I am a firm believer that any salon that gives out free cupcakes and glasses of wine is one worth trying. When I heard about Mercer Street Salon, a hip salon with practical prices starting at $55 and free cupcakes, I knew a visit was in order. Reasonable hair salons in San Francisco seem to be far and few between. If you do get lucky and find a sensibly-priced salon, you often leave regretful and anxious for your mangled new do to grow back. I hoped for the best, looked forward to being pampered with sweet treats and alcoholic beverages, and made an appointment.

The salon is located on Fillmore Street at Union Street in the trendy Marina district of San Francisco. Surrounded by girly boutiques and lush bars, the salon stands out with its long clear windows and sky blue exterior. The décor of the salon is undeniably cool (but not pretentious) with its modern furniture, outlined yellow and white walls and retro crystal chandeliers. The staff was friendly and offered me a much-needed drink right away. Always enthusiastic about the opportunity for free booze, I accepted and ordered a glass of red wine.

I waited for a few minutes and was greeted by my enthusiastic hairdresser, Eric. He was talkative, fun, and eager to please. I instantly trusted his easy going attitude, and I bravely told him to go ahead and do whatever he pleased, without taking too much off. He effortlessly cut my overgrown mane into hip, shaggy layers, and used the best Bumble and Bumble products to make it shiny and smooth, a difficult task with my thick, wavy hair. At a mere $55, Eric’s expertise and friendly attitude (and the chic atmosphere) made my visit well worth my time and money. My only complaint: I waited patiently for my free cupcake with no luck. Too embarrassed to ask, I went home a bit disappointed and sans cupcake. A small price to pay for a high-quality, reasonable cut.

 Mercer Street Salon, 3012 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94123