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Spargo - A Place For Men
Rating Details »
Categories: Hair Salons, Massage, Barbers, Hair Removal, Skin Care
One Embarcadero CenterSan Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 989-4700
Five Year Anniversary Party March
More information coming soon!
1 of 9
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Accepts Insurance:
- No
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
68 reviews for Spargo - A Place For Men
This business is a Yelp Sponsor
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One of the Business' Favorite Reviews What's This?
I've struggled since moving here to find a quality, reliable place to get a haircut in the financial district.
Spargo has proven to be an oasis among a veritable wasteland of barbers shopts and haircut salons where you typically walk in not knowing what you are going to get.
I don't worry here about suddenly losing my sideburns or getting my hair whacked off down to the skull. They have a good sense of style, they listen and they make sure you are happy.
My only wish is that I had found it sooner.
Lila cut my hair. She is a genius. Grow your locks and check her out.
Sonja gave me a quick chair massage afterward and I walked out of there on a cloud of air.
Let me start this by mentioning that I had never, ever dropped more than $18 on a haircut in my life. So I gotta know something's gonna be really good to triple my spending.
I've been going to Spargo religiously for about a year, since I started working in the FiDi again. Priscilla is my girl, and she does great work. I've been more than happy with the results every time, and the consistency, if anything, is worth the extra spend.
But the rest of the experience is worthwhile, too. You get a shampoo, a little scalp massage, and a hot towel on the face. You even get a locker and a robe, so your shirt won't get shaggy. I did the manicure once, too, and I didn't regret it.
The whole thing takes 45 minutes, so you can easily get shorn during your lunch hour, or whenever you can sneak away from work.
Yes, they have ESPN on the TV. But who cares? It's about the work, and they do it spectacularly.
I'm sure lots of the stylists perform well, but ask for Priscilla. She knows what she's doing.
I've been going here for the last 2 years. I needed to get spruced up for my fiancee's work party and I was in the city that evening. My stylist is Lucia, who is extremely sweet and knows my hair. Plus, the times she's cut my hair, my fiancee has loved it, so if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
What I like:
-very relaxed atmosphere; yes, it's a hair salon, but still a guy's atmosphere with CNN & ESPN on the tube.
-was offered bottled water or wine and a robe to wear
-I got the haircut(clippers on back, scissors everywhere else), shampoo, style, rinse, gel; loved the hot towel on the face; very reminiscent of the pre-boarding I experience at Singapore Airlines!
-for the extra fru-fru, they offer manicures, massages, even waxing!
Why no fifth star:
-can be pricey, $45-50 for a haircut. Price to pay for good hair, but I can understand if others think it's too much
-parking is a pain!!! plain and simple, walk or take BART, just off of the Embarcadero station.
-kinda like Taylor B's review, if you're expecting a harem of women to cater to your every sensual fantasy/desire while you're in the chair, this ain't the place.
There's been that eternal question of what's the best "guy's haircut" place that's not a barbershop. Spargo ranks up there. You can get a great cut and meet your date or girl that nite in the city. If you need a great cut or do and are in the city, try this place out!
Comment from Cynthia B. of
Spargo - A Place For Men
1/8/2010
Neil: Thank you and you are right...parking in the financial…
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Cody is an excellent stylist who is a perfectionist and takes his time. I get an excellent haircut from him every time.
I have lived in San Francisco for 11 years, and have been getting my hair cut here for most of that time as well. I wish I would have found this salon sooner.
By luck, when I called to book a hair cut, I was given an appointment with Lila. She asked what I wanted done, and made some suggestions as well. My 1st cut was exactly what I asked her to do. She followed my instructions, and the results were as expected.
Because she did such a great job on that 1st cut, I returned about a month later. This time, I let her cut my hair the way *she* suggested. The results were amazing. I have never received more compliments from friends, family or co-workers. She is truly a hair "stylist" and I hope you are as pleased with her work as I am.
