I was visiting from out of town after previously having lived in Cincinnati and knowing about Batsakes Hat shop (but not being able to afford it when I lived there). I specifically planned a trip to the store after recently having a new found appreciation for a well made cap. I was told several times by the woman working in the store my size was "popular" which I finally figured meant they were sold out in my size. The sales woman seemed a bit short and to the point and really had no interest in showing me the caps or suggesting others (And God forbid, don't try to touch one on your own) and told me I might want to try back in two weeks. No thanks. read more

Best Hatery in the Unites States, I should know, been in most of them. I have bought over 50 hats from Gus at Batsakes in last 17 years. Extremely friendly service, if they don't have what you want, they can make it for you. I wear hats all the time in my business and a hat is a logo for one of my companies, trust me, this family knows what they are talking about when it comes to hats, Tell Gus MrMike sent you! read more

ONE OF A KIND RARE AUTHENTIC HAT SHOP. This place is the real deal, with unbelievable hard to find hats, many direct from Italy. You cant compare the quality of hats Batsakes has, along with their expert product and sizing knowledge with any retailer or online store. Batsakes is a cut above any hat shop Ive ever been too. Their 100 years of experience is very evident. We loved the old fashioned atmosphere and the wonderful personal service. We came to Cincinnati for a wedding once and bought a few specialty hats. We have since ordered several more by a simple phone call. Fast shipping and great personal service with all the details. If you are seeking a quality and authentic hat and hat experience this is the place to go. If you want a cheap china knock off go somewhere else. read more

Rude, rude, rude. Unless you walk in holding 3 Ben Franklins up as you walk in the door don't expect good service. They know they're the only game in town and show it. If someone else would open up a shop with even half the inventory but good, friendly, and GRATEFUL service, they would bury Batsakes. read more

I wear hats constantly. I've stopped in at Batsakes a couple of times in the past years. Both times I was waited on by the lady that works there. She could not have been more rude and absolutely disinterested in my business. After the first time I thought maybe she was having a bad day, so I went back. Nope, same attitude. I buy my hats elsewhere. read more

If you want a quality hat, and want help from someone who knows hats, this is the place to go. I did some research and it appears that we have a unique opportunity here to shop for hats with a true legend in hat making. I saw some negative reviews, but after two visits, and purchases, I don't think they have any merit. Everyone at Batsakes is professional and friendly. read more

The hats are impeccable. The selection is amazing. The ambiance is old-school, which I think is part of what has put some people off. If you're actually interested in buying a hat, this is the place for you. You can find decently affordable parking in nearby garages; there are signs. I parked under Macy's. If you keep going down Sixth and take a left on Race, you can park there too; there's an even cheaper garage a block further away at Sixth and Elm. read more

I was in town for a Wedding and staying Downtown. On the way to breakfast, my wife and I noticed the shop and on a lark stopped by at 9:30 on a Saturday ("I bet they don't open until 10:00"). In fact they were open and we stepped back in time to an era when all men wore hats. I inquired about a nice-looking straw hat, specifically for golf. The owner's assistant (wife?) showed me a couple of very nice hats, but suggested at that price ($225), I probably wouldn't want to get it all wet and sweaty on the Course. She then suggested a Tilly, which I had seen online but not in person. We tried several models and found one that worked well. Nice to see a small retailer that's able to survive in today's Big Box world. read more

Gus Miler is THE best..I walked into his shop many years ago and he made me a hat and he made me a fan..go no farther than this shop,as it is the BEST read more

Gus Miller (the owner of Batsakes) is very old school and really knows his hats. I spent a couple of hours in there last summer and he let me park my harley out front in the "no parking" area and assured me that it would not be a problem. Gus spent a great deal of time explaining how he makes his custom hats and gave me the names of many famous people who have shopped there. It was like stepping back in history. From Tilleys to Stetsons and everything in between. What a great experience. I'm going back very soon. I am originally from The Cincinnati area and have many family members there. Batsakes is on my list of one of the places to stop every time I go to Cincy! read more

