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Charlie's Barber Shop
Category: Beauty and Spas Barbers Barbers [Edit]
534 San Ramon Valley BlvdDanville, CA 94526
(925) 820-8821
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
23 reviews for Charlie's Barber Shop
23 reviews in English
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Review from Jeff C.
San Francisco, CA
12/3/2011
Really funny and great guy. Charlie does a perfect job cutting hair and so does his wife. I drive from San Francisco just to get my hair cut by them.
Cozy barber shop with comfy chairs and magazines, a tv, and candy to keep you entertained if there is wait. The best barber around. Highly recommended. -
Review from Craig B.
Danville, CA
7/8/2011
Great place for a haircut.....Charlie and his wife both do a great job.
The BEST around! Highly recomend! -
Review from Alex G.
Danville, CA
5/16/2011
My son is only just about to turn four and has always had his hair cut by a family friend at home. Charlie made my son feel welcome right as he entered the shop with a warm greeting. It didnt hurt that he had some candy on standby either. :) His wife was also very sweet and gave him some punch to drink. They both treated us all like we were coming into their home. He did a great job with the cut and we couldn't have been happier. I would get my hair cut there in a heartbeat but I don't exactly need haircuts anymore.
For those of you that complain about a long wait, Charlie has a webcam stream online so you can see how long the wait is before you go in. Check out his website. -
Review from Chris K.
Updated - 1/13/2009
Wow... Best haircut place in The east bay. Still having been going to him every 6 weeks since my first review.
Lessons learned....
Be prepared to wait up to an hour to get trimmed.
A line forms outside the shop on Sat mornings before they are even open.Listed in: My Neighborhood
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/7/2007
Charlie is amazing, He is definitely worth the wait. I get a great haircut everytime. His prices… Read more »
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Review from James M.
Pleasant Hill, CA
12/4/2010
Charlie is the man!!! To those of you who believe $20 and change is too much for a haircut why did you ever stop going to supercuts? YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! If your not satisfied with Charlie's skills your next stop should be the optometrist because your vision is most likely in need of some help.
Oh and if the wait is long oh well! You can't get mad. Charlie is a solo barber and it's probably better that way (quality control). -
Review from Brett L.
Danville, CA
8/12/2006 7 Check-ins Here
A man who knows his way around a number 2 blade and a straight razor is a man who I have oft called "friend". But under the steady grip of Charlie the barber, these instruments are wielded with surgical precision. It's "Dr. Charlie" to those in the know - a guy who can transform your head more drastically than most extreme makeover plastic surgeons.
When I move to a new town, I'm always on the hunt for the best haircut money can buy. I've paid more than $50 per cut in the past, but I know it's not about the money - it's about the skills and the feeling you have inside and outside the chair. Charlie's gives you everything you need:
respectfully long lines of young and old guys waiting their turn; a plasma screen TV broadcasting news or music videos; plenty of Maxim, FHM and Stuff magazines to keep your eyes busy while waiting ("special" mags available on request when the shop is empty); a big bucket of candy and gum for the sweetly inclined; wireless high-speed access for those who can't stay away from the laptop; plenty of manstyle banter in the chair...it's the full meal deal.
All for the price of $16.00.
If you live anywhere near Danville, this is the spot you need to make your home away from home...Listed in: The Ville of Dan (or how I…
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Review from Steve G.
San Ramon, CA
10/5/2006
I just moved to San Ramon and was looking for a good barber. Not excited about going to a hair "salon" where they wash and poof your hair, I wanted a place where I could sit down, give a minimum amount of instruction about my hair, and then jaw about sports or crime or the price of housing for the duration of my trim.
I read Brett L's review here and decided to give Charlie a try.
When you first walk in, you know it's a guy's place. Piles of new magazines stacked up. Free Internet Access, an HD TV. Videos for the kids if you've got them in tow.
And Charlie works your head like a sculptor, moving from scissors to clippers to straight edge razor in a virtuosos-like way. For $16, you get a great, professional cut, delivered smoothly and without pretense.
I'll be grabbing a seat in Charlie's shop every month or so until I die. -
Review from Kirk S.
Dublin, CA
10/23/2007
I had planned to write a review a while ago and I would have given a strong 5 STARS, As all the other reviews say, Charlie can really cut hair. He's good and well worth the wait. But there have been a couple changes. Charlie used to run solo and haircuts used to run $16. But his rate is now $19 and he also has a partner.
