after a year straight of bad haircuts from other barbershops i was pretty nervous coming here, but after my long search i've finally found the best barbershop in Maryland: Capistrano Barbershop. the barber that cut my hair here gave me the cleanest cut i've had in a long time, i can't tell you enough how happy and satisfied i was. something i wanted to point out about this place was the atmosphere, super chill vibes with great music playing in the background (i'll tell you my barber should be in a band with how great his singing was). overall, everyone there had great energy, and the shop had a really chill, down-to-earth vibe. i didn't say much during my time there but listening to everyone having a great time talking to each other and sharing laughs genuinely made the whole experience feel welcoming and relaxed too i cannot recommend this barbershop enough. best haircut and experience 11/10 read more

Great service and experience for me and my whole family! A safe and welcoming environment for everyone. Our cuts and styles were life changing! Will return! read more

Guess I'm wearing a hat until my hair grows back. They just let anyone cut hair these days. Been here multiple times. Tried to give them a chance. Don't go here. Not to mention every mole or freckle on my neck is now cut and behind my ears are all jacked up. Thanks a lot. The short guy with the man bun that cut my hair clearly didn't even look at the picture I showed him and just chopped off all of my hair and sent me on my way. He also didn't fade the left side of my head. Going to find another place today that'll fix it. Nothing about your job is hard. At least try to act like you care about your work read more

Been here 3 times. 3 different barbers. Disappointed every time. Going to be wearing a hat for the next month. Again. Showed him a recent picture of me and everything. They just let anyone cut hair these days. read more

Person answered phone while trying to make an appointment gave me higher price than what is listed on their web and at the shop. That is big failure as owning a business. I always try to support local shops/businesses wherever I go. Now, I may just go to franchises where at least they can't scam on customers. read more

My boys have been going there for a while, I have been there twice now and it is my new and permanent spot. This is your old fashioned barbershop where people literally come to just hang and chat. All the barbers are top notch and extremely friendly and funny. They will draw you into conversations. Absolutely love this place and the price is excellent for the service and today's pricing elsewhere. Hit them up you won't be disappointed. read more

Great job with haircut and beard trim. Vibe was laid back and jovial, everyone was personable and attentive. Would recommend this shop to anyone looking for a haircut and shave. Whether you're a local or just passing through, as I was...attending a wedding. read more

Tried Capistrano over the weekend, and - boy - was I impressed! Very nice shop which has managed to keep an old-style feel but yet, at the same time, also upscale and tasteful. Not only was my cut great...but the vibe there is just cool. Super friendly. No attitude. This is my kind of shop, and you better bet I will be back! read more

Visiting Annapolis as an airline crewmember, I needed a haircut badly. I received a great cut and the conversations going on were hilarious. I will be back!!! read more

The barbers here are amazing! Both friendly and good at cutting hair, you get the real barber shop experience. I only get my hair cut here. (Sal's our favourite) read more

Excellent barbers, traditional shop. I'm bald but they do an outstanding job on my 2 year old grandson. As I said, Excellent!

Great Cut! Sal was my barber and he was salt of the Earth. Very funny and cracking me up with his stories. Made me feel like I was back in NY with a couple Italian stallions. It is so great and should always be packed, go here! read more

This joint is an oasis in the desert of downtown Annapolis hair services for men with hair. Every barber has an in depth knowledge on widely disparate subjects from boxing to name changing to Momma's. They even helped me find my lovely bride to be at the local black awareness meeting. It's $8 for a rat tail removal but worth every penny. read more

I have been coming since 2011, when Faraj opened. I've lived in Annapolis and this has been my spot ever since. The shop is clean, welcoming and there is no shortage of classic barbershop ribbing. I've met and made friends here over the last 12 years and Faraj, Dave and Sal continued success read more

Hands down THE best barbershop in Annapolis. I have spent the better part of a year searching for the ideal barber in Naptown. Alas, my search has ended. Caps feels like something out of an old black and white movie. There's just a classy and old school vibe. The barbers are all surgical with their tools and will have you looking dapper. Price is $25, and I usually give $30 for tip included. Well worth the money every time. read more

