing so because, frankly, Tom does have limited hours and I don’t want him to be any busier. I really don’t have anything new to say that isn’t reflected in any of his other reviews. The Gentlemen’s Chair is the best barber experience I’ve ever had in my 43 years and I won’t even consider going anywhere else.
Incidentally, the guy who wrote Tom’s only non-​five star review is incorrect about not having a sign in log. Well, it’s not really a log, per se. It’s just a roll of paper next to the toilet. There’s just one name on it.

Do not believe Andrew. The ONLY 1 star review this shop has. Tom is an amazing professional barber and I’m glad to say he’s also a great friend. I came to this shop about a year and a half ago and I can’t go to any other shop. This is my home. The amount of respect this man shows is incredible. How much he cares about his clients. The deep conversations we have while I sit there. Soft music in the background talking about life. You can’t get that anywhere else but here. I’m telling you this from a guy who’s gone to PLENTY of barber shops, this is the BEST shop there is in this city. Heck! In this damn state! Tom is the man and I appreciate every little thing this man does. He has such a heart I cannot explain. Be very careful tho, if you come to this shop I guarantee you, you are going to leave your old one. I pay $ 30 for my cut. $ 20 for the cut and $ 10 tip every time cause how amazing his service is and I do it with a big smile. Thanks Tom for everything you do buddy and keep cutting them wigs!

I know building a business is definitely not an easy task; it’s a process most people dread because of the challenges involved and that’s why many people would rather remain employees. So for taking a bold step into starting The Gentleman’s Chair you’ve really proved your guts. Building a successful business from scratch is simply all about surmounting challenges; nothing more, nothing less.
I’ve been getting my hair cut here for over a year now and I must say, Tom has always exceeded my expectations. It’s hard to put a price on great conversations and most importantly an excellent barber. A fancy website, a customer log does not give a business character. The Gentleman’s Chair has its own brand and I for one call this place home. The people I’ve met here are one of a kind and I will continue to frequent the establishment. Keep up the great work!

Everything in this review is factual and is from actual experiences with this barber over the course of a little under one year.
I’m really disappointed with Tom. For months this guy provided reliable service at a price that beat the competition. This is no more.
He is now difficult to get a hold of and he holds a grudge when you press him for what you want for yourself. For me, that was a haircut and beard trim in an hour for $ 20 which seems reasonable for the southbay, the extremely limited availability he has and THE FACT THAT IT IS A HAIRCUT. He will go so far as to complain that your requests are «difficult» and question your own decisions about what you want and pay for. How disrespectful of people’s decisions is that?
The cuts used to be done in a reasonable amount of time, but now if you want a beard trim (which is apparently a big deal for this guy) he will ask you to come back another day to get it done! Even the haircuts take 1 hour and a half! This is ridiculous considering that the quality of the haircut is never consistent and people frequently ask him for corrections on the spot after he is «done».
If you piss him off, he will take forever to get back to you, give you a bad haircut when you finally get an audience with his majesty, and finally will try to get smart with you about the price once he has you in his chair. This guy has no posted prices and he doesn’t want to… Think about that.
This guy also doesn’t want a sign in book and he doesn’t take walk ins (WTF?). Think about that!
This guy also doesn’t want a website to advertise his business or to book reservations. Think about that as well.
In other words, he wants to leave no trace of any business transactions or money earned whatsoever (deadbeat tax evader).
To top it all off, he is only open Wednesday to Friday. That’s right he takes 4 day weekends because working like everyone else would just be too much.
Think about that. Is that legit? Is that reasonable? Can you trust it?
My experience with this barber is that he is the only barber that had ever increased his price for service within the space of one year on a consistent customer… For no reason other than it’s «too much work» to do a good job, in a reasonable amount of time, on a man’s hair and beard… How weak and crooked is that?
For the amount of trust this guy places in his customers to keep him afloat while living in his dad’s house… he sure treats them like dirt and I’ve had enough of it. THERE ARE MANY BETTER OPTIONS AVAILABLE; so I won’t be going back there again.
If you do go to this barber tell him nothing about yourself; he is as fake and dishonest as they come.

