Elvin is great. Very thorough and friendly. Been here 3 times, and every time I've received a perfect cut. Elvin's Barber Shop is now my go-to, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh cut. read more

Elvin is the best in the business! I've been coming here since summer of 1999 and always make my appointment when I'm back in the city. My wife always approves! Elvin takes his profession very seriously and settles for nothing less than perfection. His flexibility to cut white guy hair, Hispanic hair, Black hair, old guys, young guys, kids is rare. I set my shape-up appointment for a few hours before my flight to look fresh for my trip home. Peace, brother! read more

I usually trekked to Harlem to get my son's haircut after moving to the UWS. However, that grew old especially on weekends when his barber was no longer around the corner from our apt. Of course, my Yelpers came through and this barber lived up to the type. Elvin cut my son's hair with precision and speed. Hopefully, he's still around as my son needs a professional cut after enduring two homemade cuts by yours truly during the shutdown. read more

I got a great cut for 30 bucks, something that had been costing me about $140 prior to this. If you are a woman and you have short hair, very short hair, this is the place to go. read more

Great Service!! Called in for a last minute appointment. Chris hooked me up. They are professional and pays attention to detail. This is my new spot! read more

Came in on a Friday without an appointment. First off, Elvin was not my barber. I did see him working in there and he looked like a man on a mission. Quick and efficient. Unfortunately his colleague wasn't as good. The haircut itself was good. Nothing spectacular but I was happy enough with the end product to not be embarrassed walking around New York. However, the actual haircut itself took about 50minutes, not including the wait. I get a simple trim, no shave, and the longest haircut I've ever had prior to this was 30 minutes. Most of the time, my barber spent on the phone, on FaceTime, fixing his headphones, changing his playlist, leaving me to chat with customers/friends. I even made it into the FaceTime video... All the employees are very very nice, but I spent much much longer than I intended to here. read more

I came here around 6pm on a Saturday and got a cut from Justin. Very happy with the results. I'll definitely come again for my next cut.

I had two sad haircuts before I came into Elvin's. I just walked by the place and saw it was packed. That was the sign I needed. He cleaned me up and made me look like a man! I went from looking like Ellen to a young Mark Anthony. Elvin takes his time and listens to what you want. The wait was not long and I got a great cut for a great price. I would recommend. read more

Note: this review is 100% unsolicited as I don't write reviews often. After a year and a half of getting a cut from Elvin 2-3 times a month I am sad to say I might have to move to Brooklyn and can no longer get my cuts here. To preface, I'm a black dude from Chicago who takes his cuts VERY seriously and this man was probably the best barber I've ever had. At first, moving from Chicago as a black guy I assumed Harlem was where it was at for cuts. After a few disappointing haircuts and a no-show by one barber I walked to the Elvin's, which was right around around the corner from my apartment, and I never looked back. Elvin was always on point, took great care with his blade and always left my cut looking fresh. Personally, I only got my cuts from Elvin and can't vouch for the other barbers, but it doesn't look like you'd be disappointed with the others from what I've seen. Definitely use Elvin though if you can, he's busy but really good at keeping appointments as long as you reach him a few days in advance. Lastly, Elvin is also just a really good guy. Trust me, if you take cuts seriously, this is the spot, I wish I could keep coming here for my cuts. read more

would not recommend this place - went for a trim, barber did not listen and completely reshaped my hair. possibly the worst haircut of my life. 0/5 stars read more

For one year, i tested a different barber shop each time I needed a haircut. Each shop has strengths and weaknesses. Elvin's barber shop seems to only have strengths. 1) personal service 2) high quality haircuts 3) reasonable pricing 4) great atmosphere 5) friendly customers 6) fast service 7) great location 8) awesome music 9) excellent tools/products and most importantly 10) CONSISTENCY. I make this review because I think these guys should be commended on their efforts! They even gave my 3-year-old son the best haircut of his entire life (yes, literally!). Thank you guys!! I'll be back soon! read more

I asked the barber to trim just 1" off the end of my pony-tail. I walked out with a conventional hair cut falling just at my shirt collar. I had a bad feeling when I first explained what I wanted. I asked for a translator because my barber's English is no better than my (very rusty but intermittently competent) Spanish. After consultation with the proprietor and a random customer, everyone seemed to agree on what I had asked for. Imagine my surprise when the barber hacked off about 6". read more

First of all this place is now called Elvin's Barber Shop. A Dominican barber shop in the heart of the Upper West Side. Clearly the most popular and best barber is Elvin (the owner). He is so good, that an appointment is required to see him, so make a call and make your appointment. From there the rest of the crew can vary but at the moment you have El Maestro (the oldest man there but he's a good man). Then you have El Mayimbe. He always has his Bible by his side as God guides his hand to give you the best possible cut. Finally, Carlito, the youth of the barbershop, but don't let his youth fool you. He has talent and has the second highest booking after Elvin. Friendly and fun atmosphere with professionalism and customer care as its priority. The best barbershop in town. read more

De La Cruz Barbershop between Columbus and Amsterdam Ave looks like a whole in the wall, but is a hidden gem of the Upper West Side. Most of the speaking is done in Spanish, but for non-Spanish speakers, all of the transactions and discussions are done in English. For $13 you can get a top notch haircuit. I have always found my hair to be meticulously cut, oils and after shave are applied, and as an added bonus the barbers give you a quick massage with a hand-operated machine. As one who does not tend to enjoy getting my haircut, De La Cruz has kept me coming back for 3 years, and I will probably continue to come back after moving to the East Side. read more