The salon itself has several TVs showing sports or ESPN, they offer you a robe when you come in as well as a glass of wine. It was easy for me to find street parking at a meter, and if you work downtown it should be a short walk. It's $50 for the haircut, which does not seem too expensive for the service provided.
Spargo was a place that I was really forward to checking out given the reviews and the pictures; it looked a place that I had finally graduated to in life. When you enter, you're still really impressed with the service and the option of having a glass of wine while you wait. Don't get me wrong, the place is great and the head massage while they wash your hair really helps you unwind.
I was unimpressed with my stylist and her lack of social skills, and quite frankly, a really mediocre cut. I could've gone to to Great Clips and received the same cut for far less money. I would not go here again, and especially after tip, you're better off going to a cheap spot and using the extra $40 on dinner or drinks.
Comment from Cynthia B. of
Spargo - A Place For Men
9/3/2009
Joe: I am so sorry to hear that we did not deliever the…
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I have been coming here for 3 years now. It's not cheap but it's worth every penny. I have been studying tax law in NY and my trip to Spargo was the only thing getting me through exams.
Lucia is a great hairstylist. She's fun, great to talk to, and knows her stuff. She does stuff to my hair that I didn't know was possible.
I recently got an hour massage from Sonja. I walked out of there feeling like melted butter and I was useless for the rest of the day. She is a magical unicorn made out of rainbows. I fell asleep 3 times during the massage and woke myself up by snoring.
I'm not saying you should necessarily go here every month because it adds up, but when I go here, I have hard time leaving. Block out 3 hours, get a haircut, massage, and manicure/pedicure and you'll see what I mean.
Comment from Cynthia B. of
Spargo - A Place For Men
1/8/2010
Thank you...Lucia and Sonja are rock stars! Cynthia
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Of course this place is "expensive" to the guys wanting to watch the game while they wait for their haircut, but $45 is really not bad for a haircut in the city. I am used to spending double this for a cut. I had my hair cut by Priscilla, she was friendly and made sure she shaped things up how I wanted. If you're expecting to have a bunch of bimbos feeding you beer while you watch Monday Night Football, you may want to find some realistic prerequisites for a Men's salon.
Atmosphere: Lightly decorated, deep red walls, no scent of nail polish, soundtrack: Nickelback, Nickelback, Nickelback, I don't know bad music sounds the same to me
Crowd: Twenties through forties men, mainly FiDi types
Perks: Wine or water when you arrive, coat racks and optional robes if you need, head massage, warm towel for your face while you get shampooed
Forget: Any fantasies of Hooters in a salon form. A "place for men" doesn't mean a place for macho cavemen.
Cost: $45 for cut, head massage, shampoo and style
I'm an unusual man.
Dentist? Fine. I don't look forward to that grindy thing they do with the horrible mint flavor, but I can handle 15 minutes of pain if it means shiny healthy teeth for the next six months. As they say, pain is temporary, Austin Powers teeth are forever.
Doctor? Pfffft. What, you want to feel my balls and hear me cough? No prob, dude. Just keep the greased finger out of my ass until I turn 50 and we're just fine.
IRS Audit? Hahahahahaha. Yeah, I got receipts, so no worries there. And yes those Sony noise cancelling headphones are a business expense. I check my work e-mail on the bus and can't concentrate unless I'm listening to CSS. What, that all you got?
Hair Stylist? Nooooo! Nothing strikes more fear in to my soul than a trip to the hair salon. I don't think my hair is that complicated but 85% of my haircuts seem to fail massively. I've never understood exactly why this happens. Perhaps it's that my hair is abnormally thick, perhaps it's that enjoy unusual sleeping positions, perhaps it's just bad luck. But for this reason, a trip to the barber shop it something I've often hyperventilated over.
