took an hour with his friend before me, created a line of four people who had booked appointment and cut my hair in the worst way possible, not at all what I asked in 8 mins. I'm embarrassed by the fact I paid for this haircut read more

I parked out on the street so it was not a problem. I went on a Saturday morning. It was right around the corner from Harvard Square. I had your basic haircut; two on the sides, three on the top with no sideburns. The barbar gave me exactly what I was looking for. What more could I ask for!!! He even trimmed my eyebrows. I always ask the barbar to cut just the grey hairs and every time they seem to cut more! ( I wonder why) When I am need of another haircut ( usually eight weeks) I would not hesitate to return to them. read more

Got a great haircut from Anthony. He worked quickly but precisely. I'll definitely be back.

This is a great little barbershop. Great haircuts every time and In our world of chain stores, it's a pleasure to spend time in place that hasn't changed in decades. read more

Custom Barber Shop - Barbers Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

Just got my first haircut here and was really pleased - my barber took his time with the details and was very kind. It's $18 for a standard cut (cash only), and the whole vibe is so lovably old-school Harvard Square. It's fairly basic but they do a good job. Will be back! read more

Sometime in the middle of the 20th century: "Hello? Barbers' Emporium? I'll take one of the Complete Barbershop Starter Kits, with paneling style #1. What you only have one style? Perfect." Really, every true barber (you know, the ones with the stripey pole) I've been to has the same hue of tasteless wood paneling and the same drab color palette for every other accoutrement. Custom Barber Shop doesn't stray from the herd, and that's probably a good thing. They're no nonsense, and will give you exactly what you want. I went in there on my lunch break, asked for a simple buzz trim, and they obliged. My hair deserved much more, and they probably could have done a gorgeous cut with scissors, but I asked for the buzzer, and they didn't try to talk me out of it. $13 for a basic cut (I suppose that could get you most of the way to dinner at Fire & Ice, but a visit there would be, how to you say, more transient), and the location is super-convenient for those out and about in the Square. read more

Went to get a cut this week for the first time in 3 months. My hair was reaching the point of awkwardness, where it's a medium-longish length that doesn't quite know whether it should go long or be buzzed off entirely. I sat down in Jon's chair. He is great, took his time and made sure no stray hairs were there. See my review on Super Cuts for more detail on that pet peeve of mine. Very thorough job, complied with my requests and was entirely focused the whole time. I am not a fan when a barber will take a phone call or get into an engaging conversation mid cut and have to take a break. Focus please. And Jon was. In the end I received the best haircut I've had in Boston after searching for a barber in Harvard Square for almost 2 years. I guess that's what I get for not using Yelp sooner. Count me as a satisfied customer. I also liked the community feeling to the place- the other barber's were chatting with customers and seemed like there were authentic relationships, always a good thing. I will be back. read more

After moving to Boston, I was in search for my next neighborhood barber. So when I got a very well cut hair last month at Kendall Barber for $17. For whatever reason that went through my head, I decided to try somewhere cheaper and have someone else experiment on my head. Passing my Algiers, I saw this little barber shop next to Colonial Drugs. As soon as I wanted in, I felt like I should have ran away faster than I came in. The shop looks quite old, but without the classic feel. My barber asked me what I would like and I said to take off about 1/2 inch in the top and use a #4 clipper for the sides and back. This question was asked next, "so you want to take off 1/2 inch or just leave 1/2 inch?" Are you kidding me?!?! I said 1/2 inch off as quickly as possible and as soon as that happened, the clippers started going around my head like a lawnmower with a broken safety. I "liked" how he strayed my hair down with water from what seemed like a yard away. By the end, I was feeling my hair to see if there's still any left. It didn't look too bad, but I don't think the quality can be consistent. What was the lesson of the day? If you value your hair to not be gone or look like a toilet seat, it's worth spending more for a quality cut! read more

They may not be the best, most modern barbers, but there really isn't anything you can take away a star for. Custom is your traditional barbers' shop - kinda hidden away, narrow with about 4 chairs and a small waiting area at the back. Old school wood paneling, which is covered with pennants from all the Boston championships since the turn of the millennium to give it some character. I've had my hair cut by 2 guys (maybe 3, I forget!) and they all do a good job. The owner (I guess) gave the best cut, but he always seems to be busy: all the old fellas wait until he's free, rather than taking an available chair. The price just went up by $1 to $16, so last my cut cost $20 including tip, rather than the $18 I used to give, but still affordable and better than going to a Supercuts. Cash only, so make sure you hit an ATM before sitting down. read more

