James Barber Shop

This is my go to barber shop. Victor and his wife are both incredibly attentive and discerning when it comes to cutting my hair. They understand what I want and provide a very well-​done, professional haircut.
Can’t say enough about them. Walk-​ins are $ 18, and appointments are $ 25. Go for the appointment, because the waits can be pretty long.

Great couple! Victor and his wife always take care of you well. You do wait a while but it’s worth it. Only thing that sucks is parking but it’s fine.

Great haircuts. Consistent quality, clean place, and good prices. But lately it seems the shop has inconsistent hours. Understandably, because Victor underwent some sort of surgery, but then after that it was fairly consistent to see the shop closed on Mondays (but it’s not an official hour change, so you only find out once you park, and walk up to the shop to see the sign).
Double check that they’re open before you head out!

Victor is the man!!!
Victor has been cutting my hair for almost 4 years now! Worth the wait!

Seriously, this place is the best barbershop I’ve been too!!! I got a high and tight fade from Victor and he took his time and gave me the most amazing haircut i have ever had, and for such a reasonable price!!! I highly recommend this place!

This barber is by hand the best barber out there. I just cut my hair and he left it flawless, he takes his tune and studies your hair and cuts it according to how you tell him. The only way you won’t be happy with his hair cut is if you don’t explain to him because beside that he’s just an amazing barber. Has over 50 years cutting his hair so he knows what he’s doing! Took him an hour or so to cut it but it’s worth it.

I love this barber shop! I am truly impressed by the quality of service here, and I am usually a pretty harsh critic (just read my other reviews).
I came in around 12:30pm on Monday, July 20, 2015. There was an inspector looking around to make sure things were up-​to-​code, and she seemed very pleased with the establishment. I was, too. The exterior is revamped and the interior is very clean.
From the moment I walked in, I could tell I was going to a receive a quality haircut. Victor was the only working that day, but I know that his wife, Elizabeth, works with him as well. I saw that there were only 2 chairs, which meant that they pay attention to each of their customers. My guess was proven right when I saw him working on the clients ahead of me. There were 2 clients before me and 2 clients after me, and he took his time with every one of us. I read a review that waits were long, so I brought my 3DS to keep my occupied. The haircut for myself and the 2 clients ahead of me took at least an hour each. That is pure dedicated and commitment to quality. The person ahead of me looked like he was getting a fairly standard, easy cut, which would have been rushed in 10 minutes at any other barber shop, but I noticed that Victor took his time and was so meticulous!
When it finally got to my turn, I introduced myself, eager and excited about the experience. Victor greeted me with a smile. I came in on Saturday night right before they were closing, but unfortunately, they already had clients in their chairs and weren’t accepting anyone new. Today, however, he said he recognized me and was glad I came back. His customer service is awesome!
I brought in a picture of the haircut I wanted – Zayn Malik’s hairstyle (yes, don’t judge me haha – that boy is stylish). Victor said he could do it no problem, and after seeing the results, I agree! Before Victor, I had been to Planet Salon in Beverly Hills (now Melrose), where the haircuts were $ 120 + $ 40 tip (yes, I tried this once in my life, back when I was making better money lol). Here, the haircut was $ 18 + $ 2 tip, and the quality was just as good (if not better) than the haircuts I got in Beverly Hills. I used to go to the barber next door ever since I was little, but Victor has earned himself a new lifelong customer.
During my cut, I noticed he used multiple techniques. He used a shaver to create the fade I wanted, he used scissors to thin out and texture the top of my hair, and then used a blade to make the edges clean (just like I asked for). He even used lather right before using the blade and applied a balm right afterwards. He powdered the freshly cute regions above the edges as well. And on top of that, he asked if I wanted product in my hair, which I said yes to. He applied American crew hair clay to my hair.
Victor is so meticulous with every detail, which I really appreciated. He took the time to answer my questions and ask me before he did anything (i.e. how I liked my sideburns, etc.).
The facilities are so clean! The bathroom is so nice and clean. The waiting area is well-​maintained.
Please give this place a try. I am almost reluctant to say that to prevent long wait times, but I want to promote this place as much as possible because I loved my experience here. Victor – you are awesome! Thank you :]
I posted pictures of my haircut in the photos section of this business’ Unilocal page ^^

I believe I got my haircut from Victor who gave me exactly what I wanted, a hightop fade where I can also slick back my hair.
At first I was wondering why the haircut seem to have taken a bit longer than what I was used to, but it’s because Victor takes extreme care in his craft. I honestly have never received a better haircut in my life. I was too used to overpaying at these Koreatown hair stylists, but I think I found my barber for life. As long as he has a chair and clippers, I’ll be visiting him.
5 Stars for quality of haircut and his sense of humor!

