I'm in the military and came to the Baltimore area for a three month training course. I'd recently started growing my hair out and I was looking for a high-quality, professional barbershop that was the antithesis of a place like Sportsclips, which is the equivalent of McDonald's for haircuts in my opinion.
Blue Spark Barbershop is that place, a place staffed with high-quality barbers with years of experience and oodles of talent between them.
The cost of a haircut is $18 (I'd easily pay more) and what you get for that price is an outstanding product. I made an appointment (you can also walk-in and signup on the sheet) to see Erin and upon showing up to the barbershop I was greeted warmly by the owner Bill, who also cuts hair in the shop. Bill offered me a coffee or beer or water (all free). I felt right at home, sitting in the comfy chairs and looking at the artful band posters on the wall.
Okay, now on to the haircut. Erin spent 10 minutes discussing my hair with me. She got a complete understanding of what I was trying to achieve and then she set about her work. It's truly a craft with all the barbers in the shop. The fades, the blending and shaping of the hair is simply artwork.
Everyone leaving this shop goes out with a fresh haircut. I would recommend bringing in a picture of what you hope to achieve with your hair, and Erin (and I'm sure all the barbers too) are very honest about whether you can achieve that particular hairstyle.
They won't style your hair for you at the end, but they will give you lots of tips and tricks on how to get a certain style.
I went here four times to get a haircut (one time with Bill who is a fantastic barber) and I was pleased each and every time. I'm so bummed that I'm going back home and I won't be able to frequent this shop anymore.
On my last haircut, upon leaving the shop, the owner Bill left his customer really quick to come outside and shake my hand on the front steps, thanking me for my business and wishing me well. And its actions like this that make you feel like a valued customer in a barbershop like this. Too often you just feel like another number or another haircut that a barber has to get through, but with Blue Spark you actually feel like they care about hairstyle. After all, your hair is a reflection of their work.
True class acts both Bill and Erin, and I couldn't more highly recommend this barbershop to anyone looking for a fresh haircut.