I came towards the last hour of the shop's hours on a Sunday. I was helped right away. My barber Craig did a good job, and I was very satisfied with the haircut. To be totally honest, I came in thinking this was the shop near Sticky Rice, which is closed on Sundays. I am glad I accidentally came to Refuge For Men. The location has an old warehouse feel, so it doesn't feel quite as cozy. But perfect if you like rugged spaces. read more

Refuge For Men - New do - Barbers Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Great haircut, great atmosphere, great service, discount for veterans and the name speaks to me. Highly recommend!

Came in for the 2nd time for a haircut and a beard trim. Owner Dot is great. I don't trust just anyone to do a good job, especially with my beard. I'll definitely be back. read more

Refuge For Men - Refuge for men. Mural by Hamilton Glass. Haircuts by owner Dot. - Barbers Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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My barber was such a nice guy. Zero of my review has anything to do with the people. That being said, my haircut was a bit boxy and took very long to get. Wishing this place all the best as I hope this was a one-off experience. Long story short: I've gotten much better haircuts for the price read more

Refuge For Men - Barbers Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

So, I decided to give it a few days to sort out how I felt my experience was at Refuge. I started by reading a number of reviews on Google and Yelp to find a place to get my beard trimmed. I am new to the beard world and was told to get it trimmed a few times by a pro until it gains the shape I was looking for. Based on the reviews I read, there were a few places that stood out, but every one of them had several 5 - and 1-star reviews. Sad to say, the lower star reviews were more accurate about Refuge. I got there early, and the owner (who my appointment was with) said I was early. She told me what time my appointment was for and proceeded to go outside and talk on her phone and smoke. 20 minutes later, she came back in and started her work. I mentioned I had read several reviews online about being charged excessive amounts and wasn't looking to spend 60+ dollars on this (I'm mostly bald). she said, "I got you. " She trimmed my beard and did some work around my ears to clean things up and then asked me if I wanted my back trimmed up as well. We were done in about (less than) 20 minutes. I looked it over as she held a mirror, and it wasn't the big ball of fur that it used to look like, so I asked how much.. 30 for the hair cut and 20 for the beard trim. She noticed my surprised look but didn't say a word. I paid and left a $10 tip and told myself lesson learned. The biggest issue I had was when I got home and my wife saw it.. she laughed and asked if I had my head tilted the whole time.. When I asked why she walked me to the bathroom mirror.. it was crooked. Sadly, before I took any pictures, she straightened it out. I'm sure there are some regulars that recommend it, it just didn't live up to all the positive reviews I read. read more

So happy I discovered this hidden gem. I walk into John's studio and I am able to sit back, relax and know I'll leave with a clean cut! If you are looking for an experienced barber and can appreciate a "spa" type barbershop, Refuge for men is the place to go! read more

Best barbershop in RVA - hands down. I came to the shop because I got a really bad haircut just an hour before. Bam took the time to hear me complain but she cut my hair better than I could have imagined. 5/5 highly recommend. Refuge for Men makes you feel at home while you're getting a haircut, definitely will be coming here from now on! read more

I used to come to Refuge for all my haircuts when I attended VCU, usually pretty happy with what I got. About a year ago I had a bad experience here and found a new barbershop that I now happily give most of my business. This week they were closed on Sunday, and I needed a light haircut for a photo, so I made a morning appointment with Refuge. Props for being open on Sunday. This time I also received a bad haircut. My instructions were not executed well - my hair was cut unevenly and hastily. I think my stylist was trying to rush me out. I think you can get a good haircut here with the more experienced stylists, but I can't recommend rolling the dice here on a random stylist with the premium price they ask for. read more

My boyfriend tried this place twice with two different people. Needless to say he won't be back. read more

Refuge For Men - Barbers Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I have been trying to find places to get my hair cut that are more specialized in what they do and take care in giving the hair cut. I can't imagine going back to a Hair Cuttery after a couple places I have been to now. Refuge is another one I can check off my list. This place is very laid back and has a pretty classic barber vibe and feel to it. I don't think they have an official receptionist as I didn't see one my entire time there and one of stylists actually told me to wait until mine was finished with their current patron. Plenty of RVA based magazines and flyers will provide you with plenty of reading material while you wait. My stylist was Charles and he actually gave a pretty good hair cut, I would give it an 8 out of 10. I was only hesitant when he was clipping my hair as he was using very quick "jabbing" motions which I was not familiar with.. it didn't hurt or anything I just haven't seen anyone cut my hair like this before. I wanted a nice fade on both sides and the top to be long so I can do a nice sleek comb over. My hair cut did NOT include a wash or a style after my hair was cut. I am not sure if it was something I didn't mention or if that was standard. My hair cut was only $20 and that price applies for first time customers and current college students. The reason why this wasn't a five star review was because my stylist wasn't very talkative/social with me. He was too busy talking to his other co workers and friends.. which is cool, but I feel like if you are cutting a customer's hair you need to give them your full attention. Great cut at a good price but I think I will continue to look at other hair salons. P.S.- there is a pool table in the middle of the salon. I saw a little kid playing it at it the whole time.. so I don't know if normal patrons can play or if it's just mainly for display. read more

