The hours are not correctly listed on Google - I think they're only open Tuesdays and Wednesdays 8 - 5. No reservations, just show up and wait in line but the line moves very fast. This is a good little hole in the wall barber shop. Very fast, very cheap and very good. The barbers in here like to talk shit.. I have no problem with that and if you do.. then go spend 65$ elsewhere and you will have your ass kissed and your chin powdered. Peace & love. read more

Classic barbershop! Good haircuts, a vibe. Be ready for conversation.

I noticed Al's Barber Shop recently while leaving a nearby restaurant. Greg happened to be there and had a chair set-up outside for customers needing a haircut. I asked him for his business card and said I would be back. The place I usually go to for a haircut has been closed since the start of Shelter In Place back in mid-March. They remain closed at this time, so I needed someone to get rid of my bushy, shaggy look. I called Greg during the morning on a day that was going to be hot. He said "How soon can you get here?" Fifteen minutes later, I was sitting in the chair. Many who have seen me since my haircut have remarked how nice my hair looks. Thank you Greg for helping me look decent again. read more

A hidden gem! Have had the please of Greg cutting my hair twice in 2020. He is a master barber with twenty years at this location. Frankly this is the best barber shop in America! Why? The haircut is top notch, the decor is so nostalgic, then the big band music is why. read more

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Very old school barber that looks like its been around forever but well maintained over the years. Apparently it used to be on the main drag but only a few years ago move to its current back ally location. The tiny place barely fits three barber chairs and three chairs for waiting. If you cross your legs while waiting, you feel like you might hit the guy getting his hair cut in the shins. When I say "been around forever" I'm referring to both the fixtures and the barbers. The two barbers make all the expected small talk with (or without) customer participation. Some of the banter gets into tea bagger territory but its all harmless. From some of my barber's indirect references, I get the sense that they cut the hair of some pretty important Silicon Valley mucky-mucks who live up in Los Altos Hills. No bragging mind you; they seem to just take it all in stride. Maybe prices are going up all over, but $20 for a basic cut seemed a tad on the expensive side. read more

Al's Barber Shop - Barbers Near Me - Los Altos, California

A trip down memory lane. Old school barber shop with the original Al, an 80-something World War II veteran still cutting hair. Fun if you like hearing stories about cutting David Packard's hair back in the day. Less fun if you can't take some old-school chit-chat about politics and government which, for me, is all part of the experience. I can't vouch for the hours or the line system. The times I've been there it's been open and the line not too long and well managed. (Though I've never gone Saturday.) read more

Was shocked that I sat down and was lectured on politics for the entirety of the haircut. I asked him for a low fade and he buzzed the lower part of my hairline without any fading or blending. If you can't do a fade don't say you can! Haircut looked way better after 1-2 weeks of growth. I felt like I got a "well, just fuck my shit up fam" haircut :\ I'd probably have a beer with the guy running the store, but I don't think I'd get another haircut from him read more

This is the worst experience and worst haircut of my life. Greg is a complete bigot. As soon as I sat down, he started lecturing me about certain minority groups and making extremely racist remarks. He also told me all of Los Altos residents are idiots...not a smart move. He cursed and used extremely offensive language. I ended up remaining quiet and avoiding any kind of conversation but he kept going on a mad rampage. He clearly is mad. From other reviews, it sounds like his is standard for him. His haircut is expensive ($25) and no better than Supercuts. Not good at all. I will never return and I do hope he finally leaves Los Altos. I would not go there under any circumstances. There are much better haircut places in Los Altos with much more competent and nicer Barbers. read more

All I can say is: A haircut happened. Not really sure how to explain, but my hair is shorter and I am $24 lighter. The price is a bit steep for the amount of clipper usage. read more

Going to Al's reminded me of what I like about barber shops in general. Lots of chit-chat, everyone knows one another, good magazines to read. Perhaps not a great place to talk politics if you get your feathers ruffled easily:) Thoroughly relaxing and entertaining experience. I've been once now and will definitely be back. read more

