So glad to have found this spot! It's a cute little shop right in the heart of Cameron Village, modern, trendy interior, with a great and super welcoming team. I arrived a little late due to traffic, but thankfully they were as friendly as could be and were still able to take me for my appointment. As a woman who spends a lot of time and effort on my hair as far as coloring and conditioning services, I can definitely understand the commitment to keeping the tresses healthy - BUT, I never realized how incredibly overpriced it is to get a simple trim in the Triangle nowadays. I looked up so many places where a women's cut *starts* at $60... absurd. As luck would have it, I found Arrow, which was actually recommended to me for my guy a while ago. My stylist greeted me in by name, led me to my chair and asked me what were looking to do. I told her just a little trim to get rid of the dry ends and a little face framing to bring it together. And boom! She quickly trimmed up my hair, making sure it was even from all angles, even checking in to make sure we were aligned on how I wanted the face framing pieces and I couldn't be happier. Just sad I didn't get to catch her name because she was awesome and made the whole process so pleasant! Would 100% recommend to any ladies looking for a routine trim at a great price. I think they also offer free beer for guests; I'm unfortunately not a beer person but just so you know! read more

My boyfriend was looking for a place to go that wasn't great clips. I have heard amazing things about arrow and they do an amazing job. He has been going now for 3 months and he has loved it. The ladies know what there doing and can talk about anything. the vibe there is very chill and enjoyable. read more

arrived on time. I sat down in the chair and talked to the hair dresser about my hair. I asked for a certain cut and she barely trimmed my hair at all. I kept asking for more cut, she didn't cut my hair correct all. I didn't ask for an overly complicated cut. she was friendly but hair looks goofy and unbalanced. I'm looking for another barber to fix my hair. I used to go to arrow a lot, but something has changed there. high turnover and average to below average cuts. will be looking elsewhere. read more

This interesting haircuts shop is a mix of traditional and modern, practical and kitschy which makes for an interesting space. Start with the "Guaranteed Shorter Hair" signage up front to the wait counter where you can enjoy a Fat Tire beer while you wait. The shelves loaded with knick-knacks, NC paraphernalia and toolboxes to store the stylist's scissors and gear. So definitely Arrow Haircuts will get your attention but of course for any hair cutting salon it's all about the service. This place is already busy so don't expect to walk in, call-ahead of time. The day I visited, they had 3 stylists and didn't have a free appointment for 2 hours. My stylist was Steve and he's an amenable guy. Did a nice job with my hair sans clippers and we'll see how she holds up but leaving the shop I'm good. They listen and talk to you to make sure you're getting what you want and finished of my cut with a straight razor to the back of the neck. And price-wise we're talking reasonable, $18 for a standard men's cut. So a slow cap for Arrow Haircuts. This independent hair cut shop is definitely doing things differently and better, curious to see how they evolve... read more

I was unhappy with the state of my hair and decided I wanted something new to change the trajectory of my month. I researched online for best men's stylists in the Triangle and Arrow kept popping up, in particular Beth and Chelsea were getting a lot of props. So I booked online (which was easy peazy) and headed on in to see Beth. I am usually a man of many words, but I will summarize my experience with using that oh so catchy McDonald's jingle: ba-da-ba-ba-bah, I'm loving it! She listened and gave it a lot of thought and found just the right look for me - a business guy that wants to feel a teensy bit hip and trendy without looking like I am trying too hard. She nailed it. And she rocks. Plus, it's a cool place with great hair products for sale and a relaxed vibe. Plus, there's beer. Ba-da-ba-ba-bah, I'm loving it! read more

After coming here a few times over the past year, I think I need to lower my review. Now, don't get me wrong. This is not a bad shop. I like Arrow a lot and think Pete has brought a valuable addition to the Triangle. There are some truly incredible stylists here that have never disappointed me. Then, there have been multiple stylists here that have made me downright mad. I'm very clear with the stylist each time on what I want done, but there have been multiple times where the stylist proceeds to cut my hair the way they personally think is best. This is, of course, very obnoxious. I've had more good experiences here than bad, and it still remains a place that I would recommend. read more

