What is the best place for a men's hair cut in Washington, DC?

My favorite place for a haircut in Washington, DC was the Senate Barber Shop located in the basement of the Russell Senate Office Building. I started going there on the recommendation of some Hill staffer colleagues who suggested I see Mario, who is an institution there. Turns out he has been cutting hair there for years; in fact, he cut Senator John McCain's hair before Senator McCain was even a Member of Congress. The Senate Barber Shop is a popular spot for Members of Congress, Supreme Court Justices, Hill staffers, and former Hill Staffers. They do a great job for a reasonable price, and if you work on Capitol Hill, it's pretty convenient to be able to pop in for a haircut. I also really liked how they have headshots of each senator, organized by states alphabetically and then by seniority, along the top of the wall of the shop. Before I started going to the Senate Barber Shop, I frequently went to Puglisi's when I lived in/near Foggy Bottom. They always did a good job of giving me a haircut that I asked for and that I was pleased with; in particular, Jose was very good. Classic barber shop atmosphere: sports on the TV, piles of Sports Illustrated magazines to read, and multilingual employees joking with customers and each other. This place was recommended to me by my GWU Colonial friends, but when I'd go on Saturday mornings, it also had a lot of DC locals, including GWU graduates who no longer lived in Foggy Bottom but were loyal customers. It was a good price, too; I think it was $22 or so (not including tip) when I went in there a few months ago. Be sure to bring cash, as I don't believe they accept credit cards.

The Watergate Barbershop is about as close to an "old timers" barbershop as you're going to get in DC. Located right inside the Watergate building, the barbershop has been around for decades and the guys there have cut the hair of past presidents, lawmakers and foreign dignitaries. They are most known for cutting the hair of Ben Stein (who apparently flies to DC to get his haircut there). The barbers are all the same and the place has a very "boys club" atmosphere, especially with the stack of Playboys you can flip through if you have to wait. Though I have never done it, Watergate is also one of the few places I've seen in DC that still offers a straight razor shave. I've been seeing Carmelo for the past couple years and he and I have a very good relationship - in fact, he gave me a bottle of his homemade wine for Christmas. The haircut is reasonable (roughly $30 with tip) and I always come out looking great.

Seabrook Barber Shop 9424 Lanham Severn Rd Lanham, MD 20706 (301) 577-5056 Trust me.  This place is worth the drive and you can park right in front.  The 5 Italian barbers take great pride in their work and they only charge $17.  They are great with kids too.  Nice article about them http://ww2.gazette.net/stories/01202011/largnew164701_32544.php

The Grooming Lounge does an excellent job and strictly cuts mens hair. Cuts include hot towel and toner on the face, brief shoulder/neck massage, and drinks are included (soda, beer, etc). Also has a great selection of men's grooming products. Prices are on the higher end but still reasonable for what you get.

So far I've seen a lot of good suggestions.  My favorite is the Grooming Lounge, but with a shave and a haircut costing around $100 pre tip it's not what I would call affordable.  Though they do have some fun perks such as bar service including a waxing service that comes with a prewax shot of Jack Daniels (I have not partaken this particular service). A more novel option is the barber shop in the basement of the Rayburn House Office Building up on the Hill.  They are very reasonable and have the ambiance you'd expect of a Capitol Hill staple.  My personal choice is VSL in Dupont Circle. They do men's and women's hair, but I've always gotten a great cut there.  They run about $30 for a wash and cut.  Additionally they take walkins and the wait is never more then a couple minutes.

If you're looking for a more fashion-forward salon rather than a barber shop, I've been going to Immortal Beloved at 15th & Church in Logan Circle since it opened a few years ago. Aside from being a beautiful atmosphere (all the furniture was cared from wood by the owner), they've sucked up all the high-talent hairdressers in the area. In fact, the salon counts at least one Obama as a customer. I would recommend Tyler Larish, he does great men's hair and is accepting new clients. Edit: All the talent left Immortal Beloved; call up Last Tangle and ask for Vera Chamberlin.

Hands down, the Grooming Lounge. They are expensive: $65 for a mens cut from a master groomer, but they are worth every penny.

I go to Mario's Barber Shop in the National Press Building if you want a real barber shop. Watergate sounds good too and I've good things about Puglisi's.