This barber is a big step back in time but a huge step up in quality. Sometimes the wait time is a little long but it is worth it; you can always run down and grab a Starbucks while you wait. The political discussions are interesting to say the very least and a breath of fresh air for those who are fed up with infection of political correctness. In the final analysis, this is the best haircut in the bay area. read more

I've lived in Los Altos for almost 8 years, and finally decided to give Al's Barber Shop a try. It was great. Normally I'm someone who doesn't like a lot of chit-chat when I get my hair cut, but this was such a friendly, welcoming, relaxed, old-school-barber environment that I felt right at home there. There were several others waiting while I was there, and as it was a small place, everyone there was in on the conversation, and I felt like an old-timer in my first visit. On top of that, Greg gave me a fantastic hair cut in what seemed like about 5-10 minutes total. I don't think I could have asked for a better experience, and I'll definitely be going back there for my next haircut. read more

I sent my Dad to this barber because the reviews seemed pretty positive for the most part and it was close to home. I was upset to hear that while he got a great hair cut, the experience was terrible. During his appointment he said that the barber went on a tirade bashing the fire dept, the police dept, and the meter maids in Los Altos. The barber also used several racial slurs during the appointment which was equally upsetting. Needless to say, he won't be returning. read more

Times are not accurate. I've tried going on Saturday both by calling and stopping in 5 times now. Never been open during what both yelp and the door say are regular hours. read more

I was extremely disappointed today when I drove from Santa Clara to Los Altos to be at the shop when it opened at 9 AM. I stood at the front door for a half hour and finally left. Wasted time, wasted gas money. I'm giving Greg the benefit of the doubt and assuming there was some kind of emergency. There was nothing on the door saying they'd be closed (a Tuesday..."regular business hours."). No one showed up. Period. Except me, of course. read more

make sure you call to see if this place is open. I came here to get my haircut on a friday during store hours and the place was closed at 11am. hours say 9-5 monday - friday. what? won't be coming here again. read more

This is by far the best darn barbershop in the bay area. Greg is awesome! If you want a crooked haircut, lice or someone who doesn't talk to you because they don't know engrish, go to Supercuts! Greg always does a good job cutting hair and the conversations are always priceless. Greg is % barber/stylist and 50% comedian. This guy has been cutting hair for over 30 years, of course he's not working everyday. A simple phone call to see if he is open will save you time and trouble from writing a negative review. Everyone loved Al! Even Greg wishes the universe would bring Al back. Thanks to Greg for keeping it up and running. read more

Greg's hours are inconsistent. He's not as friendly as he was before. $24 is a lot of a $ for a 7 minute barber shop haircut. Will not be back. Bring Al back!! read more

Al and Greg cut a great head of hair. If you are on the left politically like myself, you probably won't agree with them politically. However, the banter is amusing. read more

My grandfather was one of the First or the first barber's here at this location,I grew up somewhat in los altos,parents had a home but my dad was military so we were gone alot but came back,I haven't been back to los altos for awhile,I love los altos and the charm and I always would look thru the windows,never did go in and wish I had. read more

Greg is a darn good Barber , he give"s me the best taper,I like a good taper in the back and he just doe"s it right, He has allot of experience with his clipper"s and scissors, you can tell. He also explains what he is doing, so it puts you at ease. I HOPE HE CUTS MY HAIR FOR A LONG TIME. read more

