I feel like I haven't had a haircut this devastating since I was in middle school! Perhaps if you have fine asian hair, they know how to cut your hair here. BI'll admit that. But if you have any other texture (read: curly, coily or even just thick and wavy) they will absolutely ruin your hair. I *Had* had past my shoulders and have been working on growing out my natural curl. Masami took the scissors to my hair like a child would a doll and just whacked off random bits from everywhere. None of it was even checked for evenness. It took her all of 5 minutes to ruin my hair for years and without even styling my hair or touching it she rushed me out the door. If I even had a few minutes to process I would have complained but what was she going to do, take more hair off? I've been in tears for days. On top of the terrible haircut for over a hundred dollars this place has a terrible vibe. Like, not only is it very "vacant" inside like you're in an unfurnished apartment, but everyone is so rude as if you showed up to a party you weren't invited to. I'm honestly confused why this place has so many reviews. I guess they went to a different stylist or were invited to the private party. Anyway, just go to Hairrari down the road, a place that is actually accepting of all genders and actually knows how to cut hair. Sorry if this is mean, I'm just absolutely devastated and feel so foolish. read more

I was charged 260 dollars for this, a badly executed buzz cut and bleach/dye job. I asked for a full refund But never heard back from Masami or anyone at her salon . I'm a model and i lost three potential job opportunities because of how my scalp and hair looked. N only the color and bleach was uneven, but the buzzcut was uneven too. A client sent me home saying I "looked bald ". DO NOT GO TO VACANCY PROJECT. they don't care about their clients , they just care about curating themselves and their image on Instagram. This happened 5 months ago, still no response. read more

Vacancy Project - Hair Salons Near Me - New York, New York

Masami is the best best best. Best haircuts. I go to them 2x a year and their cuts are beautiful. As my hair grows out, through all the stages, my hair still looks wonderful. (I get tons of compliments.) I love their instagram account, and it's wonderful that they've gotten lots of press. They're an artist and a really sweet human. I also really enjoy seeing them, their space is beautiful and pristine. read more

AVOID! This was truly the worst haircut I've ever received. Masami spent maybe 5 minutes cutting my hair. I had to check my watch in disbelief after she hurried me out. I spent 19 minutes in the salon from the time I walked in to the time I walked out. Truly a scam and a waste of money. I feel incredibly ripped off. DO NOT GO HERE --PLEASE TRUST ME. read more

This review is so overdue. I second with one of reviewers who stated that Masami is not interested in cutting hair but is rather interested in building celebrity status. I came here once to get a haircut and it was absolutely the worst haircut for the price. It literally looked like it was done by a kid; crooked and uneven. If you want to get a bob, pixie cut, or a short cut, this is the place to be. However, if you want to keep your hair long with some added styles like layers, ombre, bang, etc, this is not the place for you. Ambience wise, this place is painted all white, very minimalistic and vacant... really suits its name. Tips are in cash only and appointments are required. read more

wOw! wOw! All HiGHMonSteR™ can say is that, this is like a student art project.......! They should rename to: "Vacancy Art Student Project". If you want to get cut by art student hipsters, gO ThERE! (But they charge as expensive as professional) If you are like mE HiGHMonSteR that love a GOOOD haircut by a genuine hair stylist that knows his/her sh*T and have years of experience and spend more than 5 mins on a haircut and GOooD customer service that will LiSTEN and be intuitive of what a customer wants, then, THIS pLACe is NoT for you!!!! AS gender Neutral as HiGHMonSteR can be (HM has NO gender), HM experience in the VASP didn't convince mE. TRY HARDER y'all! read more

Loved my haircut from Laura!! Salon is clean and the whole experience was quick and easy:)