Is it worth $19? Yes, if Charlie cuts your hair. Unfortunately the last time I was there, someone else there cut my hair and I really wasn't happy when I got home... it was my first bad haircut in a long time. So paying more for a cut I wasn't happy with wasn't what I expected.
If you want a 5-star cut, just ask for Charlie to cut your hair. It's a bit pricey including the tip... but he's good and consistent.
Due to my last cut as I mentioned, and the price increase... I have to ding a star and a half (which rounds up to 4. Hey, I like Charlie!)
But due to the changes and my last experience, I'm going to explore and see if I can find a cheaper cut that's good and consistent closer to home. Yes, I know... I'm risking my hairs... But my gut feeling is telling me that I'll be back in Charlie's chair again. -
Review from Erik S.
San Francisco, CA
5/5/2010
Great Barber Shop! Charlie is the man!
They except cash only (I had to run across the street to an ATM). -
Review from Jon L.
Washington, DC
11/29/2008
I've been here twice now.
The first time I went was for the novelty of having my haircut broadcast to the world wide web via Charlie's webcam.
The second time was because I was so pleased with my first haircut I went back for more. Charlie and his wife have both now operated on me, and both did a very fine job. Nothing fancy, no funny business, just a solid, neat haircut.
I was also impressed by the "About Us" section from Charlie's website, excerpted below:
"Charlie Phan was only 14 when he left his home in Antarctica and set out for America. He was a smart kid but traveling the seas is always a challenge. He paid his way by cutting the hair of the ship's crew. However, in an unfortunate series of events, the ship got lost at sea. Many of the crew members claimed that the reason for the poor navigation was that the captain was so impressed with his haircut that he wouldn't stop looking at himself in the mirror." -
Review from Jesse B.
Danville, CA
9/21/2010
Charlie is a local Danville legend. It seems like everyone loves Charlie, his wife, and their barbershop.
Regarding haircut quality: Charlie is a pro. He doesn't need much instruction from the the customer to know how to make their hair look great. I stopped by after reading the reviews on Yelp and it was definitely the right decision.
From the moment I walked in the door, Charlie and his wife engaged in great conversation and took the time to get to know me. You could tell that they are passionate about building relationships and providing high quality haircutting services.
I am definitely going to be getting my haircuts at Charlie's from now on.
-Current Price of Haircut: $20
-Cash only
-Very clean shop -
Review from Rob C.
San Ramon, CA
10/23/2010
Charlie is a fun, entertaining guy who gives a great haircut. His shop has an old school feel and the straight razor finish you get on the back of your neck really creates a different experience from the mass market shops. I like being able to check the wait on the webcam too - very cool.
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Review from Kai R.
San Ramon, CA
2/4/2011
I tried out Charlie's based on the great reviews here on Yelp. The first time I went, the place was empty and I got seated right away and Charlie got started. He seems to really know what he's doing with a pair of scissors. He also engaged in some lively chatter and he's proven himself to be quite the character. His wife is a little bit quieter than Charlie (doesn't take much) but she's also very friendly and nice. Several people came in and all of them seemed to love Charlie. The haircut was quick, precise, and he even cleaned me up with a straight edge at the end.
The second time I went, it was more of the same, except I had a long wait since only Charlie and his wife are there cutting. I began to notice a trend in that most of the customers were parents bringing their kids in. Odd that the parents didn't seem to let Charlie cut their hair... Charlie is great with the kids, and he makes sure the engage the kids in conversation so they feel comfortable letting a strange man come after them with a pair of sharp scissors. However, Charlie did have a few jokes that were over the kids heads that were a little inappropriate and bordering on racist.
As for the cut itself... it's only so so. It looks great coming out of the shop. But within a few days, it looked like I'd done it myself with a blunt pair of scissors and a broken mirror. It grows out quickly and shaggy, and it's very noticeable that haircuts at Charlie's don't last very long. He doesn't do a very good job of layering so once a few hairs begin to grow, it's extremely noticeable. After it happened the first time, I thought it might just have been some twist of fate, my hair might have been frizzy when he cut it, or something like that. But it happened the second time too. I've never had this happen after a cut before and it's frustrating to have a haircut that doesn't even last for more than two weeks. Also, I don't like paying $20 for a haircut that I get at an actual salon in Berkeley for $15 or at Squire in Mountain View for $12.
In short, Charlie's might be a good place to take your kids and he's a very friendly and entertaining character. It might even be worth it just to listen to the barbershop chatter. However, I'm not convinced that his haircuts quite live up to the hype or the price. -
Review from Troy H.
