I often read review sites ,like qype,but never seem to find the time to contribute. This morning I traveled from Eastbourne to London for a,all to scarce,job interview. With the adverse snowy weather I left a few hours early and inevitably found myself arriving a few hours early. So with a couple of hours to kill I headed to Covent garden for a spot of window shopping. It didn't take me long, while catching glimpses of myself in shop windows, to realise that I looked like I'd just got out of bed. In a panic and fuelled with caffeine,i looked to make amends. Out the corner of my eye I noticed someone unlocking a door to a shop ,sign saying student discount and barber's chairs through the window. I followed the guy in and explained I had to make myself presentable ,quite quickly. He tells me to sit down ,wait 15 minutes while he opens up,gives me a cup of coffee,shares his morning croissants and all the time chatting to me about the options for that all important life changing haircut. Then after showing a few ideas on iPad and explaining its possible to have a head of hair both suitable for the office and the pub on a Saturday night the scissors come out. 20 minutes later and I'm looking in mirror at a new person . The owner brushes me down and even lends me a tie, letting me know that I can return it if I get the job and I'm off with a confidence boosting new look. I can't fault the customer service and I can't fault the haircut. Thanks Rick and I hope to return the tie soon. read more

I went here recently having read all the reviews below and sadly was disappointed. I discussed the colour I wanted with the hairdresser beforehand and felt very confident that they knew exactly what they were doing and we were on the same page re. ideas. But the result was completely different. I couldn't tell from the reaction if this was a surprise and was a mistake, or if they were unaware. I didn't get a chance to see the colour and cut properly until I got home since I wasn't shown a rear view. I was booked to have a cut with Rick but it was changed without me being told so I didn't get him, and might have had a different experience if I had. The cut was very basic, and I didn't feel was worth £40. I didn't have a particularly bad experience here, but I did come away feeling let down and definitely very disappointed, and so I thought it was important to add this review as a balance. It isn't cheap either - I spent £100 of hard-earned money which I had saved to give myself a treat, and am now debating going somewhere else to have the colour changed. Unfortunately I don't think I'll be going back. I'd really wanted to find my new trusted hairdresser! read more

Encouraged by all the positive qype reviews, I had my hair cut yesterday and couldn't be more pleased with it! As a woman with short and very thick hair, I seldom leave salons without fluffy mature looks (and ounces of product to mask the inferior workmanship). I usually run straight to the car and then home to my flat iron! But when leaving the Rose & Crown yesterday I was thrilled that William, the stylist, wouldn't let me out of the chair until it looked perfect. He diagnosed my hair and worked with it. No tricks, no product, no fancy blow-dry, just a skilled haircut by someone who knew what the hell he was doing. And it looks amazing. Even my boyfriend, who doesn't prefer short hair, thought it was really nice. And for people like me who think that standards have dropped to new lows recently, William 1) gave me the most thorough shampoo/conditioning I've had in years, and 2) took his sweet time cutting every layer. I can guarantee you won't get rushed or punted out of the chair because the next appointment is in 10 minutes. Very highly recommended!!! read more

A long while ago I used to go to one of the chain stores on the high street to get my hair cut. The hair cuts I got were, well, okay I suppose, but I always had to think to myself It'll be alright in a few weeks time. Generally speaking they were never really alright in a few weeks time. Then one day after I'd got my hair cut at one of those places that'll remain nameless (ahem Supercuts ahem) I needed to get some hair stuff and stumbled across these fine gentlemen. Rick could have quite happily pocketed my money and thought no more about it but he suggested that I let him sort my hair out. I've never looked back. Rick cuts my hair so that I feel good about it after. There's no fuss and he'll talk to you about the style you're after and what'll work and what won't. He, and Chris, are the archetypal good blokes. Even though I don't live in London full time now I never get my hair cut anywhere else and that should tell you all you need to know. Oh that and the fact they have some great vintage movie posters. read more

Love, love, love my hair cut! I have super thick unmanageable naturally curly hair (that I always straighten) my hair scared off my last hairdresser, who wouldn't cut it more than half an inch for fear of it all going outwards. I told Rick this upon arrival, and said I'd paid a ridiculous amount of money for a haircut in Sean Hanna that made me look exactly as I did when I had walked in so today I actually wanted it cut to my shoulders, with some layering. Rick was utterly lovely, and I really enjoyed chatting about his great little quirky salon, and his passion for interesting antique furniture (displayed about the salon). He made me feel immediately at ease, and 'got' what I wanted after a brief explanation and a few stupid hand gestures by me! The cut and finish cost me £38 (I think I got student discount..?), which is great value particularly bang in the middle of town. This salon feels like a Covent Garden's best kept secret when you stumble upon it. A real gem of a find I'm feeling very smug that I found it! read more

