Just a great well run business with well trained talented barbers right down the street.

It's a classic barber vibe and friendly folk. Did a decent job on a haircut for me - was not 100pct what I wanted but all right. I Will be back. read more

Austin is the man! I had a really important interview (life changing) and he hooked it up. The amount of care really shows in his work. I asked for a comb over and he delivered, I brought up some things about my cowlicks he was attentive and listened and had suggestions. I'm definitely going back see you soon Austin! read more

Mark-Jason Solofa Men's Grooming - Barbers Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Incredible experience from start to finish. I've never felt more taken care of getting my hair cut. Love the vibe inside and ALEXIS IS AWESOME!!! Can't wait to go back. read more

I've been going to Mark-Jason Solofa's spot for a while now to get my haircuts. I always see Juan. Juan takes his time to make sure he fully understands what I want, and is very attentive to feedback. He's also a great conversationalist, making sure to engage his clients during service. Although you can't go wrong with anyone here, I recommend him highly. read more

Alexis knows what's up. Best haircut and beard trim of my life. Will be returning regularly.

Great experience. Great cut. Old school, classic barber shop vibes filled with guys who know their stuff. I don't think you'd go wrong with any barber, but I do highly recommend Isaac. Isaac was kind, diligent, and took his time to do the job right. Don't think about it, just book it! You won't regret it. The complimentary whiskey is a nice touch. read more

Mark-Jason Solofa Men's Grooming - Gentleman's Haircut - Barbers Near Me - Berkeley, California

During the middle of last year, I started trying to find a barbershop closer to my house in the North East Bay and had remembered seeing Mark-Jason Solofa while driving through Berkeley on San Pablo. Now that I lived closer, I decided to give them a shot. Mind you, this was no small feat as finding a good barber that I can trust is almost as important for me as finding a doctor. I decided to go with Chris based on his work as demonstrated in his IG - and after the first experience, I knew I was going to become a repeat customer pretty much immediately. Why? This experience is unmatched. I've been to easily over 50 different barbershops in multiple cities on multiple continents. I've been to shops of all sizes, all styles with all kind of budgets. And I can HANDS DOWN say that the experience offered at MJS is unparalleled. How? It's pretty simple: they have a high focus on not just the excellence in the cut but also the full barbershop experience: - You WILL get the whole 9 with regards to the cut - Neck shave, hot towel, cold towel (scented nicely) expert attention on beard (if you have one) or a shave. The details are all covered. Also I'll just say it - the post haircut massage is insane. You gotta experience it to believe it. - You WILL get expert advice and suggestions...if you want them. These barbers are masters of their craft and will work with you to identify what's best. I personally was working with a bit of thinning and wanting to grow my beard more - Chris was able to answer questions and make suggestions. -You WILL get quality conversation...if you want it. I see the barbershop as a place where one can come in and talk/discuss life, work, etc. These guys are great at convo and recognize the value in being able to be this respite for the clients in their chairs. Laughs for days. -You WILL get great ambience. It's evident that this team has put an incredible level of energy into the decor of the shop. You can literally get lost in looking at all of the memorabilia on the walls. With the new wing, it's amazing to see the space coming together! The music is also fantastic. -You WILL get to work with great people here. I firmly believe that great people and culture are key to the success of any business. It's very apparent that Mark & Chris have a high bar for the people that they hire. Many barbers can deliver a clean cut...but very few can be masters at their craft, AND great conversationalists, AND growth minded, AND detail oriented. Chris is my barber and all these qualities are evident. It's no surprise that he was recently promoted to Mentor Barber. In closing. If you are just looking for a quick place where you can get a quick cut, no conversation, be in and out with a lollipop and your neck smelling like powder, then this is not your place. If you want an unparalleled experience; this. is. the. place. Also Chris is the man, book with him. (All of the other barbers are great too.) read more

Mark-Jason Solofa Men's Grooming - Photo taken from Chris' Insta trimming my unruly beard. - Barbers Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I wanted to like this place but miss the old Vietnamese lady that used to cut my hair on University Ave for $20 She did such a great job. This place is too expensive and I always get a high and tight, even though I've asked several times for them not to. My wife says they cut my hair too short. read more

