Grooming Lounge in Washington, DC, DC (2025)

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Sergey K.

I go here for my haircuts and have never had a bad experience. All of the stylists I have had have been at least above average. If you are trying to save a little, get a «six-​pack» (it is the same price, but tip is included). They are a bit pushy with selling you cosmetics, but do take «no» for an answer.

Alex Q.

If you’re OK with paying upwards of 40 dollars just for a beard trim, I guess you could do worse than the grooming lounge. The service is quite pleasant when you arrive, with an offer of a (non alcoholic) beverage to accompany your trim.
The results were solid, but nothing I couldn’t have gotten elsewhere for a fraction of the price. Also worth noting is that you cannot book online for an appointment, and they are very specific about when you can show up. It pays to call ahead.
Honestly, I don’t know what the point is? It’s expensive, and offers slightly better than average cuts. For those prices you’d think they’d at least offer you a bourbon instead of a water.

Daniel J.

My first experience with a beard trim at a salon and I was amazed at how cool it turned out. So surprised that despite my time restrictions, I had my hair cut also and left feeling like a new man… My stylist Katima was amazing, I told what I didn’t like and she went straight to work creating what she thought I would like. She was right on point… The whole service was an awesome experience and I would highly recommend using them for any beard or hairstyles…

Steve S.

Nice people, efficient service, high-​end products. I was looking for a good barber in my work neighborhood near Dupont Circle and these folks came recommended. Yes, they are a little pricey, but they give great customer service and good men’s haircuts as well.

Tristan b.

Can’t say enough wonderful things about this place. My wife gets me gift cards every year for my birthday and each time I go, they never fail to impress me with great service, great staff and awesome products.

Joseph M.

Terrible customer service. It’s not a big deal to me if I’m not greeted when I walk into an establishment. But it is interesting to note that every customer that entered after me was greeted with a hello and a smile. I’ll just order my products online and avoid this place in the future.

Steve S.

Awesome haircut by Lauren. Tried on a whim months ago and haven’t gone to anyone else since. She works with me to try new looks and is friendly from start to finish every time.
I highly recommend Lauren and the Grooming Lounge.

Alan K.

I come here for my haircut every two weeks. I do not trust my hair with anyone other than Gregory Adessa, Master Grooming Expert at the Grooming Lounge.

Robert C.

My first time here. I just moved to the Washington, DC area and needed to find a good salon. I got a great haircut by Julio! The customer service was excellent and I like the modern, men’s club vibe.

Scott W.

Best I’ve looked and felt in a long time (this coming from a guy who has serious issues). Great haircut even though I’m going bald. Get your ears waxed. A little embarrassing but the end result is awesome. Also got a new razor and a few tips on how to stave off razor burn and have to say its much better. Full props to these guys. I’m a fan.

Andy P.

Grooming Lounge is the best place in town for a shave — head or beard! The hot towels, lather and skill of their barbers make for a great experience. I’ve also been there for massages and shoe shines. All first rate.
The products they offer are awesome too. The GL branded lotions and shave stuff works really well.
I’ve been very happy with the place. Always terrific service too.

David S.

First experience was mediocre so I thought I would give it a second chance. Walked in to second appointment that I scheduled online and received confirmation. Was told stylist had family emergency this morning and they made no attempt to reschedule. Claimed they emailed and phoned but no record of it shown and none in my system. They then asked me to wait for 15 min, only to tell me they couldn’t honor my appt and had no recommendations for other salons. Don’t assume your appointment is confirmed despite an email and phone call from them saying it was. I suspect someone there is covering their a$& but the manager was unhelpful as well. I won’t be back

David W.

An epic fail. Be prepared for potentially the worst haircut of your life because some groomers don’t listen.
1. You ask to leave body on the sides with a slight taper and to trim the ends on the top. Now you look like a Marine who can see his scalp. You can get that at SuperCuts. You tell the groomer the left side was too short and she kept cutting. You would have gotten up and left but she hadn’t finished the right side of your head.
2. The groomer does sense you are unhappy and says, I will go speak to my manager. In the interim, you are still asked to pay $ 65 for the WORST HAIRCUT OF YOUR LIFE. So you do.
3. Manager comes out and offers you half off when you have already been charged for a haircut you hate. Half off? Please stop the insults. People who know anything about customer service don’t ask unsatisfied customers to pay.
YOU WON’T BE BACK.

D K.

Sorry, but $ 55 for a «triple blade shave» is simply unacceptable. I was surprised and disappointed that the GL does not offer a proper wet shave, i.e. a straight or safety razor shave. Rather, they do what any man should more than adequately be able to do himself — they slather some hot foam on you, shave you with a Mach 3, and charge a whopping $ 55. It’s a sad state of affairs when a man cannot get a proper wet shave in a so-​called high end barber shop.
When I went to the store today to book a shave the receptionist told me that they do not offer straight or safety razor shaves because a Mach 3 provides a closer shave. What a surprise — GL is completely ill-​informed about men’s grooming.
Every man reading this review should do himself a favor — read up on safety razors and it’s method of beard reduction that, unlike cartridge razors, will get you baby smooth skin, less to no irritation or ingrown hairs (cartridges pull rather than slice whiskers), and actually make shaving a joy to perform.

