Spargo – A Place For Men

Last week, my husband went in for a haircut by Darlene that simply looked unskilled. After starting the cut, the stylist apologized because she said she needed new shears but couldn’t afford them. His hair is uneven and has obvious lines throughout even after doing in for a «fix» that left him in worse shape than he started.
The owner, Cynthia, was very nice and apologetic, though, hence the extra star for good customer service after the fact.

I was so happy to hear that Spargo is opening up its services to women! I went there for their lady’s night/​soft opening for a blowout. The front desk staff were extremely friendly and accommodating. I saw Samara and she was amazing! Before my wash, we chatted briefly about how I like my hair styled and what look I wanted. She did a blow out with loose curls, and it looked great. I would definitely go back for a cut and another blow out especially since it’s conveniently located for those ladies who work in FiDi/​SOMA

After hearing so many good things about this place, I was ecstatic when they announced they are now offering their services to women. I went to their ladies’ soft opening last night and it was excellent. Melissa did my blowout and not only did she make my hair look amazing, but she was super friendly and easy to talk to. She also gave me some really good styling tips.
This place deserves bonus points for the cool atmosphere and friendly vibe. My experience overall was very relaxing yet fun. They offered me wine as soon as I walked in, and the owner, Cynthia, came over to chat and see how I was doing. I really appreciated the top notch service and will definitely be recommending this place to my friends!

Do NOT go here. I was extremely excited when I found out they would be offering services for women, especially since I get a blowout almost once a week. But that excitement went away as soon as I met the owner.
My appointment was at 7:00 pm PST, my friend had an appointment at the same time and was offered champagne and seated for her blowout right away. I was told they would let me know when my stylist was ready. 20 minutes later I asked how long the blowout would take being that I do not live in San Francisco and had to commute home. Right away the owner was extremely rude! She said my stylist was running behind (totally understand being it was a soft open) and that it could be another 30 minutes. I expressed to the owner I would’ve liked if hey told me that when I checked in over 20 minutes ago. Her response was an eye roll and «well this is a free service». I could not believe it. I told her that I was obviously frustrating her with my frustration of the situation and then she became visibly angry! She basically told me that the service was free and I needed to wait 30 minutes. Again in shock, I told her how unhappy I was and she followed with «I guess I can comp you for another visit.» Really? After the awful service you just have me? She then proceeded to talk to my friend, being overly friendly and asking her all kinds of questions. She was clearly trying to see where we work, because her business could use the referrals. Needless to say I will make sure no one I know goes there!!! The main reason to go get a blowout is to relax and treat yourself, NOT be treated like you don’t matter. It’s as if she does not know how to run a business or treat her potential clientele. I thought the point of a soft open was to make people want to be a customer and spread the word?
The employees were nice and seemed to not like her very much, for obvious reasons.
Do NOT go here. Head over to Dry bar, get the app style bee, go to any other salon! Just do NOT go here. You will not feel important or like you are getting pampered, which is he whole reason for going.
Do NOT go here.
*in response to Cynthia:
Yes, Samara was amazing. I want to make it clear, I am not upset about the timing but the lack of customer service. Of course things happen and people run late. It was the response from you that made me upset. Samara was a pleasure, and apologetic.

I had a great experience at Spargo! Darlene was very welcoming, knowledgeable and professional and friendly. I got a great haircut and manicure. The salon is spacious and clean with lots of amenities and in a great location right downtown. The beer on the way in is a nice touch and the price was right.

Karinna is the best barber in SF!
It took me years to find a barber who could do a good job with my hair and Karinna is it! Very skilled, listens to what you want and fun to chat with. I get a great cut every time.

4.5 Cool space and Nadia was really fun to talk to and was very thorough.
— .25 because the hair washing station wasn’t very comfy on my neck.
— .25 because the Heineken out of the mini keg in the fridge thing was pretty foamy and all around gross… and that’s coming from a beer drinker of all types.
Up your comfiness and get better alcohol and you will get a 5. My $ 50 haircut looks freakin awesome though

Recently, Karina Sulca started offering straight-​razor shaves with the option to add a facial. I decided to treat myself to this service recently, and it was fantastic. I highly recommend it. The experience was luxurious and relaxing. Karina is professional, accomplished, and a great conversationalist. I can’t wait to go back.

I got a horrible haircut.
They just let me leave that way.
They called the next day, after I had to find someone else to try to fix it, to ‘check on how I was doing’.
They told me the owner recommends anyone, regardless of their experience or ability to handle the task. I specifically asked for someone with experience with my type of hair and what I needed … Instead I got a nice young person who was not qualified or experienced.
I don’t blame her, I blame the management … Avoid this place unless you KNOW who you are seeing. If you have a choice go elsewhere, their «management» style is «get your money» because your hair will grow out or back eventually …

This place is worth every penny — they are very articulate and very customer-​oriented. Lucy is amazing, the best I’ve ever had. You really can’t go wrong here and while living in SF I met many people that also went here very happily.

15 minute wait for a hair cut? No thanks. Every minute freaking counts in this town. Terrible management

First time to Spargo. Easy location in downtown. People were friendly and I liked the décor. Darlene did a great job on my hair which was confirmed by my wife! Nice job! I will use them again.

They did an okay job with my hair and beard.