This place is full on old school barbershop. Located just across from a well known irish bar/restaurant (I'm not a fan of) on Maryland Ave, clearly marked by a barber pole. I heard about it from a neighbor that went in for a straight razor shave to big farewell to his winter beard. I liked the idea, and needed a trim as well, so I followed is lead. Going at 10am on a Saturday, I knew I was in for line. While the wait was probably 20 minutes, I had expected it to be much longer. There were a lot of people in there, standing and sitting on the left side of the shop, all waiting for one of the 4 chairs to open up. There's no ticket system, people keep track on their own and the barbers do a decent job of keeping track. I'd stay vigilant so you don't get stepped over, but all in all the system seems to work. The day I was in there, they had Carlson's donuts, a vegetable juice based drink in a pitcher, coffee, and oddly enough farm fresh eggs (which a customer with chickens dropped off for people to take home). There's a coat rack towards the back of the shop, so wander back and drop off your jacket. Also, if you didn't bring cash, hit up the ATM near the last chair in the right, they don't take credit cards. My hair cut was quick, but very well done. I needed something to clean me up and get rid of the shag in preparation for warmer weather, and the barber (Gerard) did a great job. For me though, the straight razor shave was what I was most interested in. He added a head rest, kicked the chair back, and inserted a new razor into the straight razor. Then the guy next to me started talking about the movie 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'...sweet, thanks guy. Either way, the shave was really cool. I have a sensitive face, but Gerard was very aware of it and skipped the 'against the grain' steps to save me some irritation. Here's the steps (best I remember): -Clippers to get the beard down -Hot Towel -Hotter Tower -Hot oil massage to soften things -Hot lather -shave/lather as necessary a couple times (the main shave stage) -Hot tower -Menthol/oil rub -Hotter towel -double check for missed spots -Cold Towel Total time was maybe 30-40 minutes? In the end it was a great ceremony to be rid of the beard. A few spots were missed (small areas with a bit of stubble) so I had to do a quick cleanup at home. But all in all, for such a close shave on such a babied face, I was relatively irritation free...far better off than if I'd done my own shaving. I'd like to go back after shaving for a month or so and have another shave, since my face woudl be more ready to handle a close shave. Total damage was $35. I can't remember the breakdown but I'd guess $15 for the haircut and $20 for the shave. Either way, I felt good about the price. It has the expected barbershop banter, and plenty of people know eachother in there, so it has a very comfortable feel. I believe the staff is: The Staff Faraj Capistrano - (owner, uses the first chair), he's tall with dark hair tied back Sam - shorter guy, darker hair and features Gerard - older guy (relative to the rest of the staff, sorry Gerard) Dave - Shorter guy with reddish hair read more

See all

Capistrano's Barbershop is the best barbershop in the Annapolis area! I have tried several barbershops in the Maryland and Washington DC areas and Capistrano's beats the competition! Upon walking in, you'll be greeted immediately by the team of barbers. You'll notice the space is small but they have 4 chairs and the most skilled barbers working. The shop has a friendly feel and the barbers get everyone involved in the discussions. The local businesses even stop by to chat as everyone is so friendly. The shop does not do appointments, so it's all walk ins. The wait isn't too bad but at times on Saturday it will get crowded. They do bring donuts and drinks for customers as they wait though. The team is really great at Capistrano's and I swear you will not be disappointed! Best haircuts in Annapolis!!! read more

See all

I was shopping along Maryland Avenue in beautiful downtown Annapolis when I noticed there was an actual barber on the street. Imagine my surprise! Better yet, I actually needed a haircut and beard trim so I thought I'd give these guys a try. I was very pleasantly surprised on a number of counts. 1. It wasn't crowded. It was a Friday morning but, still, at the height of the Christmas shopping season and not far from residential neighborhoods... 2. I was nice. Small but nice. About 5 chairs and the interior was very pleasant. Nothing fancy schmancy. Just pleasant. 3. The cut and beard trim actually looked great at the end. Normally, I end up with barbers that cut my hair too short and trim my beard to the point it looks like 2 days growth. This barber trimmed my hair nicely and, more important trimmed and shaped my beard so that it still looked like I had a beard at the end. Great result. 4. The prices weren't out of line, either. Reasonable and affordable. Bottom line for this place is that I'll definitely be back and I'll be asking for Gerrard when I do. He's a good barber and a good conversationalist. Not overly talkative but carries on a conversation. read more

I have been coming to the shop for years. There is nothing better than a straight razor shave while listening to barbershop banter. This place is the quintessential men's barber shop. The perfect balance of friendship, detailed workmanship and men's club. All the barbers are jovial and make it a point to get to know their clients. Come in, have a seat, forget about your problems and let go of time. Enjoy the experience. read more