And my fears were recently confirmed. After not having a haircut nor shaving for 3 months, I decided it was getting too hot for the nice fall weather and was time for a quick little trip to the barber. I said "just take a little off the sides" and 10 minutes later, disaster had struck. Yes, I had basically been given the Brian Austin Green, and I'm not talking about now where Megan Fox dresses up like a schoolgirl for him every night. I'm talking old school 90210 - David Silver, the annoying geek who invited Donna over to his place and then let a condom fall out of his wallet, quickly going from "I'm gonna score" to a lecture by a retard about marriage and abstinence. Damn, and I thought my high school life was painful. If death results in us being reincarnated as high school TV characters, I'd rather come back as Screech. At least Screech was funny and had pure aspirations of one day making out with the hip black girl. David Silver's only aspiration was to one day work as a DJ in a club and slip 19 year old girls e tablets with the hope they might grind on him. Good god what a loser.
Not wanting in to any way resemble that ass-clown, I began to seek out reputable hair stylists and was led to Spargo. Gave them a buzz and was hooked up with a 4 PM appointment with Samara the next day, which surprised me because I figured they'd be booked for at least a week solid. Upon arriving, she took me back and immediately understood the issue I was dealing with. After a quick wash, she broke out the scissors and razor, and 30 minutes and $50 later my hair was right back to the state it was 2 years ago when I had my excellent stylist back in Seattle. Samara recognized I had extremely thick hair and it takes a certain stylist to work with it, so she made a recommendation for my next trip there. I'm finally looking forward to a haircut, rather than dreading it.
So thank you, Samara & Spargo for fixing my David Silver hair. I'm now sporting a fine Robert H, who from what I understand has several attractive females on Yelp stalking him. Oh, if only I can be so lucky.
Spargo is pretty decent. I've been going for over a year and finally have a stylist that "knows" my hair. Lila is great and not pretentous, can't say enough good things about her.
The salon is a comfortable place for guys without being over the top macho. Everyone is friendly and the place is uber clean. They always offer you water (cold or room temp) and offer to hang your coat. For me, the little courtesies offer more value tthan the grandiose impersonal fake perks.
I have gone to Spargo several times over the past few years. Although, I hadn't been the last 8 months largely because I could not justify spending nearly $60 on a haircut in this market. Plus I could go to a great little place in the east bay for $20. Spargo is close to my work so it is very convenient. I went in recently as a walk in, this is the second time I had attempted to go for a haircut as a walk in. The last time I tried to do this was last year. The response I got the first time was sorry we are all booked up. No one clients were in waiting room, with 3 employees standing behind the counter looking at the computer and talking. I don't quite understand how a small business like this needs three greeters, that none of them were stylists seemed strange to me. The second time I walked in recently, there was one person at the front desk, no clients in the waiting area, peered into the haircutting floor, no action, but she sat down looked at her computer without even looking up at me and said we are booked up. I said okay and walked out. As I was walking out she said sorry. There was no attempt to look up at me from the computer to try to get me to schedule the next day. This lack of customer service at the front door has left me less that interested in coming back. Supercuts can handle a line of people, they even have reservations. I think they are trying to pass on walk ins to give them an air of sophistication. However, I tend to agree with the other comments, this is an over priced experience at best. The TV cannot barely be heard nor seen from anywhere but the hair washing area. I wish the this place had better front desk service and the pricing was not so expensive.
Comment from Cynthia B. of
Spargo - A Place For Men
1/8/2010
David: I am so sorry about your experience in our salon. We…
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I've been going to Spargo since the placed opened. I got a little nervous when my first stylist moved on but everytime I get a great haircut. Cody is great and does an excellent job every time.
BTW he was 30 minutes late once but the manager comp'd me a free pedicure and chair massage while I waited. Smart people.
Spargo is a solid place for a haircut. When they cut your hair they pay attention to the details. You can take off your shirt for a robe, so you don't get hair or water on it. Although, they never use the clippers, which I found strange, since I had been getting solid cuts and picking up chicks when I lived in Philly with clipper cuts. Regardless this classy, they offer you water or wine when you walk in and service is always prompt.
