Patsy's, and the Heart of a City The heart of a city doesn't…read morebeat in time to the rhythm of landmarks whose silhouettes are stamped on postcards. Its pulse doesn't shake the shopping centers or the offices or the multitudes they carry. It honors no arrhythmia before the Capitol or the architecture that has grown around it. Because it's often the case that the biggest machine lives and dies not by its most imposing part, but by the smallest pin in its center. It's easy to miss Patsy's Barber Shop if you're weaving through the traffic of State and Pearl. You have to know to take the right onto Howard Street and go slowly enough not to miss the white neon tubing that brightens the shop and casts just enough of its glow onto the sidewalk to let you see the barbers ply their trade. Patsy's opened in 1930 at the cusp of the Great Depression, when a proper haircut was a man's resume and the newspaper on the empty seat was the employment office. It was a family business, like many that had dotted the downtown and further south to the neighborhoods that would eventually be sacrificed to Nelson Rockefeller's sense of grandeur. William "Tragedy" Yager now presides over the memories absorbed into the mirrors and the padded chairs. Since 2006, he's followed in the footsteps of his great grandfather, a man who likely opened up shop as he always did on the day Japanese planes set off for infamy. And anyone who's had a seat in one of his chairs and a hot towel on their face knows that Tragedy didn't just inherit a trade; he inherited a love and a duty to everyone that crosses the threshold. A large man with a long, thick beard and a tapestry of tattoos lining both temples, he wouldn't strike you as a man you would want to meet in a dark alley. But again, the seat, the hot towel, two minutes in conversation, and you'll realize that he's exactly the man you would want to meet in a dark alley if your car broke down, if you were cold, hungry and scared, if everybody passed you by. Because there are certain things you can expect from those possessed of the instinct of leadership. But what you may not expect is that sometimes, the places where matters are truly decided accept walk-ins. Patsy's Barber Shop has two locations, 3 Howard Street in downtown Albany and Room 126 on the Concourse Level. Call for an appointment and check for hours. And be sure to patronize the many barbers Tragedy has trained personally.

I'm an out of towner! I've been in town for a few weeks and it can be tough with the trust and…read moreeverything built around that for picking which shop to go to for my next cut. The service, quality, vibe, and aesthetic were an exact match from all other reviews and pictures you see online. Of course the service matters the most right? I was able to snag 2 different barbers in my time out here and have had nothing but phenomenal work at Patsys! I'm telling everyone local and anyone heading up here that THIS IS THE PLACE for a cut.

Was visiting from out of town and needed a haircut. Went to this local barber. Two women cutting…read morehair. They were very friendly and professional. Clearly a local place with plenty of regulars there. Having local customers return is a positive trademark of good work and good customer service. We went on a Saturday morning and it was super busy.

I asked for a quarter inch off the top and she decided it would be funny or a good idea to give me…read morea buzz cut and I am very mad if I could give a negative five stars I would terrible service and very rude can't undo my hair and she was dismissive and laughing at me when I tried to confront her about it terrible service and experience

Always Friendly, timely, and a great hair cut for my son. I Also had highlights done here once,…read moreloved the color, highlights were very natural looking, & the trim was cute too!

My hair was having the Covid blues and really needed some attention. After reading all the…read morepositive reviews, I decided to give Stacy a try. Now I know why she has so many great reviews. Stacy is a true professional. She did a great job, followed all Covid regulations and made my hair very happy. I will be back.

I've been bringing my two sons here for a few years and have always been satisfied. The atmosphere…read moreis relaxed and inviting and as a mother, I don't feel out of place like I have in other barber shops. My boys have always liked their haircuts and choose not to go anywhere else. If you are walking in without an appointment the wait can be lengthly so it's best to call ahead. We have been turned away due to it being so busy. This should only reassure you and be a testimony to how good they really are.

Awesome vibe, great haircuts every time. Good people. Easy to use scheduling online. I love going…read moreto Tim's.

