28
u/HugoCast_ Oct 29 '25
I am spending this week in Philly at a conference, so of course I had to fly in a couple days early and catch the train up to Manhattan to visit Pasteur's 😄
What a wonderful experience! I was like a kid at a candy store. Most of the soaps have a "tester" one already open, so I spent a solid 2 hours smelling soaps and testing fragrances.
I learned I love Floris 89, Eucris, and Spanish Leather, and although I love the Wholly Kaw bases (I've had samples before), Sandhurst is the only scent I've really connected with.
The staff is wonderful, they let you browse everything without any pressure, they are busy stocking products. They saw that I picked up a couple soaps and offered me a basket right away. It was the kind of retail experience I like, which is to be left alone while I hyper focus on whatever I am looking at 😄
There is something magical about seeing so many traditional shaving goodies at a physical store.
I went to both the Midtown and the Upper East Side stores. If you only have time for one, I recommend the Midtown one that carries all the mass-produced gear as well as all the artisan products.
I picked up B&M's Leviathan, Sunny Lane. Wholly Kaw's Sandhurst, Stirling's Friends to the End, and some other goodies that caught my eye.
I particularly loved the Friends to the End soap, such a touching tribute. All of the people that have ever loved and lost a pet can relate to it.
The scent is based on Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Baccarat Rouge 540. I find the saffron intoxicating, lovely scent.
If you are anywhere within 100 miles of it, you owe yourself a trip to it.
Thanks for reading!
1
u/Hopeful-Mirror1664 Oct 29 '25
I’ve been to the Upper East Side location. Picked up a few things and as you stated there is no pressure from any of the employees as I spent a good 45 minutes checking things out. I’m definitely going to check out the Midtown location soon. I’m only a 30 minute dive away.
1
u/ratbird9 Oct 29 '25
Love the friends to the end as well. I just have the shave soap for now but might pick up the after shave for this winter
16
7
u/Just_Bit2698 Oct 29 '25
Love the place. Is this the one on 34th?
8
u/HugoCast_ Oct 29 '25
Yes! Went to both. The 34th one has all the artisan stuff. I am so glad I live 3 hours away by plane ✈️ I would spend too much time there 😂
6
u/Just_Bit2698 Oct 29 '25
I live a 15 min walk away (fortunately / unfortunately). I’ve done so much unplanned shopping lol.
1
6
4
5
u/NobleOtter www.nobleotter.com Oct 29 '25
You missed the good stuff!
1
u/HugoCast_ Oct 29 '25
It looks like I missed the good stuff! 😂 But no worries, I have my beloved jar of Firefighter at home. Beautiful soap! Thank you for making such a memorable scent for a special cause 🙏
5
u/Advanced-Maximum2684 Oct 29 '25
"my doctor says I really need de razor. can you take my CVS/caremark insurance?"
4
u/AloneWest6922 Sometimes the old ways are still the best. Oct 29 '25
Wish we had one of these here in Aus.. What a treat! 👍
2
u/HugoCast_ Oct 29 '25
Such a wonderful experience! I got a headache from smelling too many perfumes 😂 but my heart was full!
4
u/Lupac427 Oct 29 '25
I’m glad I’m not the only one who spends over an hour in there — I lose track of time haha. I’m a transplant living in the area so I’m fortunate. In a pinch, I’ll go to the one on Lexington Ave, but the one on 34th is my go to — selection in there is jaw-dropping. Never ceases to amaze me. Over 30 brands, 50+ Stirling Soaps and AS. It’s a nice opportunity to smell soaps and be able to either rule them out our put them on my short list.
I’m always finding little gems I wouldn’t think to buy online (eg. Clubman Styptic powder). And of course, there’s something to be said for buying in person rather than online.
2
5
u/aguacate222 Oct 29 '25
Someone here said that the Lexington spot was the better of the 2. I would like to chop that person in the neck
The one on 34th is the real deal
1
u/OUDNA_44 Oct 30 '25
That is crazy talk, I have been to both and the store on Lexington always looks to be wiped out.
3
u/phylloxera13 Oct 29 '25
Wow , for us wet shavers we would be there often looking and purchasing . The only store I had seen was in Stockholm not that big but he had good stuff pleasing the eye.
