Patsy's, and the Heart of a City The heart of a city doesn't…read morebeat in time to the rhythm of landmarks whose silhouettes are stamped on postcards. Its pulse doesn't shake the shopping centers or the offices or the multitudes they carry. It honors no arrhythmia before the Capitol or the architecture that has grown around it. Because it's often the case that the biggest machine lives and dies not by its most imposing part, but by the smallest pin in its center. It's easy to miss Patsy's Barber Shop if you're weaving through the traffic of State and Pearl. You have to know to take the right onto Howard Street and go slowly enough not to miss the white neon tubing that brightens the shop and casts just enough of its glow onto the sidewalk to let you see the barbers ply their trade. Patsy's opened in 1930 at the cusp of the Great Depression, when a proper haircut was a man's resume and the newspaper on the empty seat was the employment office. It was a family business, like many that had dotted the downtown and further south to the neighborhoods that would eventually be sacrificed to Nelson Rockefeller's sense of grandeur. William "Tragedy" Yager now presides over the memories absorbed into the mirrors and the padded chairs. Since 2006, he's followed in the footsteps of his great grandfather, a man who likely opened up shop as he always did on the day Japanese planes set off for infamy. And anyone who's had a seat in one of his chairs and a hot towel on their face knows that Tragedy didn't just inherit a trade; he inherited a love and a duty to everyone that crosses the threshold. A large man with a long, thick beard and a tapestry of tattoos lining both temples, he wouldn't strike you as a man you would want to meet in a dark alley. But again, the seat, the hot towel, two minutes in conversation, and you'll realize that he's exactly the man you would want to meet in a dark alley if your car broke down, if you were cold, hungry and scared, if everybody passed you by. Because there are certain things you can expect from those possessed of the instinct of leadership. But what you may not expect is that sometimes, the places where matters are truly decided accept walk-ins. Patsy's Barber Shop has two locations, 3 Howard Street in downtown Albany and Room 126 on the Concourse Level. Call for an appointment and check for hours. And be sure to patronize the many barbers Tragedy has trained personally.

I've always been hesitant about getting my beard trimmed and shaped with the worry of having it cut…read moremore than I want to. I finally had the courage to have Jayden work on my beard and he absolutely did exactly what I wanted and it came out amazing! Thank you Jayden and Patsy's you now have a customer for life!

Gus (?) is an older (old school) guy who was a bit scary to my 7yo. Something set Gus off and he…read morelost his temper and called 7yo "spoiled" because he was nervous about the clippers. Then told my wife to "let your husband bring the kids next time so someone can teach them to control themselves." Sad.

Awesome vibe, great haircuts every time. Good people. Easy to use scheduling online. I love going…read moreto Tim's.

I love this place! They are always busy but nice and friendly. I recommend that you schedule an…read moreappointment early as they tend to book up. I do find them pricey but I believe you get what you pay for so I don't mind paying a bit more to support a good local business!

Very friendly Great cut great value…read moreWill return No appointment necessary Thanks Kathleen

Always a great haircut! Friendly service and reasonable prices. I have been going here for years…read moreand will keep going back.

My boyfriend discovered this North Adams gem and I was looking for a hairdresser closer and made an…read moreappointment with Lisa. She listened to how I wanted my hair cut and how I style it and gave me tips for styling it to make my curls last longer and they work !!! She now does my color and as a side note: I pay 1/2 of what I did in Pittsfield!!!!!

He does a great job with cutting and styling hair. always great philosophical and insightful…read moreconversations

My son loves Adam's haircuts. He won't let me take him anywhere else but to see Adam. My son said…read moreAdam cuts his hair exactly the way that he wants it and likes it. I love it because I don't have to hear complaining about a bad haircut. Instead he raves about the awesome job Adam does. A conversation with Adam while you're there getting your haircut is awesome. I can tell Adam loves his job. We will definitely be going back over and over and over. Actually I need to schedule him an appointment this week because I got the "I need a haircut," this morning. Shawna

Im visiting from San Diego. I'm very particular to what barber i go to. This place is a hidden gem…read more One of the best cuts iv gotten in a long time. They are very friendly and took me in as a walk in. In need of a great haircut check them out

Simply the best. Jake opened his own shop on Railroad Street - real barber, just like it should…read morebe...hot lather, straight razor if you want. Traditional barber shop service with a modern twist.

The Master Barber Joe Castoldi is among the very best I have known in my 77 years. The way you want…read moreyour haircut is the way you get. Not a chatter in your ear guy unless you start the conversation. None better than Maestro Joe.

If you want to walk out of a barber shop looking and feeling great, then Castoldi's is where you…read moreneed to go. I am staying in Pittsfield for 2 weeks so I decided to find a barber shop. Alec is a master at his craft. He really cares about what he does and it shows. He even made me look good. No small task. Since my in laws live in Pittsfield, I will definitely stop in for a cut every time I'm in town.

Professional Barbershop has a great atmosphere. A very no nonsense traditional vibe. You can tell…read morethat the owner, Monk, is very passionate about his trade having been at it for 50+ years. In a world where 15 minute supercuts hack jobs are becoming the norm finding a true quality barbershop is getting harder and harder. Professional Barbershop delivers great haircuts, a friendly neighborhood environment at an unbeatable $12 a cut.