It is definitely on the pricey side of the cut, but overall if you are willing to drop a Jackson on a haircut then it is definitely worth checking out.
Spargo is great and Samara gets top billing. I've been going there for nearly three-years. I go every three weeks for a cut. Samara is always on time, polite, professional. She always brings her "A-game" to work.
The atmosphere is comfortable to calm and the price is worth it. Try it out and ask for Samara.
I used Spargo for about a year and left for MR when my stylist left. After my time at MR. I returned to Spargo, and I am very glad that I did. My stylist is always on-time, which is a key factor when you are trying to jam a haircut into the middle of a work day.
They give you robes to change into, which helps keep the loose hairs from finding their way onto your shirt. This really helps you avoid getting itchy when you have to go back to work. The complimentary wine or bottled water is a nice touch and appreciated. One of the best places to get a haircut.
Spargo is lean, mean, luxury hair cutting machine. Like any machine, it needs a user manual. Here you go.
- What/Prices
Hair cut with shampoo, head & neck massage, $45+tip
Manicure+haircut package: $55
Other services see http://www.spargoman.c... for a complete list
- The Staff
All well trained, all women. If you are hoping for more than what's on the services menu you're in for a disappointment... these are stylists, not Mitchel Brothers dancers. I've had the best luck with Morgan. Great haircuts, and with a smart and edgy personalty probably much like many Yelpers'.
- Results
Maybe because these are stylists and not barbers I've noticed that my haircuts from Spargo tend to look best right after I get out of the chair, not 3-5 days latter as is the case with my barber. They also tend to last less long. Quality has been uniformly good.
- Time
The place is a very well oiled machine. You are expected to be there the moment your appointment starts, and you will be there for pretty much exactly 45 minutes. If you are late once you are denied bathroom privileges and the massage, twice and they ask for your CC at time of appointment. Kidding about the bathroom privileges. I think.
- Location
Convenient if you work or live near Embarcadero One, otherwise expect limited and/or expensive parking. Note: There is some convenient motorcycle parking on Sacramento street.
- Summary
I went maybe five times and stopped. Nothing wrong with it at all, but between location and a total cost effectively triple that of my regular barber http://www.yelp.com/bi... it just didn't seem worth it. However, I had some great haircuts there and could see going back. I'd suggest anyone who is even somewhat interested give it a shot and see if its worth it to them
I used to get my hair cut at Supercuts. Not anymore I don't.
For $45, you get a great haircut from someone who actually listens to your requests, a shampoo, a head massage, and a glass of wine. I came in three days before a wedding and said I needed my hair cut, but not so much that I looked like a newly shorn sheep, because I didn't want Bridezilla to kill me. Lucia was great and gave me a perfect haircut, and she was really nice on top of it all. I'd definitely ask for her.
The trains definitely run on time here...it's a well-oiled machine...you show up on time and they get you out of there on time, quite unlike most hairdressers. This is probably attributable to the hottie manager, Laura.
So yes it's more expensive than Supercuts but you get what you pay for. And yes, I got a frigging manicure (it was complimentary, dammit). I learned what a cuticle was. I had a lot of them, apparently.
Went here off of Yelp reviews. I was expecting a a place for men, since it says "A Place for Men"...but all they did differently was to have a TV with the Monday night football game in the lobby (with no sound and it was fuzzy). Then the 2nd thing was to ask if I wanted a glass of wine...or water! No thanks, wine if for prissy women! haha ok, maybe not...but damn...I just wanted to watch the game. So they call you in to get a haircut and int hat room, there is no TV near me, just one way off with ( get this) a episode of Friends playing!!
This is a place run by women, who have no idea how to make it "A place for men".
The haircut? Pretty nice...worth $45? Maybe, maybe not...but to go out of my way to get there just didn't make sense. There was no indication of anything outside a normal salon here...it was if it was a "place for women" the day before, and that didn't work out, so they took out the W and O and changed the channel from Oprah to football.
