Great place for students to get a haircut! The location is great, as close as can be to the dorms and Greek row, and very affordable. I go there every time I get my hair cut in Berkeley and always get a great looking haircut! Eli is especially good, and I always enjoy talking with the staff. It's a great atmosphere for college students, though older folks and families may be dissuaded by the pool table and playboys in the waiting area, but it fits in perfectly with the area and it's main clientele. I recommend this place to anyone looking for a great haircut for a reasonable price in the Berkeley campus area. read more

I have been coming here for almost two years now. This is an old fashioned barber shop, no reservations, men's magazines in the rack and you can still get a straight razor shave. Eric is the barber who cuts my hair, great guy, cuts my hair exactly like I want and does a nice job. read more

Simply the best!!! Eric is a professional in the art of styling hair, you get the best service and attention from all of the staff. Eric is such a polite gentleman and seems like he loves what he does!!! read more

Completely messed up my cut and still had to pay full price. Had to go somewhere else to fix my hair afterwards. Tried to get me out to door very quickly, too read more

Wow, what a great barber shop! The man you all need to see is named Larry Love, he works on Wednesdays and Thursdays and knows how to cut some hair. Prices are reasonable and the cut is amazing. The staff is very personable as well, Larry especially is a chill guy who has a lot of interesting things to say. The first time I went in to get my hair cut there, he guaranteed that I would meet a girl that night. Next thing you know, I got a girlfriend. Call me superstitious, but I've been coming back to Larry ever since. Bottom Line: Amplify is great; good and cheap cuts + a personable and friendly staff= an enjoyable experience read more

I never wrote a Yelp review, but felt compelled to register for an account just to warn the public. As a result of their antics, I bought some clippers and started cutting my own hair. I wouldn't recommend. Their haircuts are overpriced and range from mediocre to terrible in quality. I've gotten several haircuts there since 2011, and their barber turnover rate is ridiculously high. Every decent barber always seems to be fired by the time I decide to go back. I went once to one of the new barbers, who was fired after a few months, and she completely messed up my hairline. It was uneven, pushed back by at least an inch, and I was forced to wear a hat everywhere for the next 3 weeks. The worst haircut I received in my life. The last time I went there they tried to charge me $34 for a lineup and a haircut (they took about 1/10 of an inch off my head). I've been getting haircuts for 24 years and in multiple states, and I've never been charged separately for a lineup and a haircut. The whole cut took literally 5 minutes and they tried to charge $34. If I have to pay $34 for a 5 minute haircut then you might as well shave my balls while you're at it. What made this even more ridiculous was about a month prior they charged $25 for the EXACT same cut. I refuse to support such an establishment ever again. Please avoid!! read more

Will never go back here again. Kind of shocked that there are people rating this place highly. Barbers were rude and didn't listen to what I asked for at all. Seriously think that the barber (Alan, who is also the owner) just cut whatever he wanted because the haircut I asked for was not at all what I ended up getting. He also kept yelling obscenities and curses at the other barber that was working. It was a shitty experience and an even shittier haircut so I definitely will not be going back there. Plus, they raise the price literally all the time. It's now up to $22 (which is crazy) because there are better barbers in the same area for a cheaper price. read more

Eli is awesome! Always great service and great haircut, he makes you feel like family and you always have fun when you there. Thank you Eli!

So I I'm of african american decent and I went into amplify to get a short taper on the sides and in the back. I usually go to a spot in Oakland but I didn't want to travel so I gave amplify a shot. I implore any one who is african american to stay away from this place or at least from a barber named Eli. When I got in the chair I told him what I wanted. Before Eli cut my hair he asked me I how high I wanted my taper. He then proceeded to cut my hair. even though he brags about his 26 years of experience of cutting hair Eli took the lowest setting of the clippers and hit my sides. I looked at him awkwardly and confused because he did not take the time to pick out my sides or blend my afro. While trying to create small talk he continued to butcher my hair with a pair of scissors. After he was done in about threes minutes or so he showed me a mirror. I made sure that the look on my face implied I was upset. Then he had the audacity to ask me if I wanted him to trim my hair. I know he knew he messed up because when I gave him money for my butchered haircut he said repeatedly he was sorry. Now I shouldn't have been so nice and I shouldn't have paid him to butcher my hair. This place is terrible and shouldn't charge 17 for a cut its absurd. Everyone on yelp loves Eli but what sits wrong with me is instead of not making me pay for the hair cut he says sorry and tells me to tell people the days he cuts hair. read more

