Men's Haircut in Old Town, Chicago

Old Town runs along Wells Street between Division and North Avenue, with Second City sitting at the center and Walter Payton College Prep at the north end. The neighborhood is one of Chicago's oldest residential districts. Some of the men we cut from Old Town are second or third-generation residents whose families have been on Hudson or Cleveland Avenue for decades. Others are young professionals in the 4-flats off Wells.

Why Old Town residents book men's haircuts at 3rd Coast Salon

Old Town's men's haircut market is dominated by two extremes. There are the older neighborhood barbershops, which serve the multi-generational residents well but stick to a fixed set of cuts. There are the franchise chains on the perimeter, which are convenient but high-volume. The men who book with us from Old Town tend to want neither. They want a precision cut in a boutique suite with one stylist, no music turned up loud, no waiting room.

Phillip's cuts are the draw. He spends 10 minutes on the consultation alone for a first appointment, which is unusual for men's work. He'll ask how you wear your hair on weekends versus during the work week, whether you style with product or air-dry, and how often you want to come back. That information shapes the cut. A Walter Payton parent who heads to a Loop office and a Wells Street bartender both might book with Phillip in the same month and end up with different cuts even if they walked in with the same reference photo.

The other thing that matters in Old Town is the demographic mix. The neighborhood has older long-time residents who have been getting the same cut for 30 years, alongside 28-year-olds renovating their first condo in a converted greystone. Phillip cuts both. He doesn't push the younger clients toward trendy cuts they'll regret. He doesn't tell the older clients their cut is dated. He cuts the hair in front of him.

Our men's haircut process

A men's appointment with Phillip runs 45 to 60 minutes. The first 5 to 10 minutes are consultation, then a shampoo, then the cut itself, then a finish blow-out and product application. We send you out with a recommendation for one Unite product to use at home, no more. We don't push retail.

Most Old Town men book back with us every 4 to 6 weeks. Some come in every 3 weeks for tighter maintenance on shorter sides.

Stylist spotlight: Phillip Fowler

Phillip is the precision-cut anchor at 3rd Coast Salon and the stylist most-named on our site. His men's work is what built his first book of business in Chicago. He has clients who have been with him for years, including Old Town residents who switched from Wells Street barbershops when they wanted something more tailored. He's quick, but he's not rushed, and he doesn't talk over the cut.

Getting to 3rd Coast Salon from Old Town

From north Old Town near Walter Payton, take the Brown Line at Sedgwick one stop to Merchandise Mart, then walk 4 minutes east on Kinzie. Total trip is 10 to 12 minutes. From south Old Town near Division and Wells, you can walk to us in 15 to 20 minutes, or rideshare in 5 to 7 minutes. We are at 223 W Erie Street, Suite 1E.

Who this isn't for

If you want a $20 cut in 15 minutes, we are not that shop. Phillip's appointments are full-service and book ahead. If you want a hot-towel shave or any beard work beyond the trim that comes with a haircut, we don't offer that. Our men's service is the haircut. For straight-razor work we can refer you to a barber on Wells.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a men's haircut take at 3rd Coast Salon?

45 to 60 minutes. That includes consultation, shampoo, the cut itself, and the finish.

How do I get to 3rd Coast Salon from Old Town?

Brown Line from Sedgwick one stop to Merchandise Mart, then a 4-minute walk east. Total trip from north Old Town is 10 to 12 minutes. From south Old Town near Division and Wells, walk in 15 to 20 minutes or rideshare in 5 to 7.

How often should I come back?

Every 4 to 6 weeks for most cuts. Every 3 weeks if you want tighter maintenance on the sides.

Do you do beard trims?

A light cleanup as part of the haircut, yes. Full beard work or straight-razor shaves are not on our menu.

Can I book the same stylist every time?

Yes. We recommend it. Phillip carries a steady book of repeat male clients.

What does a men's cut cost at 3rd Coast Salon?

Pricing starts at our standard men's haircut rate and goes up with length or complexity. Specific pricing is shared at booking.

Do you cut kids' hair too?

Yes, we offer child's haircuts. Book those under the haircut menu.

Do I need to book ahead?

Yes, especially for Phillip. His book runs 1 to 2 weeks out. Same-day slots come up but they're rare.

Book your appointment. Book online or call (312) 929-2627.