I had to look for new barber due to moving. I've always had issues with finding the right barber because I have a flat back of the head. I work in the building and figured I might as well try this place out. I gave two simple instructions: (1) mid taper with 1/2 guard; and (2) faux hawk in the front. Gave me the perfect haircut and rinsed of all the excess hair. Great service and will come again. read more

I needed a barber in Chicago while I was here for work. Sam is excellent! He cut my hair just the way I wanted it.

Great place to get a haircut! Sam is an awesome old school barber. The Princeton haircut!

I came in for a shampoo and a cut. Never have I had better service. My shaggy mane needed a cut and I got an extraordinary and luxurious shampoo and hair cut. read more

Sam provides high quality hair cuts with the hot shaving cream treatment (very rare nowadays). Super friendly guy. Highly recommend if you work in the loop or visiting! read more

Sam gives the best cuts in the city! He is always more than helpful and will get you a quality cut very early in the AM. His signature cut is the Princeton, which also happened to be a Jeopardy question! He made me look both smart for knowing the answer and stylish with the quality cut. I have been a repeat customer, and will be for as long as I am in the city. Sam is the man!!! read more

In town for a wedding and stumbled upon this gem of a shop. The owner, Sam, and staff were extremely friendly, professional and detail oriented. Highly recommend you trusting them with their services. read more

Civic Opera Barber Shop - Barbers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I always struggle finding a good barber, Sam makes things easy and left me feeling great about my new haircut. Highly recommend to anyone in the loop who needs a good barber. read more

Sam is great. Came in today for the first time and couldn't speak more highly of the haircut, atmosphere and people. Got a shoe shine too. Great experience, will certainly return soon. read more

Tremendous barbershop with tremendous people. I went in this morning as a first-time customer, and they were so kind and accommodating. Last night I was robbed, and I had to cancel both my credit and debit card, so today I arrived at Civic Opera Barber Shop with just my fiancés credit card. They typically are cash only, and when I told them I had no cash they immediately said no worries just get your haircut and figure it out later! Fortunately, they were able to accept Zelle from me, but the kindness for a complete stranger from both Leo and Salvatore was so incredible... Not to mention they give a great haircut! They have a customer for life in me. read more

Sam's attention to detail and professionalism is second to none. He know's hair and takes the time to give a proper haircut. Stand up guy with excellence service - 50 years of continued commitment to his craft. Thank you Sam. read more

Sam cut my hair. Great haircut. He was very professional and I liked that he only used scissors to do my taper, which is how it used to be done back then. read more

This is the place to go if you want a real haircut from a true barber. Most places have lost the art of using scissors; not here. Additionally, so many barber shops these days are charging $50+ for a cut with clippers and zero straight razor clean up. Personally, I think that's criminal. If you want a classic barber shop experience and a great haircut at a better value than any other spot I've found in the city so far, I recommend this place. read more

An old school Chicago hidden gem. Sam is a master. If you need a shop for a lunch break haircut in the Loop, this is it.

I am 76 years old and legally blind. I visited this vintage barber shop recently. I called in and made an appointment for 1:30. I got there about 30 minutes early and was greeted by Sal. As Sal directed me to the chair, barbers were starting to go home. As each one left, they repeated "Tomorrow is another day." Sal had been cutting hair for right at or over 50 years. But, of course, Sam (the owner) was there longer. Although I appeared to be the final cut of the day, Sal did not rush by any means. And a young man was there shining shoes. Sal did his magic with the scissors and I ended up with a GREAT haircut. And I know this because of the friends who complimented me on it. I told them I got it at Civic Opera Barber Shop (Sal). I cannot see much detail. Sal finished off by shaving my neck by razor and very nicely delineating my stubble beard. I will definitely be back when in Chicago! read more

I came in expecting the typical barber shop experience where I don't really know what I want or how to describe it, the barber does his best, and I look fine for a few weeks. Instead I got Sam. Sam described to me what my hair was doing, what it should be doing, and how he was going to get it to do that. My new haircut looks great even though I didn't know it was what I needed going in. Seriously, go to Sam and let him take care of you. He knows what he's doing. read more

