Decatur & Sons Barber

The other day as I was strolling through Chelsea Market with my family I happened to randomly stop into Decatur & Sons Barbeshop. I found the place to be absolutely immaculate in comparison to any other Barber Shops I have been around over many years. Bryan was extremely helpful and professional about his craft. I walked out more than satisfied with my haircut and will definitely make this shop my regular haircut spot.

The second cut is the true test because you never know if the first one was a fluke.
Different barber this time, same great results.

I had been going to Decatur and sons for years with nothing but amazing things to say about the service and quality of the cuts from any barber in the shop, but since Thorin left the shop has gone down hill. The new owner was just trying to peddle a new app he probably paid for to be developed and wasn’t concerned with the quality of my experience.
I’ve given the shop 3 tries since the original proprietor left, and after each time I was disappointed, but this last time was the worst. I had told the seemingly experienced barber exactly what I needed him to do, but got none of it. I asked for a fade on the sides of my head, got a buzz all one length. I asked for him to scissor cut the top, he used the buzzer some more. When it came time to scissor cut I stopped him and needed to get out from his very shaky and inexperienced hands! Bottom line don’t get a cut here if you’re used to how it was, or expect the old time barbershop feel Thorin meticulously cultivated when he was running the shop go somewhere else.

This place is only good for a specific type of haircut i.e. faded pompidour, hitler youth, etc… If you are like me, and enjoy a simple fade and edge up, you will be severely disappointed. My «barber» was inexperienced, lacked confidence and is anything but thorough. My haircut lasted a total of 15 minutes, including a «beard trim.» She didn’t look at the mirror once to check for symmetry, and she didn’t even bother unbuttoning my top button of my shirt to shave my neck (a «service’ I paid $ 15 extra for), getting hair all over my shirt. She didn’t even have the basics skills of blending a 5 to a 1. I didn’t walk out with a fade, but rather a layer cake on top of my head. And I got charged $ 50 for a haircut I could have gotten for $ 15 pretty much anywhere else in NYC. I suppose it’s my fault for getting a haircut in Chelsea Market instead of seafood. I’ll bet the lobsters in the market had a better haircut than I did. I told her to skin taper the back and she goes «I don’t have the equipment to buzz down to the skin.» Oh my bad, I thought I was at a barber shop. I didn’t catch this barber’s name, but you will know who she is based on this review. Beware.

When I walked into the barbershop, a woman– seemingly a customer– was sitting in a chair and texting on the far side of the room. When I asked if I could get a haircut, the man at the front desk went over to the girl and asked her if she wanted to cut hair; she replied reluctantly and slowly stood up. She acted as though cutting my hair was a huge favor and was both impatient and unprofessional. Each time she haphazardly cut parts of my hair, she stopped and asked, «how does that look?» She acted like she just wanted to get rid of me. I asked her to thin my hair since there was no progress being made, and she told me that this would cost $ 15 more dollars. My wallet is the only thing that was made thinner. A waste of $ 50. Do not go to this barbershop — and especially not this «barber»

You can find cheaper haircuts, but you can’t get better hair cuts than Decatur & Sons.

I heart Decatur & Sons. I have been searching for someone who speaks my hair language for four years and after sitting in Tony’s chair twice now, I can safely say the search is over. Not only is he sweet, funny, and kind, but my haircut is fierce, fly, and exactly what I ask for. I love that this shop doesn’t care that I am a lady and understands I might want the straight razor treatment on my neck, too. Thanks, guys. Y’all are the best.

Walked in on a whim because my officemate has his do done here. Mine is simple. Short hair on face and head. One might say, all haircuts are the same because of it. One would be wrong.
I’ve had my hair cut many times. I’ve cut my own hair many times. There is a difference. A big difference.
Quality and creativity were high. Friendliness was abundant. Haircut was great. Will be going back.

I’m afraid I’ve tried Decatur three times now and I’m not impressed. The last time, they kept me waiting for 20 minutes on a 10:30am appointment. When I asked how much longer it would be, I was told 15 minutes. Someone could have told me that when I walked in the door and I would have left. The manager tried to be nice when I cornered him and apologized, but waiting that long for a hair cut in my opinion is not worth it.
onward.

Awesome cut and shave! I would recommend it highly to anyone who is looking for a solid barbershop experience.

Been a regular here for 6 months and it’s the best place in the city. Ask for MIKE. He knows his craft and will make sure he understands your style and cut. I’ve been happy every time i leave Decatur & Sons.
You can book online, call ahead or try your luck and walk in.

Just got back from that place: AWESOME.
Ask for TONY, that guy’s a hair ARTIST, he cuts perfectly, gives amazing advice, so professional and friendly. Think I had one of the best haircut for ages
Will def hit that place again during Tony’s shift!
A.