Maria L.

I’ve never used their barbers, but I’ve purchased gifts from the Grooming Lounge for my boyfriend multiple times. The price tag might seem steep, but you get what you pay for. Service is excellent and the staff is always friendly (and I love the jar of mints!)

Brian m.

I’ve been going there since the month they opened. My haircuts are always really good and I like the place and the people.
My time is valuable, as is everyone’s. My last 4 appointments have started very late. One so late that I left. My appointment today started 15 minutes late. I’m sure I can find another place that respects my time and I intend to. It’s a shame, because I believe I’m one of their oldest clients and I really like the haircut I get. I just can’t take the poor management and lack of respect for my time anymore.

David W.

Completely inflexible.
I’ve been wanting to try this shop for awhile. After many years of Hair Cuttery’s and the like, I wanted to experience what a more seasoned shop like this had to offer.
I’d been sick for days but once I started to feel better I called up the Grooming Lounge to get an appnt. They had one open at Noon — approx 35mins from when I was calling. I explained I’d probably be a little late but the lady assured me I should come anyway.
I quickly got dressed and headed to my car. But because it’d snowed the day before, it was buried beneath 5ins of snow. After shoveling like mad I quickly raced to the shop. But because it’s «downtown» there’s no where to park. Especially when the weather was this bad. So after paying $ 15 to a parking attendant I raced over on foot to the shop only I couldn’t find it. I was walking around L & 18^th for about 5 mins before I finally called and got directions.
All in all I walked in about 15mins late. But considering this was an upscale shop, I’d ran 3 blocks, dug my car out of the snow, paid for parking, and felt like crap — I was still optimistic. That lasted for about 5mins.
The attendant informed me that because I was late we’d have to skip the hot towel and the massage. All she’d have time to perform was a simple clean up (not a haircut, a cleanup) — for full price ($ 55) of course. I was mortified. I’d done all that to get there and it was such a let down. A total lack of empathy on the part of the attendant.
Say what you will about the experience or expertise of places like Hair Cuttery, but they’d never turn a client away like that. Maybe I’ll try again in another 6mos. when the bad taste has left me but for now it seems I value availability & empathy over experience & «style».

Joseph R.

I’ve been a loyal customer of the Grooming Lounge for years. However, the scheduling structure/​front desk organization has become less reliable and less efficient. Schedules are modified, hold times are long (staff forgets that they put you on hold), and solutions to scheduling conflicts are not identified. It’s unfortunate; in the past scheduling was seamless and scheduling was efficient. It was once a pleasure to call to schedule an appointment, but it has become a burden.

Chris S.

Great place for haircut, manicure, facials. They have a separate room in back for manicures and pedicures so men don’t feel so girlish about getting them done. All the staff are nice but appointments tend to start late, sometimes 15 or 20 minutes after the reservation time.

Gordon B.

Great!

Jeff R.

Mike (Doc) has been cutting my hair for a few years. Carmen cut my hair for a couple of years before she left, and before Carmen, Angela cut my hair. Mike gives an excellent cut, and is extremely consistent. He washes my hair before and after the cut, and always remembers my preferences. I’ve been to a lot of DC salons over the years, and this is by far the best experience. Is it perfect? No, but it’s close enough.
Some tips and info…
1. Stylists aren’t mind-​readers. If you get a crappy cut at a place like this, it’s most likely your own fault. You have to tell them what you want.
2. Pay attention during the cut. If they are doing something you don’t like, or if you’re worried they might remove something you want to keep (like your precious sideburns), then speak up!
3. The senior stylists charge more. Less experienced stylists charge less.
Complaints… they charge full retail for cologne. Buy your John Varvatos online, not here.

Adam F.

While it’s been a bit of time since I’ve used their barbers, I’m a loyal customer of the Grooming Lounge for their superior men’s products, advice, knowledge and general humor.
While at first glance the price tag might seem steep, you get what you pay for.
Using cheap shampoo, shaving cream or after shave? Expect cheap results.
Using high quality products from the GL? Expect rock-​solid results.
You deserve better, you deserve the Grooming Lounge.

Wilther M.

This is really for the spoiled prudes who want/​need to feel important. I’ll admit, I felt pretty baller lounging around, drinking scotch and enjoying the eye candy — their staff are all very attractice.
BUT this place is overrated. I had two people recommend it to me and I was not impressed at all.
For the record, MATT CHIANG is not the man. I question Drew C.‘s credibility for his review — I’m sure he must be his buddy or something. He gave me a mediocre cut and lied to me when I asked him if he could give me a shape up with a straight-​blade razor. His reply, «Oh, we don’t do that in D.C. because straight-​blade razors are illegal.» Wait… WHAT?! I found out later that he gave me BS since their are plenty of barbershops that do use them. I don’t know if he was just ignorant or his inaccurate statement was intentional.
$ 60 for a haircut? Screw that. I refuse to be a sucker and step back in this pretentious establishment.