Hillside is a nice little barbershop besides Ralphs in the Shopping center in the heart of Hillcrest. Bookings can be made online and the parking is easy since, there is underground parking if the surface lot is full. I have gone here infrequently but everytime I visit, I have a great vibe. They are professional, they offer drinks. Walkins are welcome but scheduling will be better if you book online. I recommend it for a cut, a shave or in between or both. read more

Seen right away, Vinnie was excellent. Took great care to make sure my expectations were met. read more

I had an excellent experience with Clif today. Even though he had never cut my hair before, he somehow knew exactly what I needed. He asked great, thoughtful questions that were naturally woven into our conversation--enough for him to understand my hair without ever making it feel like an interview. The hospitality and ease he brings to the chair is truly impressive. When he asked how everything looked, I offered a bit of feedback and he was incredibly open and receptive, which says a lot about his professionalism and pride in his craft. 10/10 haircut and experience. I've been coming to Hillside Barber on and off for years, back when Kourtney used to cut my hair. She's talented beyond belief, and with her unavailable today, I took a chance on Clif--and he was fantastic. Hillside is lucky to have them both! read more

This place.... Need I say is AMAZING! Love the vibe and the phenomenal service! Very thankful to have a great barber just around the corner from the house! read more

Great barbers there. Always great spot for last minute haircuts as they always have open availability. Love the clean and modern look to the shop. The music is great in there. Parking can be a little tight but getting there a few minutes early should do it. The barbers are all welcoming and communicative. They do a great job with your haircut and make sure its the way you want it. read more

Guy who cut my hair messed upped but the owner got in touch with me quickly and gave me a full refund.

Joshua was terrible. CHECK MY PHOTOS of his cut! Super rude and left me with an uneven fade. He asked to shampoo my hair and just stood there and said nothing, like it was an inconvenience. I didn't even want to do it! Then I said I was trying to grow my hair so just a half inch off the top please. He ended up cutting three inches. and he did it while staring right at me as if to watch my reaction of shock. He's a hack that thinks he has skills but really he's just trying to look like a hardass. Can't even line me up right. So exasperating! Had to go back and ask the owner (Vinnie, who was nice & apologetic) to fix it. He was so ashamed he just suggested that I wear a hat. read more

Hillside Barber - Joshua jacked my hair up . Sides didn't align & chopped my top hair - Barbers Near Me - San Diego, California

I've been coming here for my haircuts for about 2 years. Vinny does a great job every time. I throw him some curveballs sometimes when I want to mix things up and he's always able to deliver. read more

My son needed a haircut and decided to check out Hillside since it's near where I live. I might be a little biased, but seriously, you HAVE to check out Hillside Barber! It's the best barbershop in town, hands down. The place is super clean - seriously spotless - and the staff are all so friendly and helpful. They really go the extra mile to make you feel comfortable. You won't regret it! read more

Great work from Cliff, he worked quickly and efficiently for a classic gentleman's cut. Will be back.

Vinny gave me one of the best haircuts ever! For sure recommend this spot! Plus for hillcrest it's got easy parking. Huge bonus

I was in desperate need for a haircut and I was up in hillcrest. I read some reviews about Brightside Barber and decided to get cleaned up for a photo shoot at the DMV! Christian was my Hair Specialist. I told him that I was open to a new look and he delivered! Thanks Christian. I really appreciate your patience and willingness to create a great outcome. Next time i come in, I'd like.to know your Call Sign! Remember, Maverick Top Gun movie was on. Best place to get cleaned up and have a beverage, wink wink. read more

Hillside Barber - Haircut. - Barbers Near Me - San Diego, California

Got me haircut today. I have to say they did a great job. I will be going back in 3 weeks read more

Hillside Barber - Me - Barbers Near Me - San Diego, California

Got a beard trim. Guy that helped was not very personable. Did a decent job but the vibe was off. Wasn't even offered a beer despite them having a beer fridge on display for everyone to see. No biggie, but noted. read more

If you are looking for a great cut and also professionalism. Look no further... I can't tell you how much we love coming here. The service the music , and just the entire vibe. Vinny is the best. read more

Mediocre barbers, no longer a fan. Over priced. I don't really have much more to say about this place. Basic.

