River North · Downtown Chicago · Est. 2009

Where urban meets luxury.

A private, one-on-one barber suite for men who value quality, consistency, and attention to detail. Clean fades, sharp lineups, beard sculpting, and straight razor finishes. No waiting. No rush. Just craftsmanship.

Book Your Appointment Call 773-540-2157

New client? Your first cut is 10% off, applied automatically.

5.0 ★★★★★66 Google reviews 4.96 ★★★★★290 Booksy reviews

356 verified reviewsacross Google & Booksy — 350 of them five stars

Services

Straightforward services. No surprise add-ons.

Every appointment is blocked with enough time so you're never rushed out of the chair. All services book through Booksy.

Signature Cut

$75 · 40 min

Precision haircut customized to your face shape and lifestyle. Includes consultation, premium fade or shear work, razor lineup, hot towel finish, and styling.

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Signature Cut + Beard

$95 · 50 min

The full grooming experience: haircut, beard work, razor finish, and hot towel. Detailed, clean, and complete.

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Bald Head + Beard

$75 · 40 min

Clean head shave with detailed beard work and a straight razor finish. Smooth, sharp, and low maintenance.

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Beard Sculpt

$35 · 25 min

Detailed beard shaping with a straight razor finish. Perfect between full sessions, before big meetings, events, or trips.

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VIP / After Hours

$100 · 50 min

Private, priority booking outside regular hours. Same precision and detail, just on your schedule. For clients who value time and flexibility.

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House Calls

By request

Can't make it to the suite? Reach out directly and we'll work something out for your location and schedule.

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New client offer: 10% off your first cut when you book through this page. Applied at your appointment, no code needed. Limited new client slots each week.

The Experience

One chair. One client. Zero rush.

Consultation

We talk through your goals, routine, hair type, and how you want to walk out. Bring reference photos or come undecided, either works.

Precision cut

Fade or shear work matched to your face shape and texture. Straight, wavy, curly, or coily, every texture gets the right tools and technique.

Razor detail

Straight razor lineup, optional beard sculpt, and a hot towel finish. The details are what separate a haircut from a Johnnie J cut.

Walk-out ready

Simple styling guidance so you can recreate the look at home, and a follow-up to make sure you're still happy with it days later.

Private suiteParking nearbyCredit cards acceptedWheelchair accessibleWi-FiLoyalty program

Beard trim in progress at Johnnie J's Barber Studio

Hot towel straight razor shave at Johnnie J's

Inside the private barber suite at Salon Lofts River North

Signature Work

The proof is in the chair.

Fades, tapers, beard work, and full transformations. Every photo below is a real client, cut in the suite.

Clean scissor-and-fade cut on fine straight hair

Client relaxed in the chair during a cut

Short natural cut with clean line work — all textures welcome

Johnnie J working on a client's fade in the studio

In The Chair

Work in motion.

Clips straight from the studio. Follow @big_johnnie_the_barber for more.

Precision

Shop Day

Craft Talk

Verified Reviews

356 reviews. 350 of them five stars.

Not curated testimonials. Real, verified reviews pulled from the two platforms clients actually use.

5.0

★★★★★

66 reviews on Google — every single one five stars

Read them on Google →

4.96

★★★★★

290 verified reviews on Booksy since 2019

See them on Booksy →

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★★★★★

"One of the best haircuts I've ever gotten in Chicago. I have very thick hair and a bad fade will be very noticeable. It's very clear Johnnie has the experience, repetition and talent to be a master of his craft."

★★★★★

"I've been in Chicago for 13 years and Johnnie is hands down the best barber I've had in the city. He's always made me look forward to getting my haircut, bringing good conversation and energy while being highly detailed and meticulous."

"Much appreciated brother 🙏" — Johnnie

★★★★★

"I've been going to Johnnie J for almost a decade. No one can do smooth fade cuts better than him. He's moved to a few locations and I still drive 30 minutes to see him. I made sure he's my barber before my wedding day."

★★★★★

"Best barber I've ever been to. Awesome job and even checked in the next day via text to make sure I was happy with the experience. No one does that."

★★★★★

"I'm growing out a beard for the first time, and Johnnie took the time to teach me everything I need to know to take care of it between appointments. Fantastic barber, but even better guy."