Juan is amazing barber! He really took the time to make sure I had a haircut that I felt great with. He spent 10 minutes at the beginning of the cut discussing different options with me & that extra prep time really paid off. We had a rad conversation & the cut turned out phenomenal. My hair can really be hit or miss, but when it's really cut right, I think it looks great. This is the second time he's cut my hair. After the first, I got at least 5 compliments. Definitely going back for a third time! read more

I highly recommend Mark-Jason's shop if you are in the East Bay! I have been looking around for years trying to find a barbershop that is a high quality service and I've definitely found one in Mr. Solofa's shop. I had a great experience with Thomas getting a cut that required both shears and clippers. He took his time to ask the right questions to know exactly what I wanted, and delivered! Book with these guys now read more

My son left the house looking like a giant mop head, and returned looking like a handsome young man. THANK YOU MJF!!!

Hands down best haircut in the 510 area. I used to always get haircuts at a walk-in places whenever I had time--and always regretted it after. So I really appreciate how quick and easy it is to schedule an appt at Solofa. I've seen a couple barbers there and highly recommend Juan who is always great. Excellent experience and excellent haircuts. I really appreciate these guys! read more

My hair stylist was very nice and very young, but he failed to follow my clear direction to leave my hair longer on the sides and partially cover my ears. Although I'm nearly two generations older than him, what I got was a young guys look with the sides and neck very close shaven. Can't wait for it to grow back! read more

Been coming to this shop for over a year (even after moving out of the area, I still come back) because this place has solid, professional, and chill barbers. As a gay man, I don't always feel like a barber shop is a safe space for me. But that's certainly not the case here. The barbers are very down to earth and easy going. I feel incredibly comfortable being my authentic self. Will def continue to come back. Shoutout to Chris N for always making me look sharp. read more

I was super excited to try out Mark-Jason Solofa as I saw tons of amazing reviews about it. I was expecting quality since it is on the pricer side ($85 with tip). I made an appointment with Robert and brought in two pictures as reference (see below). I asked for a low-fade and specifically said that if he had an idea that would suit me I'm open to it. He said "It's whatever you want." so we continued with what I thought was going to be the low-fade I asked for. The haircut process was fine and Robert was pleasant. At the end of the cut, he showed me the final product in the chair. I was a little shocked but thought it was fine until I examined it further by myself. It is clearly not a "low-fade". Instead, it is a "high-fade"- not what I wanted. The right side's fade looks higher than the left's as well. Also, why does it look like I have a staircase in my hair in the back? For a high-price point, I was expecting higher-quality. If he saw what I was asking for and knew that it wasn't really in his wheelhouse, I wish he would've taken the opportunity to suggest something else when I explained that I was open to other cuts. Disappointed doesn't describe half of what I'm feeling at the moment. read more

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Chris has been cutting my hair for about six months now, and he is literally the best damned barber I've ever had. Not the cheapest cut in town, but this is a case of getting what you pay for. Seriously, this guy's cuts make me feel like a million bucks--that's quite a return on investment. read more

I've been searching for years to find a great Barber and I'm thrilled to have finally found Juan. He always does an excellent job with my hair and even helped me keep my preferred style of cut while I've been having skin issues on my scalp. I'm now a regular customer here just for his cuts. If you need a fade, he's the guy to see! read more

I've been going to this place for years and I've never found barbers in the bay that have the same quality and consistency as the barbers here. With the oldies playing in the back and the complimentary drinks up front, this place has a great vibe to start. Juan is my favorite barber at the place, who somehow remembers exactly the haircut I asked for months prior. I have thick, hard-to-cut hair that other barbers have butchered, but Juan has been consistent each and every single time at providing a great haircut. I'd definitely recommend getting cuts from Juan, or any of the other barbers at this place, as it's absolutely worth the price! read more

Juan is the man! Great attention to detail, clean sheer work, and a smooth taper. Overall good vibes. Will definitely be back.