They do a decent job and their women's cut prices are cheap. Mid length (above the shoulders) cut is $27 and long is $37, which is much cheaper than anywhere else I'd been. There's also a beer included (Fat Tire, a Fullsteam option, Trophy's "Little off the top"). I've mostly had just a trim or layering, and they've done an okay job. At one point I had very long hair and went to them when I cut off 10 in for hair donation, and I felt comfortable trusting them with this, which was a big change for me. One time there was a spot that was uneven, but I pointed it out the they fixed it. This is a red flag but I've otherwise have positive experiences, and this is honestly redeemed by the price. The Cameron Village location is very convenient for me, but parking can be difficult. read more

Arrow - Barbers Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

In theory, I think this is a great place to get your haircut. The ambiance is way better than a Great Clips, plus the convenience of booking your appointment ahead of time. The staff is always friendly no matter the location. However, do not, and I repeat, DO NOT, choose a random person. I would go to a stylist that you've heard another person recommend. Most of my experiences at Arrow were bad and I think this is due to having curly/wavy hair. Most of their stylists aren't familiar with it and only can cut straight hair. I think the price is pretty steep, as they end up chopping all of your hair off. To be honest you can pay $14 for the same haircut at Great Clips. Both will mess up the haircut, but at least you didn't overpay. read more

I just got a fantastic cut from Ammo. I've been going to ARROW for a year or more. Love the place. When I saw they had a new guy I figured I'd give him a try. I'm pretty specific in what I want. He was highly receptive and absolutely delivered. I'm loving my new cut. Added bonus he's a super friendly guy, easy to talk with and good vibes. I'm definitely looking forward to rebooking with Ammo. read more

If you're a dude in search of a great haircut or shave with amazing service, reasonable price and a beer to boot definitely come here! If you're a gal in search of a great SIMPLE haircut with amazing service, reasonable price and a beer to boot definitely come here! Arrow haircuts provides shaves and cuts for men (and the latter for women too!), saving you from having to shell out $50 at your normal salon for a simple cut or trim. I come here when I simply need everything evened out. They don't offer anything in the sense of styling (no drying or flat ironing) so I keep things insanely simple--and you know what...It works great! I don't expect them to do crazy angled, mulch-layered style, because Arrow doesn't claim to be some high-fashion fancy salon...Nope, just a good quick cut and a beer! Now for guys, this would be a totally different review (same star rating though). As I waited my turn i've watched them shave and they do so perfectly....I don't know how their hands don't shake when they're that close! Their cuts seem a bit more complex as well--you can definitely tell the haircuts at Arrow are aimed for men, with Women being a slight after-thought....Not that I mind as song as they keep handling my mane with no problems! Also a tiny gripe that keeps Arrow from being 5 star....They say they accept walk-ins but I have never once ever seen them actually have space for walk-ins. They're always so booked that they need to stop advertising walk-ins and just be appointment only so they stop getting people's hopes up who are trying to walk-in.. That's always been a annoyance to me with salons and nail places... read more

Arrow - As much as I appreciate their walk-in signage I have never been able to walk in and be seen. Boo! - Barbers Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Arrow always puts me in a great mood with their excellent service, staff and rock n roll soundtrack. Having a great personality is one major requirement of a barber and in my 3 separate occasions getting cuts at Arrow, I have always had interesting conversations with the staff about topics ranging from Guns N Roses, TMNT and the tranquility of fishing in West Virginia. Think about it, even though a men's cut takes only about 20 minutes of our day, it is one of the only times where we can't escape a social situation for the comfort of our smart-phone. I spoke to the owner for awhile when the place just opened. From what I recall, he was previously in the armed forces which is one of the reasons why uniformed members get special rates. After coming back to the US and ending up in Raleigh, he could find a lot of great hip spots in the area and noted Raleigh was a progressive area moving in the right direction, but didn't have a go-to barber shop for the more adult clientele. After conducting market research for about a year and feeling comfortable this was an untapped market in Raleigh, the owner took over a spot in Cameron Village that was previously rented out by "Professional Barbershop" since all the way back in 1966. Also of note, Arrow just opened up its second location on Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh. A business like this doesn't expand that quickly unless it is generating great word of mouth, the yelp scores do not lie. One of my biggest fears about moving down here was that I couldn't find a decent place for a haircut and would have to settle on getting them when I made the trip back up north to NYC to visit friends and family. Thanks to Arrow that is no longer the case, plus I get to drink a Fat Tire while walking out with a nice clean cut that will most certainly make the ladies (ahem, I mean my wife) swoon. read more

