The Best Hair Salons in River North, Chicago: How We Rank

If you type "best hair salon River North" into Google, you get the same eight or nine names every time. That list is partly accurate and partly a function of how long a salon has been buying ads and collecting reviews. We want to give you a more honest framework so you can pick the right salon for your hair, not just the one with the loudest marketing.

We are 3rd Coast Salon, a boutique suite on 223 W Erie Street, Suite 1E, a half block from the Chicago River. We are not the biggest salon in the neighborhood. We are intentionally small so every guest gets one-on-one time with a senior stylist. Here is how we think about the "best" question.

What does "best" actually mean for a hair salon?

Best depends on the job. A great extension salon may not be the right place for a short pixie cut. A high-volume balayage studio may not be the right place for a complex color correction. When you read a top-ten list, ask what each salon is actually known for.

At our shop, Phillip Fowler is the practitioner clients book most often for precision haircuts and extensions. Kevin handles standout color work, including balayage and corrections. If you want one of those things specifically, you want a salon where one specific stylist owns that craft.

What criteria should you use to rank River North salons?

Here is the short list we would use if we were not us:

1. Does the stylist have at least five years on the chair?

River North turns over assistants quickly because the rent is high and the apprenticeship pipeline is short. A senior stylist with a steady book is a better bet for color or cuts than a newer talent on a chain salon floor.

2. Does the salon do a real consultation?

A 30 second "so what are we doing today" at the bowl is not a consultation. A real consult is five to ten minutes, hair down, in good light, with photo references and a maintenance conversation. Ask before you book.

3. Is the price honest before the appointment?

Hidden upcharges are the most common River North complaint we hear from new clients. Salons that quote a base rate and then add toner, gloss, treatment, and long-hair fees at checkout are not being dishonest, they are just unclear. Ask for an all-in number when you book.

4. Does the salon work in your climate?

Chicago humidity in July and dry forced-air heat in February are two very different problems for hair. A salon that ships you out with a generic finishing spray is not thinking about your week. We carry Milbon and Unite because those lines hold up in this city.

What makes River North different from other Chicago neighborhoods for hair?

River North has more salons per square mile than almost any other Chicago neighborhood. You have West Loop, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and Wicker Park all within a short ride, and each has its own salon culture.

River North clients tend to be a mix of office professionals walking over from the surrounding towers, residents of the high rises along the river, and visitors staying at the boutique hotels. That mix means the best salons in this neighborhood are good at fitting a service into a tight window. We see a lot of one hour lunch cut requests and pre-event blowouts before a dinner on Hubbard Street.

It also means you can find almost any specialty if you look. Extensions, Japanese-style smoothing, vivids, bridal, men's grooming, child cuts. The trade-off is decision fatigue.

Where does 3rd Coast Salon honestly rank?

We will be direct. We are not the biggest salon in River North and we do not try to be. We have five stylists, we work out of a boutique suite, and most appointments are booked directly with the stylist by name. We rank well on the things we focus on: precision cuts, lived-in color, extensions, and smoothing treatments. We do not do walk-ins and we do not do mass-volume bridal parties.

If you read Google reviews for our shop, the pattern is consistent. Guests mention specific stylists by name, mention that the salon does not feel rushed, and mention that the suite feels private. That is the experience we are aiming for. If a busy open-floor salon energy is what you want, we are honestly not the right fit.

What is this article NOT?

This is not a list ranking every River North salon against ours. We are not going to tell you to skip our competitors. Most of the salons that show up in those search results are real businesses run by real stylists doing real work. We are giving you criteria so you can make the call yourself. If you do not pick us, pick someone using these criteria and you will end up happy.

How to book a consult with us

If you want to come in for a 15 minute consult before you book a service, we offer that. Bring three photos of hair you like, three of hair you do not, and the products you are currently using. We will tell you honestly whether we are the right shop for the look you want. Read more about our team or our approach on our Chicago salon overview page.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best hair salon in River North Chicago?

There is no single best. The right salon depends on whether you need a cut, color, extensions, or smoothing, and on the stylist behind the chair. Look for senior stylists with at least five years of experience, a real consultation, and clear pricing.

How do I pick a hair salon in River North if I just moved to Chicago?

Read recent reviews, look for specific stylist names mentioned by happy clients, book a consult before a full service, and ask about pricing in writing. River North has dozens of options, so take your time.

Is 3rd Coast Salon a chain?

No. We are an independent boutique suite at 223 W Erie Street with a small team of five stylists. Every appointment is booked with a specific stylist by name.

Where is 3rd Coast Salon located in River North?

We are on the 1E suite at 223 W Erie Street, a half block from the Chicago River and three blocks from theMART. The Brown Line Merchandise Mart stop is the closest L stop.

How much does a haircut cost at a River North salon?

Pricing varies widely. Boutique-level cuts in River North generally start higher than chain salons because you are paying for senior stylist time. We quote consultation pricing rather than a flat menu price, so we can match the service to your hair.

Do River North salons take walk-ins?

Some do, most boutique salons do not. We do not take walk-ins because our stylists are booked by appointment with full consults. If you need same-day, call ahead and we will check the schedule.

What is the best way to get to River North salons by transit?

The Brown and Purple Line stop at Merchandise Mart is closest to our shop. The Red Line at Grand Avenue is a five minute walk. Most River North salons are within a ten minute walk of one of those two stops.

Should I book a consult first or just book the service?

For complex color, extensions, or a major change, book a consult first. For a maintenance cut or single-process root, you can usually book the service directly.

Ready to come in? Call us at (312) 929-2627 or Book Online. We are open Tuesday through Friday 10am to 7pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm.