This review is based on their customer services only and not their haircut outcome because unfortunately the manger cancelled the appointment I made hours before it was due to happen with zero help in finding an alternative. I had booked an appointment for a "Restyle" for my nephew and was willing to pay the $72 to get him a hair transformation. The appointment was booked and I got a call from their London location letting me know that her son was sick and she was unable to accommodate. When I explained we were heading back to America the following day and unable to move the appointment all that I was told was "sorry everyone else is busy ", when I asked if someone from the location could call me and help me with names of other barbers for me to try to reschedule at I was told "sorry they are all too busy". I would have expected much better service from a place with this reputation- Shame on them for being so flippant about the commitment they had made. Clearly I would never recommend this establishment who has zero customer service skills read more

I'm here in Edinburgh for university from America, I took my chances at Ruffians & let me tell you it was one of the best haircuts I've ever received. My barber, Laura, was fantastic and she made sure my hair looked fantastic. The vibe within the barber shop was amazing, super nice people, great customer service and if I ever need my haircut again I will be coming back to Ruffians!! read more

If I could give this shithole a 0 star, I would. They didn't even mention a cancellation policy. They'll just charge you $50 for not showing up. Been there 3 times, missed 1 appointment, and I get charged $50. Absolutely ridiculous. Beware of making appointments. Even if life happens, they'll still take your money. Get ready to dispute with your bank. Tom, the barber was a nice gent, but the manager is absolute bitch. read more

Found myself away from my trusted Glasgow barber's so decided to give Ruffians a shout for a Crimbo cut. If you're used to waiting half an hour for a five minute cut before leaving with that feeling you must have 'awkward' hair because the result wasn't quite what you'd hoped for, then maybe Ruffians is for you. After a decent free latte and a browse on an iPad fixed to an old school desk (I managed to contain the flashbacks) I was washed, massaged and cut/clippered to perfection. Chat was nice, and the whole experience was professional and positively indulgent. More importantly, for those of us who are follically risk averse, Ruffians is a safe bet. However, it doesn't come cheap. Your wash and cut is £32, which did get me thinking about the 5 stars. However, I think guys are looking for a bit of 'me time' and if the product and experience is good then cost can be white-lied away to the other half. Ruffians won't lure me away from my regular choppers, but if I'm ever caught short again, I'm more than happy to be cut short here (sorry). read more

I normally go to Ruffians in London but finding myself in Edinburgh with crazy Don King hair one afternoon, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a Ruffians here too. Firstly, the tea is lovely, and I do love good tea when you're sitting in a chair for half an hour staring at yourself. I canna remember who cut my hair (woops) but we had a quick discussion about what I wanted/needed and 5mins later it was wash wash wash before moving on to the main event. The place is nice, and the other staff friendly; they had good music playing and with my abovementioned tea in hand, it was actually quite an enjoyable experience! Would I go again? Living in London may make that difficult but I did prefer this particular branch to the Covent Garden one. read more

I am not generally one for spending much on grooming - I tend to stay just on the right side of "washed". I generally goto barbers where I need at least 2 weeks before it looks like I've not got my head caught in a lawnmower. However I was off to an important event just before christmas and my hair had become..... untenable. I had to find a solution FAST. I went to Ruffians. Booked in and turned up. Seated at their high stools in the pleasant atmosphere of wooden paneling and rustic manly chunky furniture and good solid butler sinks I played on an IPad while drinking a coffee waiting for my hairdresser. She came up and took me to a seat. We discussed what I wanted, what I used on the hair (at the time I hadn't used shampoo/anything else in like 3 years) how I liked to wear it. We then had a hairwash and condition, and then a very nice head massage. They plugged me into a seat and the cut began. Chat was good. Hair was better. It looked ace. I went out to a bar that night and got about 3 compliments on my hair. Now I'm not sure if this is because my hair is usually shit or not.... I've been back since and they did just as good a job. It was ace. So I would recommend it. It was FAR more expensive than I used to spend on haircuts (£35) however it was easily worth it. I will probably now get my hair cut more often - and be more confident in my appearance. Well done ruffians - you win. read more

I was traveling for a few weeks and started looking kinda unabomber. Found this place on Yelp and made an appointment. Shave and haircut. Expensive. Worth it. I've had many hot towel shaves, and this was the best. My skin usually gets irritated after, but not this time. Laura (I think? Redhead. Edinburgh native.) was amazing. Attention to detail, mad skills. My haircut was great too. I'm still amazed at the shave. No irritation is a minor miracle. Everyone who worked here seemed nice. Good music too (lots of Kinks and Libertines)! If you are in need of a cut or shave. Go here. read more