Arrow - Free beer with cuts! - Barbers Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Such a shame. Be sure you don't spend your time booking and attending appointment only to learn stylists aren't skilled enough to work on your hair. Booked a short cut for bang trim only. Walked into appt and was told stylist had no idea how to trim existing bangs. Asked another stylist if they were more experienced. Stylist stood up to help and then sat down again to work on phone when asked if he could also trim one front layer around face. Doesn't seem like there is a big emphasis on customer care, value for our time, or improvement of skills of staff. If staff isn't well trained, their skill set should be clearly listed online to manage expectations. read more

2 years later and moving to another town, Jazmin has me driving over an hour for a haircut. She knows what she is doing, does a perfect job every time and that makes it worth the drive. Even now, mid-COVID, no beer and I still show up! I refuse to let anyone else cut my hair. read more

I can always count on getting an awesome haircut when I come to Arrow and cant think of going anywhere else. Kris does a great job and they really take their time here to make sure you are happy with your cut instead of trying to rush you out and get to the next customer. Its all online ordering so keep that in mind because if you just walk in, they are so busy that its very unlucky you can get a haircut without having an appointment. Free beer while you wait for your cut cant be beat as well. read more

The combination of a wonderful haircut and a marvellous straight-razor neck shave should be enough to warrant any barbershop or salon at least 5 stars. However, Arrow at Cameron Village has three additional things that I believe to bring a 5 star (rather, I'd prefer to give them 1000000 stars) rating: free beer, Beth, and Chelsea. I love the free beer. To get my hair cut here is already a treat, but to have a free beer on top of that is just great. I've moved several times over the past 5 years. I think anyone who has moved around a fair bit understands the difficulty and annoyance that comes with having to find things like a new phone plan, new run club, decent grocery store, bars, etc. Finding a good stylist is one of these difficulties. Alas, I was fortunate in my move to Raleigh. My head has been blessed with the skill and artistry of Chelsea and Beth. Both of them are incredibly talented at what they do and I count myself lucky to have my hair done by them. On top of their technical proficiency, they are both very lovely people. Unfortunately, I find myself in the most terrible dilemma of having to choose between them. The only solution that I've been able to come to is for my boyfriend to have his hair cut by Chelsea and for me to have mine by Beth. Looking forward to my next visit! read more

It took me a few years to find a good place to get my hair cut after I moved back to Raleigh but this place is now my go to. Everyone here is a great stylist and they really have great customer service. I would recommend this place to anyone! :) read more

After reading the Yelp and C-D reviews, chose to come here after sifting though a lot of options in the area. With all the 4- and 5-star reviews I thought I couldn't lose. Walked out with the worst, no exaggeration, cut I ever had. My haircutter was nice enough, personable, had lots of flash and razor technique, but did not consider the end result, which was honestly, awful. My hair was all chopped up, patchy, uneven, and frankly, not what I asked for. My partner felt the same. Fortunately I found another place that, once my hair recovered, did a fantastic job. read more

What an awesome place! My son has long hair. He is a lacrosse player and it kinda goes with the territory, but he needed it cut for job interviews. So off we go to Arrow. Appointments are easily made online. The staff was amazingly friendly and put him at ease. He walked out with a great stylish cut and a smile on his face!!! Thanks guys...yall are awesome! read more