Been coming here 5+ years!
Victor and his wife Elizabeth are awesome! They take their time and don’t rush you out.
Wait could get long pending on the day and no reservations.

I normally buzz cut my own hair at home, but I felt like going to a barber shop this time. I did a search for barber shops near my work and «James Barber Shop» showed up, only a few minutes away from my office in Koreatown area of Los Angeles. So I decided to stop by and treat myself to a professional cut. I tell you this, I was presently surprised how well I was treated by the individual, whom I assume, was the owner. He gave me a great cut, shaved my bread that magnified the white hair on my face, finely sculptured my goatee, all for a reasonable price. I came out of the shop looking younger and feeling better. Great little place, clean and worth the visit.

This is my go to Barber! Great Job by all employees always a solid cut! They take their time on each cut! Usually there’s a wait cuz they’re awesome at what they do

Best barber I found in LA. It took me five years to find this shop. I’ve tried everyone and every corner of LA. Both Victor and Elizabeth take their time. They are meticulous. They treat you with care and just get it done right. No BS.
Other barbershops are overrated, over priced, or gimmicks. Victor has years and years over most people and even beyond the years of experience he cuts all types of styles and hair types. I felt right at home. I didn’t feel like I was paying some overrated boutique or chain barbershop for bells and whistles or some guys outfit to cut my damn hair.
Everyone comes here from the area. Whether your Latino, Asian, Black, White, man or woman. I’ve seen everyone get their hair cut to perfection.
How good are they? I went to a party where two professional LA hairstylists, one being an instructor, complimented me on my haircut and could automatically tell it was done really well.

Every night I would kneel to pray that one day I would find a barbershop to call my home. Like in the theme song of Cheers, «where everybody knows your name.»
James’ barbershop is that place for me. Here, each haircut is personal, detailed, and reasonably priced. At $ 16 the amount of care they put into each of my cuts here so far were phenomenal. The caveat is that the wait time will be long, as mentioned in the other posts. However, keep in mind that you will also receive the meticulous care into YOUR haircut, so in my opinion it is worth the wait.

I have a regular Barber in Westwood. (Don’t tell him I went elsewhere). Right before Coachella I found myself needing a last minute barber while running errands in KTown. James Barber Shop resulted in my Unilocal search. WOW was I amazed. I walked-​in and waited as he and the other Barber has clients in the chair. I wait for approximately 30-​minutes. Once in the chair, James left me amazed. He gave me a precise and patient cut. This man knows exactly what he is doing. i was in the chair for about one hour. And it’s not that he was slow. He was so precise and detailed. He was welcoming and very experienced with men’s cuts. The shop is well maintained, modern and in a great location.

I’ll keep this short.
Went here this morning based on Unilocal reviews.
Best haircut I’ve EVER had!
Life time customer for sure.
Thanks Victor!

If you want to get a quick haircut then go to one of those franchise haircut places that pump out mediocre haircuts all day. At James’ barber shop you might have to wait, but believe me it is definitely worth it. There are two barbers and two chairs and they take their time because they do it right. I have always had a hard time finding someone to cut my hair properly and in the past I was always disappointed when I would leave, but here I am fully satisfied every time. I have the lady cut my hair and she does an amazing job, she takes her time and is very skilled. I always get compliments from people now that she cuts my hair. I had a patient at work who said he was a barber for 40 years and the first thing he said when he saw me was «that is an excellent haircut, whoever cut it did a great job!» I have finally found my spot and won’t be going anywhere else anytime soon.

Superb cutting. They take their time on each cut. $ 16. I had a simple fade. Nothing fancy. Took 30 min. I dont mind a quicky 10 min cut as long as the results are good.
Parking– i had to park a block down.

Can you, like, make eye contact with a customer, or say «hello» or anything before they walk out after 10 minutes and go to one of the other 5 barbers on the block?
I guess they don’t teach customer service at Marinello???
:(

So… I read all the good reviews on here, and I usually go to Floyds on Melrose, but I thought I’d give Victor a shot.
I waited literally about 2 ½ hours WHICH sucked because parking is only 1 hour! I had to keep moving my vehicle, luckily there was parking right in front.
At first, I was annoyed because he was taking his time with every single patron, but when my turn came up… I got it. He is SUPER detailed with exceptional skills. Knew exactly what I wanted and I’m bought. $ 16 for a cut I’d usually pay $ 31 for… F-​YEAH!
Definitely coming back… This time, I’ll walk from home lol!
Recommended.

My barber of 20 years. Victor is the best barber on this planet in my opinion he can do the fade with the machine better than any barber I have ever been too. Even though I am no longer down the street from him I still go there.
There are 2 other barber shops right next to him I would recommend sticking with this guy.