Fantastic haircut from Sam. He knows what you want before you do- trust him! Old school techniques and hospitality that you can't find elsewhere. Perfect shoe shine from Manuel too. FYI call before going; they aren't open as late as usual due to covid but will accommodate your schedule. Highly recommend and eager to return. Thank you, C.O.B.S.! read more

Called on a Friday morning around 8am asking if they had any time for a last minute haircut that day. Asking for around 2pm. He laughed and said he was going to be closed. They don't close till 4pm, but couldn't explain why they weren't open at or after 2pm. I asked if he had any availability that day or another day and all he could do was chuckle over the phone and said called back Monday or Tuesday and "we can see". This is my second poor service interaction with this group. My first time was admittedly a walk in haircut, but as I entered the shop, I was welcomed with awkward stares. I was told they had the time for me but the barber stood at the entrance looking up and down the hallways for a solid 5 minutes waiting for a friend to show up. He went to work on my hair and of course his friend showed up and he was greeted with a wide arms gesturing that he couldn't do anything to get him into the chair since I was sitting there. Made me very uncomfortable. Though I love that they only use scissors, this barber proceeded to poke my head with the tip of the scissors during the entire haircut, making the overall interaction very unsettling. I hate writing negative reviews, especially on a what seems to be a Chicago staple but this was bad. read more

True professionals. Have been in business for years and it shows. Haircut so good I schedule around travel to make sure I get my Princeton Cut! read more

Sam was great! Accommodated a same-day booking. Through and good job with the haircut and shampoo. Incredible value at $35 compared to other barber shops charging more but doing less good of a job. read more

Sam is an old school barber who is knowledgeable, friendly, and highly skilled. I have been going here for years as it is the perfect place to get a haircut in the morning before work or on my lunch break. I have gotten haircuts before 7am here because Sam is very accommodating. Sam has given me different haircuts throughout the years and I always trust his suggestions because he knows what he is doing. I currently have a Princeton with a scissor cut on the side and back. Do yourself a favor and ask for the sides to be cut with scissors. Anyone can use clippers, and I'm sure a lot of us did during covid, but only a true expert can cut with scissors. Speaking of covid, everyone wears masks here. He is able to give you a straight razor shave with your mask. You can come in get a haircut and leave with an espresso and looking and feeling great! If you have an interview, wedding, or some big event, come here and Sam will make you look great. You can also bring your shoes and they will shine them too. Support small business! read more

Amazing quality and service, very talented barbers. Very friendly. They accept Venmo or cash which is convenient.

Great haircut "Bells and whistles be damned, some men just want an old-fashion barber they can trust ... For 40 years, Sam Gullo has been filling his chair at the Civic Opera Barber Shop in the Loop read more

Civic Opera Barber Shop - Barbers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I don't see prices listed. Popped in and they said $35 to start just fyi. Seems like a nice spot.

Great Service, Timely cut, fair price. Without having to over-explain, Sam understood what I wanted to do with my hair and delivered, which was nice! read more

I was in town for business and needed a haircut. After looking at all the reviews, I decided to give the Civic Opera Barber Shop a try since the reviews were positive and they open early. I walked in just after 7AM and only had to wait a few minutes. The haircut I got was hands down one of the best I've ever received, and, as someone who cuts his hair every other week, I've gotten A LOT of haircuts. I strongly recommend this barber shop. I travel to Chicago weekly and I've found my new barber. read more

Highly recommended - I came in after getting a bad cut from a separate barbershop. Sam was able to clean it up and save the day. Great service, professionalism and timely. I will be back! read more