I went on the basis of the 5* reviews but it just wasn't anywhere near a 5 star place. I arrived to this TINY room and wasn't offered a drink, I had wax in my hair but he didn't wash my hair first- I pointed this out and he insisted it would be fine. He was a good guy, chatty, etc: what you'd expect from a hairdresser. The cut itself was ok, nothing special- a bit uneven in places as I found out later. However at £30 it was definitely on the cheaper side of London haircuts. I guess your rating of a place depends what you're used to and in my case this is a 2* and nothing more. I usually pay £35-45 and for that I get offered a water/coffee/beer, get my hair washed properly then rinsed, and get a decent product put in it to finish. None of that from the Rose and Crown. If you're used to a barber shop then maybe, just maybe, this is 4*. I'm highly skeptical of the authenticity of the reviews here or if I'm wrong then the other reviewers haven't been to a decent salon before. read more

Having read some of the short and unexplained negative reviews below I felt compelled to write my own review. Having moved to London 5 years ago I struggled to find a consistent hairdresser which I could trust. I came across the Rose and Crown 2 years ago and have never looked back. I have not come across any salon in London which can rival this one for style, quality and friendliness. The salon is fitted with edgy furniture, artwork and even a small bar downstairs which all adds to the character of the place. It throws back to Carnaby street at its height, and is a fantastic tardis away from the chaos of central London. The owner Rik, welcomes you on arrival, offering you a choice of drink and makes you feel instantly at home. A consultation follows and I have never had anything to complain about with the subsequent hair cut: all at a very reasonable price that puts Toni and Guy to shame. I always look forward to visiting here and I urge you to try the same. read more

I relocated to London in 2009 and used to get my hair done at some random saloons & was never happy as I can be a bit fussy about my haircut until I came across Rose and Crown. I read lot of reviews on the internet & wanted to give it a try. I met Rick who is my hairdresser /hair consultant for the past 1.5 years. He came across very friendly & made me comfortable. He's a professional who knows his job and is very skilled. The atmosphere is relaxed and he's very good at listening to what you have to say. After the first cut, I knew I had found my personal hairdresser in London and every time I walk into the saloon, I am more than sure that I will walk out of the saloon with a good haircut and a smile. Location is great, staff is friendly, price a bit high but I would say quality always comes with a price tag. I highly recommend Rose and Crown - Dilip read more

First-rate hairdressers with a great atmosphere in the heart of the West End. I've been a customer of owner Rick since his Archive days. Since last year's refit it now has fantastic vintage furniture in use and for sale which other hairdressers has a boat shaped cocktail bar in the basement? and the walls are often adorned with the work of upcoming artists. Of course all this would be meaningless if they didn't offer great haircuts, which I can assure you they do. Not only do I always leave very happy with my hair and I've had a variety of looks over the years but in all the time that I've been going there I've never seen anyone leave disappointed. I'd say that it's one of the best hairdressers in the London, but I can't really compare as since Rick started cutting my hair I haven't thought about going anywhere else. read more

My wife has been going to Rick at RoseandCrown for years and years and years. She is a very, very fussy person who is only able to accept one standard in everything she does; perfection. She just said to me, Someone has been saying something bad about Rick's hairdressing on a site called QYPE. Can you have a look and write something good for me. Well, I had a look at guess what? 99.9% of people here think exactly what my wife thinks, that Rick is a great hairdresser. I see one person who has taken to this comment section to say otherwise and I have to ask why anyone would do such a thing? Why not go back to Rick and speak with him, why go around posting comments in places you think might damage a reputation? Nope, my wife trusts Rick with her hair every month and believe me that means he's good. read more

I have been coming to the R&C since February. Have been meaning to write a review for sometime especially as I couldn't understand the stalker with negative comments. Perhaps they need to pay attention to their own salon/life Anyway, after a change of hairdressers I was a little anxious.until 30 seconds after meeting my new hairdresser, recommended by Rick. His name is Ian and he is brilliant! I have a pixie/very short hair. He managed to listen and give me a haircut I absolutely loved and was so good at understanding exactly what I wanted! REALLY good prices, compared to all other hairdressers. Always great and lively music in the background too which makes me smile. Ian is fun to be around but very professional with great experience. Looking forward to my haircut in a few weeks! read more