Unreliable hours & staff - missed appointments by staff Strategically located but not run well

I went to Refuge for Mean and received a beard trim and a haircut from Alease. She did a phenomenal job. I will continue coming to get my haircut from her. I highly recommend her! read more

First time visitor to this shop. Selected this shop after shopping around the Richmond area, and they seemed promising. The environment was below average for price point. I didn't receive all of the services I paid for. And most importantly, the quality of the haircut was shockingly below average. To be specific, the haircut is so choppy, I could pass it off as having cut my own hair, as a person with no salon experience, and people would believe it. On the bright side, this shop seems to provide its employees with a comfortable, positive environment. read more

I personally have not had a good experience there twice or if three times going. I will say Dot will try to resolve the issue but I cannot keep taking chances. read more

I've been coming to dot religiously for about 3 years, the reason being she is the only barber who actually has really taken a look at me to figure out how the haircut should look. It's not just about getting a haircut, its about framing the face whether or not that includes a beard (I have one, and she makes my beard look great). Dot understands that. Dot understands all types of hair, African, Caucasian, Asian, etc, and is not afraid to tell you if she cannot do something or it would be a first time for her doing something (She has never told me this, but knowing the person I know how it'd be). You're not coming in here for a haircut that is the flare of Hollywood, but it's going to look great, it will be clean, and it will never be out of style. Dot is constantly going to schools to learn new techniques and new equipment to keep up with everything. It's been great seeing this business grow and grow and grow into what it is today, though you'll still be treated and remembered like it is the corner barber shop from when you were a kid. What I usually get: The Works, it is what it sounds like. - Full Haircut and styling - Beard Cut and styling (if there is one) - Straight razor shave - Shampoo - Hot Towel Most of the people I see who have a complaint here complain about a barber not knowing their hair type, or the style they want, and I really place part of that blame on the consumer. You have to make sure the person standing behind your chair is clear on what you want or capable of doing what you want; people have a job to do so they will not tell you no and will do their best by your description to do what you want. If you are uncomfortable due to a very specific request, check to see if there is a barber that has a track record of knocking that out of the park and see if you can get him/her to cut it. Asking and being honest goes a very long way, all of the staff here are eager to see you excited about a sharp haircut that is exactly what you wanted. Unless I move out of Richmond, or a meteor hits, I will continue going here; they've never made a mistake with me yet. read more

I have gotten a haircut at this place many times now but the last few times my haircuts have been noticeably worse. I use to go to this place as a safe bet for a solid cut. Now when I go it seems my haircuts are more on par with something I'd get at great clips or one of the other cheap chain stores. I suppose it all depends on which stylist you get but this place doesn't do enough to ensure all the people working their maintain a certain level of quality. My last haircut had me leave with uneven sideburns and a crooked back. $28 is just too much to pay for a stylist who isn't even paying attention to basic lines read more

I called ahead to see if they took walk ins which they told me they did. I arrived, signed in and waited. When I was called, the barber took me to his station and before he put the cape on me his (late) appointment walked in. So I was asked to wait, again, which I did. Five minutes later my name was called. I sat and once again barber #2 tells me their appointment has just arrived and I would be taken next. I told them that was the SECOND time I was asked to get out of the chair. A nearby barber tried to assure me I was next...again. I was "next" TWICE already! This place will never get my business. read more