Great experience. First time with the new ownership and first time with Joshua. Started off by missing each other when I walked in, but Joshua was more than accommodating and took care of me once he saw me. Very friendly, and was able to give me what I was thinking and more! He was gentle with directing where he needed my head to be at, and allowed me time to trust him throughout the process. So when he asked to shape my beard, he had my trust. Def coming back :) read more

Highly recommend this place for a perfect cut. Vinny was awesome, kind, and took his time ensuring it was exactly what I wanted. A different barber shop butchered my skin fade the day before and Vinny fixed it right up. He even gave me a discount on the cut since he felt bad about my experience. Couldn't recommend this place more. read more

I love this barber shop! I have gone to Regina three times now and every time is a great experience. As a woman with a masculine haircut, I spent way too long going to chain hair salons that were terrible at cutting my hair and then barber shops where the men working acted uncomfortable cutting my hair. This shop is not just LGBTQ+ friendly, they are welcoming and celebratory. They have diverse barbers on staff and it really makes a difference. Plus, I keep getting great haircuts. I have TWO (ok maybe THREE) cowlicks and I usually hate my haircuts until they grow out -- Regina is able to make the cowlicks less noticeable and also taught me how to tame them. I enjoy the energy of everyone here and the expertise of the cuts. I would never get my hair cut anywhere else. read more

Hillside Barber - Every time I get a haircut here from Regina, I'm happy with the results - Barbers Near Me - San Diego, California

The guy who cut my hair did worse! My hair looks like unfinished job. I have to go to another barber after. Worst experience ever. Visited the barber on friday 9/13 at 3.00 pm. At the first booth read more

Y'all saved me today. Thanks for being patient and understanding. Given my situation, I was anxious and in a scramble to get my hair fixed and y'all pulled it off. Thanks SO much! Now I'm ready for the good ol' Army ball. Y'all made me feel comfortable and like I was in safe hands after receiving a terrible haircut from another local salon. Thanks for cutting g time out to help me tonight. Hope to see y'all again soon. read more

Quality cuts and service. Happy to find a good barber with my return to San Diego with good service and reasonable rates.

My boyfriends aunt owned her own salon in San Diego and has been cutting my mans hair since he was little. But this year she retired and moved to North Carolina. Since then my mans had a couple hair cuts. Needles to say they weren't that great. I decided that I wanted to treat him to a more "high class" barber shop. I did my research for a couple days and stumbled upon this place. Easiest booking I've ever done. Go on their website, hit book, pick your barber and you're set. I prefer that to talking to people because I have a lot of social anxiety. I picked Taryn. When we arrived and told them who we are they offered us drinks. Both of us, my boyfriend and I, even though my boyfriend was the only one getting the cut which I thought was nice. I got a water and he asked for a Tecate. While we waited we sat on the big mustard couch, which honestly, was one of the comfiest couches I ever sat on. Give me a blanket and a tv and I would have been out for a nap. While my boyfriend was getting his hair cut I saw a lot of customers come in. Lot of people bringing their significant others who also waiting with me. I get fidgety sitting in one place for to long so I jumped from the couch to the single couch and eventually to the bar. I hope the employees didn't think I was weird for doing that. Just can't sit still. Their bathroom was pretty sick. I love the way they painted and decorated it. I'm in the paint industry so I'm pretty good with interior design and it's stellar. Black and white with a mustard color stripe with photos of celebrities in the bathroom (will include photos) After it was all said and done we were out. My boyfriend kept saying how he had never experienced going to a place to get a hair cut where they served alcohol. He also noted how the barber told him how she was cutting his hair and what buzzers and scissors she used. Also liked the old school barber feel when they put the break and hot towel on the neck. I told him, "It's called luxury barber shop." And it really is. Every guy walked out of their with a killer hair cut from the other barbers and Taryn did a phenomenal job on my man. Plus being in Hillcrest and being able to park where theirs a parking lot instead of street parking is also a plus. Over all of you want a luxury barbershop experience do it here. read more

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great cut from Vinny, great service all around, and a great vibe in the shop. definitely recommend.

Loved this place when Christian was still cutting here. Since he left, the vibe just isn't right anymore. It was such a great location where I could get my cut and go grocery shopping. Unfortunately the new owners have taken it into a different direction. Miss the old staff of Brightside Barber. read more

So glad I found the best barbershop in town. Vinny is the best and this place overall couldn't be chiller! I especially like the seating area with the dog pics Sit back, relax, (have a drink) and get your head taken care of with a nice trim here. 10/10! read more

Shop is nice. Staff is friendly. My haircut... just meh A big disappointment for $50. Most likely not going back. read more

When I was a kid in the 80s my dad took us to the local barber, where a guy named Fred gave us our signature bowl cuts and he was not so gentle. I was 13 when I got my first introduction to the hair salon. Gentle, relaxing and very gratifying experience that was not duplicated until I met Esteban who would come to my brokerage office to cut our hair. Once I left the brokerage I I knew only one person could cut my hair again the way I liked it, not too short, not too long, perfectly even. I got the full experience the other day at your barber shop where I got the cut, shampoo, and hot towel. I got the day spa experience in a 30 minute haircut and I couldn't be happier. I highly recommend Esteban at Bright side Barbershop. read more