I've been a customer of Elvin's Barbershop for several years. Elvin's Barbershop is an appointment based shop which makes it very convenient and easy for people constantly on the go. What's kept me as a customer for all these years is the service!! The Barbers go above and beyond to assist me and meet my needs. read more

Small but great. Three barbers but all know what they are doing and are professional. Reasonable prices for the area and happy they take walk ins when they can. read more

Similar to previous posts, came from an out of town visit and needed a cut. Unfortunately I did not get what I asked for. 3 starts for taking me without an appointment, crisp lines on beard and neck. -2 for my non tapered request and making the beard much lower than asked. read more

Best barbershop. My son got compliments all day after getting his hair cut here. It was an absolute perfect cut. read more

Elvin's Barber Shop - My 1 year old son's Perfect haircut. great experience. Would come back every month if we lived in NY. - Barbers Near Me - New York, New York

As a previous customer for haircuts, I called him to ask about manscaping and asked if he has a room to trim pubes, and he replied back 'get the f*** out of here man', and hung up on me. I will never go back there now for my regular haircuts. read more

Dope guys with even doper cuts. Came in as a walk in today and they took me in. Great hospitality, great mood. Definitely will come by again for a fresh cut. read more

When you find good barbers, you hold onto them as you would a trustworthy dental practice or automotive repair shop. These dudes are extra diligent in how they treat their customers which explains why a large part of their extremely loyal clientele dates back to around the mid/late 90's. The atmosphere is always easygoing and friendly. Elvin's Barber Shop is the best spot on the Upper West Side for fresh cuts and could probably vie for the best in the borough of Manhattan. read more

El Mayimbe one of the barbers did an awesome job. Pricing was good. Wouldn't recommend it, was here on a business trip and needed a haircut.

The best haircut I have had in my fifty plus years of life. Miguel, the oldest barber in the place is a master. I counted, 20 different razors, scissors, tonics and powders he used on me. The scalp and back massage from the 1960's era hand massager was amazing. I'm going back for the haircut and shave in two weeks. It brought me back to a 1960's type of regular boys haircut in the old school barber chair. AWESOME! read more

This is an old-school barber shop where they value skill and quality. I've been there twice now to have my beard trimmed and a haircut and the guys there take infinite care to make sure each detail is attended to. They seem to have a knowing clientele of connoisseurs who expect a high level of expertise. Friendly, obliging, professional. I'm not sure all of the barbers speak English. Welcome to New York. That's what this place is all about. I speak a little Spanish so I actually like that. read more

It's a great family environment !!!! New school with a old school feel !!!! Love this place travel from the bronx to keep appointments with Carlito!!! read more

Visiting from out of town and got a great cut! Check this place out if you want a fresh cut! El Mayimbe hooked me up!!!

I wasn't sure of where to get a haircut as I'm from Arizona and was visiting for a few weeks. I was recommended to come here and so I did. Besides a great haircut, service was quick and friendly. read more

Excellent barbershop! Elvin is one of the best barbers I've had the pleasure to get a cut from period. His staff is very pleasant. Just make an appointment. You won't be disappointed. read more

Great simple cut, best cut I have ever had in my life. Best back and neck massage after each cut. Gotta love that. The barber knows exactly what cut will look best. Prices are not cheap but worth it. read more

Clearly the best barber shop in the UWS. Art of Shaving is lucky that Elvin's Barber shop is 10 blocks always or they would have to shut down. I was recommended this shop and I'm glad I took that recommendation. I've worked in the area for the last 3 years and all of the shops I've tried are horrid or barely decent. If you do decide to come to Elvin's, it's 100% definite that you need an appt because about 50% of his customers if not most come from far to get their cuts. Carlito is the second barber and he too requires appts. read more

Elvin is the best barber in Manhattan! My husband Zack went there to get a hair cut and beard trim and it was perfect! He is excited to go back! read more

I went here for a simple/straightforward cut after reading great things on yelp. The barber I got was inexperienced, didn't listen to what I wanted (even after another barber translated for me), and fielded cell phone calls during my cut. The cut was grossly uneven on the sides and the neck. It also took a while to be seated, even though I was the only one waiting and there were a couple free chairs with barbers hanging around, talking, etc. I will give this place one more shot, but will refuse this barber in hopes for someone better. read more

This business in NOT closed!! The CORRECT tel number is 212-580-1146 not 56. De La Cruz is a great old-school NYC "Spanish barber". Its a surviving remnant of the old Black & Latino Upper West Side that is now largely supplanted by gentrification. These guys are the only ones who have cut my hair for 25 years. The barbers are mostly from the Dominican Republic so they can cut hair from the straightest to the tightest Afros ... because NYC latinos come in all those varieties. Is mostly men but Afro-American women who wear short Afros or shaved styles come hair for cuts. The owner Jose (El Maestro) De La Cruz presides over the back chair and is the guy for middle age or older customers and gives an awesome shave as well. They are meticulous and take their time here so dont go in a rush. The younger guys toward the front of this tiny shop are in-demand hip-hop cutters who often take customers only by appointment, but there are always several chairs for walk-ins. The vibe is classic and yes a lot of the dialog (and tv and radio) is in Spanish but everybody is bilingual....the prices are very good for Manhattan. Great place, great value. read more