Juan is amazing, he's friendly and detailed at what he does. I made my dad an appointment for a haircut and Juan did not disappoint. He gave great suggestions and gave us an excellent experience! I definitely recommend you to go to Juan! read more

I am not sure why I am writing this review!! But, it just seems right. My husband has been a M-JS loyal since last year. All the stylists are really good at what they do (I mean it!). The entire team is great. The services are a bit more expensive than a normal men's hair styling salon, but it is totally worth it. The main reason that I am writing this review, and not my husband, is that I have a renewed appreciation for them, after a couple of disastrous attempts to cut his hair at home and trying to fade like a pro :p. Better leave that to the experts. read more

Mark-Jason Solofa Men's Grooming - Barbers Near Me - Berkeley, California

I have been seeing Robert for the past two years or so. Excellent barber with high quality / expertise ! Would highly recommend this place. They're all very friendly and knowledgeable! read more

Amazing customer service, great conversation. Shout out Austin for getting me together. read more

Mark-Jason Solofa Men's Grooming - Barbers Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Ariela did an awesome job! She gave me a very clean fade, hard part, and tidy beard trip. Thanks Ariela!

Austin gave my 82 year old husband a wonderful shave. He was careful to explain everything he was doing and did not rush. Great

If you're looking for a new barber in the East Bay, Dan is your guy. I really can't recommend him enough. I'm so excited I finally found a long-term barber in the east bay. I came in with a pretty bad cut, so he didn't have a great example to work off of, but he understood exactly what I needed after just a few minutes of chatting. His experience really shown through. Also, the guy is perfect for both people who like a quiet session or for those that want to chat the whole time. I sometimes feel pressured to hold a conversation during new cuts, but Dan was unbelievably easy to be around and I felt very little pressure. Do yourself a favor and book Dan! read more

not for black people killed a year's worth of growth..brought my neck like way up and cut was super uneven people of color with big beard please avoid like the plague. cool people just naive when ut comes to men of color. I see black barber in picture but when I was there it was not one. if they properly comb out a beard. a black beard then it would be decent but they don't or simply do know how. add a wash service then a cut would make things a green light for people of color but if u got a short beard then it doesn't matter. read more

I'd leave a 2.5 if I could. I booked with Juan, a JUNIOR Barber, I think these reviews tend to be more for the barber than the shop. I definitely underestimated just how junior these barbers are. I showed up on time but had to wait 25 minutes, despite having an appointment. Should have taken it as a warning sign as I left 2 hrs later for (what I already thought was a long 1 hr appt) When Juan cut my hair it felt like he had never cut hair before, he would ask me questions about the cut repeatedly like he didn't know what I had said in the first place mid cut, and I'd have to ask him to hand me the mirror or spin me around, I've never done a haircut entirely facing away from the mirror before. I get he was probably under pressure but I didn't sign up to be someones practice. I really respected how the adjacent barber stepped in to help, it seems like there is training but the double managing and double haircut I began to received was very uncomfortable, and slightly objectifying. Juan would ask for help or the other barber would bud in while Juan was messing up, taking the tools from Juan to redo the cut, effectively giving me two haircuts in terms of time and length. I came in asking for a clean up, and for 2 inches off, and received a full cut down, 5 inches off. This was also really frustrating as I had purposely booked the best rated barber shop in Berkeley in prep for grad photos, and had to go home and personally cut strands that had be missed entirely, certain strands being 6 inches long in a 2 in long hairdo, kind of crazy. All in all I really appreciate the attitudes and demeanors, but I really was expecting hoping for some discount for being used as practice when I paid 70 for this haircut. read more

Update: The owner quickly reached out to me to put this right. He offered me a haircut with Chris, who fixed the haircut and did a great job. I think I will come back to Chris for future haircuts! read more

I've been coming here for about two years now. When I first found the shop, I was looking for a genuine barbershop, having suffered a mediocre haircut at the hand of a regular "hairdresser". I ended up booking in to see Al who was an apprentice at the time. Since then, I've been back religiously, and Al's taken me through different levels of facial hair, a thinning hairline (yay, 30's!) and through a bunch of different life events that called for a relatively presentable appearance (weddings, job interviews and conference presentations). It's been bittersweet that his calendar has gradually filled up, such that you often need to book your next appointment as soon as you've left the shop, but his excellent customer service and instant familiarity with the trials and tribulations of your daily life (not to mention the tight fades he cuts) keep me coming back. read more

Austin gave me a great cut and beard trim. Followed my specifications and helped me look fresh and clean for my video shoot!