Tom is the best. I have been searching for a barber ever since I moved here. My last barber I was loyal too for 15 years. Tom takes the time to get to know you and he never rushes his cuts. Since I moved to IB he has referred me from everything to mechanics and food. He takes care of his customers. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Awesome place. Great guy and a very cool atmosphere (quintessential man cave!). The cut took awhile but it was definitely worth the wait! Hair looks awesome and he clearly knows what he is doing. Owner stayed open late for us and we’re glad we didn’t go anywhere else. A definite must for guys who want a good long lasting haircut!

Tom and his shop are the best. Tom’s haircuts are second to none. It’s like he is a hair whisperer. His kuts are $ 20 and worth every penny. If you want a second rate haircut, there are plenty out there. If you want the best haircut you’ve ever had, this is the place. The shop décor is old timey and homey. If you have to wait, and you only will if you arrive early, you can practice your pool on the back room table. Tom can converse on any subject and is a good listener. He is a true gentleman.

Mr. Tom I awesome, other than my Father (old school Barber) I’ve never had a Barber cut my hair without having to tell them how to do it more than once. Tom is a master of his craft and takes a lot of pride in what he does, which isn’t seen much these days. I live in Spring Valley and have NO problem driving down to IB to see him!

Tom and The Gentleman’s Chair are assets to our community. I got the best haircut of my life last month, and the conversation was even better. Thank you Tom for everything!

I’ve been going to Tom for almost a year now and hands down he’s the best barber I’ve had in my life. His shop is quite the humble place to be if you’re looking for a gentleman’s haircut with hospitality.

Best haircut of my life. Great place. 5 stars. No doubt. Not your traditional sports barber shop. Read: down home blues, jazz, and crooning. Good conversation, and the most technically proficient barber you’ve encountered.

I checked Unilocal because I have fired so many barbers and hair stylist paying even as much as 50 dollars a haircut to get the right cut because my hair is hard to cut because of the way it grows. I went to Tom and from the very first haircut this man is right on the money and he is a perfectionist just like I am and I will continue to go back to him becuase in my 52 years of being alive I have never met anyone else that can cut hair as well as this man. Trust me, you go there and you will be very happy when you leave because I’m one of the hardest people to satisfy

Just got my hair cut from tom great barber and real friendly guy hair cut was exactly what I wanted and the décor in the place was awsome will be coming back soon best hair cut I’ve gotten in a long time

I’ve been going here for a couple of months now and I gotta say, this is the best barher I’ve ever had. It truly is a gentlemans barber shop. The first thing you’ll notice is an entire room full of antiques and art. Tom truly knows hair and it is very comforting to be treated respectfully rather than another walking wallet who’s only purpose there is to give you your next big buck.

If you like to Shoot Pool, hang out and talk with the Guys and most important get that cut, buzz, trim… Then make an appointment with Tom. Owner & Operator…

I didn’t know that there was so much that went into a hair cut. Tom explained to me the detail an artistry that goes in to each person head shape and structure. It’s like architecture for your head and hair.
Tom took his time to figure out the best look for my hair type and when it was finished I’d have today it was the BEST haircut ever.
The value of his hair cuts is worth the price. It’s cost a little bit more but well worth every penny. Just like comparing Mickey D’s to Ruth Crisp you get what you pay for.
Plus it a true Gentlemen’s place. It looks like a turn of the century rustic hunting lodge, with wood grains and elk antlers and 100 year old brass barber chairs, if your a guy, your going to love this place.
I know where I’ll be getting my hair cuts from now on.

Tom! This really is a good as it gets! Your attention to hair is incredible! You know just how to work with it, so that it has a natural feel when it’s complete. You have an awesome environment that gives a feeling of history and comfort. I look forward to enjoying all my haircuts at The Gentlemen’s Chair in the future!
Eider