Axe and Hatchet

Love this place! Super talented and friendly staff. Beautiful, clean space. What more can you ask for.

Overall, not the greatest experience, and I am happy to explain why with several examples.

1) I had booked an appointment with Mike for a military mug i.e $30.00 for a buzz and wash however, I was charged for a Men's cut i.e $45.00. Mike had apologized for not reading the request properly (okay fair)... but then proceeded to charge me for the $45.00 - not great customer service + my haircut was a buzz, Mike just took a bit off the top and considered that a Men's cut.

2) Even though I was charged for a men's cut, I was not provided with the full service i.e., scalp massage, hot towel, cuts & style (there was no style I got any hair buzzed with a bit off the top). While reading this, you are probably wondering, well why didn't you ask for the scalp massage + hot towel? Well, 1) I was already at the register paying and 2) after you see point 3 below, I just wanted to get the hell out of there, I felt neglected enough.

3) The whole time while I was getting my haircut, Mike kept leaving e.g., he would go to the front of the store to talk to someone, to the cashier to talk to her, to the back room to change his comb twice, and finally, outside to look around. Either Mike was waiting for someone, or has a serious case of ADHD.

4) After all that, I was told I could come back in two weeks time for a "Touch Up" FYI to all fellow Yelpers, a "Touch Up" in Axe & Hatchet language is around your ears and that's it. Essentially, a waste of time.

5) 1.5 weeks later, my hair grew back fast and uneven.

For a $60.00 haircut in Yorkville, I'd expect much better.

I ended up settling on this salon after coming across one of their social media posts that outlined what measures they had adopted and because the location was closer to where I live when compared to other hair salons.

I ended up making an appointment with Dante, a senior stylist who also happened to be the owner of the salon (as advertised on their website). He charges more than the other stylists, but I don't have a problem paying for quality and service from an experienced stylist.

I arrived early and immediately noticed upon entering that there were only 3 people inside (a receptionist, a stylist and another client). Moreover, the receptionist was NOT wearing a mask. He only put it on the moment he noticed me entering the premises. We now know that this novel virus is airborne and particles can linger in the air for quiet some time, making it highly transmissible in indoor settings. Add to the fact that this hair salon location in particular is small and had their doors closed, thats already a red flag.

In any event, the individual greeted me and confirmed my appointment. Turns out he was Dante, the salon owner. Thats another red flag considering the owner himself is not practicing the proper health measures his own salon had supposedly introduced. When I questioned him about why his mask was off he responded that he takes it off when he's talking on the phone. Notwithstanding the fact that this in and of itself is not a legitimate excuse for taking off a mask, talking is the reason we're supposed to wear a mask in the first place! On top of that, I do not recall seeing him talking on the phone before entering the salon. He was simply sitting down using a computer. So it seems he was being dishonest: Another red flag.

He then motioned to me to sit down at his station for the haircut. This was the third red flag: his station was immediately besides another active one where, as I previously mentioned, another patron was getting a haircut. There wasn't even 2 feet in physical distance between these stations. So much for bragging on your social media platforms that you are practicing physical distancing!

Anyways, when I exclaimed that I did not feel comfortable sitting that close to another client and that Id rather we use another station (recall the salon was entirely empty besides these 3 people already there), he motioned to another station at the back. As I began walking there he says to me "you know buddy if you don't feel comfortable getting a haircut here than thats ok you dont have to." I dont know about you, but I interpreted that as "youre not welcome here." I immediately turned around and said "have a nice day" and walked out. Unprofessional and rude behaviour. Definitely wont be frequenting any of these Axe & Hatchet salon branches again. Bad first impression!

Only reason I didnt give it one star is the salon seemed visibly clean and organized, with good lighting and overall nice decor.

If you're Dante and you're reading this, here's my message to you: You're the owner and you're supposed to lead by example. On top of that you're charging more than the rest of the stylists working for you and you cant even extend me the courtesy of making me, a first time client, feel comfortable in your own establishment in the middle of a deadly pandemic. I ended up getting a solid haircut and fade at another salon that actually cares about its clients, and for half the price! Cheers.

Just had my first professional haircut in 8 months and I was very impressed! Russel was my barber and he did a great job. His touch was firm yet gentle, and he was friendly and instructive. I'll gladly return ... hopefully sooner!

This place is great.....all you ever wanted in a barber salon and more. From the owner (Dante) right down the line the staff are all amazing. The haircuts 2nd to none.

Haircut. Shave. Beard Grooming- whatever you want- they will do you up proper.

All the others are fighting for 2nd place as long as Axe and Hatchet are around.

I started to get my haircut here a few months ago. The haircut itself is always good and Maxine always does a good job.

However, the atmosphere is extremely uncomfortable. Loud music and the staff are very unprofessional. I was there today and the staff along with a customer began swearing and saying homophobic things to eachother. Not to mention the stylist with the chair facing the hair washing station used the "F" to describe gay people. As a gay man I was extremely uncomfortable and I couldnt wait to get out of there. All I could think of was: "If the staff knew I was gay...am I safe? Was I going to be attacked in some way?"

With its Yorkville location and with Toronto having a large LGBTQ2 community this language is completely inappropriate and it's only a matter of time this business will find itself needing to hire a lawyer to defend against an Ontario Human Rights Act complaint.

I will not be returning and I intend to tell everyone I know about my experience.

Great barbershop. Strongly recommend. The owner, Dante, opened up 45 minutes early for me so I could get cleaned up prior to catching an early afternoon flight home for Christmas. I live in LA, not in Toronto but I really wish this shop was in LA because it's solid. High quality products for sale. Very reasonable prices for haircuts, fades and beard trims. The shop's credit card machine was offline when checking out, I came back about thirty minutes later to give Dante time to fix the issue and it still wouldn't work. He told me it was an inconvenience for me and the beard trim and hair clean up was on him. I even had tried to purchase a puck of product originally and he gave that to me as well for free. Class act. Check this shop out! In a great location in Toronto. Two really hot female barbers work here too, which is always a plus :)

Dante, the owner of Axe & Hatchet has been my go to guy for the last year or so when my hair needed a cut, and now he just opened his own Salon and barber shop in the heart of Yorkville!

His new place is amazing, great decor and atmosphere, and great colleagues too.

For anyone who needs a professional and hip hair dresser or barber in Toronto, Dante and his crew are absolutely recomendable!

Looking forward to go back.

Thumbs up for a scotch, shave and a great haircut

Couldn't ask for a better haircut. Just walked in and waited for 10min with a scotch.

This is my fourth visit to this establishment and can't keep it a secret any longer. The service is always consistent when you walk in your greeted by Celine the perfect hostess offering you , water, pop, espresso or something a little stronger like scotch. My barber Urban is a man of perfection and detail. Never felt hurried or in a rush, perfect razor beard trim and always with a smile. The rest of the staff are always happy and you can tell the clients are too. I can say this culture starts from the owner Dante who is service oriented and always has time to say hello to every client. Highly recommend this place. Ax & Hatchet Grooming Club