Xochitl Barber Shop

What’s a classic Manhattan cut without a little East Harlem flair? Xochitl Barber Shop remains a local staple for straightforward, old-school fades and line-ups between Second and Pleasant Avenues. A quick walk from the 96th Street subway exit lands you at 2249 2nd Ave, a straightforward storefront that’s kept faces sharp since long before lofts started popping up overhead. Good for kids still applies—parents know the name means reliable trims week after week.

From the first clipper buzz to the final razor pass, the shop sticks to essentials: sharp fades, clean necklines, and kid-sized scissor work without fanfare. Eyebrow trims sit alongside the usual clipper combos, and occasional straight-razor touch-ups return customers back to the street with a lighter step. No gimmicks, just scissors, clippers, and the hum of the neighborhood rolling by.

Have the clippers ready? Call 212-427-2288 for a seat; the map is ready when you are. A short stroll south from the elevated tracks cuts the wait time down. Directions to Xochitl Barber Shop are a couple of blocks south of 96th Street—hard to miss once you’re on the right block.