I found Rose and Crown four years ago after reading the glowing reviews on Qype. I've paid silly money in the past for supposedly top stylists and no-one has ever cut my hair better than Rick. From day one it was clear he was a true professional, you don't stay in business for as long as he has without being a master. I've lost count of the number of times friends have complemented my hair and asked where I get it cut. Rick is discreet but friendly; there's usually a beer on offer too! Rick helped me work out a style for my wedding last year and is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to all things vintage; he even took me round the hidden fabric shops of the West End to find the right material for my suit. Absolutely top bloke read more

Rick at the Rose and Crown knows his stuff when it comes to hair. He also happens to be a nice guy, and doesn't spend the first and last ten minutes of your visit trying to sell you pricey crap you don't actually need. He takes it back to basics, instead finding products and styles that suit your hair. He's more than happy for you to bring in a photo of your desired cut and listens to what you're after rather than popping you into the latest hair cut mold. Mostly I like that he's an independent hairdresser reminding big salon chains that a bit of personality goes pretty far. Not the cheapest cuts at £45 for a ladies long hair cut, but definitely quality. Men and women welcome but bring cash as cards aren't accepted. read more

I have been going to the Salon for about a year now. In that year I have had 3 different stylists cut my hair, and all of whom did a great job. This reflects the quality that you get here and the kind of people Rick (the owbner) wants to cut your hair and ensure a top job is done everytime. It has a very friendly, warm atmosphere and I always enjoy the time I spend there. For the quality of cut, the price is excellent, easily out shining those salons local to Rose and Crown. I actually came from a nearby salon where the prices were no-where-near a decent reflection of the final product. Im very glad I came across the Rose and Crown and I've no doubt you will too. Keep up the good work! Daniel. read more

If you're anything like me, then you've been trawling hairdresser review sites looking for someone like you to recommend a great hairdresser. I hate finding new hairdressers and since moving to London 18 months ago, it's been an uphill battle. All I can say is that compared to high street hairdressers, this one is out of this world awesome. Myla cut my hair and she was soooo friendly AND fussy, I really can't express how nice it was having a hairdresser skilled enough to do something with my thin short hair. She spent ages texturing ater blow drying and the gradient is flawless. This lady knows her stuff and I am so pleased that I listened to other reviewers and took the plunge. read more

A haircut at the Rose and Crown is an experience always to treasure and a total pleasure...The atmosphere is relaxing, the welcome calm and the chat and listening skills a dream.....and those are for free ...They go hand in hand with the best cut in town......and those are the words of a woman who did have a total haicut phobia . I am now a total Rose and Crown convert and have never left the salon without feeling rejuvinated...I have followed Rick faithfully from his previous salon to his new venue and have not ventured elsewhere for 9 years...I recommend everyone has a Rose and Crown overhall...you'lll wish you had done it years ago....alethea read more

I have had my hair cut by Rick of the Rose and Crown for over 10 years now. I used to visit him in his previous premises in Shaftesbury Avenue and still use him even though I moved to Sussex 5 years ago and don't commute to London. In short, he is a real hairdresser/barber with great understanding and skill, and whether he works form a basement or a glossy 'up west' salon its the skill of the guy with the scissors I go for. My recent visit last week was as ever frienly, professional, relaxing and to the point a great haircut. A real professional outfit in the centre of town I highly recommend it! Glenn read more

I walked into the Rose and Crown recently for a wash, cut and blow dry, I had no appointment. I found the staff really friendly and attentive, but the attention my hair got was something else. The hair wash was really good, but the cut I got from Rick was exactly as I wantednormally in a hairdresser I never really get what I want. Bur Rick was very good at explaining exactly the kind of hair I have and how the cut would match with my hair type. He took his time to get it exactly perfect. I am very impressed, and don't think I have found a hairdresser as good before. I' ll be back. Thanks very much Rick. read more

What a great salon! Relaxed and extremely competent stylists in an environment free from the toxic smells and pretentiousness that seems to be a fundamental part of so many high quality salons. Rick and staff offer quality conversation when you want it and no inane chatter when you're not in the mood, set in a very funky and cosy environment. What more could anyone ask for? Rick has been cutting my hair now for nearly 10 months and I couldn't be happier with the results. I get a quality, consistent cut every time and a damn good price. Such a rare combination and I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else. read more