Based on the largely stellar reviews, I have to assume that I had a unusual experience here. Still, I have to write my review based on my experience which was disappointing. Ambiance: Would describe as traditional African American barber. Hip-hop music playing on the stereo. Generally no frills but clean. My barber: Grabbed me as I walked in and got me seating quickly. Went on to say he cuts mostly african american men's hair. That's cool and all but the way he said it didn't inspire confidence that he had a broad experience cutting different types of hair. What I wanted: Would describe my style as definitely modern and probably trending towards hipster. Close on the sides and back to 1.5 and combed slightly to the slide but mostly straight back. The cut: He did fine with the sides with the razor. Totally butchered the back. Ugh, my stomach sank when I looked at it in the mirror. Looked like someone took a cookie bite out of the back of my head. I tried to coach him through fixing it but at that point I just wanted out of the chair. I really don't know what he was thinking. On close inspection the rest of the cut was sloppy with uneven spots. There is no finishing touches that you expect at good barber shops such as straight razor around sides/back for detail/hot towel. He didn't offer to put any product in my hair. I'm sure many people have had great experiences here and I must have just had a bad egg. That being said, to trust a barber shop, you should be able to sit in any chair and get a great cut. I ended up going to Main street barbers which was head and shoulders above this in every way. I didn't mention my bad experience here but the barber immediately asked what happened at my last cut as he could see it was a crappy job. Bottom line: If you are going here I would book with a particular person based on positive reviews as the quality of barbers may be inconsistent. read more

I went with my boyfriend today and Dorothy and Bam were both so sweet. It was overall a great experience and haircut. If you need a haircut in rva definitely would recommend either of them! read more

Rayshawn is an outstanding barber, HIGHLY recommended. Always takes his time and treats clients extremely well. Very professional and would not have stopped going if it wasn't for relocation. read more

My son got a great haircut at a super price - highly recommend! David was the stylist!

This comment is years old so I hope the staff has improved, but when I went, I felt like my shape up was worst than when I got there. I am usually quiet and conservative, but I was outspoken on that day because it was that bad. I did send a complaint to the owner and I did receive an immediate response. She offered a free haircut and I never took her up on the offer just because I was so let down. I'll offer two stars because the owner was forgiving. read more

So it's been about 2 years since my last review and Dot has done fantastic things with Refuge For Men. I wish there was a higher rating available for updates because the new place is leaps and bounds over the last. I have been a loyal client to Dot since early 2012 and it's been great to watch her business grow and come into it's own. I consider her my friend more than my barber...that's the bottom line at RFM. The new location on Main St (across the street from Bombolini's) has it all. Huge open space with high ceilings, modern leather barbershop seats/equipment, brand new pool table, huge flat screen, sport items, grooming products, video games...everything a man would want in a barber. Ask Dot about renting out the space for your next function...it's that big. OH YEAH! There is a Refuge For Men mobile app that can features scheduling, describes services, and assists in payment...all in one. It's professionally done and works flawlessly. Not only is the space updated but the staff has grown to accommodate the massive demand this place is generating. You might have to wait a day or so to see Dot and her "owner's chair/corner" but walk-ins are welcome and can be seen by it's growing staff of licensed barbers. There is somebody for every style and hair-type. In the last couple years I have only seen amazing talent work at Refuge and can honestly say I haven't seen a bad haircut. Refuge For Men is breaking the mold on men's barbershops and is generating a lot of respect in the RVA business community for what she has been able to accomplish in the last few years. RFM is on the rise. Stop by or make an appointment ASAP. You won't regret it and are going to feel like a million bucks after your visit. I promise. read more

Every single review on here is 110% accurate. Dot is awesome. She knows her shit and did a perfect job. Stop reading the reviews because they are all 5-star and no one is BS-ing you here. She took the time to do a great job and I will definitely be a returning customer. Just in case you didn't know, you can book appointments online! read more

Gentlemen, have you ever wanted a stylist to assist you in making critical lock-shearing decisions? I always knew this sort of service would be helpful, but never thought it existed until I patronized Refuge For Men (thanks to great reviews on Yelp BTW). Not only did I get a great haircut for a reasonable price ($25), the proprietor Dot helped me walk through decisions about what type of cut would look good on me / professional and would work with my hair type (very straight), how long I should go before getting a trim or full new cut, etc. The cut and information was well worth the price of admission. BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE. Dot has created a cool, comfortable place for guys to come and get their hair cut. I really enjoyed chatting about the local restaurant / bar / art scene in addition to learning more about her business. I don't normally feel comfortable striking up a conversation with the person who's working scissors an inch away from my head, but Dot was super easy to talk to and had a genuine interest in sharing information as well as hearing what I had to say. Done with the chain hair cutting shops - I'm a Refuge convert! read more

As someone who's been getting his hair cut at female-oriented salons for my entire adult life, Refuge is an interesting concept that takes the male-oriented barber experience and brings it into the 21st century. Atmosphere inside the shop is cool: there's a large pool table and a few large-screen TV's to keep you entertained. Quality of the haircut was very good. The barber asked me plenty questions to make sure it was in line with what I wanted. The shave of the back of the neck with straight razor was something I'd never had before but felt great. My only complaint was the protracted bits of awkward silence. Being new to the barber shop experience, I'm not sure if there's an expectation that men just want to come in, get their hair cut and get out. After making a couple of attempts at striking up light conversation I decided not to pursue it further and just sit there for the rest of the cut staring at the TV. Payment is efficiently-handled via Square on iPads and booking appointments is done easily online. read more