I visited shop as my regular barber is out of town. I had my hair cut today by a Tibetan guy. He talk well but don't listen well to what customer wants. He used machine though I asked layer scissor cut. Also cuts are uneven wavy with unnatural look. They charge $22, much higher than others in town, without basic skills of cutting custom hair. read more

Just ran in here yesterday. The owner, Allan, (I *think that was his name*) hooked me up with a really nice cut. Nice guy, really cared about his place. It's definitely a barber shop--not a lot of frills here, and def not like that place in oakland with the 19th century hipster moustache guys. Another reviewer mentioned the "aggressively hetero" vibe of the place, but I didn't really feel that way. It's not one of those places that gives you a pbr and has sportscenter playing on flatscreens. Just a good place to get a much-better-than supercuts haircut for $21--a rarity. Highly recommended. read more

Best fade I have received in the bay. Staff is hella chill and the wait is comfortable. I am from So Cal and like the way they fade out there and this place frases on the same level. Highly recommend it. read more

Don't let any one fool you, this place is nothing special. A lot of people are mentioning the "great atmosphere" and the "unique experience". Comments such as these come from the inexperienced who simply don't know any better. I've always had a tough time finding a barber that consistently gives me a good cut, and I found that with one of their employees, Eli. Simply put, he was the reason why for my four years of patronage, I dealt with the inflated prices, loud pop music, beat Craig's list furniture and the extremely rude, pompous owner. Today the owner tried to get in my face because when he told me he was ready, I told him I'd rather wait for Eli. Little guy went into an over drawn tirade about how "customers don't get to pick who cuts their hair" and that if that's what I want then maybe I should find another shop. I explained that Eli is the only reason to visit his over-priced shop. At that, the vein in his little head almost exploded. "I'm the owner. I make the rules. I'll make an exception for you this time, but that's it. We want customers in an out. That's it." I walked out. See ya, Eli. It's been real. Aside from that nonsense, over four years I've only seen two other barbers more than once. The few haircuts I got from barbers other than Eli were sub par at best. It seems like most of their employees are very new to the game. I'm telling you, you're better off going to superctus. read more

Love this place, Erics the homie always knows how to give the freshest cuts, lines you up crispy like KFC chicken tenders

This is the worst barber i have ever been. Here are the reasons: 1. The guy worked on my neck with a razor, without asking my permission. 2. He did NOT place a new razor to his tool. 3. He could not make the line on the back of my head straight. \At the end, I strongly do not suggest anyone to get in that shop. read more

Great haircut, great service. I came here because the previous barber I went to totally screwed up my hair. The barber/stylist I saw (forget her name at the moment) fixed it in about 5 minutes and I was on my way feeling very much relieved. read more

Most places to get haircuts give me decent haircuts but it grows out very badly. This is one of the only places that can give me a great haircut and not have my hair grow out into a giant fuzzball after a few weeks. I highly recommend it! read more

Definitely impressed with these guys. Got a haircut from Eli and couldn't be happier with it. As far as pricing goes, not sure where all the people saying it's too expensive have been but for the Bay Area $22 really isn't much to ask for a haircut at all ($2 more than Supercuts, come on). Definitely going back when I get another case of mushroom head. read more

Had a real cool barber named Eli. He was fast and did an amazing job! I would highly recommend him to anyone.

I got an excellent haircut here. The price is great and the service is outstanding! Go to this place!

Elie has been cutting my hair since 2010 when I was a student at Berkeley. I now work in Mountain View and I commute once every 2-3 weeks to get my hurrr did, and damn do I always come out lookin' fresh to death! read more

Best men's (and boy's) haircuts in WC. Been taking my twin boys here for years. Talented, Great People. Family-Owned. We never go anywhere else. read more

Sonam gave me a fresh cut and I thank him for that. He's relatively new to the team but a real nice guy and good with the clippers as well as the scissors. I think people who leave bad reviews here have the wrong expectation of a barbershop. Most barbers don't even use scissors anymore. They're not going to spend an hour on your hair here. If that's what you expect take yourself somewhere else where you can pay for more time in the seat and stop whining. It's a college barbershop... and happens to be pretty cool read more

Eric and Eli always got you on a fresh crisp cut! If y'all tryin to look good this the shop to be at!!!