I have very basic man hair. So for 45 bucks plus a respectable tip, I wouldn't expect a happy ending, but at least give me the advertised head massage. No dice.
I love it, their motto is "a place for men", yet, all the TV's are fuzzy and its run by women! More like: "a place where men can sorta feel less metro....sorta"
Perfect place for MENS haircut. Look for Lucia and you won't be disappointed.
This is the only place I could find in the Bay Area that provided me with hip haircutting talent at a reasonable price. Trust me I tried a lot of salons up and down the pennisula. My stylist, Lila, is great.
Comment from Cynthia B. of
Spargo - A Place For Men
10/26/2009
Tray...you are so right...Lila is one of the best. Thanks…
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So $45 for a haircut initially turned me away from this place but after sucking it up and deciding to fork over the dough I was stoked I did.
Its clean, well appointed, and the flat screen was set to espn. I told the stylist (her name was Lainey) to do whatever she felt like when cutting my hair and it turned out great. The scalp massage feels pretty awesome too.
I'd say suck it up and give this place a try if you want a haircut that's going to look really good and be cut by someone who knows what they're doing.
Spargo, like MR. and other places offering men's grooming services (other than a traditional hair cut and shave) have really taken off in San Francisco and it's no secret why. To avoid commoditization these facilities offer sports TV, music, cocktails or wine, upscale surroundings. These additions can also justify the higher prices they charge. It's a valid tradeoff given the success of these places and I suspect they'll continue to thrive in the current economic conditions.
I go to both Spargo and MR (recently reviewed) but use them for different services. I use Spargo for manicure and facials and on both counts they do a great job. After using Spargo for my nails I tried 3 or 4 other places in town but came back to Spargo. The prices are reasonable ($20 for a half hour manicure) and the quality is the best of all places I've tried. The facial went for about an hour and I came out a new man. I've rarely had difficulty getting an appointment on a Saturday afternoon (my fave day for this stuff) and the staff is friendly. I've yet to get a haircut here but in a pinch I wouldn't hesitate giving them a shot.
Nice people, attractive salon, fair prices ... what's not to like!?
I've been going for almost a year now -- Cody is an excellent stylist who takes his time and is extremely meticulous.
Great salon for guys!
APFM is by far the best haircut/experience I have had. (Granted my prior cuts came at wholesale rates at the hands of the trained professionals at SuperCuts...)
Regardless, this place knows how to treat a guy. Between the friendly and helpful (and attractive) girls at the front desk and the talented stylists, I fear SuperCuts has seen the last of me. I got more compliments on my hair than ever before.
see an example of how awesome they are
http://production.turn...
Update:
Had a massage here not so long ago and it was FANTASTIC. I forget her name, but she had hands of magic. I have been DYING to go back for another one.
--
Original post:
I do love going here. So much so that I don't mind making it down on a Saturday. I'd recommend Samara or Morgan for a hair cut, they're both really professional and great to talk to. I've had a few mani/pedi combos there as well, but if you're in a rush they'll do a mani while you get your hair cut. Fantastic concept, and you can feel very comfortable there walking around in just a robe. The staff really makes you feel at home and I am now and will forever be a regular patron.
I've been going to Spargo now for the past 3 months and cannot complain. As you walk in the door, you are faced with flat screen tv's, leather chairs and a welcoming receptionist. In each of my experiences, they have always offered me a drink and a place to hang my coat.
For $45, which is not unreasonable by any means, you get a shampoo and wash, a tailored cut, another wash with a hot towel for your face and a styling. If you are looking for a great cut, make a visit to Spargo, you won't regret it!