I read all these positive reviews and wanted to believe the hype, got excited as I thought I had finally found my go-to shop before the first try. I was wrong. Poor technique, uneven hair. Give it a week and it grows out like a monster. The first time I went it was probably top ten worst haircuts I've gotten. Thought it was bad luck so I gave it another shot 2 weeks ago, and I can now say that the haircut has moved into top five worst haircuts I've ever gotten. Just happened to be the same barber, whose name I will not mention. I feel bad leaving this review because the staff was really nice and the place had a cool vibe. Their dog was lovable and payment method was simple. But the cut? Skip it. read more

I've been here several times and get a beard trim/edge up and a shaved head. Jyra is the one and only I trust with my face and head. THE ONLY ONE! I've been to two other barbers there and have been left with razor bumps and nicks and an uneven beard. Jyra is the best, however, the environment is not the most welcoming or relaxing. It is in a constant state of disarray and chaos and the music is almost always too loud. I only recommend this place if - AND ONLY IF - you can book with Jyra! If it wasn't for Jyra, I wouldn't look in the direction of this otherwise overhyped place. read more

I've been going to Refuge for 1.5 years now. I go there frequently for haircuts and/or beard trims. My first few visits were decent. After that, literally every single time I go, it only gets worse. Now, I consistently get razor marks after any beard trim. I honestly can do a better job trimming my beard at home. For haircuts, I never get what I want. I just got one today where my hair was cut to 50% of the length I requested. They even raised the prices which were already expensive to start with. Take my sincere advice and avoid this place. I'm never going there again. Edit: Check the comment of Brian D. I basically had the same experience: Dot saying she understands what I want, rushing, and cutting my hair in literally 7 minutes. Then, it looks disgusting and nothing related to what I wanted even after I went home and styled it. read more

I have been going to this barber shop and Dot for almost 8 years. Great work, excellent service and the true barber shop experience. Highly recommend. read more

I am very disappointed with this place. I came in as a new customer and had an appointment scheduled. I had a typical haircut from John who is great by the way. Haircut came out good but when I went to pay it ended up being $63 dollars including tip. I was told after I called that to line up your beard is $20, which is ridiculous! I have never paid over $25-30 for a haircut and beard trim. By the way I don't have a large beard at all and nothing was cut off, just lined up. read more

As consumers become savvier and more reliant on internet reviews for recommendations, it seems that a glowing 5-star review is about as helpful as a 1-star rant: to one reviewer, 5 stars might mean that they have never experienced anything as incredible in their lifetime, or it could suggest that they simply have had bad experiences in the past and this one simply looks good in comparison--and the same is true of the other end of the spectrum. For this reason, a 5 star rating really does not give justice to the experience at Refuge for Men. I have had excellent haircuts in the past: some expensive, others cheap; some who ask my input, others who don't; and some where I leave feeling like a million bucks, others where I left looking like a short-haired Korean woman. My hope is that the range of my experience gives some amount of credence to this review. Having had haircuts by both Dot and the new barber, Jack, I can safely say that I would hesitate to ever waste money on anything short of the effort, attention, and sincere care they both put into making my hair look ridiculously good. From Dot's patent pending razor cuts and head massages to Jack's expert sideburn shaving and meticulous trimming to round out the edges of my hair, the amount of concentration spent by both Dot and Jack in making sure you look your best is worth way more than the money you'll spend here. Not to mention they're both quality people, excellent storytellers, and entertaining to boot. And did I mention the online booking system? They have it down to an art. All you have to do is go to the site, find a time when either Dot or Jack is available, and you're done! They'll even send you a text reminder on the day of your appointment. Bottom line: go, you won't be disappointed. read more

I so look forward to my appt. each month with Dot. She is absolutely incredible and so very skilled. The atmosphere is great, and the price for the quality is unreal. They have options to fit all needs and looks. Tech savvy is their game with an app to book and pay for appointments. Give them a try; you won't regret it! read more

Been looking for the longest time (a couple years) for a place in Richmond that actually can cut hair. Dot while definitely a business woman also excels as a barber. Finally found a place that I could settle at at a decent price. Told Dot to do whatever she wanted with my hair, and couldn't have been happier. She was conservative, but the hair was very versatile. She can cut your hair without clippers if so desired (a sign that she is skilled). Finally found a place where I can be happy. Oh, and she definitely is comparable to hair stylists in Florence, Italy and Paris, France if that says anything. read more

