Matador Alcove

Without a doubt, the worst haircut I’ve ever had. I was in Orange County today and thought hey, might as well get a hair cut while I’m down here… used Unilocal for highest rated men’s hairstylist and out pops Matador Alcove. (I should’ve went with my instinct, 18 reviews probably means the place recently opened and most of the reviews were from friends of the business owner to increase the rating.) instead, I went on and tried it out…
BTW, don’t misunderstand this review. It’s solely due to the extreme disappointment of skill displayed by their «stylist».
walked in and was greeted very courteously and professionally by (I’m guessing the owner… hence the 1 star). offering beverage was also a nice touch. The interior of the establishment was a men’s club throwback which was very nice.
then the butchery began. sat down with the lady cutting my hair, she asked (as normally stylists would do) on what we’re doing with my hair today… which I’m pretty sure is extremely simple (a zero fade to 1, no cut on top, no need to chop/​use special skills or complicate the process). SUPER SIMPLE; which is why I can’t fathom how this happened?
She was obviously rushing through the hair cut… I requested to clean up the hair line which due to the length of my hair on top, required a straight line (which is what I had walking in.) and she advised that the razor guy wasn’t in and she would have to do it with a clipper, which I’m cool with. after my hair wash, I sat back down and noticed that the fade on the side of my hair was ridiculously crooked. If I didn’t point it out, she would’ve had me walking out the door looking like I got my haircut from a 5 year old. she «fixed» it… sorta. then cleaned up my hair line… and that’s when I felt it, she rushed through the hair line and completely ruined it. I was livid but didn’t want to flip out on anyone so I just paid and left. BTW $ 50 for a 21minute hack-​job hair cut. I could’ve gone to supercuts and they would’ve shown better judgment and more reasonable pricing. (does your stylists also hold medical degrees to justify for this?) I went to a hair stylist and expected to pay higher for the SKILL. This place didn’t have it. yeah, it’s a cool looking interior… owner/​proprietor was very nice and professional, but holy cow train your stylists… or if nothing else, ensure that your stylists have the capacity and skill to justify paying $ 50 for a hair cut. This experience was simply offensive. I usually get my hair cuts at salons and am used to the inflated pricing, but from the haircut at matador today… I would’ve been better off @ a $ 15 barber cut.
Thanks Matador, you ruined my hair which took me 1.5 years to grow. but hey, your interior looks cool.

Actually haircuts are a minor byproduct of this place. It’s a Man Cave, or more appropriately a Men Cave. This is where Men go so they can be fully men. No pretending, no femininity, no overly curt niceties. Not a bar. Not a tavern. But this is where Men go to enjoy old upon old Whiskey and smoke Cubans. Without a whiff or look of female disapproval. If you are a man, get a haircut here. They do a great job and the stylist (from a man talking) are pretty !#$& hot!

Haircuts with perfection, great vibe. David Zimmerman is an excellent host making sure glasses are filled and members are happy. I highly recommend the membership they offer! Look into it!

This place is second to none. The best place man can get his haircut. Certainly a place if excellence. They are the best at what they do. Worth every penny.

I want a girls version of this place. A few of my guy friends have been going here for some time now. They always talk about how cool it is and plan their little cut sessions on the same afternoon, so they can watch tv, have a drink, chat and hang while the other is getting a trim. Finally, I begged them to take me and although girls aren’t encouraged, the place was welcoming and let me peek into the little slice of man cave heaven. The owner was so nice and said I could come hang out whenever but my guy friends quickly said this was their hideout, not mine. Dumb boys

My husband has gotten LOTS of haircuts at Matador. He just came home with the best haircut he’s ever gotten by the new stylist Jessica. Seriously, this girl is amazing! He loves the feel of the club and I love him looking so good. We are both devotees and from what I heard the price went down from last year. Even better!

Found this place in Unilocal when I was in desperate need of a haircut and a beard trim. I was starting to look homeless and I walked in here. For starters it looks like it would be a bar or something on the outside. Inside is way better, super clean and comfortable. Hair cut is pricy compared to some other places around, but you defiantly get a ton more out of it. Hair wash before and a rinse after, and Jill the barber took her time. They have TVs going and I must of been offered beers coffee and water at least three or four times. Great staff and place, don’t let the outside fool you. Still gave it five stars but it is a little expensive for a guy who came in looking like a homeless person.

There’s nothing worst than a shitty haircut. I’m not going to super cuts, I’m a grown man and I give a shit about how I look. I moved from Santa Barbara a couple years ago and got mine chopped by the same lady for 6 years. I’m loyal. I seriously thought I would have to plan SB trips around haircuts. I felt bad coming in here at first but they make the transition easy.
Really cool layout. Practically a full bar with TVs and a nice lounge area. I would stop here for a drink if I felt like I had the option haha. Everyone there is super cool. Jokes, drinks, and just able to feel comfortable.
They don’t just electric razor you and fuck your sideburns up. It’s all carefully executed and professional. They are dedicated to their craft and you can tell! It’s a bit pricier then your usual place maybe but I’m willing to pay for good results. Check it out!