Finally a barber shop that LISTENS! I feel better about my look every time I walk out.
I’ve gone to several of the guys who work here and they all do a pretty damn good job. I had a tough time finding a barber in the city and finally heard about these guys through a mutual friend. I’m a busy guy and like to keep a scheduale so I can’t be bothered by these places that make you walk in and quote you a time-​not having that– that’s why I love that I can make an appointment.
Thorin and his crew are nothing but friendly and professional and I’ve never once had to wait on an appointemt and have always walked out of there looking better than I did walking in. Here’s the best part — they don’t just ask you what you want done after you sit down, they LISTEN to you and talk you through your cut while they are doing it to ensure that you are getting the exact look you want, and to me, that’s priceless. These fellas actually care and are all about making you look your best as opposed to many other places that are more concerened with how many cuts they can bang out in an 8hr shift. This place is no factory barber, they are about customer serivce and making you look good, and they have nailed it every time — Thanks guys.

5 star rating is based solely on Xavier. He is an excellent barber who I’ve stuck with for years. Really knows what he’s doing and I have never left without feeling at the top of my game. He’s the best in the biz.
I have no opinion on Decatur & Sons as an establishment because the only thing that matters in a place like that is the personnel.

This was my second time in this edgy yet old-​school chelsea market barber shop and both time were sweet, far exceeded my expectations going in blindly via Unilocal Review.
The first time I went in for a beard trim and had Eli. I went in there with a hella gnarly beard and kinda let Eli craft it as he so fit. Well, he chizzled it into a pretty extreme facial hair composition (per my request) — the dude just crushed it. I walked out of there looking fly as f@ck. I’ll probably never have a beard that sick again.
The second time I had Tony for a hair cut. Tony is like the nicest dude in the world. Hands down. He is calm, pleasant and super informative about everything hair related. I am usually pretty unclear about what to tell someone when they cut my hair and this time was no different. Short or keep it long? Ehhh, somethin in the middle. Do you style your hair? Ehhh not really, but occasionally. Anyway, Tony gave me an awesome cut that took my unwiedly matt of hair down to a sleek if I style it, chill if I don’t look.
Everybody there is chill as hell too. It’s my new spot. Thanks guys!

Absolutely brilliant. You can book appointments online!
I came in, having booked a $ 45 haircut with Tony J. I intended to just get the sides and back trimmed (for the first time in my life, I was not getting any off the top! What an intrepid move! I am bound to start losing hair any day, so I should live it up while I can).
At the place, I discovered the $ 25 trim option, which was a cut for just the sides and back. Tony was totally accommodating, and let me do the trim despite my full cut booking, and did not push me to spend any more money. He worked with me in my new desire to explore keeping more on the top, and was a totally nice guy. He did a great job with the haircut. I look great, and totally expect to get laid at the elite event I am going to right at this moment.

I first went to Decatur when I got back to NYC after a couple years spent overseas. I happened to be staying in the neighborhood and wanted to get rid of my traveler-​or-​unhinged? look. I fully intended to go back to my old stylist in Alphabet City after this quick fix.
Flash forward almost a year later. I live back on the east side but still make it to Chelsea Market for a cut and a visit to a friend in the area. I usually make an appointment the day of so I can’t be picky with who I get, but that’s OK because I have yet to be disappointed. The team — in every iteration I’ve seen it — is consistently, reliably good.
I do have a favorite who has hit my sweet spot for speed & efficiency, the right amount of conversation, and the cut that suits me best, but I don’t really want to tell you who that is because I’ll need that appointment.

Tucked away in the corner and only noticed because there’s a lighted sign when I bought an espresso next door.
A bit more than others, but worth every penny. Attends to what I’d prefer to look and adjusts the length just right to the shape of my head. Couldn’t look any better on the way out.
The shop is hidden, yet — does more than big hair with a big heart too.

Worth. Every. Dollar. I walk out of Decatur & Sons feeling like a million bucks every time. It’s that simple, nothing but quality here.
It’s a super laid back environment, great conversation, and everyone is extremely knowledgable about the products and tools at their disposal. The location is insane too. You have everything you need within Chelsea Market after you’re done lounging in a Decatur & Sons chair.
Keep up the good work Thorin, Moises, and crew.

I work in the building so I decided to try this place out. Admittedly I was a little nervous because I’m a little picky about who cuts my hair. This spot was awesome! It’s literally an old school barbershop but has modern feel if that makes sense. Everyone there is super friendly and cool.
My cut? My Barber (Moses) knew exactly what I wanted and helped me develop a long term plan that will give me the style I’m looking for. He’s also extremely cool and laid-​back which (IMHO) helps make people feel comfortable.
Will definitely be making this spot my official barbershop.