I think my before and after photos speak for themselves, but I'm going to rave about the Vacancy Project, and Sonny, anyway. When I came into the salon, my hair had been cut very badly for reasons I'm not getting into and I had developed two bald spots on my head. Some of the hair was 1/2"-1" long, some was shoulder length, all very random and uneven all over the head. The cuts themselves were raw and raggedy, if you didn't know better you'd think it was chopped with a serrated kitchen scissor. It was BAD. I was so embarrassed and so worried at a different salon I'd be scolded, pressured into a super short cut (which I'm not ready for) or be told that I'd need to use a lot of products or flatirons to get my hair presentable every day. But that's all I was expecting: presentable. I knew Vacancy was an excellent salon with a great reputation but I mainly chose them as a queer friendly, welcoming place to go with my weed whacker head of shame. I took off my head scarf and explained to Sonny the situation, and tentatively told him what I would like (something close to a chin length bob) but understood if that was not possible. After chatting for a bit, he calmly said he had a good vision for what he could do, and we'd make it work. He then gave the nicest shampoo (seriously! Didn't abuse my head nor barely touch it) and calmed my fears by chatting with me about what he was going to do before he began, talking about our mutual experience as Texans, generally making me way more at ease. He is a genuinely good and personable, compassionate man, as well as the most skilled stylist I have ever come across. I was expecting a haircut that I could be seen in public in, what he gave me was the BEST HAIRCUT I have ever had in my life. The formerly jagged edges are soft and smooth, he was able to keep so much more length than I though possible due to some clever layering (I think?) and asking if I could part my hair to the one side. That's all he asked me to do. I cried when it was all over, I couldn't believe it was possible for my hair to look this nice in general, let alone considering what it looked like before. I can't stop swishing it around my neck and playing with it- it feels thick, soft, and full. And best of all, since Sonny listened and was so skillful at cutting, I don't have to spend a lot of time in the morning fixing up my hair. I can shake it around and mess it up and it still falls into place. I'll be the first to admit I used to find hair salons very stressful, I hate being pressured, upsold, talked down to, etc, even when my hair was not looking this bad. The staff at Vacancy are respectful, kind, and listen to EVERYONE. If Sonny can make my patchy-broom head look this good, it should tell you the technical skills are top notch, and you will be able to have the exact hair that you want for your life. Equal to skill is the kindness, accepting vibe, and real joy in cutting hair and making you happy in your skin. If Sonny can make my hair look this good, he can do anything. I am not going to another stylist or salon again. read more

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The worst haircut I ever received in my life. I got my hair cut here a few weeks before quarantine and they completely shredded my hair. It was only a few days before my haircut that I got highlights at another salon in SoHo. I was coming to Vacancy Project for a trim. The stylist at Vacancy Project cut out $350 worth of color. I have thick, wavy hair but not thick enough for the stylist to take a razor and thin out my hair, which is exactly what was done. The cut actually damaged the quality of my hair. Due to the razor, my ends looked severely damaged, as though I had been flat ironing it for years. I came in with fairly long hair and when I left this salon, the top half of my hair was shorter than my ears. The stylist left the rest of my hair very thin and shredded. Plus I paid $100 for this cut. I've never written a bad review ever but I had to get nearly $2K worth of bonded hair extensions at another salon to fix this horrendous haircut. It's been several months later and the cut is still really bad. Never again! read more

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i came here because i wanted to cut off my hair to help deal with sensory difficulties, distance myself from femininity, and honestly because i was itching to do something with my hair. i had never gone to a hair salon before, only my mom and myself having cut my hair before. i found this place on instagram, and i was drawn by their gender neutrality, because i wanted a place where i wouldn't feel uncomfortable or out of place by trying to embrace androgyny, and a typical salon environment is gender segregated at its core. i booked with genevieve, because they seemed close to my age, with a similar aesthetic, and i liked their work. my appointment was on time, they were welcoming but very laid back, which i enjoyed. they immediately understood the look i was going for based off my reference images, so we have good chemistry. they listened to my concerns with sensory processing issues, which make my neck, ears, and scalp very sensitive to certain sensations, and can cause extreme physical discomfort and anxiety. they were accommodating of this, giving me the option just have my hair wet and not washed when i was having a really hard time in the wash bowl, and being patient with me when i twitched a little or seized up. the haircut lasted an hour or less, including styling and photography. i paid $70, plus a tip. they were kind, personable, and conversational without being intrusive or overly talkative. i HIGHLY recommend genevieve, they did a fantastic job, and this hair cut changed my life. read more

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SCAM! They charged me $150 for not showing up but I called and canceled due to illness! They said nothing on the phone about being charged when I called. Very unprofessional! read more

Absolutely terrible, terrible haircut. I paid extra for the main stylist, and she spent exactly 5 minutes cutting my hair. It is completely uneven, she cut it MUCH shorter than she said she would, and made it impossible for me to style it in a particular way (which I said was the thing I was most worried about.) She also used a brush on my wet, fried platinum hair-- not sure in what world someone would brush wet bleached hair, but she didn't even do it carefully like from the bottom up, just dragged this brush from roots to ends. This seems like the kind of place where you get a great haircut if you're friends with the stylist and part of their scene. I'm artsy and messy and would've been fine with ANYTHING resembling a thoughtful haircut longer than 5 minutes, but this SUCKS. AVOID. read more