★★★★★

"JJ knows his craft and can cut any ethnicity's hair. His location is clean and comfortable. He has a great personality, he is a man of his word and he provides great customer service. I'm glad he is my barber! 💯"

★★★★★

"My barber for 13 years! Best in the city for haircuts and great conversation."

★★★★★

"Johnny is solid. After trying four different shops, I finally stopped by him and I'll definitely be back. He's easy to talk to about what you want, and the whole service was quality."

"Appreciate you brother, thanks for rocking with me" — Johnnie

★★★★★

"Johnny J is an old school barber with modern skills. He has taken care of my hair for over 3 years now. He is an artist with his tools."

Johnnie J cutting a client in his River North barber studio

The Story

From Wicker Park to a private suite in River North.

Johnnie's been cutting hair in Chicago since 2009. Wicker Park, West Town, and years behind the chair at Traditions Barber Parlor built the craft. In 2026 he opened his own private suite inside Salon Lofts in River North, a space built around one idea: one barber, one client, zero distractions.

Clients who found him a decade ago still drive across the city for the same reason new ones stay: the cut is consistent every single time, the conversation is real, and you leave the chair better than you sat down in it. Corporate looks, creative fades, beard work, every texture and every style.

"My chair is your reset button. Come in, unplug, and walk out feeling like the best version of yourself."— JOHNNIE J

Licensed Chicago barber. Black-owned. Family man. If you know, you know.

Read Johnnie's Full Story

Visit The Studio

In the heart of River North.

Inside Salon Lofts at 9 W Erie St, minutes from the Loop, Streeterville, and Old Town.

📍

Address

Salon Lofts, 9 W Erie St, Suite 11
Chicago, IL 60654 · Get directions →

🚇

Getting here

Two blocks from the Grand Red Line stop. Short walk from the Brown Line at Chicago Ave. Garage and limited street parking nearby.

📞

Contact

Questions before you book? Call 773-540-2157 or DM @big_johnnie_the_barber

⭐

Google Business Profile

See hours, photos and all 66 Google reviews on Johnnie J's Google listing, or leave a review.

✂️

Booking

All appointments through Booksy. Reschedule or cancel up to 24 hours before your appointment.

Hours

Monday	10 AM – 4 PM
Tuesday	10 AM – 4 PM
Wednesday	10 AM – 7 PM
Thursday	10 AM – 7 PM
Friday	10 AM – 7 PM
Saturday	9 AM – 6 PM
Sunday	Closed

Same-week appointments are limited, especially evenings. VIP after-hours slots available by request.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

How do I redeem the 10% new client discount?

Book any service through this page. As long as it's your first appointment with Johnnie, the discount is applied when you come in. No code needed.

What if I'm not sure what style I want?

That's what the consultation is for. Bring a few photos you like, or come in undecided, and Johnnie will suggest options that work with your hair type, day-to-day routine, and workplace dress code.

Do you work with all hair types?

Yes. Straight, wavy, curly, and coily. Johnnie adjusts tools and techniques to your texture and density, and has been doing it since 2009.

What is your cancellation policy?

You can reschedule or cancel up to 24 hours before your appointment. Late cancellations or no-shows may be subject to a fee so prime slots stay available for serious bookings.

Is there parking available?

There is garage parking and limited street parking nearby. The Grand Red Line stop is two blocks away if you'd rather skip the parking hunt.

Do you do house calls?

Yes. Call or text 773-540-2157 for details and availability.

From The Chair

Notes from Johnnie.

Real talk on grooming, the neighborhood, and the craft. Written by the man himself.

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River North

How to Find a Real Barber in River North

What separates a real barber from a $95 haircut with nothing behind it. From a guy who's been cutting since 2009.

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Sharp professional haircut for a Loop professional

The Loop

Need a Cut Near the Loop? Read This First

How downtown professionals stay sharp without burning half a workday. Timing, booking, and what to ask for.

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Salon Lofts building at 9 W Erie St in River North

Streeterville & Gold Coast

Staying Groomed North of the River

A working barber's honest guide for Streeterville and Gold Coast guys: beards, maintenance schedules, and hotel-trip cuts.

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The Story

From Wicker Park to River North: My Story

Seventeen years behind the chair, three neighborhoods, and the reason I finally opened my own private suite.

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Limited Slots Each Week

Ready to get right?

Book your appointment in under a minute. New clients get 10% off their first cut.

Book on Booksy