Had my hair cut by Eli today. He did a great job, was fun to talk to, and went above and beyond in terms of service. He threw in a wash for free when I told him I had class after the cut so I wouldn't have to spend all day with little pieces of hair falling into my face. The haircut is edgy but clean and he did a great job with the little quirks of my hair, e.g. cowlicks. I'd highly recommend him. read more

Shop was full but redirected me to another shop nearby run by the same guy (i.e. the boss was in town and manning another shop that they consider the same place). Given the way he conducted himself I'm confident that everything applies to all of his shops (particularly with the reviews I've already seen on here). I went in with no idea what I wanted and no history of caring about my hair past "get it short so I don't have to come back soon;" I was the only one there when I went in but Alec worked very quickly and didn't keep the guys who came in after me waiting for very long. He looked over my hair, gave me his ideas on what to do with it, and did everything very efficiently - this is a guy who knows exactly how to handle mens' hair and stands miles ahead of everyone else who has ever cut mine. When he'd finished he told me that since I'm not sure exactly how I want things to look I could come back to either shop (Amplify or Hair Basement) for a free adjustment and that he's in town Thursdays and Fridays if I wanted to have him work on it personally. He was very personable and conversational for the entire time I was in the building, even risking a run-off when he said I could go grab cash from the nearby Wells Fargo ATM to cover the $21 bill (definitely not the cheapest in town, but definitely worth the money). At this point I'd have to lose an ear to his straight razor before I'd consider going anywhere else in town. read more

This place is the real deal. One of the only places I feel like I can go and always come out looking sharp after only spending $20. Also, just going here is an experience. The guys are always joking around and having fun, it's not your typical awkwardly silent haircut. I would recommend Eric and particularly Eli, both have given great cuts but my latest from Eli is the favorite so far. read more

The barber I worked with could not take basic directions on what to do and made me look like an idiot. Avoid at all costs. Also, $20 for a haircut at a barbershop is ridiculous. read more

Waked in, met the owner Alex (or Alan?), chatted with him for a few minutes about what I wanted and then 30 minutes later, walked out with one of the best cuts I've ever had. Thanks a lot Alan, looking forward to coming back! read more

More expensive than other places in Berkeley, but the difference is worth it. Barbers are very friendly. Shout out to Naomi; best guy's cut I've gotten from a girl. read more

My barber was a Lebanese dude named Eli. Cool guy, gave me a sweet fade. Would def go back again. Patrons and owners alike engaged in copious swearing in the shop, which added to the atmosphere. read more

Just got my hair cut by Eli at Amplify and I'll definitely be returning. He along with the rest of staff were entertaining and I received quite a good cut. Eli threw in a free shave with a straight razor which I had never had before so that was cool. All around seems like a good spot. read more

Playboy's to read while you wait and Angela did a great job. I like this place.

Consistently good haircuts and exceptionally friendly staff. They are great about asking what the customer wants and very careful about getting it right (they tell you to come back if you don't like it). I had Eli last time and was very happy with my haircut. read more

Growing up with curly hair is difficult. I have always struggled to find barbers who can cut it well (yes...it requires scissors skills etc. and not just shavers to even it out) and every time i find a good one, they disappear a year or so later and i'm left looking around again. I can say that in this place, i've finally found the spot. More-so than the spot, i've finally found the barber I need at Cal. Eli is by far the best guy who has ever cut my hair in the United States. He was recommended to me by a fellow student several months ago and ever since, I request him by name and not once has he screwed up the job! He works Mondays,Thursdays and Fridays as far as I know and trust me, if you are trying to look good, give him a shot. Whether your hair is curly or straight or whatever form, he'll have you out of there looking sharp. So if you have a big meeting coming up, trying to impress someone, or just trying to lose some hair in general, Eli is your man and Amplify is the place to go. I rarely ever write Yelp reviews (more of a reader) but it boiled my blood to see someone who had said something negative about this guy. He is by far the best barber in the Berkeley area and I can put my money on it. Its also a plus that he's funny and makes the experience way more enjoyable! read more

Best haircut I've gotten. Eli takes care of you like family.

Eli is a pro. I've gotten two incredible haircuts here, each by him. And each time he told me "Don't worry, I'll take care of you brother," he absolutely delivered. Precision haircut, incredible style, and the guy really takes his time and makes sure you're a fan of what he's doing. A plus. read more

An absolutely great place to get a fantastic haircut. The atmosphere is very friendly, and the owner (Eli) proved to be very good at his job. Not only was he very personable and friendly, he gave me a spectacular haircut before my job interview, and I couldn't be happier. I highly recommend this shop. read more

Sonam is just awesome barber, gave exact look and I am so happy !! He's very professional

I sat down with Eli today and had a great haircut! Exactly what I asked for plus some style. Everyone there has a great sense of humor and it's a fun environment. Great barbers and I will definitely be returning. read more