Virile Barber & Shop

Been looking for a great barber ever since I left Brooklyn. Finally found it! You walk in, they’ll take your coat and offer you a drink. Beers, whisky, coffee, water — take them up on it! They’ll chat you up and put you at ease immediately. It’s a super friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
In particular, Emmy was fantastic.
And she was totally cool when I came back the next day for some slight modifications. (And yes, they offered me another drink up front. Awesome.). They make sure they get things right.
The search is over. This is my new joint.

Best tonsorial parlor I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to several)
A lovely group of passionate people who do fantastic work.

First time here and I had a haircut by Rich. I highly recommend this business and this particular barber. Best haircut I’ve had in a long time! I’ll definitely be back!

Since I moved to the NYC area, I’ve not had good luck in finding a barber. I never thought my hair was all that complicated, but I went through four different barber shops before settling for a stylist who I didn’t love but she got the job done.
I avoided Virile because it looked hip (and I am most certainly not hip.) Finally, I broke down and gave it a try, and I’m glad I did. While a bit more expensive than haircuts usually cost in Jersey City, Virile is still less expensive than nice places across the river. Most importantly, I got my best cut in years. Andre asked if I preferred scissor or razor – the first time I’ve been asked that – and I opted for the scissors. My hair was great, and not just that day but the next day after it was washed and I styled it myself. I’m very happy and glad to return to Andre.
Extra bonus: When you arrive for your appointment, you’ll be offered a beer or whiskey.
Small tip about their website (
): When you go to make an appointment, the first form asks for your contact info, so it looks like you have to request a time and wait to hear back that. That isn’t how it works, actually; after entering your contact info, the next screen has fields for your preferred barber and service (haircut, beard trim, etc.) and then it displays open times from which you can select. So, go ahead and book your time online!

great cut. good peeps

Following up after over a year going here … Still the best barber shop I have ever been too. Have Emmy as my barber and I actually look forward to getting my hair cut now … She is awesome and I get compliments on my hair every-​time I get it cut and it’s all down to her.
The other guys in the shop are great and it’s always fun to go here. It can be a little intimidating the first time you go but people are super friendly and they put you at ease quickly with a drink or a coffee…
Yes it’s busy and you need to make an appointment (I just set it up after I get my haircut) so you can’t just walk in on a Saturday and expect to be seen in 10 minutes. Also it’s not like other places where you pay $ 20 for a cut but for good reason. When you get a $ 20 haircut it looks like a $ 20 haircut … When you go to Virile you get what you pay for and I would much prefer to look good than save a few bucks on my hair :)

Love this place, sucks that you have to book ahead of time but hey its worth the wait and time. Every single person there is amazing. Ive never had a cut from the pro but the apprentice are all great. Super professional.

New to the neighborhood and decided to check this place out, based on the reviews.
It definitely has a great vibe to it and a relaxing atmosphere, like a real vintage barber shop. They offer you a beer or a scotch, when you walk in, which makes the overall price worth it. Rich is a great barber. He breaks down what he’s doing as he’s doing it, which is really helpful. I left with a great cut, definitely coming back.

After trying about 5 – 6 other barbers/​salons in JC, I struck gold with Virile. Virile offers a true, classic barber experience. They actually sit you down and consult you about exactly what you want; provide suggestions and advice. Andre runs the show at this location and is a true professional. He’s a very friendly, young guy who knows what’s in trend and style and takes his craft very seriously. He takes his time with the scissors, tightens up the sides and back with the clippers and you’ll walk out the door feeling refreshed with a hot shave. His other stylists are also very good and checks on their work to perfection and keeps himself and his stylists up to top standards. Great service, great work, great company. I can’t recommend Virile enough!