I have been getting my hair cut at Vacancy for over a year and recommend it to everyone I know. Ann is a true queen. I came in with a very suburban bob and wanted to grow my hair out. We are now collaborating together on a Stevie Nicks mermaid-style cut. I do not dry my hair or use product and Ann accommodates that in the styling of my hair. I trust Ann to do what she thinks is best and that I will be happy with it. She also provides a cut that will look good as it grows out. The shop always has good music playing and it's always a treat to go in. read more

I found Vacancy Project via Instagram, and decided to give them a try. I saw Masami. I came in on time with a short bob that I was growing out and some sweet died green balayage I got at my regular salon. Both Masami and the shampoo person complimented me on my color. I sat down in the cold plastic chair and basically grabbed the bottom of my cut leaving out the top layer of the bob and asked for it to be less triangular, less heavy on the bottom. I also offered photo reference, but Masami didn't feel she needed it, so I figured we were all clear. The next 20 minutes were a blur. I spent 5/10 minutes with the shampoo guy who really went to town and nearly crushed my skull drying my head. I have thick, wavy hair, so going in for a sopping wet cut was my first indication of doom. Masami lopped off the sides of my cut, leaving them really short and left a thick mop on top. She tried to leave really long sideburns but I asked those be reduced for balance. There was a 15 minute struggle of wills where I tried to get her to reduce the weight in the back, but that was a no go, and she left really long strands in back. Somewhere in the midst of this her next client came in and she ditched me mid-cut to go talk to her (this was maybe 15-20 minutes into the cut). I sat totally humiliated with a pile of emerald hair clippings in my lap. She came back after her next consult and brusquely told me to state what I wanted. When I tried touching the sides of my head to assess the damage she actually pushed my hand away with her scissors! I was teaching in the area so came back later that day to see her and let her know that the haircut didn't work out, and could she do something. She told me she was with two clients and sent me away saying she'll call in an hour. When I asked if I'd have to pay, or how fixes work she said she didn't know. She predictably didn't call me, so I called the salon, and spoke to the polite shampoo person who said he witnessed the experience and they'll definitely try to set things right and that Masami will call me to discuss the matter. The next thing I got was an e-mail saying that if I wanted a fix I'd have to come back during certain times of day when she was free. I replied saying I don't feel comfortable with Masami fixing my hair, and that I needed a refund. After a back and forth they issued me one. I'm not sure what went wrong here. I'm just reporting what happened, and would warn anyone away from this experience, unless you're a submissive and feel like paying a visit to a crappy art dungeon where they make you overpay for humiliation. read more

I went there they told me I'm late 20mins so I have to book again, that's really okay. But in the end of the month, they fully charged me for $86, this is unacceptable read more

I would follow Masami anywhere! Luckily for me, this time is was right next door. Masami and the team at Vacancy are as charming as the space they work in. The concept is cafe/hair salon, offering delicious Rosemary Ginger Lemonade and other perfect Summer Bevs while you wait for your to set. As for the hair, you just need to scroll through the pics on her Instagram to see her fabulous work. Highly recommend. read more

Please follow the advice given by so many who posted here and do not go to this so-called salon. For starters, they have a 'no refunds' policy on their website which is a red flag in and of itself. They do not follow photo references given, take less than 5 minutes cutting, charge you 100 dollars for snipping two strands of hair and send you out the door with still-wet hair looking downright ridiculous. It strikes me as more of a place to hangout with their friends than an actual functioning customer-focused business. At least that's how they operate. read more

A year ago I got a terrible haircut here, and, thinking it was a weird fluke, went back again 6 months ago to only receive another bad cut. It's a shame because some of my friends get featured on their IG and look amazing, and some of my other friends get such horrible haircuts they have to immediately get recut. My stylists were nice and patient (I didn't go to Masami and I had 2 different stylists) but felt unskilled. My biggest issue with my cuts was that I'm trans-masc and both times they gave me pixie cuts (despite me asking them not to). Obviously this made me very dysphoric & made it impossible to pass for a couple weeks. I have at least 2 friends who are trans girls and faced the same issue after getting their hair cut here. It seems like too much of a gamble to be worth it. read more

i got my haircut here like 9 months ago but i just really processed it now. going to echo what others have written - that they only give good hair cuts to their friends and could give a shit about everyone else. I have really thick knotty crazy frizzy billowy hair and the main hair stylist took like 10 seconds to look at my hair and said my hair only works styled either really short or really long. she gave me a fast pretty ugly pixie cut. thankfully its grown out by now and my hair looks amazing in this apparantly forbidden length. i think she was really rude and had no vision beyond the few very specific styles and textures featured on her instragram, certainly didnt care to try to work with my texture, and treated me with total disregard. im really mad about this because it was just another case of someone telling me that my hair doesnt fit into their beauty standards and has to be sanitized in specific ways. dont care for this cool hair fascism where you have to be skinny with gangly hairs to get their signature mullet-lite haircut. not inclusive not generous not rad. boo read more