Have always looked forward to going there. Now was going to buy myself a birthday present. I was the only customer in the store. 2 men were working there and 1 woman. I had to force the woman to talk. She didn't want to help, to show me anything, to talk, nothing. She treated me so badly, I left crying. The men did nothing. I will never go back or recommend that place. I don't care about product if you get treated like dirt. read more

Excellent service. Extensive selection. A real pleasure to do business with Mr. Miller. Will go back again. Highly recommended. read more

In town for a baseball game and stayed at the Cincinnatian Hotel across the street. My buddies and I saw the hat shop and decided to take a look. They were very attentive and helpful, but we were undecided and left. A while later we returned and again received great service. They made sure the hats fit perfectly and gave us a deal (though I am sure the markup is plenty high). We were both very pleased with the shop and the service. Would highly recommend and would return if I get back to the Queen City. read more

I have to say that Mr Marc S needs a hat in order to keep his head out of his a_ _ I have been visiting Batsakes for 35 yrs + and only recently finally bought a hat.Gus Miller has shown me respect and conversation for many years and I couldn't speak higher of someone.I'm not even a regular customer and he treats me like an old friend. I am honored to know him albeit casually and always look forward to talking with him.He is a special person which is widely known.You don't survive generations of business without being genuine.Gus is as genuine as it gets! Sorry that Mr Marc S for some reason has this perception of Gus and his business. An aberration at best.I'll be stopping in tomorrow as a matter of fact to visit. Mr Marc S...give it another shot. read more

My wife rescued a venerable old Stetson fedora from a garage sale (!). It happened to fit me perfectly, so I took it to Batsakes for a little love from Mr. Gus. First time in the shop, not particularly well dressed, and having read the reviews I was braced for a cold reception. Wrong! I was greeted warmly, offered help, and engaged in friendly conversation. In addition to dropping a hat off for resoration (which cost less than I expected), I bought a summer weight hat (Panama fedora, Havana style) for less than on-line prices. So what to make out of the few negative reviews posted on Yelp? My guess is that theBatsakes staff react to your manners. If you walk in, ignore the proprietor, and start grabbing hats to try on, you are misbehaving. It is not a department store. Rules of comportment are different and I suspect you will be scolded. A nod of respect to the proprietor, a hello to the sales associate, and a brief conversation asking for a word of advice gets you absolutely world-class treatment. At least that was my experience. read more

One if the most memorable experiences in Cincinnati. Chock full of photos of Presidents, athletes and celebrities with the owner Gus. The interesting thing is though to get the full experience you have to be willing to engage and take your time talking. If you do you'll learn Cincinnati history and Greek culture from Gus. He is wonderfully warm and engaging. I talked with him for half an hour and at the end he asked me to wait and disappeared into the back room. When he emerged he gave me a baseball signed by his friend Johnnie Bench. Worth more than the hat I brought! A relic from a more personal era where people took their time and connected. read more

As others have said, they have a fabulous stock, but I don't know what happened to the great service everyone else talks about. They were at best inattentive, and I would go so far as to say downright rude. We were very complimentary about their selection, but all this got us was a grunt. They were paying far more attention to Glen Beck on the TV than to us, and there was virtually no attempt to find out what kind of hats I might be interested in, no suggestions, and they seemed very grudging about letting me try things on. I'll keep going to JJ Hats in NYC. They actually appear to want my business. read more

I walked into Batsakes looking for a hat and, not normally a hat guy, was hoping for a little help in selecting the right one. Well, the woman walked over, pulled one out, handed it to me without a word, and let me stand there with an oversized hat on my head. I won't go into details but to say I've never felt less welcomed and less helped in a store and that's saying a lot. You would think that a place selling $200 hats would be a little nicer. read more