Samara gives a terrific haircut and couldn’t be a more pleasant person to spend 45 minutes with. I think she can read people pretty well and adapt accordingly. I have been to many places, cheaper and more expensive than this, and Spargo is an excellent value for money — a vastly better haircut than the cheap joints, and basically as good as many places that cost a lot more. The shop is well-​appointed and convenient; gets you in and out on time. Recommended.

I started going to spargo because I had found a very similar place in New York that offers the «salon for men» experience. My hair isn’t super hard to cut but it isn’t easy either and I can’t go to a traditional barber.
After a good initial cut with Lizzie, cut number two was pretty bad and got long so quickly and unevenly that I needed to go back much earlier than I would prefer. Three weeks isn’t long between $ 50 hair cuts.
After a challenging process to schedule the third cut (Lizzie wasn’t available for several days), we got 3:45pm on the calendar for Thursday. When I arrived, I was told that they didn’t put me down right so I would have to come back at 7 or use a different stylist — not what I was looking for. The woman behind the desk was rude, acted as though this happens frequently and generally tried to blame others rather than take responsibility for what had happened.
The business is a great idea but very poorly executed and it’s time to move on. They should look up fleischmanns in New York for an example of how to do it right.

So it’s been 5 or 6 years since I visited Spargo first time. Yes, I don’t have much time and my haircut is simple and yes, they charging more than Supercut but this is the only place that able to deliver constantly regardless of hairstylist or me being late or forgetting at all about my appointments. So if you need professional haircut (that honestly can score you extra point or two at interview) –Spargo is the place to go

I’ve been getting my haircuts at Spargo for over four years now and am a loyal client of Lucia. She is very pleasant, listens to her clients, and always offers you a hot towel for your face when she’s washing your hair and a glass of wine while she’s cutting it.
Let’s be real for a moment: My slowly receding hairline is giving Lucia less to work with each year. But it’s a credit to her talent that she makes me look and feel good. Also, sometimes I’m more chatty while other times I’m more quiet, and Lucia is great at sensing how much conversation is *just right* for my mindset that day, while a lesser stylist might just talk your ear off when you are looking for a zen moment to relax. Regardless of how much conversation we have that day, Lucia always leaves me with a great haircut.
I’ve also received manicures (free on your birthday) and been very satisfied with that service. I haven’t tried the massage or waxing or other services, but everything else has been consistently above average. The receptionists are friendly and the place itself is spacious and clean. If you’re looking for a good (read: not barber shop) hair style in the Financial District, I doubt you’ll find better than Lucia at Spargo.

Samara must have done something right eight years ago when she cut my hair while doing my summer internship in SF. Since then I have never been anywhere else even though I work outside the city. Not only is Samara a great stylist, but she’s a wonderful listener. At times, I wish my hair grew faster!
As a wise person once said, «I wish I were taller and thinner but the hair Samara can do something about»

Toto, this ain’t Supercuts! (And it’s not Kansas either, it’s downtown SF and everything costs more here.)
Spargo rocks… totally personalized service that is always on top of its game. I’ve been coming here for maybe a year or year-​and-​a-​half… and never had a bad haircut, never had to wait, and was always in and out as fast as I wanted to be.
Spargo is one of those «you get what you pay for» places… yes, you will pay more, but yes, you will get so much more than your run-​of-​the-​mill cut place.

I’m always searching for a place that can cut my hair the way I ask, and this place unfortunately did not fulfill that for me.
Located in the financial district, this is a place clearly marketed towards professionals working in the area. The receptionists are cordial when approached, but seemed a bit more engaged in their own conversation. My stylist was surprisingly prompt; no sooner then I sat down was I was being ushered into the back.
We quickly consulted about how I would like my hair cut. As the last person who took scissors to my hair completely screwed it up, I had quite a bit of length from having to grow my hair out. I made it clear that while I definitely wanted a shorter look, I wanted to maintain the length as I like running my fingers through my hair.
Service includes a hair washing, scalp massage, and a hot steam towel for your face prior to your cut. All very relaxing, and the process only takes about 5 – 10 minutes.
The stylist was engaging and pleasant, but the conversation quickly turned into her telling me a myriad of random horror stories about her roommate. What at first seemed as an isolated incident at the receptionist area, I realized that most employees here are more concerned with conversation/​gossip than the job they were hired for.
And it showed, on my head. I expected my stylist to only take of an inch or two off still leaving some length, as we discussed. But as she became more engrossed with telling me about her alcoholic, food-​stealing roommate, she seemed to have (unconsciously?) blanked on what I wanted done halfway through and reverted back to what I’m assuming most of her clients ask for. The result was a hybrid mutation between what we talked about and a «businessman’s cut.» I have wildly various hair lengths on various parts of my head. For me, it looks terrible, and does not fit the shape of my head.
I’m now giving serious contemplation to heading to the barber down the street from my place so they can buzz it off so I don’t have to continue looking at it. And the search will have to continue for me to find someone that can cut hair once I’m again forced to grow it out because I hate not having hair.
If your wardrobe consists mainly of suits, you work in an office, or perhaps a masochist, this place will suit your needs. If you want your hair *styled* and not *cut*, look elsewhere. I will not be returning.

Outstanding in every respect. All their services are top notch at a good price point. The staff is superb and location is easy for everyone downtown.