Juan did an amazing job. Very considerate, and one of the friendliest barbers I've ever met. He took every consideration I requested seriously, and he is behind the only haircut I've ever walked out of with confidence, and beyond satisfaction. This barbershop is 45 minutes away from home, but they can be expecting my business again soon and frequently. read more

So my deal I'm a guy who has been growing my beard out for the last five months or so hoping to achieve this higher plain of lumber jack/Artimus Pyle/rock-n-roll full beard greatness, so after some five months my girlfriend who works at Wood Salon in Berkeley said hell no and sent me to Mark-Jason Solofa, I could speak volumes to the class and positive vibes and how chill this shop is... but what really matters is the "work" right ? My man Mark-Jason made me look & feel like a million bucks ... took my roughneck beard and turned it into something that will keep me rolling through again & again. read more

First time here, and first beard trim. Tristan did a fantastic job not only with the trim, but the atmosphere. This place is exactly what I was looking for. Timelessly suave, instantly welcoming and great quality. If you need a beard cleaned up right and want some protips on keeping it looking good, Tristan and this place are you're go to. If you think it's pricey, it's because it's worth it. read more

Been coming here for 3 years and will never go anywhere else. Mark and Chris are like family, and I feel like I'm visiting old friends when I come in for my monthly cut and beard trim. Phenomenal cuts, great conversation, and of course, bourbon. It's a no-brainer folks. read more

This barbershop, is THE Barbershop of the Bay. I have been a costumer there for many years and every time feels like I leave the place looking like a new guy ;-) All the barbers are super talented and chosen by a rigorous selection process, but I am Al's regular- Al Guerrero is extremely detail oriented and sharp in every aspect of his craft. read more

Rob is a skilled and talented barber who takes great pride in his craft, which I respect, and it comes through in his work. I've followed him to a few shops over the years and I can't recommend him and his skills enough! read more

I've been going here for four months now, and I have not been disappointed once. Chris has been my barber, and he walks you through the reasons to type your hit in a certain way. It's a 60-minute appointment because they believe in the whole experience to treat yourself and to get to know you. They offer you free bourbon, which is always great. Also, you get a small shoulder massage after it. The barbers take notes on what you all talk about and then follow up with you next time. I have never been disappointed be would recommend this highly. read more

Had kind of a rough week so I thought I'd treat myself to a nice barber shop experience. This place had great reviews so I went to get my hair cut and beard trimmed here today and it was... fine? Definitely better than what you would get on average at a typical walk in place, but nowhere near the best haircut I've ever had, and at pushing $100 including the mandatory up front minimum 25% tip, I expected a lot more. My barber, Ariella, was nice enough, but she seemed kind of hesitant and it felt like her mind was elsewhere. (Ironically, I usually like to keep quiet when getting my hair cut, but today I was actually feeling kind of chatty, and the conversation just didn't go anywhere.) Again, the haircut she gave me was totally fine. If I had paid $40 I would have been stoked. But at the price I paid I was surprised that I wasn't offered a drink and I didn't at least get a shampoo (unless I missed it, I don't think they have a hair washing sink). Other little things were sub-par too, like the "hot towel" was just a hand towel soaked in lukewarm sink water (they apparently don't even have a hot towel cabinet) with lavender essential oil (in the past I've been given scent options), the cold towel was the same except with tepid sink water and while she used the razor on my temples and the back of my neck, she just used the buzzer on my throat. The beard trim itself was a little uneven and I kind of had a hard time understanding her when she told me what my options were. She did give me about a 2-minute shoulder "massage" with one of those old school vibrator things, which was more unpleasant than anything. Again, other places I've received actual shoulder massages for that price. With the haircut itself I was a little surprised that even though I did ask to leave the hair on the top of my head longer, she didn't use the texturing scissors on it and at the end, I had to ask to have product put in it and have it styled. Lastly, a haircut and beard trim requires booking a 2-hour appointment, and while I wasn't expecting it to take the whole time, I was out the door in under 50 minutes, which was a little disappointing. Ultimately this feels like a pretty average barbershop pretending to be a much more premium shop than it really is. With as many barbers as there are in Berkeley/Oakland I think I'd try a lot more before I consider coming back here. read more