Rafaels Barbershop NYC Vintage

I have been coming here for 8 years, Rafael is one of the best barbers in the city. Very professional, always happy when I leave.

UPDATE: coming up 13 years i have been coming here and I have never walked out disappointed.

Best haircut in the city at a great price. Rafael is incredible, intuitively knows what you’re looking for, remembers his customers and what they want. Always happy with the finished product and customer service!

I recently had the pleasure of getting my haircut by Rafael, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish! Rafael is not only a skilled barber but also a true artist when it comes to hair. He took the time to listen to my preferences and offered valuable suggestions based on his expertise.

Throughout the haircut, Rafael's attention to detail was evident. He meticulously crafted each cut, ensuring precision and delivering fantastic results. His technique and expertise shone through, leaving me with a hairstyle that exceeded my expectations.

Aside from his impressive barbering skills, Rafael's professionalism and friendly demeanor made the experience even more enjoyable. He created a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, making me feel at ease throughout the entire process. He engaged in pleasant conversation, adding a personal touch to the overall experience.

The barber shop itself was clean, well-maintained, and had a welcoming ambiance. The staff members were friendly and attentive, contributing to the positive atmosphere. The entire visit was nothing short of delightful, and I left feeling not only satisfied with my haircut but also with the excellent service I received.

I wholeheartedly recommend Rafael to anyone in search of a skilled and talented barber. His passion for his craft, attention to detail, and personable nature make him a standout in his profession

Great personalized service. Authentic, real and a great cut. Don’t just go for a trim, get a full shave and cut.

First time in NYC for a haircut. Did a great job by asking me what I wanted and making sure I was comfortable and happy with the outcome. Definitely going back.

I hadn’t been to Rafael’s for 7 years, since I moved away from the city. I was relieved to find that he’s still in business, and his new space on E 9th street is even nicer than the old one.

Thanks again Rafael, I’ll be sure to come visit whenever I’m in town.

I just had my third haircut at Rafael’s and I love it and will continue to go back. He takes his time, has great attention to detail, and the haircut looks great for weeks with the natural taper. It’s a fun experience every time and the straight razor neck shave at the end is awesome. I highly recommend getting your next haircut at Rafael’s.

Rafael is truly a professional in every sense of the word. He doesn't just cut hair. He takes the time to really understand what you truly want and how to maintain that look day over day in between haircuts.

Prior to seeing Rafael, it was very difficult for me to be happy with my hair and it required a lot of styling in the morning to get it to "fall" right on my head. Rafael meticulously shapes your hair to match the style/look you are going for with your natural hair texture and tendencies, making styling minimal. And if the look you are going for does not match well with your natural hair, he'll suggest tweaks so that it does work if that is what you want.

I've been going to Rafael's ever since moving to NYC, and continue to go even after moving to Brooklyn. He's that good.

After asking him to not cut it too short he completely disregarded my request and gave me a cut with absolutely zero style or finesse. One of the worst haircuts I’ve ever had.

I got the worst haircut I've ever gotten by walking in here. Not to mention it was $45 and he started lecturing me mid cut on my own hair. I've gotten many good hair cuts in the city by asking for what I want.this was not one of them. It has been days since I got the cut and all I can say is I would rather have my long hair.

I’ve been searching for a barber that I can fully rely on for years and I’ve finally found that with Rafael. He builds shape and style and makes an effort to understand your hair as opposed to treating you like any normal customer searching for a quick haircut. I highly recommend!

Rafael is a master of his craft. Highly recommend regardless of your type - his flare and classic barber touch make getting a cut an experience in and of itself.

Always gives a consistent cut with no nonsense and a very good price. Just be sure to be punctual / arrive a few minutes ahead of your appointment and bring cash

After many haircuts all over the US. This Barbershop was the best! Haircut at the highest level, precise and beautiful. Thank you!

I've been going to Rafael's barbershop for over two years now and every haircut has been great. When I first started coming Rafael gave me some advice on what hair cut would look best and I've stuck with it since. Highly recommend it.

Rafael is a great barber. Understands how to create a good haircut for your hair/head, giving good advice along the way.

I've been going to Rafael's barbershop for over two years now and every haircut has been great. When I first started coming Rafael gave me some advice on what hair cut would look best and I've stuck with it since. Highly recommend it.

I’ve been coming here for a year and a half and it’s the best haircut I’ve had. It consistently looks good and often I can schedule just a day or two in advance.

Simon is my barber every time and it is a unique and wonderful experience when I go. It is my favorite barber shop and I love coming here! Highly recommend!