I'm very picky when it comes to tusting someone to cut my hair, I have had a good amount of bad experiences from California, Massachusetts, DC and here in Annapolis. After moving here from Cali I found someone whom did a great job with my hair 75% of the time, but that was good considering the other places I had gone to. Then one day I walked into Capistranos to get my beard trimmed up about 3 years ago. The experience stuck with me as it reminded me of the old school shops I would go to in Boston and downtown San Francisco. Alas at this time I had my girl and wasn't going to test the faiths this early, well, she moved on to another profession and there I was, in need of a haircut and not sure where to go (unfortunately most of the people I would ask and trust for advice are bald). So I remembered not only the past experience I had there, but the line of people waiting for a cut. That was a good sign for me so I decided to give them a shot. Let's just say that I'm very happy that I pulled the trigger on this one. Faraq, David, Sammy and Gerard are all great allowing you to be comfortable with whomever you get. They all give a fantastic cut and provide real conversation, rather than some forced banter about random BS and the weather. This place is a must go to if you are looking for a great barber, with an old school feel. And as I can only imagine how much of a pain it is, they do a great job with children. My son is 18 months old and he has had his only two haircuts here and they were accommodating and great with him. Thanks guys and keep up the good work! read more

I am so glad I discovered this place. Parking is a pain but worth it. Faraj did a great job on my hair. This is an old school man's man barber. A rare thing to find nowadays read more

If you like a beauty salon atmosphere than this is not the place for you. This is the place to get great haircut, have a beer and yes speak as men to each other like we used to be able to do before everyone was required to be politically correct. read more

Snappy conversation, a quick great haircut -- this place is a barbershop in every sense.

I used this barber shop on my wedding day to get shaves for the groomsman. I ordered the Groomsman package. That included an old time shave and drinks. The drinks included bloody marys, beer, water and Carlson's Donuts (an Annapolis legend!). They did an excellent job with the shaves. They recline you back in the old chairs and use straight edge razors. We had all three chairs for our appointment. They clean your face and use hot, wet towels to get the face ready for the shaves. It was the closest any of us have been shaved. It was really a great experience for guys. Definitely a guy's activity and hangout. Don't bring the ladies with you here. They even used top shelf vodka for the bloody marys (Level 1). I would definitely recommend this place for shaves and haircuts. I had 6 groomsman get shaves. It does take a bit though so plan ahead for about 25 minutes per person. If you can get all three chairs it goes faster. Definitely make a reservation also. The only small issue was that even with the appointment, they started a bit late, but with donuts and drinks it was okay. Definitely plan to spend some time here, but definitely worth it. read more

This is a traditional barber shop at its best, and it's not just the haircut, it's the experience that goes along with it. Both of the guys are absolute professionals, and they are masters at what they do. One of my favorite aspects of Capistrano is that they take their time on every customer. They don't pump people through like super cuts, everyone gets exactly what they want at a meticulous level of detail. The hot shaving cream is a nice touch, and Sam is such a pro with the razor that I can barely tell when he's started or finished. But part of the experience is just being there. Inevitably, everyone in the shop participates in the conversation, if they so desire, and it's a totally relaxing setting. They even have their own ATM right there in the store. The guys are awesome, the haircuts are excellent, and the prices really can't be beat for what you get. Best place in town, for sure. read more

I've tried every barbershop in Annapolis, and this is the place to go. This will be evident if you catch them during their peak hours because they get busy!!! $25 cuts and they are worth every dollar. Each barber spends plenty of time and has the skills to ensure that you get the absolute best haircut in the area. This is a 100% real barber shop! Enjoy!!! read more

Old time, old school. Great cut. Fast service and awesome customer service. They pay attention to the little things that the chains forget--pesky ear hair, errant eyebrow hairs, etc. Definitely a hidden gem in Annapolis. I'll be back time and time again! read more

Went today because of the Yelp reviews (in spite of the 20 minute drive). Man, I wasn't disappointed. Super fast, skilled, and affordable. Definitely a place where you go and feel like one of the guys. Loved the banter between the barbers. My wife and I are new to the area, and upon finding out, we received all sorts of great recommendations for places to go eat, etc. Additionally, when we realized that we needed to feed the meter, they gave us four quarters to do so. Just good guys with a real knack for cutting hair. These guys will be my barbers as long as I'm in the area. Just a great place to go. FYI - no CCs accepted, but there's an ATM w/ a $2 surcharge. Take cash, if possible. read more