Made an appointment with the ‘apprentice’ barber, show up the next day everything is all well and good. Sit down and get offered a beer, nice! All friendly people, chill ambiance, old school feel, then Emmy starts cutting my hair.
I tell her an idea of what I want and the first swipe of the buzzer it starts pulling at my hair painfully. I tell her and she’s says ok and it happens again. This goes on for about 5 minutes while I’m in pain, so the senior barber has to come and fix everything she’s doing. Teach her how to adjust the clipper, how to fade, where to blend the hair.
This chick is literally learning how to cut hair on my head as it was happening. She had no clue what was going on. So the senior barber ended up giving me a very underwhelming haircut and a lesson at the same time.
Worst part is, they had the nerve to charge $ 40 for the apprentice who had just started to cut hair.
Fuck the pretentious BS, terrible cut, just do yourself a favor and go to the local guys who really know how to cut hair and charge $ 15-​$ 20. These suburba-​herbs are for those that live in high rises.

Outstanding barbershop! I go to the Apprentice barber Emmy and she always takes good care of me. I work in front of the camera for a living and she makes sure I’m fresh! Great place and always get a snifter of whiskey to sip. Ahhh…

I love the location and vibe of this place. Andre really knows how to cut hair and shave a face. That’s why I choose to drive into JC for my cuts and shaves. Their Heart & Heritage men’s grooming products are really worth a try and will make a great gift for any man. Also, I really like Virile’s online appointment booking system. Makes my life easier when looking to book an appointment.

Rock solid barber shop! I’ve been looking for a great shop like this for a while. The guys who run this place and work there are knowledgable and professional. I would consider them artists first and foremost.
For my first cut I chose to go the «apprentice» route and got in the chair with Rich. I couldn’t recommend him more. He’s a young guy, but he knows his stuff and works with you to make sure you’re comfortable. He explains the techniques he’s going to use and makes sure you’re happy (doesn’t hurt that I had a glass of scotch when I walked in).
If you live in the area, give them a go. Worth every penny!

Finding a new barber can be tricky. It is the right combination of service, style, and attention. I went here about a month ago and was very unimpressed.
I had made an appointment at 6pm on a Thursday afternoon and arrived right on time. Andre (who I paid extra for, as he is the «master» barber) asked me to wait while he finished up with the person before me. Apparently finishing up means another 30min. As I sat there while he chatted/​joked with the guy in the chair. If you have someone waiting who was on time, please wrap it up and move on to that person!
Finally I was in the chair but was slightly annoyed at how much time I had to wait. I am a very talkative person but not compared to Andre. It took me another to finish the haircut because he too busy telling me his life story. So now at 730pm I pay almost $ 60 for this haircut that was very underwhelming.
The ambiance is cool and I do appreciate the vibe they are going for but I would not return to Virile. Too expensive and just take a long time. Getting a haircut isn’t always about the experience; sometimes it’s about just getting the job DONE.

Finally I found my place to go. I’ve tried several places in NYC which can’t keep up with this place. Check in have a sip of bourbon, nice music and atmosphere and get the perfect haircut… voila!
The stuff is very welcoming. Very difficult to get a appointment so I suggest online and a week in advance.
Will be back soon!

I’m very picky about where I go to get a haircut and was tired of the conveyor belt of barbers at some highly praised and overpriced New York barbershops. My first cut was with Hannah who was wonderful and friendly and quickly put any doubts I had to rest. Latest cut was with Andre who is also just as masterful with the scissors and also very friendly.
I can make appointments via their website without any problems. Upon entering their old school establishment you are welcomed and offered a refreshment of your choice. I like the space a lot as it has a masculine vibe without all the trappings of modern macho culture (sports radio, TV, pictures of models, NY memorabilia). It’s a relaxing environment where you can enjoy a good cut and/​or shave, good conversation, and good environment. I always look forward to my time there. As a side note: This may not be the place for very young children to have their haircut.