Rafael is a true gentleman. He understands how to personalize your haircut to your type of hair and is extremely precise in his technique. I’ve been to salons where I spend over a hundred dollars and they couldn’t give me what Rafael did. I cannot speak highly enough of him.

Great barbershop, perhaps the best haircut I’ve gotten in NYC. Rafael really took care to address my specific hair condition and made sure to style it in a way that fit my overall head shape the best. His skills are absolutely on point and his personality is amazing! Will definitely be coming back.

Never had a bad experience or haircut with Rafael. Has given great advice on my haircut. Great company and easy to make an appointment

Easily the best barber in NYC! I have been going to Rafael's barbershop consistently for five years, and he does a fantastic job. My hair looks great, he is friendly, easy to talk to, and punctual.

Rafael's Barbershop is a spot where you'll truly feel the meticulous care with each cut or shave. The owner, Rafael, clearly has a deep passion for his craft, explaining in great detail his approach on your first appointment. No matter if it's your first cut or fiftieth, his attention to detail is amazingly remarkable. The steampunk-ish toned retro design of the shop itself is yet another example of just how much he wants to give his customers a unique experience. This shop owner/artist gives his heart to his clients day in and day out, and at a price that's incredibly nice.

Rafael is a great barber! Make an appointment, come on time, and Rafael will take proper time for you without rush!

This is a hidden gem in the East village. I stumbled in by chance years ago when I lived down the street, and haven’t wanted my hair cut by anyone else since. If you need a haircut - Rafael is THE guy

Rafael gives the best haircut in town for a fair price, is always on time, but you have to show up 5 minutes early!

Rafael is extremely talented with cutting hair. He knew just how my hair should look and how I should style it, and I absolutely love it. Great conversationalist, who truly cares about his craft and cutting hair. If you need a haircut and help styling your hair, you have to go to him!

This is now my third time at Rafaels and I always get a great cut - I don’t need to tell them much but I always leave satisfied. And like others have said, the way they cut your hair here, it will look good for weeks afterwards as it gets longer. Really happy with the atmosphere and the friendliness and professionalism of the barbers here - and the massage at the end is the best part. Thanks!

Great experience at Rafaels barbershop. Professional and have gone here since moving to NYC. Always great haircuts

Rafael is a solid guy and gives a solid haircut for a decent price but I would not go here for beard work. Few months ago I asked for a shapeup of a bushy beard and he literally just cut the whole thing off. I felt him doing it and was like hm this feels like he's cutting it completely off.

I let him go at it because I figured no self-respecting barber would cut off a beard and call it a shape up. But he did. I couldn't believe my eyes when I sat up. I had 1 cm of stubble all the same length top to bottom. Stunning. I had explicitly asked for a certain style in a photo. Not even close to what I showed him. He said it would grow in with shape. It obviously did not.

Included is a before and after. The before was multiple weeks before. So it was a bit longer/bushy by doomsday. I understand I didn't have a lions mane to deal with, but I've done better on my own with scissors.

Bad bad bad bad. Asked for a fade and they tapered in my receding hairline. I ended up with a 6 head. Don’t go with the lady (I forgot her name)

Rafael ruined my haircut. I read all the reviews on here talking about how he's a great stylist and that he knows what he's doing for when your hair grows back. He said himself that my old haircut was bad but he didn't ask me what I wanted, he just started going and buzzed my hair down to the scalp (all of this after it was 15 mins past the appointment time).

He cut my hair the same way he cut the person before me, it seems he only knows how to cut hair one way and doesn't accept any other styles. I'm truly unsure how he has so many good reviews, this was almost the worst haircut I had other than great clips.

Now 2-3 weeks after when my hair has grown back it's grown out completely different from what I was used to/wanted, it doesn't seem like he's really prone to criticism either, as I saw his responses to other critical reviews, wouldn't be surprised if he said "maybe you just need to see your haircut in a new light? " like he has to others.

I'd steer clear of here if you're a new customer, find someone who will actually listen to what you want.

Rafael ruined my haircut. I read all the reviews on here talking about how he's a great stylist and that he knows what he's doing for when your hair grows back. He said himself that my old haircut was bad but he didn't ask me what I wanted, he just started going and buzzed my hair down to the scalp (all of this after it was 15 mins past the appointment time).

He cut my hair the same way he cut the person before me, it seems he only knows how to cut hair one way and doesn't accept any other styles. I'm truly unsure how he has so many good reviews, this was almost the worst haircut I had other than great clips.

Now 2-3 weeks after when my hair has grown back it's grown out completely different from what I was used to/wanted, it doesn't seem like he's really prone to criticism either, as I saw his responses to other critical reviews, wouldn't be surprised if he said "maybe you just need to see your haircut in a new light? " like he has to others.