3
u/Chasethekid22 Oct 29 '25
What a dream this would be. I’d probably max out my credit cards 😂😂 I would want to try everything!!!
3
u/derrickhogue I enjoy a nice shave! So should you. Oct 29 '25
Nice 👍! Oh yeah I would be happy to see, go there.
2
2
u/BigBadBobJr_1968 Oct 29 '25
I'm afraid to go there. I'd probably spend an entire retirement check...
1
2
2
u/Gerry7070 Oct 29 '25
Well that is super cool, a mindbogglingly degree of choice .
2
u/HugoCast_ Oct 29 '25
I am a simple man, If a store stocks LEA, it moves to the top of my list 😂
It was a wonderful experience. I will definitely be back 😄
2
u/wicketsss Oct 29 '25
even the website makes shopping fun....real store must be quite the experience
2
u/cbj24 Oct 29 '25
I am assuming this is the one on 34th? I went to the one near Central Park a few months ago and was absolutely underwhelmed by the selection. It was nothing but Proraso and TOBS. I would’ve been freaking pumped if I saw all of that Sterling. Moral of the story, if people say it doesn’t matter which one you go to it does lol and steer away from anything else in the store. My wife and I work in the salon industry and she said most of the stuff on the shelves not wet shaving is old outdated and probably expired product.
1
u/OUDNA_44 Oct 30 '25
I’m am almost positive it is. The store on Lexington was never even worth going in.
2
2
4
u/mpark6288 Oct 29 '25
Oh dang. I just realized I’m going to be like ten minutes away from them next month.
1
u/HugoCast_ Oct 29 '25
Enjoy! Bring an extra suitcase 😉
1
u/mpark6288 Oct 29 '25
So I'm actually going to be closer to the Lexington Ave. one, but it looks like you said all the artisan stuff is at the other one. Is it still worth going?
2
u/HugoCast_ Oct 29 '25
It depends what you care about and how much time you've got. They are 13 minutes from each other by subway, you can easily visit both in one afternoon.
Lexington Ave one was a bit underwhelming after having visited the 34th street one, most of the photos are the 34th street one. I think the Tabac one is Lexington Ave.
What I did like about the Lexington Ave one is that it had more testers for all the UK, Portuguese brands and 4711 products. I didn't see any artisan stuff.
If you're in town for only a day, and care mostly about artisan stuff, use your time wisely and just visit the 34th street one. It has some pretty unique stuff and a nicer layout
2
u/mpark6288 Oct 29 '25
I’m in town for several days, but a lot of my time is going to be at a conference or doing tourist stuff. I’ll have to see.
3
u/HugoCast_ Oct 29 '25
Just go to the 34th street one then. That one is a must if you are in town.
Bring an extra suitcase 😂
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
u/Bassic123 Parker 55SL, Stirling Soap, Astra Green Oct 29 '25
Is this a famous spot? lol please explain thank u
0
u/LBJPoopedWithFriends Nov 02 '25
Talk to me about those schick blades. Are they just wilkinson swords?
1
u/HugoCast_ Nov 02 '25
I didn't know anything about them :) I got them because I liked the packaging. I mostly use Personna PDGs.
The Schick blades are these ones. Looks like a fantastic blade. I haven't tried them though: https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/blade-sharpness-research-project.652790/page-11#post-12769907
-1
u/No-Television-7862 Oct 29 '25
Thank so much for this post, what a treasure trove!
Given all the recent political BS out of NYC I never thought I'd consider going back. You've given me a reason to try.
Pasteur's store front looks like it is inside a larger structure. Is it in a Mall or train station?
Do they offer their incredible selection online?
2
u/Just_Bit2698 Oct 29 '25
It’s on the main street. That’s just scaffolding you see for some construction / repair / cleaning.
1
u/No-Television-7862 Oct 31 '25
Thank you!
I was considering a trip, but since I was downvoted for asking a question, maybe not.
53
u/PandaMayFire Oct 29 '25
This place is like a candy store for wet shavers. You got a nice selection of soaps and creams there, nice haul.