I have been coming to Greg at Al's for many years. Greg is a great barber and you can be assured you will get a great haircut when you sit with him. However, getting that great haircut can be difficult and very hard to plan for... Greg just kind of seems to show up when he feels like it. Disregard the business hours on the door because Greg keeps his own hours, they are inconsistent, and they are MUCH more limited than advertised. You must call ahead of time because if he doesn't pick up, he's not there, and you won't find an answering machine telling you when he will be there because I don't think he even knows. And you better go the day you catch him in, because if you ask if he'll be there on a certain other day, so you can plan your busy life, you'll get a non-commital "I'll be around" which sadly means "mr. customer, I just don't know". Isn't saturday an important day to be in the shop? I'd say Greg probably averages 1.5 saturday's a month. If you live in Los Altos, you can probably work around this, but for if you drive a greater distance, beware... Unfortunately for me, it's gotten to the point where I will be looking to take my business elsewhere and I'm really disappointed to have to say that... read more

After many, many attempts at trying to save a few bucks getting haircuts from local stylists and barbers (from Menlo Park all the way to Sunnyvale), I finally have found a true barber, who cuts hair fast, with great skill and who manages to keep an engaging conversation going. Gregg, the barber and owner, is A+. In about half the time of almost every other stylist I've been to, Gregg cut my hair in such a professional manner. I was simply amazed at how quickly he figured my hair issues and went right in and did an amazing job. I've never seen my hair fly everywhere so fast. This man knows what he's doing. His clientele includes many CEOs and other executives, as well as kids and locals. Plus the place is small, private, enjoyable and easy parking behind Peet's coffee. Gregg is one of the top true barbers left, with a barber shop that is true to its origins. Worth every, every penny. Coming back in 4 weeks. :) read more

If you want a good old-fashioned barber shop, you can't beat Al's. Greg knows how to cut hair and he's one of the last of a dying breed of professional barbers in this area. read more

I've been going to Al's Barber Shop for 17 years and I've never had a bad haircut or a bad experience. Gregg is the main proprietor after he bought the shop from Al, who still cuts hair on most Fridays and Saturdays. Gregg keeps the haircuts well priced and the job he does on your hair is impeccable. And how can you not like the traditional barber shop experience, with lots of chit chat with the barber and other customers? Thank goodness you can still find a good barber these days! read more

I've been getting my hair cut there for 35 years. I always get a good cut there. I go to Greg because Al does good work. but he cuts my hair a little too short for my tastes. Greg is friendly and efficient, just don't get him started on politics if you're a liberal. It's all in good fun, and I like the political banter. This shop looks exactly like the shop my father used to take me to when I was a boy. There's probable a "girly" poster in the back room (Betty Grable or Mae West?) read more

I have been coming to Al's literally since I was born and I can honestly say I have never had a bad haircut here in my life! The old time feel of the place and all of Al's stories of his life and experiences really add to a pleasurable experience. Greg is also a great Barber who I believe carries on the legacy of this shop wonderfully. It may not be open all the hours posted but Saturday mornings will always be available. In my honest opinion its a Barber shop worth waiting for! read more

I went to Al's Barber Shop this morning. I have been going to a barber shop in Sunnyvale for many years, but it is too far away since we moved up the Peninsula. Naturally, I had some trepidation, not wanting a bad hair cut. I have been keeping an eye out for a new barber shop closer to home.... A place you can drop in without an appointment and get a good haircut... Al's is the place I have been looking for. Not sure what one of the other reviewers was referring to, but Al is still there running the shop... Al is an excellent barber. He was also congenial and very positive and interesting, an ex Marine who was on on a gunboat in Guam... Very nice guy, and gave me an excellent hair cut. After a warm introduction and sitting in the chair, he asked "What are we doing here, taking some of this off, and shortening cleaning it up?" This was perfect, as I could give him some instructions from the beginning. At the end, he applied a small amount of hot shaving creme and used a straight razor on my side burns and neck, which is very traditional and was great. Then he actually had a small vaccuum hose at his station and vacumed the hair off my neck shirt, etc., very efficiently. The price was reasonable too, $20, and I gave him a $5 tip. I was thoroughly satisfied and highly recommend Al (although the other gentlemen there is probably good as well, he was pleasant)... Needless to say, Al is my new barber now... read more