I decided to get a haircut here after my boyfriend (who frequents Arrow almost once a month for a trim) told me they also cut womens' hair. I made an appointment online--which was convenient, you can even pick your own stylist--and finally went in for my cut two days later. I was offered a beer upon entering the shop, which was nice, but I didn't have any time to drink it before my stylist approached me saying he was ready to cut my hair. My hair is a little longer than shoulder-length, so I told him I wanted 2 inches off and lots of layers since my hair is thin and I wanted more volume. He told me that they only do trims and minimal styling (what?) but that he'd help give me what I wanted. After shampooing and cutting my hair within only 20 minutes (I'm no expert but I think this was too fast) it was done. I personally think he didn't spend enough time cutting my hair since his next appointment had arrived early and he seemed to feel rushed. He put gel in my hair (WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS) and gave me the worst blow dry job ever. I didn't realize how bad the cut was until I got home and gave it a good look. There were zero layers, and my bangs were cut too short. I decided I couldn't just deal with my awful cut and called the shop to see about getting a refund since I'd need to get this cut remedied elsewhere. They don't take phone calls (weird) so I had to email someone named Pete. Pete got back to me extremely fast with a full refund and immense apologies. He offered to have me come in to fix it at no charge, but said he understood if I went elsewhere. He also offered me a gift card should I choose to come back--which was really nice--but I decided to just take the refund and go get my hair fixed elsewhere. Overall I think Arrow is a great shop--for men. I'm sure my boyfriend will continue to frequent Arrow, but I've learned my lesson and will most likely go to a salon next time. That being said, their customer service was superb, and helped make the best of my not-so-great experience there. read more

The first time I went, I made a reservation with first available Barber. Turned out to be a guy named Steve. Let me tell you... I got one of the top 5 best haircuts of my life that day. So I decided to go back a couple weeks later. I made a reservation but at the time couldn't think of the guys name. I was given to a woman that worked right besides Steve. This time my experience was much less satisfiable. I wanted a different style, a new cut if you will... And she really rushed to get it done and provided no chair side conversation that I've become accustomed to from just about all hairdressers and barbers alike. I left that day spending 20+ dollars for a haircut and total time in chair of about 7 minutes. This was about a week ago. Honestly if it wasn't for the possibility of linking back up with Steve.. I wouldn't go there again.. It's not worth me risking another dub for a mediocre experience and a less than lackluster effort from a person touching my scalp. I was polite about it.. Assuring her I was satisfied.. But what am I going to say? No you suck.. You fail etc? Can't do that. Anyways. I called today and tried to get a spot in with Steve but I had no luck. I would love to find a place in Raleigh that isn't packed solid with customers going to one guy.. I'd like to find a shop packed full of talent. This way on days like this I know it wouldn't be a coin toss. read more

I got a great haircut at a fair price. The atmosphere is pleasant and professional. They offer most customers a free beer, which I thought was an odd addition but sounded great. Since I was a walk-in and all the stylists were busy with appointments I wasn't offered a beer and that bummed me out. What would better for a wait, right? They hit most of the high notes to be a great barber shop but I would have loved a beer. read more

In all my trips to Arrow, Not once have I left disappointed with the haircut they've given me. Located in Cameron Village right next to Which Wich, this male-catered hair salon delivers every single time. I've been to Arrow about 4-5 times, and I always enjoy the experience. As you've probably read, they offer you a free beer upon entering, which is definitely cool. I always get my hair cut with Steve, and I suggest that you do the same. Not discrediting the other hairdressers, just my personal experience. Men's haircuts are usually $19, but is $17 on Mon/Tue with student ID. Besides the great haircut, they also sell local products, from hair supplies to clothes/accessories. If you're reading this, plan your next appointment here! You won't be sorry! read more

My review is simple: As a former Raleigh resident, I travel 1800 miles from CO to get my haircut by STEVE. The whole arrow crew is super friendly. Aaron is a great host. Pete and Andy are GREAT business owners who care about the community. Come by and see for yourself. At the very least you'll get a free beer out of it! read more