JESS IS THE BEST! she did such a good job with my hair. took her time, and was very focused on detail. Love her and will definitely be coming back. read more

Don't make the same mistake I did. Look at the reviews and you will notice a trend. Masami is not interested in cutting hair but building celebrity status. Do not get your haircut here if you want to be treated with respect. This place is a sham in the sense that they are getting coverage as a queer friendly place but if you go there as a queer person they are hostile and rude. I have never been treated with such disrespect as a customer. Masami sat me down in the chair. When I told her what I generally wanted (which was fairly generic, shorter on sides, longer on top) she said she could not do that. Fine, I'm open to artistic input from a stylist. But then she basically did not cut my hair -- I exaggerate not, the haircut lasted less than 10 minutes in her chair, 5 minutes getting my hair washed (so 15 total max). And voila, before I think we have really started, we are done. I'm not sure if she was high, or if there something else going on for her to think I was not worth her time, but it was truly outrageous. I was so stunned I paid the ridiculous $100 price for a non-cut and left! Perhaps I was supposed to feel honored to be deigned with even a few minutes? Got home still reeling to notice she basically gave me some version of her haircut, but really half-assed, there were wisps everywhere, sideburns uneven. When I finally got my hair cut from a professional, she confirmed the hair was a total mess. On top of it all my partner was with me and, apparently, when I went to the bathroom Masami and the other stylists made fun of my request to use the bathroom. What mean people. When I wrote to complain and request a refund, I was told Masami would be willing to recut my hair. But I was treated with such disrespect I did not feel comfortable going back in and being subjected to the horribleness. So I explained as much and asked again for a refund. I was told no refunds. I would understand if she actually cut my hair, or tried to, but she did neither. To expect me now to return adds insult to injury. I'm not a difficult customer, this is a difficult place. read more

Masami is a hair genius. It took me a year after moving to NY from LA to find a new hairstylist but it was worth the wait. Masami is truly brilliant at cutting hair to its natural texture. I never have to blow dry my hair. The cut allows it to dry naturally so it sits with a perfect wave. Plus the Vacancy Project is the perfect mix of Masami's aesthetic and hair styling plus art. It's local coffee shop meets trendy salon meets art gallery. read more

Jess gave me the best hair cut I've had in ages! Such an attention to detail and perfectly captured what I wanted my hair to look like. Such an excellent stylist 10/10 !!! read more

Ann has been cutting my hair for years now and I would not let anyone else touch my hair. She really listens and is able to adapt as my taste or needs change and deliver an amazing cuts. It also helps that she is hilarious and has amazing personal style. read more

Ann is a true bob queen! She's been cutting my hair for years and everytime it looks amazing. People are constantly asking me where I get my haircut and it's thanks to her she also has the coolest style. Everyone that works here is super sweet and chill. It's a no fuss salon so you will be in and out in a flash looking and feeling great. read more

I've always wanted a cool hairstyle and today all my dreams came true thanks to Masami!!! Could not be more happy with the results- she is truly gifted. Worth every penny read more

Ann gave me a wonderful haircut today and an experience in the chair that was gentle, nuanced, and full of expertise. She took my very fine shoulder length hair and turned it into a beautiful pixie cut with texture and movement and simplicity. And I feel like a million bucks. If you're looking to make a big change in your look, Ann will guide you through it. I'm so glad I found her at Vacancy Project today. read more

Super grateful for Ann's brilliance after a lot of bad experiences at other salons. I went in with vague ideas of what I was going for/what I was worried about, and Ann made it all happen with the precision of a surgeon. Will definitely be going back! read more

I haven't felt like someone actually listened to me the way Ann listened to what I wanted last night. I usually go home after a haircut feeling like I've been ruined! Last night, however, I felt so good that I would have paid double for that. I have paid much more for haircuts not even a fraction as good. I love her! Ann is so talented- don't skip out on an opportunity to book her for an appointment. This is my first Yelp review ever just because I am GLOWING about this haircut. read more

Great coffee! You can get your hair cut by amazing hairstylist Masami as well. They have such a welcoming lovely environment at Vacancy that caters to the creative crowd. Love this place!! read more