Im visiting from San Diego. I'm very particular to what barber i go to. This place is a hidden gem…read more One of the best cuts iv gotten in a long time. They are very friendly and took me in as a walk in. In need of a great haircut check them out

Simply the best. Jake opened his own shop on Railroad Street - real barber, just like it should…read morebe...hot lather, straight razor if you want. Traditional barber shop service with a modern twist.

Haircut and shave Make an appointment…read moreThey're always ready for you from your car to the chair. Certified barbers very clean I could tell by the way they had their tools set up scissors, etc. James was my barber. I asked him what he thought I went with it. Best haircut shave I've had in New York. I'm 60 years old. I have a shave and a haircut every month for the last 30 years From Florida to upstate New York price price was half the what I thought it would be. I felt like a million bucks and very confident when I walked out of there and it's nice not walking into a barbershop where all the guys think they're gangsters they're all wannabes and ask you what number you want What what number? That right there just shows inexperience on the part of the owners. If I wanted a haircut with a trimmer, I'd have my blind grandfather do it ! Trendsetters very professional and you can tell and see the talent that there. Also, I called late on Saturday afternoon and they fit me in in the owner stayed late and waited for me. James should be very proud to have a team like his and it's nice to see an actual barbershop. Tell your friends.

I have been sitting on a five star review for Trendsetters ever since I discovered it, courtesy of…read moremy kids, because I didn't want the secret to get out. Finally decided it's time to give it up. A barber shop does not get any better than Desmond (the guy I ask for) or Scott. You get small town gossip and careful, leisurely attention to your hair including warm shave cream and a razor trim at the end. The ladies pay $50 for this kind of treatment (and probably less salty commentary from the town elders and wise guys who wander in and out). We get it for $15 plus your generous tip. Don't expect to walk in and plop down without an appointment, however. The online reservation system is easy. Then just be sure you keep that appointment. Those are straight edge razors, know what I mean?

Professional Barbershop has a great atmosphere. A very no nonsense traditional vibe. You can tell…read morethat the owner, Monk, is very passionate about his trade having been at it for 50+ years. In a world where 15 minute supercuts hack jobs are becoming the norm finding a true quality barbershop is getting harder and harder. Professional Barbershop delivers great haircuts, a friendly neighborhood environment at an unbeatable $12 a cut.

Junk. Three different "barbers" managed to jack my head up at this place. Normally I wouldn't keep…read moregoing back but I live right around the corner. The third and final time the kid cutting my hair couldn't blend/fade different lengths, and for some reason right at the end of the extremely rushed 10 minute haircut he removed my sideburns from my head. I've been given no choice but to keep driving to Schenectady for a good haircut.

Great place for a cut if you walk in and get lucky it's not full. Atmosphere is casual guys that…read morehave a blue collar type style. Great interior..magazine, TVs, cigar small, large soft leather couches...like Ron burgundy would love. Prices are great about $20 for a cut, only $10 more for shave with cut. I wish they had time (?) to give me the shave...not sure why but anyways. Cut seemed pretty good (I wish they did more effort cleaning up so I didn't have a head full of hair clippings) but the service was quick and they seemed on point. Come for the manly atmosphere and a solid cut.

Precision hair care with awesome service!! They got all five of our boys looking stylish and the…read morelook of satisfaction from all of the kids was enough for me to give five stars! It was a team effort to get the haircuts done and I loved their ability to pay attention to style and detail. A win for us.

Steve is a highly skilled professional barber that pays attention to the fine details. Unlike the…read morelast place I went to in Greenfield that felt like wham! bam! thank you man! done in less than 5 minutes and the haircut really showed no care or thought by the barber who wasn't even busy and no other customers waiting. Think Prondo's was a couple bucks more, but well worth it! He was so precise and detail oriented, gave him double the usual tip. Highly recommend Steve at Prondo's! Plus free parking.

AMAZING BARBERS! AMAZING ATMOSPHERE AND AMAZING HAIRCUTS! Marlon and his team are all extremely…read moreprofessional from the moment you walk into the shop and welcome you with opened arms weather you're a new customer or have been a client for years. They will leave you feeling like a million bucks!