I'm a student looking for a haircut, plain and simple. There are a ton of places around Harvard here that are just so expensive ($65+ for a haircut) and friends told me their horror stories of terrible cuts in their past around here. So it's a messy business. This place however was exactly what I was looking for. It costs $15 per cut, which is quite acceptable price-wise so I was like hey lets give it a shot (since they got pretty good reviews as well - I can now confirm that these reviews are accurate). The barbers here are friendly, accommodating, humble and just over all very professional. When they asked what I was looking for today, I just told them a short haircut all around, except I would like to leave it thicker on the top back of my head due to my hair type - right away, they were like "oh because it sticks up right?". Right away, I know they knew what they were doing because they actually get it unlike some other places I've been to. The process itself was quite satisfying also. The barber I had was very (noticeably) gentle in handling me. He was very careful and very detail oriented. The "gentle" factor was greatly noticed by me, because some barbers I've had are very rough, and it's actually painful to get the haircut sometimes because they just don't know how to handle someone (they actually buzz you, or pull your hair, etc.). Overall, the look was acceptably good, the price was affordable, the atmosphere was friendly and service was superb. Definitely recommend and will remember this place. read more

I've been coming to this barbershop for almost 40 years and that's because they do a great job. I usually ask for Nick, but others are good too. Chairs in the back to wait and then they get down to business without a lot of fanfare - when you're in the chair it's all about you. In COVID they've setup an appointment system and they clean up and wash up in between and make you feel safe. read more

Best haircut in 30 years! I visited after two months of not having a haircut. I was seated on the chair furthest away from the entrance, with a stylist from Morocco. This is the best haircut I got in over 30 years of my life! This guy understands hair! Very symmetrical, and done with finesse. The only thing I'd say is that he likes cutting hair short, so you might want to warn in advance about hair length. I'm definitely coming back to this place! read more

My dad got his hair cut here for years. I got my hair cut here for years until I moved to the West coast. Now my son requests to have his hair cut here when we are in town on vacation. It is not fancy, and the cast of characters has changed and changed again over the years. But it is exactly what you want in a barber shop. read more

Terrible haircut. Definitely one of the worst, if not THE worst, I have ever received. I've been using yelp forever reading reviews and finally decided to create an account to show how terrible this barber was. Didn't catch the name of the guy who cut my hair, but it wasn't one of the two older guys or the shorter guy with the shaved head. My barber also had a slight accent. He was the third chair from the door out of 4 chairs, so 2nd from the sink in the back. Gave me a terrible haircut and when I asked him to fix it, he claimed that it was a good haircut because he had been cutting hair for 22 years. This guy refused to believe that there was any problem with the haircut, claiming that this was exactly the way it must have looked after my last haircut. I was there at the last haircut. This was not at all what it looked like. It basically looked like someone had shaved my head and then placed a birds nest on top. It looked like I got my hair cut at Home Depot in the lawn care aisle. It looked like I was run over by a street cleaning vehicle that just tore a chunk of hair from the side of my head. Even one of the other barbers suggested to him how to fix it. Go somewhere else or at least to another barber at this location. This place is a disaster. read more

Nick has been cutting my hair for 20 years. Even when I moved away, I made sure to stop in for a clean-up every time I was in town. This is a great little shop, and Nick always does a great job! read more

I am very picky customer for a barber. I come for haircut here since 2012. The place is not clean, but the quality of barbers work is good for $17. There used to work Ibrahim whom I showed my photo where I had my best haircut. Unfortunately he left the place last year. Now the guy with bald head is my favorite barber read more

Yes. This is what a man's barber shop is supposed to be like. Everything done up in crappy Formica, infused with the smell of talcum powder and the blue antiseptic stuff in the tube with the combs in it. I'm from NJ, where I grew up getting my hair cut by guys named Vinny and Sonny and Tino, and the customers waiting their turn were either cops or mobsters- similar feel, different clientele. $13 for a standard cut, try to get the younger Spanish-looking guy because I think he's a bit obsessive compulsive and will therefore spend at least half an hour making sure every hair is the right length. They're a little overzealous with trimming the sideburns, so warn them or else you'll see your temple bared in half a second, and be magically transported to when you were 8. Or in prison. read more

I found this gem about a year ago through a friend. I have yet to find a better place. I've lived around the country and I have never had such consistent cuts. My go to is Abraham ( sorry about the spelling pal) but they are all professional. They take their time and really give quality cuts. I want to move. But I would have to come back every couple months for a cut. So for now I'll stay in Boston. Thanks guys. read more

I was told by friends how great this place cuts hair! I was shocked by how the barbers have such attention to detail. I had Pete, he was a nice easy going barber and at no point after my haircut did I feel like anything was missed. This shop gets what few get right, quality and service. read more

I used to live around the corner from this place, so it became my default place to get a haircut, since in addition to being close, they were always efficient, friendly, cheap, and competent. I moved to Brookline a couple years back, but after trying a couple other local places, I still regularly make the trip over to Harvard Square to get my hair cut here. Great little local spot, I really hope they don't get pushed out of Harvard Square for something glitzier, more expensive, and less useful! read more

For almost three years, I got my hair cut by Peter (back chair). He's friendly and worth the wait if there is one. Sadly, I've moved and have to find another barber who remembers how I like my hair cut and delivers each time. read more

Old fashion barber style, young barbers keeping the tradition. Awesome old barber chairs, bad paneling, and old magazines. Just how I remover growing up. Barbers are fun and did a great job. All for $16! Can't beat it. I was trance long from out of town and did my have time to get a hair cut. Glad I listened to Yelp! read more

Typical barber shop...very busy on Saturday. A little disappointed theat there was no neck shave. Outside of that it was good.