I was in Chicago for a couple days and needed a cut. I was intrigued by the idea of a barber being in the Opera Building, never mind on the 15th floor. I've never seen a barber over the second floor. Then I read some reviews and saw that Sam specializes in what he and customers call the Princeton cut, and I realized it was an Ivy League cut, an old style that's come back and I've been wanting to try for a while. I caught Sam on the phone--he's the point man for customers calling for appointments--and once he was free we had a great chat, about hairstyles going in and out of fashion and about how he hasn't been priced out of this incredible space up in the sky. If you've never had an Italian barber give you a standard cut, it's an experience in competence. There's no hesitation, just snip, snip, snip. The main unhappiness people seem to have in reviews of this shop is that they don't want a standard cut. I get that. There's definitely something to say when you want your hair a specific way and you find a barber who can do it and more importantly can remember the next time. Sam's skill is that he's an expert in doing a number of classic cuts, whether or not they're in fashion at the moment. Most people probably are too young to remember, but barber shops in the 60s and 70s used to sport cut posters with illustrations of fellas with the Ivy League, the Crew Cut, the Flat Top, etc. Go ahead and google it. An artist like Sam can churn 'em out with his eyes closed. After my cut he treated me to a tour of their balcony, overlooking the Chicago River. Spectacular. Take time out from your busy day, slow down, and get a classic cut from the Civic Opera Barber Shop. read more

I have been going to Sam for over 20 years. Great hair cuts great service. During Covid I had been reluctant together haircut due to fear of catching it. I hesitantly made my appointment knowing that if masks weren't being worn, I would leave. Well, the customers all wore masks. The barbers all wore masks. They have some type of small bungee chord which he hooks on to each side of the surgical mask when you wear it. He then washes your hair then cuts it, everything done without your mask leaving your face. I was amazed and will go more often. Give it a try. Alan H read more

I am visiting Chicago and didn't get time to get a haircut back home before I left. I looked at the rave reviews for Sam and decided to go to him for a haircut. I am very happy with the Princeton cut that Sam recommended and loved the old style cut using only scissors - don't find that much these days. The icing on the cake was the delicious espresso he offered me after the haircut! I highly recommend Sam. read more

Awesome and traditional barber shop. Sam was amazing and took me as a walk-in. I live in the north suburbs and will definitely be back for a real haircut and shave. Thx Sam!!!! read more

I saw some bad reviews.. and I thought, I'll give them a chance. Wish I didn't - wouldn't go back. Didn't do my head any favors.. my girlfriend asked if I was balding after I got this hair cut.. Just not the style for me.. old school, one way to cut hair - no versatility or cares for preferences. read more

Found it via Google and I am so happy I did. Walked and was greeted by Sam. He gave me a great haircut and an absolutely phenomenal shave. He is a wealth of chicago knowledge as well. Definitely head over there and treat yourself to something real and not some fake new nonsense. read more

Found this place on my way in to work today...Great place and great haircut! I walked in at the right time and was taken care of right away by the owner, Sam. If you like old school barbershops and a very friendly atmosphere I highly recommend this place! read more

Sam was great, showing me different pictures before I got my cut. The cut was really clean and quick; I was impressed with the quality. Not surprising since Sam's been cutting hair for 45 years. read more

I've been looking for a legit barbershop since I've moved to Chicago and I finally found it. The haircut was very well done with razor and hot towel included and you can't beat the price for a cut in the loop. Bonus points for being in a cool old building and having an authentic feel. read more

Civic Opera Barber Shop - Barbers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

NEW FEMALE BARBER JOANNE HAS JOINED THE TEAM! I'm very excited to see that Joanne is back up and running at a new shop - she's cut my hair for the last 5 years at Salon 150 and I will be following her over to Civic Opera Barber Shop. Joanne always does an excellent job and has an incredible attention to detail. She is also great to chat with and makes the whole experience very enjoyable. Congrats on the new job Joanne - I'll see you soon! read more

Sam is a fantastic barber and an even exceptional professional. Traditional shaving is an art that is hard to find nowadays. I have not met another barber who comes close to the service received by Sam. He is an icon. Thanks for all your years of service. read more

There is a reason that this business has been around for 49 years. A classic barbershop run by really great people. Plus, some of the best Italian espresso in the city! Recently, I needed a haircut, and they were booked when I normally go. Sam came in at 6 AM to make sure that I was taken care of. He is a wonderful gentleman, and I would highly recommend this business! Reminds me of simpler times with really good people. read more

Stopped in while traveling for work. Sam gives a wonderful haircut Fast & affordable. Old school service read more