Finding a good stylist or barber in Gilroy used to mean driving to San Jose. Not anymore. Downtown Gilroy and the Monterey Street corridor now have enough quality salons and barbershops that you can get a proper cut, color, or fade without leaving city limits. The tricky part is figuring out which ones are worth your time, because the strip mall chains and the real talent sit right next to each other.
We checked Yelp, Google, and local recommendations, verified phone numbers and hours, and picked five hair salons and barbershops in Gilroy with real track records.
Mystique Hair Salon
Address: 8401 Church St, Ste H, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: (669) 205-7268
Rating: 4.9 stars on Yelp (96 reviews), 88 photos
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM; closed Monday
Hao runs Mystique out of the Church Street shopping center and has built one of the highest-reviewed salons in South County. She does cuts, color, keratin treatments, and styling for men and women. Walk-ins welcome, but booking ahead is smart given the volume of regulars. The salon is wheelchair accessible and offers free Wi-Fi.
Why locals pick them: 96 Yelp reviews and a 4.9 rating. Customers mention that Hao checks in at every step to make sure the cut or color matches what you asked for. Multiple reviewers say they followed her from a previous salon.
Photo: Mystique Hair Salon | Photo via Yelp business profile
Gilroy Barber Lounge
Address: 1110 1st St, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: (408) 337-1577
Rating: 42 Yelp reviews, 61 photos
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 7 AM to 8 PM
Gilroy Barber Lounge is a full-service barbershop on First Street that handles fades, tapers, gentleman cuts, hot towel shaves, and beard trims. Seven days a week, 7 AM to 8 PM. That schedule alone sets it apart from most barbershops in the area. Daniel and Misael are the barbers customers ask for by name.
Why locals pick them: The hours. Most barbershops close by 5 or 6 PM, and many are closed on Sundays. Gilroy Barber Lounge is open every day with 13-hour windows. Reviewers also mention the upscale atmosphere and consistent quality across all the barbers on staff.
Photo: Gilroy Barber Lounge | Photo via Yelp business profile
Midtown Barber Co.
Address: 7660 Monterey St, Ste 102, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: (408) 310-0314
Rating: 27 Yelp reviews, voted #1 Barbershop in Best of Gilroy 2022
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM; Saturday 10:30 AM to 5 PM; appointment only
Isaiah Archuleta runs Midtown Barber as an appointment-only shop on Monterey Street. The appointment model means no waiting, no walk-in chaos, and more time per client. He specializes in precision fades and classic cuts, and he was voted the #1 barbershop in the Best of Gilroy awards in 2022.
Why locals pick them: Consistency. One reviewer said he has been going for years and Isaiah has never canceled or kept him waiting. Another mentioned that Isaiah was patient and gentle with a child who had anxiety about haircuts. That kind of trust takes time to build.
Photo: Midtown Barber Co. | Photo via Yelp business profile
Beauty Nest
Address: 1230 1st St, Ste 102, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: (408) 767-2978
Rating: 4.7 stars on Yelp (38 reviews), 87 photos
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9 AM to 8 PM; Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM; closed Sunday and Monday
Beauty Nest specializes in color work, balayage, and hair extensions. If you want a natural-looking dimensional color that does not scream “I just left the salon,” this is the place. They also do cuts, blowouts, and treatments. The First Street location has private lot parking, which matters in downtown Gilroy.
Why locals pick them: The color and extension work. Reviewers consistently post before-and-after photos showing the kind of blended highlights and lowlights that take real skill. Walk-ins are welcome, but complex color appointments should be booked in advance.
Photo: Beauty Nest | Photo via Yelp business profile
Shag Salon
Address: 64 5th St, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: (408) 842-3883
Rating: 30 Yelp reviews, 100% recommended on Facebook (22 reviews)
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9 AM to 8 PM; Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM; closed Sunday and Monday
Shag is an Aveda concept salon, which means they use 98% organic products and 97% naturally derived color. If you care about what goes on your hair and scalp, that distinction matters. Dana, Heather, and Megan are the stylists reviewers mention by name. Appointment only.
Why locals pick them: The Aveda product line and the expertise that comes with it. Customers who switched from chain salons to Shag say the difference in hair health is noticeable within a few visits. The downtown Fifth Street location is walkable from most of old Gilroy.
Photo: Shag Salon | Photo via Google Street View
How We Picked These
We searched Google Maps, Yelp, and Nextdoor for hair salons and barbershops in Gilroy, verified phone numbers and hours, read recent customer reviews on multiple platforms, and prioritized businesses with a physical Gilroy address and consistent positive feedback. Chain salons and businesses with no verifiable local presence were excluded.
FAQ
How much does a haircut cost in Gilroy?
A standard women’s cut and style runs $40 to $80 depending on the salon and stylist. Men’s cuts at barbershops typically cost $25 to $45. Color services start around $80 for single-process and go up to $200+ for balayage or full highlights. Most salons on this list offer free consultations.
Do I need an appointment or can I walk in?
It depends on the shop. Midtown Barber and Shag Salon are appointment only. Mystique Hair Salon and Gilroy Barber Lounge accept walk-ins. Beauty Nest accepts walk-ins for simple services but recommends appointments for color work.
What should I look for in a new stylist?
Check their Yelp photos, not just their star rating. Look for before-and-after shots that match the style you want. A stylist who posts photos of the work they actually do in the shop is more reliable than one who only shares stock images.
Are there salons in Gilroy open on Sundays?
Mystique Hair Salon and Gilroy Barber Lounge are both open on Sundays. Most other salons on this list are closed Sunday and Monday.
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