Think dim lighting, premium scotch, black leather chairs, and flatscreen TVs. Now throw in relaxing nail services, and you've just pictured the ultimate man cave of a salon, Hammer & Nails. This L.A.-based shop opens Saturday, November 9, and is described by its owner Michael Elliot as "The place where the guy who never goes to a salon would go." While women are most certainly welcome, Hammer & Nails was designed with men in mind.

"Whenever I'd walk into a salon, I felt judged, like I wasn't supposed to be there," said Elliot at Hammer & Nails' pre-launch party on Thursday. A few other men in attendance agreed. Elliot frequented nail salons mostly at the request of girlfriends past but came to appreciate the service.

To oblige the growing market of men like himself, Elliot adorned his salon with overtly masculine details like distressed auto parts, hammers framed in shadow boxes like art, and a punching bag. "There's nothing feminine about the brand, you feel me? It's as manly as Gillette." Each chair is accompanied by personal headphones, a flatscreen TV, and books.

The menu is basic but gets the job done. Customers can choose between maintenance or reparative MANicures and pedicures. And nails are left bare unless the client wants a matte or shiny finish with Orly's Nails for Males, or black, blue, or gray polish from Morgan Taylor. Add-on services include buff shines, callus removals, paraffin treatments, and massages.

Since most of Elliot's accomplishments are outside the nail industry — having written a handful of successful screenplays including "Like Mike," "Just Wright," and "Brown Sugar" — he hired manager Neisha Cager. With eight years of experience under her belt, she's helped him meet state board regulations and hire the right people: techs who actually enjoy working with male clients.

"No offense, but a male client is most likely going to be easier to work on than a woman," Cager said with a smile. "They tend to place more trust in my suggestions, and since their range of services is more limited, they're not too particular. They're also more interested in relaxing than walking out with cool nails."

Elliot and Cager both spoke of future endeavors, such as launching a Hammer & Nails product line, as well as their franchising dreams.

—Brittni