Always nice and friendly. Came highly recommended by my work colleagues. Only people in San Diego I trust with my hair read more

Hillside Barber - Cute clientele. - Barbers Near Me - San Diego, California

ZERO customer service. My 3rd time booking an appointment on line. 1st 2 went fine but evidently this 3rd Appointment the system messed up. Leave work early to get to the appointment,arrive 10 mins early they tell me I have No appointment. They do double check. I get there isn't any openings at 4p on a Friday but I get nothing accept "you must have not completed the appointment on line. Even though I've done it 2 times before. No, I'm sorry this happened to you, NO let me help you book the next appointment. Nothing. Seriously I get systems mess up and yes I get that it could have been me even though im an IT guy. Anyway that one experience has turned me off. read more

Showed up 45 mins later than our original appointment, rushed through my haircut, I was wondering why she didn't show me the back. Then after I could feel Throbbing pain I thought I'd look back there. read more

Hillside Barber - Cut post haircut - Barbers Near Me - San Diego, California

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Never been to this barber before, first time. Just moved to SD and needed a cut. Was assigned Jessica with no expectation because when I go to random barbers the haircut is usually subpar but she crushed it. Probably one of my favorite hair cuts thus far. Perfectly traced my parts and how far up to cut the sides. Usually most barbers leave the top back of my hair longer but she trimmed it perfectly. I do very simple hair cuts but because I've had this particular cut done a plethora of times, I know the nuances of it. And she did everything perfectly. It's funny I even showed her a picture of one of my better haircuts done in the past and now I gotta re-record because this one's by far better. Thank you Jessica! read more

Nicole is the BEST! Always makes me feel good and younger when she works her magic on my facial beard. Love the open razor service. Thank God I have a standing appointment with her. That's how GOOD she is! The idea of looking elsewhere is blasphemy! read more

Hillside Barber - Absolutely the best! Always makes me feel good and younger each time. I highly recommend NICOLE for all your beauty needs. - Barbers Near Me - San Diego, California

This is the best place to get a hair cut in San Diego. The staff is always friendly, and the place is very clean. I am always greeted with a smile and offered a drink when I enter into the barbershop right when I walk in. The place even shampoo's your hair after your cut! If you get a hair cut here, be sure to book with Nicole! She is always friendly and always professional. Nicole makes sure that I always walk out with the best hair cut that any man can ask for. She listens and takes her time to ensure that you are happy with your cut. Nicole's skills with the scissors are the best in San Diego! read more

Love getting a haircut at Brightside! Great haircut, free drink and a cute dog! Kourtney is amazing! My son didn't like getting haircuts until he went to kourtney! She gives him exactly the haircut he wants and keeps him happy all throughout 100% would recommend this shop! read more

Hillside Barber - Barbers Near Me - San Diego, California

I live in hillcrest and I search for a while a barbershop. Finally I arrived to Brightside and I did haircut with Ramos. Was perfect with him and he's Definitely will be my barber from now. Nice place with nice people. read more

Regina P. did an incredible job with my hair after I didn't get a haircut for over 2 years. I am super happy with my haircut. I recently moved to San Diego, and I am definitely going to be a regular client here in the future. read more

The barber I had was extremely unpersonable and didn't even clean the previous client's hair off of my chair. He hit my piercings several times with clippers, then once he realized they were there, proceeded to destroy one of the earrings entirely. I got up and left with my hair partially done and went somewhere else. Worst haircut experience I have ever had. Edit to reply to owner: I go by Rae in your system. I was there 6/24/24. read more

One star, because I can't give then ZERO for violating Wheaton's Law. Although they had not one person in their barber chair, they asked me if I had an appointment when I asked them if they could cut my hair. It must be wonderful to be able to refuse business these days. I'm curious. Do people with appointments walk up and ask if they can get their hair cut? ----------------------------- Owner Chris Hjerling (Thinker, Creator, Speaker), suggested in his retort below that I was there during lunch hours. He guessed wrong. I was there at precisely 9:59 AM on Wednesday, January 27th. The doors had just opened. I had just stepped out of a neighbor's store - Trader Joes. The receipt was timestamped. Thinker Chris and the team were standing around, one was reading while reclining in a chair. My one star reviews speak for themselves. read more

Excellent haircut! And in a great location right next to a Trader Joe's so I knocked out 2 errands in one trip. They also offer drinks while you wait which I thought was nice customer service read more