Really Disappointed! This my first experience with Ruffians for a hot towel shave and I was really looking forward to it. The price is on the higher end for a hot towel shave, but I don't mind paying at all if the experience is worth it. Unfortunately, I was really disappointed in the service here. First, my barber (female) was completely unprofessional. While she was going through the preparation and shave, she was talking across the room to other barbers about administrative issues and was clearly just interested in the completing the shave as quickly as possible. Second, she would give warnings about the hot or cold towels, but only after placing them on my face! I've had many hot towel shaves and good ones will always indicate the temperature of the towel before placing and then ask the client if the temperature is fine or needs adjusting. Third, she didn't pay attention to wrapping the towel and blocked off my nose and mouth! I had to re-adjust the towel myself to breath. She simply placed the towel on then walked off. Fourth, she produced some small cuts on my neck (which is fine as I hadn't had a hot towel shave in a while), but then placed antiseptic on my neck without warning me this would sting. I immediately moved my head after the first antiseptic made contact with me because it really hurt. Finally, the basic shoulder and arm massage is less than basic. I understand barbers are not massage therapists, but this was really poor! This is part of good hot towel shave that I enjoy and the massage was really no more than a couple of arm and hand squeezes. For what they charge, I would advise against getting a hot towel shave here. Their service absolutely does not equate to their fee. read more

So I recently got a haircut from my local unisex hairdressers and after two weeks I just wasn't happy with it. I done some Internet searching for the best mens barbers in edinburgh and the name that kept coming up was ruffians. I called up to make an appointment and I have literally just left the place and made an account on here to write the review. Ruffians lives up to the hype, it is honestly the best place I have ever been to get a cut and I've never been happier with a haircut before. When I first entered I was greeted very professionally and friendily by the girl at the door and was offered a drink. I arrived a little bit early so I sat down and waited for a bit. Then the guy who was going to cut my hair, Ian, came over and introduced himself to me and took me to a chair and mirror so we could decide what kind of cut I would like. After we talked for a bit and he gave me some very good advice the girl from the door washed my hair and gave me a head massage which was very relaxing. Then the haircut started and I can honestly say Ian was amazing, my hair has never looked better and I have never been happier. I will definetly be back and I will definetly be requesting Ian again. The only thing I would say is that it is a little pricey, £35 or £25 for students but well worth the money 5/5 read more

Ruffians is so much more than a gents haircut in the west end, its a haircut and an experience. When was the last time you had your haircut while you enjoyed a chilled bottle of beer? Did you get your head massaged along with your hair wash? Did you enjoy intelligent chat with no mention of holidays? If like me these don't normally feature in the usual trip to the barbers/hairdressers (whatever you call it) then you should get into Ruffians and give it ago. Not only did I enjoy all of these experiences but I got a great haircut (the best for quite some time) in what has to be one of the most original of Interiors. The interior is almost impossible to describe, old school lab meets bistro bar would be my best guess. This is not just a trip to get a haircut, this is top class male grooming experience for gents and scoundrels alike. Its about time us guys said "were worth it". Oh, I nearly forgot, they don't give you old GQ's to pass the time, they give you new i-pads, how cool is that. read more

Great service, great staff, great haircut. After my first visit I can find nothing to complain about at all. Relaxed, proffesional, skilled and service minded. read more

Not cheap, but definitely a case of getting what you pay for. I am new to male grooming, and rather late to it in my mid-50s, so I went to Ruffians for a beard shape and trim with not a little self-consciousness. I needn't have worried. I was made very welcome on arrival and was offered tea or coffee. I was met by Maura and she explained the range of options, what they would cost, and the techniques and treatments she would use. We talked about my requirements, and she asked very professional questions about my health and skincare experiences. The actual trim, application of exfoliants, shaving gel, hot/cold towels was explained at every stage. I was then given advice as to what I should do until my next visit. Excellent, friendly service throughout. I am extremely satisfied and already looking forward to my next visit. read more

Was unknowingly booked with a "graduate barber". Didn't even know that was an option. No hair wash or massage, and the haircut was average. At £15, it's only £10 cheaper than a full cut if you're a student. This, on top of the fact I never received the coffee I asked for, make for the bad review. Nice place, the barber was nice, haircut was decent, but just not the experience I was expecting going into the day read more