Walnut Creek, CA
11/1/2008
I used to spend $65 or more for my haircuts because of some previous experiences with barber shops. However, after finding Charlie's a little over a year ago, I have never been dissatisfied with the cut Charlie gives me. At $19 (currently), he does a better job than most places that charge $65 for a man's haircut.
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Review from Kevin K.
San Ramon, CA
7/21/2008
I was tempted to give Charlie's one star just to keep new customers away. This place is starting to get too damned crowded!!! What's nice about Charlie is that he makes everyone feel welcome. I had only been to Charlie's once before and he remembered my name when I walked through the door. Now that's quite a memory. I have trouble remembering the names of people I just met. The only drawback to Charlie's was when he bumped up his haircut price to $19. Definitely not a cheap cut but I still can't give him less than five stars.
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Review from Joe S.
Danville, CA
9/18/2009
It has taken me years to find Charlie. Not him specifically, but a decent barber who actually knows how to cut my hair. First stab at it and Charlie did a fantastic job. He's also the first barber I've been to in ages who I actually wanted to chat with while he did the cut.
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Review from Justin S.
San Ramon, CA
5/3/2007
I visited Charlie's and got a great cut in a no-nonesense atmosphere. While you'll see three barber's chairs please realize that Charlie runs solo . . . it is a popular place so you may have a wait. Kudos to Charlie for trying to work around this by providing a webcam so you can asess the lineup (http://www.charliesbar...). Unfortunately, in the time it takes me to get to the shop four more dudes may turn up. However, bring your laptop and indulge in the free wireless internet just in case.
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Review from Scott D.
South Pasadena, CA
10/15/2008
Charlie's is awesome. Went there for the first time a few hours ago, and I was impressed.
First, you will get an amazing cut. No need to tell him how, just say "clean it up" and let him work his magic.
Second, you will get a great conversation. Questions ranging from work to family and then some. And he actually cares, it is not just small talk.
Third, it will not break the bank. A great cut for the price, or for any price.
Highly recommended. I will be back for future cuts (and I will have to come from Silicon Valley!) -
Review from Michael B.
Danville, CA
12/1/2010
Charlie is the man! He cleans me up real well. Classic barber
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Review from Roger L.
San Ramon, CA
7/14/2010
Just moved to the area after spending 10yrs in Santa Clara, with 1/2 the time spent looking for a decent barber shop. Found this place on yelp and decided to give it a try. Got there on a Saturday morning, shortly after it opened. I brought my 3yr old daughter and was half expecting a long line of patrons only to be surprised I was customer number 2 upon walking in. Charlie's wife was working on a station and charlie was tidying up the place. He quickly waved me over, sized up my hair, asked a couple of question and proceeded to buzz away. The hair cut took close to 1/2hr, a bit longer than i expected but charlie commented that it took longer because I was a new customer and that he would 'remember' my style on my next visit. By then the place was getting full with 5 customers waiting for both Charlie and his Wife. Several customers called in asked about wait time, and charlie quickly pointed them to the online webcam to view the waiting area. Great idea, though depending on how far you have to drive to get there, the lines can change rather quickly. The hair cut was good and I suspect it would only get better as I continue to frequent this place.
oh, free wifi too. Brought an Ipad to keep my 3yr entertained while she waited. good stuff. -
Review from Ronald F.
Danville, CA
9/25/2009
It took 5 days, 3 attempts, an email and finally bit the bullet and walked in at 4:10 pm on a Friday. I had 2 in the chairs and three guys in the waiting area before Charlie did his Magic. Yes he did a very good job, made me felt welcome and I got too see kids as young as 17 yrs old to gentlemen in their 60's come in and get their hair cut. Each was greeted warmly and sincerely when they arrived and just as warm when they left. Charlie and his wife are pleasant people. The were generous and welcoming. When I left there were three waiting and two in the chairs being cut by him and his wife. I shared with Charlie how I found him and after he was done I said I would provide him a great rating. I Will be back, and glad to see he is busy as being a business man in these days is a skill and a test of ones soul. Thank you Charlie for being a good person and glad to know you raised your 4 children in Danville too.
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Review from Seth F.
San Ramon, CA
10/3/2009
Great haircut at a reasonable price.
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Review from Tony D.
Pleasanton, CA
2/2/2009
I drive all the way from Pleasanton just to get a haircut with Charlie. I'm def glad I found this place on yelp last year and I've been getting my cuts here ever since. Charlie knows what I want every time I go in and he knows all his customers wants and by first name basis. Can't go wrong with getting a hair cut. It is worth the extra money compared to Supercuts and other cheaper chain places.