Woaaaaahhhhhhh!!! This place is amazing!!! I got a beer when I walked in! And an amazing haircut and beard trim! Steve is the man! Go check this place out... Just what Raleigh needed! read more

True fact, I sometimes travel down to Raleigh just for a haircut. Ok, slight exaggeration BUT I've been a loyal client of Chelsea's for over a year now. I love that I can go in and just tell her I want something different and can confidently watch her work her magic and give me a great cut. Seriously and she is great about offering up new styles and suggestion new ideas. I tend to be pretty set in my haircut but she has encouraged me to branch out and try new styles - and it has always worked out perfectly. Not to mention the rest of the staff there are super friendly and relaxed and you get a beer with your cut. What more could you ask for? Prices are reasonable and you are in and out in no time. I highly recommend Arrow to anyone and everyone. Give it a try. And ask for Chelsea! read more

Arrow is a neat place but Annie Cheshire is outstanding! She is an excellent hair stylist & a pleasure to be around. Arrow is lucky to have her! Go have a beer & a snack(both are free) and have Annie do your hair. You won't regret it! read more

Loved it! They did a great job with my hair and were extremely friendly! Admire the atmosphere and will surely be going back!

I can't tell a lie - I was excited to come to Arrow before I ever entered the door. I'd been following their instagram account, and decided anywhere with such a homey shop and Southern hospitality (free Fat Tire at 11 am? Sure thing!) was exactly where I wanted to get my hair cut. I arrived as soon as Arrow opened, and there were already full chairs, with the phone ringing off the hook. I'll take that as a good sign for service. And I wasn't disappointed in the least. I have long, wavy hair, but my last cut really left everything all roughed up with no graceful way to grow. Chelsea was a great stylist, understanding my hair's unique curls and working with it - not fighting it as a lot of stylists have in the past. I'm already looking forward to a return visit, even if it's just to drag in my shaggy-haired boyfriend so he can be in the dapper hands of the Arrow staff. Thanks for a grade-A experience! read more

Barber shop feel, definitely aimed more for the male clients. This seems like the only place that a girl doesn't have to pay $50 plus for a trim. Beth was very sweet and worked with me to get the look I wanted. It was nice to have a beer while waiting. Unfortunately since their chairs are barber style chairs, they are mainly for men. I had to sit on a stool because I have pretty long hair and the backs of the chairs were too high. It wasn't very comfortable to not have a back to lean against. I'd definitely go back to Beth. Though I would have liked a bit more styling at the end like curling or something done to my layers. read more

I got a haircut from Steve the other day. He listened to the cut I wanted and also provided some feedback based on my hair. The cut was absolutely perfect! He made sure I liked it or he would make readjustments if I didn't. And of course, free beer! The wait wasn't too long (10 mins or so) for a morning appointment. Keep it up guys! Fantastic place for hair cuts. read more

Been going here since I moved to Raleigh 4 months ago, and I have always left happy with the results. The prices are very reasonable, especially considering you get a free beer with your haircut if you want one. Katie does great work and is fun/easy to talk with during the cut, and this coming from someone who is very picky about who cuts their hair and is relatively introverted! :) read more

Free beer!! Well, kind of free... Need I say anything more?? So hard to turn down a beer. Even if it is 11 am.... Even without the beer, Arrow is a great place to get your hair cut. "Guaranteed shorter hair" is their motto and they don't disappoint.. For real though, they really care about what they are doing and make sure that you are happy about your haircut. I have gotten beard trims here as well and they do a great job with that also. The hardest thing I find is actually getting an appointment. You can't procrastinate like I do and try to find one for the same afternoon or the next day. You usually have to book at least a couple days in advance. read more