Hadn't been to a proper barber in 18years. Been growing a beard for 13 years always just cut and trimmed it myself - then it dawned on me to go see a professional. A coworker suggested I go see Jack Welch at Refuge - made an appointment and he took care of the rest. Very dedicated to the craft, I appreciated that. Beard looks and feels great, I'll definitely be back. One negative, please do away with the track lighting, when leaning back in the chair.. it's blinding. read more

A proper, fashionable, and detailed men's haircut at a fair price. Dot and Jack both take pride in their skill and both are friendly and professional. I look forward to going, especially at the new location with the baller-vision tv, dual monsterquariums, and pool table. I appreciate being able to book a slot online, but plan ahead because they are always busy. read more

I heard great things about this salon so I scheduled an appointment online. Granted it was an 8am appointment on a Saturday, but if it is a good cut I'll forgo sleeping in on a Saturday. I show up at 8:00 am and the door is locked. 8:05 still no one. At 8:10, door still locked so I left. I called the salon five minutes later to make sure they knew I was not a no-show. The reply was, "we are here now, you can come back." Nah, don't think so.... if I was 15 minutes late for an appointment, I'd never hear the end of it with my job. Just saying... when you sign up for an appointment, you give your phone number. A phone call would be a courtesy to give your customer that you are running late. Then I would've hung around, accepted the apology, and all would've been good. Oh welll..... :-( I'm updating my previous review and adding a star only bc Dot called this afternoon to apologize. Still not right that it occurred, but at least as the owner she recognized that the situation did not look good for her business. I'm all for supporting local businesses so I would recommend not making an early appointment. read more

In search of a decent barber in RVA, I heard nothing but good things about RFM. I looked at the website to setup an appointment and looked over their services. The haircut comes with a hot towel and scalp massage. So I went in and asked if they could do a pompadour but asked the guy if he was good with a straight razor because I didn't have a natural part, I needed one made; he said he could do that. However after all was done I had 3-4 cuts where my part was and on top of that no hot towel or scalp massage. I had high hopes for this place but seems overrated. The search in RVA continues. read more

Refuge For Men - Barbers Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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I was in Richmond for the weekend only and needed a shave + haircut. I had been growing out a beard for 30 days, which for me can look like 6 months on other dudes (read: I grow a beard fast), and wanted a little treat now that it was time to go back to clean shaven. I looked on Yelp! and this was pretty much the best rec'd place in Richmond. I checked out the website. You can book online. Awesome. Then when I got there, they offered me a beverage, had a chill vibe going, and ESPN on the flatscreen. It was pretty comfortable in there. My appointment was with Jack. The guy is great. I've gotten shaves in New York, Los Angeles, Cairo, and London - at fancy salons and famed Italian barber shops - and Jack gave me one of the best shaves I've ever had - in Richmond, Va. I could go into details like how we chatted and the lather/hot towel/aftershave situation or that Jack is generally just a cool dude, but all you really need to know is that he's the real deal. I'm bald on top and keep it pretty tight, so my review of a haircut is "they used the clippers well." I can't speak to that. But, the shave was excellent and that takes skilled hands. If you're in Richmond and you're looking for a shave - Jack at Refuge for Men is the definitely the one to see. read more

This review has been long overdue, but I feel like I could not go without saying how impressed and lucky I was to find Refuge and Specifically Dot. I was in town for a wedding and desperately needed my hair cut (as to not embarrass the bride) and had failed to have time before I left NYC. Searching online for a place close to my hotel seemed to leave me option-less for a good, reliable, and affordable haircut (and this is by NYC price standards). After speaking to the Concierge at our hotel (The Omni), she pointed us in the direction of Refuge. A short drive later, my fiancé and I were walking into the Barber Shop fingers crossed they could help me and my shaggy head. 10 min later, I was in Dot 's chair and under her care. Dot was absolutely fantastic! I cannot say it enough. Hell, I'll say it again: DOT WAS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! Now I'm a pretty easy to please guy when it comes to my hair and live by the feeling that it will always grow back, but it's my desire to actually connect with people who cut my hair that leaves me disappointed. Who wants to sit in a chair for 20-30 min in silence? Not this guy, and the majority of times I have gotten my haircut the barber or stylist just does their thing and never speaks except for "what would you like to do today" and then "all set". Dot and I had such a lovely conversation and at the end of the cut (which was great) I wanted to pack her up, take her back to NY and have her cut my hair for the rest of my life. Sadly not an option, if I'm ever headed south and passing through Richmond, I will definitely be stopping back for a cut. read more