Imperial Barber Shop

I’ll admit right away that attempting to walk in without an appointment is a gamble. I accept that. However, on this snow-​stormy day, I thought I’d give it a go, guessing there wouldn’t be a big line-​up.
I was right! There wasn’t one customer. Just three employees: one staring at her nails, one standing motionless near the back, and the other staring at me as I struggled to get the stroller, in which my 2.5 year old son sat, through the two doors and narrow entrance way. Not that anyone is obliged to help, I am able to do these things on my own, but to be frank, not a nice first impression.
The man at the front asked if I was a walk-​in, I said yes, asking if that was ok. He didn’t really respond except to turn to his color-​coded computer screen. I made the joke, «Or did I arrive at the time all the appointments are booked for?» with a chuckle. «Yeah, you kinda did,» was the response. The man told me appointments were booked for 2:30, 2:45, and I could come back at 3. It was currently 2:14pm. I wondered, would all three employees be attending each customer? Would just one be at 2:30? If so, wouldn’t that leave the other to help me until 2:45? Or, if only one of the employees were the actual barber, and they have spaced the appointments out 15 minutes apart, wouldn’t that leave time for my haircut? I am a man of simple tastes, after all. A little off the top, short sides, trim the burns, that’s all.
On almost any other day, the prospect of coming back at 3 would be just fine. However, I had my son with me, it was sideways-​snowing out there, and just like the 3 people staring at me, I had a relatively packed schedule for the day. I couldn’t return today. So, I declined.
Why the 1 star then? This is simply a matter of off-​timing, one might suggest. However, I am the General Manager of a restaurant in the Glebe. A responsible manager takes the business when it comes, even if it puts a scrinch more pressure on the staff. I would have thought that, even if they were pressed for time, someone would have jumped for the business when there was none, not just for the fee, but for the tip as well. Surely an extra $ 5 (my standard haircut tip) would have been appreciated on such a slow day. Also, it’s a tad worrisome that not one of the 3 felt they could accomodate my bland men’s haircut in 16 minutes time. Do they not have confidence they can provide a good haircut in that time? It showed a level laziness that I worry would have been applied to my coiffe. Would any of my wishes be acknowledged? Moreover, if they weren’t expected to take on so much business, and just stick to the 15 minute appointments, then why is the place so over staffed?
I can’t help but believe that the manager wasn’t actually there. This is a community business, and being turned away because the staff would rather be bored for 16 extra minutes than earn the respect and repeat business of new customers, who can bring more customers, would seem like an issue unlikely to arise. However, I stand long-​haired and mistaken.
As a result, from the moment I left the shop and continuing in perpetuity, I will be sure to tell my opinion to anyone at any time I feel is relevant, which has happened already twice since I left the shop, less than two hours ago. I see and speak to a lot of people in the community that Imperial and my business share. I worry reputation is as fickle as our relationship has been.

Was in town and son needed a haircut. We were in the neighbourhood and decided to give it a try.
The store has a very strict policy of attending to you only on the time that is booked even if you are a walk in. Which can be a bit annoying.
The place was clean and the haircut was good. The place did not have a spot where they wash your hair after (or before) — which I missed.
A hot towel is passed after which is a nice touch. The price is bit in the high for the place.

I am a local and I have been wanting to be a regular at this place for years. However bad experiences have always made me forego this place for other barbers. Due to the easy of being able to make an appointment I recently decided to give them a chance. When I went for the appointment the barber informed me that he could give me a haircut but wouldn’t be able to do a beard trim (?). So he went ahead and gave me a great haircut and then I waited for another barber for the beard trim… and waited… and waited… and waited. As I had already paid I gave up and walked out after a half hour of waiting. So much for the ease of time saving by making an appointment.
I really really want to like this place. Staff is very friendly and I like being able to make an appointment. There are much cheaper, and better, barbers in the neighbourhood but unfortunately you have to wait a long time to get into them. I hesitate to post a bad review like this on Unilocal but this is not my first bad experience here and they do not have a way of contacting their head office on line. I do not believe that they live up to their customer service slogan. I have learned my lesson. Sorry Imperial Barbers… I really tried.

I moved to Ottawa in 2012 and after a few weeks needed to get what little hair I have left cut. Imperial Barber Shop was recommended to me by a work colleague. At the time, the Bank Street shop was the closest to my temporary residence.
I booked online (which totally rocks) and was served by the nicest barber ever, Alana. Since then, I have moved to the West End (Kanata) but still drive the 23 km to get my hair cut at Imperial Barber Shop in the Glebe. That’s how much I like the service and the vibe of the place.
Staff are very nice and professional and the place has a vintage feel due to the way it’s set up and the old school barber chairs. They also sell all sorts of hair and beard care products that you don’t find everywhere. You can also take a stroll in the Glebe, which has a very nice neighbourhood vibe. parking on Bank Street is metered at $ 2/​hour.
I highly recommend. Oh and they are now open on Sundays too.

The retro vibe of their signage piqued my interest to investigate further.
The display of safety razors, brushes, blades as well as soaps and creams roped me in. Try finding a safety razor in Ottawa — I guarantee it’s not an easy find. After a recent wet shave, I liked the idea of bringing a little of the barbershop scents home with me.
This review is strictly based on the actual products they had for sale.
Forgive me if I sound sexist, but I did not feel comfortable with the idea of a young twenty-​something putting a straight razor to my neck.
I have been feeling particularly nostalgic the last five years of so, embracing some of the old school things my father and grandfather did, that have largely disappeared over the years.
If you are an average dude, I would put heavy odds on you getting your shaving cream from a can. This blue sludge does nothing for your face other than give it the scent of a hospital.
The Imperial Barber Shop sells a variety of modern looking shave creams and soaps (that goes into a shave mug), that I hope would nourish my face and leave me smelling at my manly best.
I didn’t feel adventurous enough to try something new, so I bought some tonic that I really enjoyed from another barbershop visit.
I also purchased some astrigent, as I also enjoy the tingly squeaky clean feeling after getting my head shaved.
They sell a lot of things I can see myself coming back for (after doing some price comparisons) such as:
* safety razors, including Merkur
* safety razors
* shaving cream mugs
* shaving creams and soaps
* talc
* tonic
This barbershop has a great location in the glebe at Bank & Fifth. I definitely see myself visiting before a REDBLACKS game in the near future.