Super place! I caught this place while I was in Cameron Village and decided to give it a shot. I was very pleasantly surprised! Called in to make an appointment and was offered a few options. Whn I got ther, I was offered a cold Fat Tire and taken in about 3 minutes after my arrival. Kris took the time to see how I really wanted my hair cut and did a phenomenal job. The place itself is nice inside and looks like a cross between a barbershop and upscale salon. Which is a good thing. Everyone was really friendly, not pretentious and aimed to please. I work close by, so this is definitely going to be my regular haircut place. read more

A photo is worth a thousand words. Jazmin works her magic every time and is able to tame my husband's mane! We are so thankful we found her! read more

Arrow - Jazmin always does a phenomenal job on my husband's hair and is honest about what will/won't work for his type of hair! - Barbers Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I don't review many places, but Arrow deserves a review. They have a very laidback, fun atmosphere and offer you a free beer when you walk in...how awesome is that?! I had the pleasure of getting my hair cut by Ali. She did an amazing job! They also use a line of haircare products that smell fantastic and are actually affordable, much like their haircuts. I used to go to overpriced "fancy" salons and pay an arm and a leg for a haircut, but not anymore. Arrow will be my new go-to for a great haircut! I would recommend making an appointment though as they are a small setup, but so worth it! read more

This place is great - beer - haircut - straight razor - and not a lot of useless chit chat. I also appreciate the local shopping options for men's products - great job! read more

Great place for a cut but look elsewhere as a walk-in. The downtown location, maybe given the proximity to business clientele, is more accommodating and you'll have better luck. Been going for years, and if you are 7-8 minutes late for an appt DT, they have someone else in the chair to work them in. I've been on the giving and receiving end of that policy and appreciate/respect it. Thought the CV location would have the same quick turnover/urgency but that has not been my experience. Came in today right after opening, was given the normal spiel about walk ins, and waited for about 35 minutes. Half that time, the middle chair was open after the stylist finished her prior appt 5 min early and she sat outside until her next appt arrived 10 min late (as a walk in, you're watching the clock). I was the only other person there so I wasn't lost in the shuffle. After the late appt arrived, the stylist running the front said I could "keep hanging out" but I know how busy Arrow is and if they can't even feign an interest getting to a walk-in men's cut with a 15 window, it wasn't going to happen. I book online 97% of the time and 100% know that walk-ins are a crapshoot (I apparently took for granted how good the DT crew is and now feel obligated to give them a 5 star review). And it was early and maybe this trio didn't feel like hustling to work in an extra appt. Understandable. But it's a bad look to literally take time to explain a walk-in policy to someone who comes in and then ignore it 20 minutes later. read more

Just moved to Raleigh and was worried about getting a new barber but went here for the first time and loved it! Beth cut my hair exactly how I wanted it and offered suggestions to make it even better! Love my new cut and will be coming back when I'm ready for my next cut! read more