I'd steer clear of here if you're a new customer, find someone who will actually listen to what you want.

Rafael is outstanding at his job. I got my hair cut here a week ago and my hair has started to grow back in perfectly. While cutting my hair, Rafael knew exactly what he was doing, which was comforting for me after coming from an incredible barber in another city. His barbershop is also welcoming and enjoyable to sit in. I plan to continue to going to Rafael for years to come.

Rafael is an absolute artist. After giving him an idea of what I wanted, he made sure to take the time to understand my hair and gave me a great cut. Exceptional customer service, highly recommend

Great haircut, not just on day 1 but on day 30 or day 60. Rafael does a great job for a reasonable price.

Absolute legend. By far best haircut I’ve ever had. Told me I’ve been doing my hair wrong all these years and made it wayyyyy better with one cut.

It's Rafael's world and we are just living in it.

Rafael never fails to impress - his haircuts are professional, clean, and consistent. The cut always meets expectations, but the best part is how the hair grows back in an even way. Would recommend.

I came here to get my baby’s first haircut because I love the visual Aesthetic of a real vintage barbershop from the 50s. Our barber was professional, patient, and really seemed to give his heart into his craft. If you’re looking for a vintage barbershop that not only gives you good service, but great atmosphere come here. I drove from Staten Island just to come here, it was absolutely awesome!

Went in twice, both times the barbers ignored what I asked for and gave me some of my worst haircuts

Walk in on a Sunday morning, Natalia did a amazing job. Great attention to detail. Best cut and shave in East Village for sure!

Fantastic barbershop with a fantastic owner! Rafael runs a tight ship and is a kind man who always has vodka at the ready if you are in need. Highest of recommendations to make this your regular barbershop!

As somebody who recently moved to the city great place to get your haircut. I like to switch it up and don’t always know what I want, but letting Rafael take care of you is never a bad choice. He does a good job. Will keep coming here.

Rafael’s has a great atmosphere and even better haircuts at a reasonable price- highly recommend it to anyone!

I came here for my first post-lockdown haircut because it looked the safest with its big open windows. It turned out to be the best haircut I’ve had in NYC. Have been returning constantly since

I’ve been going to Rafael for a few months now. Always the same consistent haircut. Perfection every time.

I came in as a walk-in client looking for a new barber post covid, and found my new barber. Rafael was professional, accomodating, and his attention to detail, and customer satisfaction is the best in the business.

My search for the perfect haircut, styling advice, and new barber has ended. He has found a new lifelong client in me, and he runs his business impeccably.

большое тебе спасибо!

Mathieu

I walked into Rafael’s for the first time after years of going elsewhere, and he immediately recognized the problems with my previous haircut, and how he could cut my hair better and more symmetrically based on the shape of my head. A true pro with great skill and vision - I have found my new barber!

The barbershop itself is beautiful and Rafael always does a great job. It was sunny so he opened the windows for me, too. It’s my go to place

Rafael is the best barber I've been to in my life, hands down. He really loves his craft and puts his heart into it. He assessed my hair in my first visit and educated me on why he recommended cutting it a certain way that works best for my head and hair type. The results are amazing, and I'm so thankful. At this point I'd trust him with my life. Plus, scheduling through the website couldn't be easier, and the shop itself is such a comfortable environment. Highly, highly recommend Rafael's Barbershop.

We both agreed my last haircut was not good, but his effort to "fix it" was worse. He cut off way more than we agreed to, and completely erased the part I had on the side. I have never left a review, let alone a bad one. I am very particular with how I style my hair, but being that it's now not far from a buzzcut, I'm not sure what to do besides wait till it grows out.

Trust the process.

Found Rafael a few months ago and been using him ever since. The first cut might be surprising- he cuts a lot, to fix past barbers mistakes. But hair grows back and after Rafael, will grow back in a better shape than before. He’s super detail oriented and really understands hair. Would recommend to anyone looking for a barber in the EV

I don't normally write business reviews, but this is an exception. A friend first recommended Rafael's when I moved to New York 5+ years ago. Since then, it has been the only barbershop I trust in the city. Rafael and the other staff have gotten to know my hair and preferences over the years, and deliver consistent, satisfactory results. I have since moved out of LES, but the trip back is well worth it when I need a haircut.

Amazing, wonderful, precise and I’m definitely going to come back again and again. Rafael’s Barbershop is a 5 star recommendation. I’m from Bay Ridge and the train ride was worth it.

Rafael is a friendly guy with amazing attention to detail and a clear appreciation for the finer things. Would absolutely recommend the experience, and can't see myself going anywhere else while I live nearby.