This is a great place to get a haircut, a manicure, massage, and catch the game. Plain and simple. Every time I have been I have gotten a great haircut (that I get tons of compliments about), the price is right, and the staff is amazing. Everyone is great at what they do and they really want you to feel comfortable and well tended to while you are there. Kick back and relax in the leather arm chairs while you wait and watch sports on the plasmas. Get a 15 minute back rub or saddle up to the table for the real deal. Amazing facility, love going here, and my stylist Lainey is as good as they come. She gives a great hair cut and is a great conversation. I had such a fun conversation with her today I forgot I was getting my haircut.
There is no validation for parking in the garage but its only $3.
So I'm a newbie to San Francisco. I've been out here for about 4 months now, a transfer from Texas. Love the place out here, but my only problem ....no where to get a hair cut. I went to Spargo, at the advice of yelp, and man was it great.
Cool place, good people. Jessie cut my hair. She was awesome, had a fun time talking with her. So if you're up for a cool place, and don't mind paying 45 for a hair cut, check out Spargo. Its worth it, if you're not a supercuts kid. If you are, well 45 and the atmosphere will be a little too much for you.
Excellent environment for the modern man, yes even the hetero. Cody cut my hair and was great to chat with about man things, like football. They serve alcohol and offer several different services that are easy to take advantage of. There need to be more places like this, perhaps even with a mini sports bar attached. I will definitely be returning here again. Oh and the hair cut was great as well!
I went here last week after reading some favorable reviews here.
I'll keep it short (like my hair). The place is great, the people are friendly, my stylist was excellent and the atmosphere is relaxing.
While I only got my haircut, I'll probably get either a manicure or massage the next time.
After cutting my own hair for years, I decided to try out Spargo's to get a haircut. Nice looking place, great service, courteous staff, complimentary wine (I REALLY enjoyed that), friendly people, GOD AWFUL haircut. First of all, the guy (I don't remember his name) cut it way too short when I told him to leave it relatively long. Ok, that by itself I could've lived with, but then he left the back hair way longer than the front and sides. I didn't notice this until I got home and checked. It was like a mini-mullet that covered the entire back side of my head. Thank god I was able to go home and fix it so that I'd look like a normal human being. Don't get me wrong, their customer service was great, but I'd much rather have shitty service and a great haircut than the other way around. By no means am I saying you shouldn't go there, I'm just sharing my experience.
Comfortable place to relax and get cleaned up. Have been a loyal customer for over a year now and Tamina also gives me a quality hair cut every four weeks. While I am there, I also get a manicure and pedicure while watching the latest sports headline on their "manly" plasma TV. I am hooked on Spargo after being a barber shop guy for most of life.
Men, Don't be afraid your wife or girlfriend will like the results.
Christina will give you the best treatment and haircut that you will ever have. Highly recommend Christina to cut your hair, she will make your mop look like a million bucks when she is finish.
Depends on what you're used to. If you normally go to Supercuts or one of those chains, it's a nice step up. But if you already go to a pretty good salon, this place is no big deal.
A quite enjoyable men's spa. Custom built mani/pedi chairs face a nice Fujitsu plasma TV, where Cynthia, the owner, promptly offered me a choice of James Bond films to watch. A little on the pricey side of things, but you get what you pay for.
My hair guy recently relocated, so I was a little lost as to where to go and WAY overdue for a haircut. After scouring Yelp, I decided to make an appointment @ Spargo, and it was an incredibly positive experience. The salon is very luxe, but masculine -- handsome, if you will. It felt very comfortable. I was assigned to the beautiful and charming Tamina, who really took the time to listen to what I wanted and then raised the bar by customizing a fantastic style that is not only flattering, but easy for me to maintain. I can wholeheartedly recommend Spargo to any gent seeking a great cut and a little pampering. Remember -- if you don't skimp on haircuts and shoes, you'll make a fine impression from head to toe.
My boyfriend had to wait 45 minutes because the massage therapist was late. Then I was charged twice. The owner was adamant that I was wrong but later admitted she was wrong. Won't be back.
Excellent service. Donna is a fantastic stylist and had great input on both styling and product. The massage was also fantastic - I'll be getting a longer one next time. Nice decor in the place as well.