Nick, the owner, is my favorite barber in this shop, but I've had my hair cut by at least four others here and all did an excellent job.

I've been here about a dozen times, and they do a fine job. Recently, however, I've felt that one of their barbers was a little rough when he was cutting my hair--enough that I decided to check out some other options around Harvard Square. At $15 for a regular cut, though, it's a better deal than most places in the area. read more

I found this place about six months ago and am really impressed. I've been to all three barbers and they do a great job! As of last week, a regular haircut was $16. read more

Very good. I've been coming here for about 4 years now and I've been everywhere else in Harvard Square, none compare. The haircuts are great, the conversation is smart and the prices are reasonable. They keep it simple and appreciate their customers. I have directed co-workers here and they all agree, Custom Barber Shop is a winner.. read more

This barber shop gives great haircuts and is cheap. I paid $15 for a haircut, and watched old school wrestling videos to boot. Best of all--you can either sit in total silence and get your haircut, or you can talk about sports for 30 minutes. It's your call. Tip--if you go, ask for the guy with the Red Sox tattoo. He's really good. (Do NOT get the old bald guy with the beard. He's bad news bears and will mess up your lovely coif.) read more

I started going to this place 8 years ago after supercuts cut a hole in my head. Always a consistent & cheap cut and I've never gone anywhere else since. I love the old TV & VCR which is always on playing different tapes which someone recorded in 1983. Anyone looking for decor and ambiance should be getting their $80 haircuts on Newbury St. read more

Great no-nonsense barber shop. Cheap, friendly service, and perfect place for a quick men's haircut.

$15 and I have never had someone put so much effort into cutting my hair. This will be my barber shop in Harvard Square from now on.

I was hoping this place would be good based on the reviews but I was very disappointed. The guy who cut my hair took off way too much in the font and left it very long in the back even though I only asked for a little trim. My haircut is uneven now and I will have to get it fixed somewhere else. It looks like a haircut someone would give if it was their first time cutting hair. I really don't understand how he botched it so badly. Will never come back here. read more

I moved to Cambridge about six months ago and have had my hair cut here 4 times. I've had several of the barbers. All gave a great haircut (despite somewhat difficult curly hair) and were very friendly to talk to. You can't beat it for $14 anywhere. read more

This is an awesome barber shop. I've gone in many times and the haircut is always great. It's a good price and excellent value.

I have had several haircuts here, and Peter has been great. However, what irks me about this place is the lack of adherence to hours. The 7:30 am starting time is a joke. No one is ever there before 7:45, and today I left without a haircut at 8 am after waiting 15 more minutes. This is not considerate to the customer. read more

I get my hair cut their every 6-8 weeks. They always do a great job. And there's usually an entertaining conversation to go along with the hair cut. Custom Barber Shop is a social institution, not just a barber shop. Don't know what I'll do if they ever close. read more

Great haircut and very friendly staff. I was in town visiting, but you could tell they had their regular customers. A bit more sweeping and cleaning would help the place look less shabby, but it has that old school, no-nonsense barbershop feel. Can't beat the price. read more

NOT sure if really deserving of a single star. That's because not all the barbers are competent and know their stuff. The young white barber with glasses and goatee -- whose chair is the last one (from the entrance) -- barely knows how to do a good haircut and handle scissors safely. He CUT MY LEFT EAR with scissor and it BLEEDED. He did NOT even bother to apologize; just kept on saying "I'll take care of this." Very lousy service. If not for John, the middle-aged guy with glasses (i think second chair from the entrance), that shop may not deserve even a single star. Go somewhere else where barbers know how to handle scissors with safety. I'll certainly sue this young barber if my ears get infected. Be warned fellas. read more

If you are looking for service, this is the place to go. Its conveniently located just steps from the Harvard Square T stop. it is exceptionally low in price at just $13 for a basic cut. but most of all, the barbers working there are friendly, professional, down to earth, and all give great hair cuts. I've seen all 4 of the guys who work there in action, but personally have only recieved my cuts from Peter, the really tall young guy in the back. He cuts mine, my fathers, and a few others i know, all saying the same thing..."Nice Work". I've never seen anyone walk away from him with a bad cut. This is definitly the place to go if you want GREAT service and to look good! read more