Today I had one of the most uncomfortable and discriminatory experiences of my life. I normally cut my own hair, but had been wanting to go in to Capristrano because I live on Maryland Avenue and figured I'd support the small business while saving some time on a haircut. I walked in, said hello, and took a seat. After 10 minutes of waiting and getting strange glances from the barbers and men in there, the owner walked up to me and told me this was exclusively a mens barbershop. I was embarrassed and confused as I have extremely short hair (shaved sides, and 3 inches on top) but he apologized and told me there was a women's salon down the street. I have never been turned away from a business based on my gender and have had short hair for more than 7 years. There were male customers in there with hair much, much longer than mine. I would also like to add that I was told to be careful before going there because they screwed up one of my pals hair before (he's black, and they clearly only know how to/prefer to cut white mens hair). I also learned this is not the first time they've turned a short haired female away. She was more assertive than me and went back and eventually got an apology from the owner and a haircut. Do yourself a favor and do not go there. It's run by sexist assholes who are living in a different time. read more

I needed a haircut in the worst way and swung by based while my kids were at sports locally. What a great surprise. I got a great cut and it was an absolute pleasure of a visit. They were 'pandemic respectful' and very clean shop. I'll be back for sure. read more

Old school barbershop in the heart of downtown Annapolis. You can't go wrong with getting your hair cut by any of the barbers, they all rock. read more

My soon had a "hair emergency" on a Friday afternoon. A large chunk of his very long hair was pulled out from the scalp. Our only option was to have his head shaved. Faraj at Capistrano Barbershop worked him in and made us feel better about the whole situation. They are wonderful, responsive and highly professional. My go-to recommendation for barbershops! read more

What an outstanding place! First barber I've been to in years and decided to get a shave with my haircut. I walked in 15 minutes before closing and by the time I got to Faraj's blade, it was past closing time. Shave took about 40 mins (I have a lot of real estate to cover!) and it was the most comfortable experience ever! The playful banter between the barbers helped make the experience all the worthwhile! A guy snuck in after closing and they didn't complain one bit. Was referred to Vin 909 for dinner (see that review next, absolutely the best dinner experience ever!) Cash only but there is an atm inside. Will definitely be going back! read more

Shave and a haircut ... Two bits ! Great old school atmosphere in this upscale traditional barbershop. If you are looking for the fun, banter and great conversation you expect from a barbershop the guys at Capistrano will not fall short. If you are looking for the latest style from the runways of Milan or New York this is a barber shop ... Look elsewhere! Service is always great with 3-4 on staff. While the wait can be longer on Saturday it only adds to the fun and adventure of a visit to The barbershop. read more

Best barbershop in the Annapolis area. Many people come from DC and Virginia just to get their hair cut. Great atmosphere!

I recently moved to Annapolis and was excited to check out this barbershop based on the excellent reviews by many on here (and quite honestly, for the lack of many options around the area). I was quite displeased with the haircut, and even worse, with my beard shave/trim. I don't really ask for much when I go to a barber except for a clean, polished look. It's not much to ask for considering these guys are professionals when it comes to transforming a guy into a gentleman. The establishment itself is nice, situated in downtown, with nice shops nearby. The customer service seemed great and the barbers themselves seemed to be very nice, conversing with their clients, as was mine. However, the job itself was mediocre at best. The lines around the ear and neck were not straight/clean and the haircut itself was patchy. When it comes to a beard trim, I usually go to the barbers since they are skilled with the straight razor and can accomplish achieving a straight, clean, beard line. My barber ended up leaving my beard patchy in certain areas (stating that it grew more in certain areas than others, which isn't the case at all). The shape of the beard looked worse than if I had done it myself at home, with the barber stating "it's usually hard to get it to match but this is the best I could do." Once he was done and gave me the mirror to see the close up, I was shocked by the lack of skills he had and I all wanted to do was get out of the chair, pay, and go home to clean it up myself, which I did. I really was hoping I would walk away more polished than I did walking in but sad to say it was quite the opposite. read more

I went to this barbershop this week to get a simple fade and finger length on top while I was out of town here for a few months. My hair is ridiculous, the barber didn't have the capability or understanding of how to blend. So it goes .5 to a 2 with a huge line. The visible line is also very wavy and uneven. I thought this was a slam dunk being near the academy. If you are looking for a fade...fade this shop. Respectfully, they were very nice. read more

I've said it before, I'll say it again. You come here for a true barbershop experience. These guys can cut hair, and you get the experience as well. Sam had prayers at 2:00 and STILL cut my hair at 1:30, took care of me as always, and did a good job. These boys take care of their customers. GO. HERE. #15minutecleancut read more

Outstanding old school barbershop that knows how to get the job done and make people happy!!! Best shave and haircut I have ever had!!! read more

This place rocks!!! Decided to try it one day after work, it was awesome! Superior quality haircut and done in a social, fun atmosphere. I enjoyed the banter and the meticulous job done by the barber! I will definitely be going back as it brought back childhood memories of barber shops I went to as a child. All I can say is this place is awesome!!! read more