Alright gentlemen. If you looking to spoil yourself a bit and end up looking better than when you walked in, you gotta try Virile. Now if you look at my pics you can tell that there really isn’t much to be «taken off the top» for me. I say, can’t a bald man get some love too?!
I have heard positive things from a few other more «well haired» friends of mine so I decided to look up the prices online and see about making an appointment. Now the they are not the cheapest peeps in JC but since I decided to treat myself for the holiday I said why not. I went down and was able to make an appointment for the next day. When I got there it was everything I expected and a little more.
First off they offer you a drink. Beer or a whiskey, and they have multiple options too. Nothing low end. While I waited for my barber I was able to just chill with some descent man centric mags. (nothing dirty but no S.I. mags from 2003) and enjoy my rye whiskey. After a few mins the barber set me up in the chair and proceeded to pamper my scalp with cleansing creams and hot towels in anticipation of the shave I would be receiving. It was great! Good conversation and smooth service really made the whole things luxurious. My barber took the time to explain why she was doing what she was doing since it was the first time I was «taking it all the way down». She also broke out the massage machines and gave my neck and shoulders a quick rub down which was a great surprise.
After it was all done I felt refreshed. My head felt cleaned and cared for. When it came time to pay I found it was not as expensive as I thought it was. Bonus! I would highly recommend coming down guys and getting a trim, cut, or shave. It is not the cheapest place as I said but if you really looking to «treet yoself» I would definitely recommend Virile.

We (my partner and I) have been to quite a few stylists in the downtown JC area. Through our travels, we have met quite few people that do their best; which is pretty nice. When we happened upon Virile we didn’t know if they’d be too posh for us or not. Indeed, they were perfect.
Virile had an excellent style overseen by the owner Adam. We have been in for six visits between the two of us and can’t speak highly enough! We used to travel back to upstate NY to visit our old barber (sorry Virile, but she deserves a plug too! Cynthia Martinez Moore at Eclectic Studio in Lagrange, NY) but the staff here is excellent!
We have been visiting Andre, and he is a master of the tonsorial arts, even if they don’t call him one! He is always professional and turns out amazing haircuts quickly with skill and confidence.
We will continue to come here for the excellent service AND the free glass of bourbon while you wait (and they are NEVER running behind!).

Since they opened they’ve become my go-​to barber for all intents and purposes. The hair cuts are top notch and reliably so.
They’ve got a solid selection of Master and Apprentice barbers to fit your budget. They accept credit cards (though tips are cash only) which I really appreciate in the barbershop space. Appointments are definitely recommended as it’s a small shop that’s almost always busy and active. Plus they take their time cutting your hair, so as a walk-​in, if you’re «next,» that could still mean 45 minutes while the guy before you is given the business.
Can’t recommend this place enough. Closed on Mondays.

5 BIG FAT RED STARS.
Hundreds of thousands of years of human evolution have culminated at this singular and defining point of complete and total class, bad assery and style.
Hell, I just want to hang out here. From the vintage Playboys on the table to the rich conversations with the patrons and staff (not to mention the beer and liquor selection). I just cant get enough of this place. They consult with you before getting to business… haircuts, facial hair maintenance and even a good olé shaving. Its all good here. All good.
My only issue is how difficult it is to get an appointment. Good luck walking in.

I know I am not the first to say it, and certainly won’t be the last, but Virile is such a welcomed addition to Jersey City.
The shop is great. They have two beautiful leather barber chairs that bring you back to a time when barber shops weren’t just about quick cuts and fades. There is a small waiting area where you can chill with Aiden (the shop dog) and enjoy a complimentary drink… I’d go for the High West if they have it.
All the equipment is top notch, and so are the skills of the barbers. They take the time to consult with you rather than just grabbing the clippers, slapping on that #2 guard and going to work. They take real time and care on your hair, making suggestions but not forcing you into a certain direction.
Everyone I met there is super friendly and very cool. You don’t feel like they are just making conversation because you are in their shop. The place has such a great vibe and they have paid attention to every last detail, right down to the music. It’s obvious that they love the neighborhood and are excited to be part of the community.
The shop offers cuts, beard trims, shaves, and a couple service packages that would be great for any guy getting ready for his wedding or looking for a spot to take his groomsmen. I am pretty sure they take walk-​ins, but they also have a great site that is really convenient for making appointments & understanding their services/​pricing.
Haircuts here may cost a bit more than the average barber, but this isn’t the average barber shop. It is worth anything extra you pay here… plus you can just take the extra cost out of them in whiskey. ;)