Just go

So I was really, really tired of my personal style and look and felt I needed to change it up. I actually went next door to Shanghai to get a consult on cut and color. They brought me next door to Matador and had me talk to the main stylist there. He was able to work me in the next day and gave me a cut that really complimented my face shape and textured it to give it a less mainstream bland look. I really liked my new style. But my hair was blue. Oh did I forget to mention that? I wanted to change up the bright blue hair I’d been doing for the past 14 years. I was treated to a nice natural color re-​dye that lasted all the way until it grew out and I got my hair re-​cut here.
The décor and atmosphere is epic as well. Really nice couches, wi-​fi, drinks, TV; you name it, this place has it. I would recommend you at least stop in for a visit and consult if you are on the fence. You will not be disappointed.

Great place to hang. Oh and you can get a hair cut too!

I feel like I just discovered the coolest salon! I brought my son here for a haircut and was pleasantly surprised by how cool it was. If I was a guy, I would be at this salon. It is the mens side of Shanghai Salon. It is truly a mens den. The lakers game was on a flat screen and also projected on a wall. We will be back to see Chanel.

Love this place, never knew it was there until I was invited by a friend. A Must!

After living in Manhattan for the past 12 years and having moved to Orange County, I was worried I’d never get another good haircut again. Well, after a quick search through Unilocal,I found Matador. This place is EXACTLY what I was looking for. First, there is John, a genius hairdresser who is so talented that he is flown around the country to give demonstrations. Second, there is the owner, David, and the fully stocked bar that you can sample from as you have your haircut. That’s right, interested in a Maker’s on the rocks? You got it! Lastly, there is the $ 50/​month membership that gets you unlimited haircuts and open bar. What more could you want???

The ex is finicky, short tempered and rubbed the wrong way very easily. So the fact that he likes John and keeps going back means a wholelotta 5 stars. Nice place.

I took my boyfriend here and I have to say even I enjoyed being there with the air conditioning, magazines, tea, and movie. They serve alcohol too, not sure what but they got some goods stocked up in there!
Ladies, this is a must for any boyfriend, male friend, husband must have hair done occasion! It is worth every penny too! I love the salon feel rather than a cheap barber hair cut… your man will come out stylin’.

Great vibe in this hidden gem of a salon in Costa Mesa. Don’t be fooled by the exterior, once behind the large wood door you’ll been in a new world. Matador has an awesome atmosphere and hip style. Go in for a haircut, have a drink and watch the game. I recommend Janae, she has great style and can pass some of it on to your hair.

So I went back into matador… but this time I was a little scared, I was going to get a cut that I haven’t had in a long time… and I get to be a baby when I try something new no matter how much I trust the stylist. Actually I should take that back… I have full confidence in Christina I am just more scared that I am picking a cut that won’t look good on me… I mean come on, she has shears… not a magic wand. The cut I wanted to get was clean cut on the sides with some style and length on the top but I wanted it all to fade, but not look military… see, I probably already confused you. But Christina with full confidence said, «will make it happen.» After that I knew I was going to get the perfect cut. After offering me a cold adult beverage, she pulled out what must me a magic wand, cause she just went at like she had done this cut a million times (and I know I don’t have the easiest hair to work with.) I pretty much don’t even have to finish this and you already know that the cut came out perfect! it was even better than what I wanted cause honestly I didn’t really know how it was going to turn out, but if I could picture it before it would be how it looks at this moment. So thank you Matador for the amazing atmosphere and cold beverages, but mostly thank you to Christina (again) for working your magic.

Matador is tucked into a corner of a shopping strip next to its sister shanghai salon that caters to women. When you walk into the place the colors are very dark yet subtle, complimented by dark furniture, a matador painting, and a lounge with a flat screen, ambient lighting, and a very nice (well stocked) wood grain liquor cabinet. Pass me the cigar, pour me a cocktail, and lets watch the game. Its definitely refreshing from the minimalist style other salons try to achieve. A very friendly and relaxing vibe. Met up with Christina Sanchez who moved from Empire Salon (check out a detailed review of her I wrote on Empire Salon). I can’t say enough good things about her. In the short amount of time I’ve been going to her my hair style has evolved through trial and error into something I’m happy with. Just now the lakers lost, I’m partially sunburned, have something in my eye, and I’m still in a good mood because of my hair. Guys definitely check this place out. Cute girls working next door at shanghai salon too, giggity goo.