I've done business with Gus Miller for several years now. Needed a rework and resizing on one of my father's hats, a Borsalino, circa 1958. Heard about Batsakes and Mr Miller, read online that he might even be at risk of getting gentrified or superannuated, called to confirm then current status; Gus wasn't much interested in the cultural angst part, no talk about price, etc., " Send me the hat." he said. So I sent it. Ten days later it was back, like new, nice box, and a brief note requesting payment at my convenience, less than any tradesman would accept for an hours time, and the parts were included, quality leather, liner, grosgrain and a feather flourish. That hat's made the roundtrip a few times now, and a couple of others. This last time, just before Thanksgiving I sent it back with my yard-and-foul-weather hat, a Borsalino "Mascot", (think Marcello Mastroianni in Seven Beauties) a victim of severe abuse. I kinda expected Gus to advise against further investment. Ten days later both hats came back, superbly restored. True, the "Mascot" required major rework, narrowed brim and raised crown in order to move a really weakened zone out of sight, looks like a little blush to even out the unevenesses in the grey. Same brief note. Same timeless art. Gus Miller: a national treasure. read more

Gus fashioned a beautiful gray Homburg for me about ten years ago. It's the nicest hat in my collection. I'm pretty hard to fit (I'm a 7 3/4 "ob-a-long") and I'm glad Batsakes was close to my hotel. read more

This place has terrible service! You better know exactly what size, style and everything down to the T before you walk into this place because they will not help you! The older lady with the Greek accent is the worst!!! She treated me like a dead beat. They should have a website or something to show their selection because they are not willing to show you ANYTHING. I work and live downtown but will NOT buy hats from these people. If the old lady dies, I may come back. I'll be hat shopping online and watching for her to pop up in the obituaries until then. read more

Mostly, I agree with Marc S who writes that the service is not so warm. I'd say it is indifferent at best. I got the feeling from the lady with the Greek accent that I could drop dead and it wouldn't bother her, as long as I went outside to do it. I love the idea of the store and the selection is impressive. And, I WANT to love Batsakes. It fits right in with my affinity for thriving anachronisms. I bought a hat there a few years ago. At some point, it needed a little restoration. I called from Lexington-- 1 1/2 hours away-- and said that I was coming up and wanted to know if they could replace the band. They said no problem. A couple of hours later, I arrived with hat in box whereupon I was informed that the owner who does this wasn't there and wouldn't be there that day. I told them that I had called earlier. They seemed unconcerned and wished the problem (me) would just go away. THey offered no apology or way for me to leave the hat for restoration after which it could be mailed. Nothing. I left disappointed. However, I'll go back some day because I'm willing to give them another chance, my hat still needs work, and I don't know of another hat shop like it. read more

I do not see this hat shop surviving much longer in today's world. I shopped at Batsakes today to find a nice hat to keep my increasingly balding head warm this winter. The hat maker and two older ladies were working. Most of the nice hats are behind glass doors in old-fashioned wooden cabinets. There are no signs that say "Don't Touch" or "Please Ask for Assistance." But when I touched the merchandise I received bad looks from the staff and was told that someone would be able to help me soon. I felt as if I had been scolded for actually touching their hats. I was never actually able to try on the type of hat I wanted. When it was my turn to be served, I asked questions about the the type of hat I wanted but the sales ladies stood between me and the hat cabinets and would not get one out for me to try on. Both female sales assistants tried to guide me toward rather ugly winter Tilley hats instead. There was a definite language problem because the sales assistants' answers were unresponsive to the questions I was asking. Batsakes is filled with lots of nice hats but it seems the sales staff is unwilling to allow you to try on the type of hat you would like to buy. The two female sales assistants need to be replaced with staff members who speak English as their first language and are trained in modern, customer friendly sales techniques. The "Don't Touch Our Hats" attitude and the "We Would Rather Sell to Celebrities" attitude will eventually be the death of the business at Batsakes Hat Shop. read more