Full, unedited review at: http://fathungrypanda.blogspot.com/2015/05/arrow-haircuts.html I saw my first barber in 1974. He was a bearish man named Lauren--a gruff, gravelly-voiced barber with white stubble-beard and white Cubavera shirt, who always joked that he'd cut my ear off and feed it to his cat if I wasn't still while I was in his chair. Of course, the threat kept me in line, and I was always rewarded with a Dum Dum sucker for my obediance. His shop was in the basement of the strip mall my father started his law practice in. It had three steel barber chairs...though Lauren was the only barber in residence. Tools sat in glass jars of blue Barbasol, and clippers rested under the UV glow on the shelf. The air was always heavy with pipe and cigar smoke, and there was always one or the other sitting in an ashtray, its ember patiently glowing as it waited for him to take a puff. Next to them, he'd rigged an AM car stereo to take power from the wall and play over speakers. To this day, when I hear the old CBS radio news sounder, I can flash back to that shop. When I have a Dum Dum sucker, I always think of him. Lauren wasn't a "designer" or a "stylist." He was an old school barber, cut from the cloth of the men from the Greatest Generation--Hemingway with shears and a cat with allegedly curious eating habits. When I went to Arrow for the first time, I was awash in nostalgia. It looked like the barber shop that I remembered from my youth. As I first looked about, I almost expected to see Lauren spin around in one of the chairs, putting his newspaper down and pipe in the ashtray as he asked me if I was going to be good, or if his cat was going to get a bonus in its evening Tender Vittles. The floors were stone, the walls finished with raw wood and metal sheeting. A faint hint of talc laced the air. A man offered me a beer...or bottle of water if I wasn't feeling like alcohol. I know myself well enough to handle styling decisions confidently. I have a long face, almost rectangular. I need something to break it up at the top or bottom, and over the years, I had a certain cut that worked for me. I even carry pictures of it in my phone, to show to stylists. Sadly, my most recent visit to Arrow has left me with a Kid-and-Play style "eraserhead" hairdo that only Arsenio Hall might envy. Now I'm sure you're thinking "but the stylist had to look at the pictures before he started." Arrow has high ratings here. Everyone on Yelp raves about them. I can tell you that he begrudgingly took my phone...after even asking in shock "you've got something you want me to look at?" I can tell you that he swiped through a few. I can tell you that as he was starting to buzz the top of my head, when I asked if he was leaving enough hair for the outward taper, he assured me that he was on point with the pictures. He put clippers to my head and started shearing. I asked which guard he was using. When I asked for a shorter guard, he almost took offense to it, like the act of taking the #2 off and replacing it with a #1/2 for the back and sides was like asking Jose Ebert to wash a client's hair. Granted, as he was cutting, he talked to his "bro" who came in to rebook an appointment. He talked to Aaron, the gentleman who checks people in. He pretty much talked to everyone BUT me. Once my glasses were off, I could just as well have been a practice head at a barbering school. Of course once I had my glasses back, when he was completely done (I guess barbers don't stop in the middle of a job to see if the client approves anymore. Even Lauren stopped threatening me with), and he saw that I was unhappy that I looked like an extra from the last House Party sequel, then he started talking. "What do you want me to do?" Dude-bro-Steve, you can't glue the hair back on. Honestly, what was my response? What should it have been? "Hey, no, it's okay! You spent so much time intercting with everyone else in that shop BUT my you didn't even to see what I thought about the job you were doing? Now, I'm looking at 4-6 weeks of regrowing before we could possibly salvage this. Thanks, bro!" I told him that it looked nothing like the pictures. So he defensively demanded to see my phone. After I showed him the third image, he shrugged it off in a condescending tone. "Hey, man, you're getting a freeeeeeeeeee haircut." I'd rather have had a good haircut. I'd rather have had a stylist who paid some attention to me, instead of thinking that giving me "generic-dude-bro-white-guy-cut-#3" would garner him a fast and easy tip. So I walked out with a bad haircut....and a certificate to come back for another one--marked "re-do" on the certificate. Sadly, Arrow is becoming a victim of their success. "Walk-ins welcome" is now code for "make an appointment." The free water is gone, only beer now. read more

Guaranteed Shorter Hair Teresa, from New York, and Steve, the son of a Vietnam veteran, welcomed me as I walked in. I am new to the area and did not know the Arrow protocol. This barbershop is extremely popular and gets booked up a week in advance, so of course they were fully booked when I got there. I took a risk and decided to wait for an opening or cancellation. I expected to wait in an uncomfortable metal chair and read People magazine but the reality of my Arrow experience was far from my expectations. Steve offered me a cold craft beer from Fort Collins, Colorado as I sat down even as I reminded him that I had no appointment and that there was a chance that my beer could be wasted on a turned away customer. Steve did not care. Then, Teresa gave me a second beer one minute after my first one was empty. As Steve was cutting my hair I learned a few interesting tidbits: his mother is from Vietnam and his father was an American soldier in the Vietnam war. Steve dropped out of college and became a barber after his mother taught him her trade. Arrow is not just barbers and hairstylists. Steve was my greeter, bartender, barber, and cashier. Best damn Barbershop South of the Mason-Dixon. Period. read more