They may be the last places you’d expect to flirt or hook up. You tend to walk in looking your worst and then sit around in a smock with your hair dripping wet or folded into tin-foil squares.

But lately, some of New York’s best – and most bizarre – hair salons are becoming social hotbeds and singles scenes.

Like the Mete Turkmen salon on the Upper East Side. Named for its owner, the salon caters to the beautiful people.

Turkmen and resident makeup artist Koray have worked as a team for fashion shows from Paris to New York for over 10 years, so the salon is never short of models and fashionistas of both sexes trying to hook up.

“There are both beautiful guys and girls in here,” Koray says. “It’s really a fantastic place to meet someone – everyone’s always checking each other out.”

“Plus,” he adds, “the deor is a good conversation starter.”

That’s an understatement. Turkmen’s salon is located on the second floor of a brownstone; he worked with Gokhan Avcioglu of SU11 Architecture – one of the coolest firms in the city – to design the space.

Futuristic touches abound – like the huge chandelier’s exposed lightbulbs that have feathered “angel wings” attached. It’s unlike any lighting you’ve ever seen – and if you grab a pair of the old-fashioned 3D glasses from the desk and look up, you see hearts floating in the air.

While getting a cut, you sit in one of five high-tech chairs facing sleek aluminum mirrors. At each station is a mini-flat-screen TV, where you can watch videos and chat up your neighbor.

And then there are the bowls of rare Turkish chocolate that are set out for the clients – another conversation starter.

Koray does his magic at a corner makeup station. Ask him to thread your eyebrows – one of the few places in New York City that offers this alternative to tweezing.

A cut from Turkmen, who some women call their own “Edward Scissorhands,” is $250.

If you prefer a more intimate experience, hit Sip n’ Snip. It’s decorated like a 1940s soda fountain/beauty parlor. But call ahead for an appointment with owner/hairstylist Ricky Parnell – there’s a month-long wait.

You can try going here on a first date – with only two chairs in the whole space, it could get interesting. Or take your chances and see who’s sitting opposite you.

Parnell’s place is a well-kept secret among models and fashionistas like Amanda Cutter Brooks. His 4-year-old space is meant to “weed out uptight people,” he says.

Parnell worked for hairdresser-to-the-stars Orlando Pita for years, but eventually grew tired of the extensive travelling his job required. So he combined his love for flea markets and haircutting and opened the Sip n’ Snip – which he lovingly calls his “time warp.”

He distributes junk food, chocolate and Coca-Cola in old-fashioned bottles – all free – to his clients. Parnell even lets one of his customers pay him with his Madeline chocolate.

A cut is $100, but worth the wait, and great for meeting someone laid-back and cool – in other words, Parnell-approved.

At SoHo’s Devachan, on the other hand, you’ll find yourself in bed before you even score a proper first date.

While travelling through China eight years ago, co-owner Lorraine Massey fell in love with the country’s old-fashioned barbershops – many of which had wooden “beds,” where clients reclined while getting their hair washed.

When Massey got back to the U.S., she appropriated the idea for her own salon – but her beds are covered in soft black leather and surrounded by mosquito netting suspended from the ceiling.

So instead of cradling their necks in a cold ceramic sink, customers lie down and receive a luxurious “hair cleansing” and 10-minute scalp massage.

Homemade ice tea – not coffee – is served in champagne glasses (Massey thinks people are “hyper enough,” and her salon is all about promoting relaxation).

“It’s a great place to unwind,” says client Megan Ryan.

“And of course you scope out the cuties who come in – most have such a great vibe. You can compliment someone on their haircut or find out what they’re doing later that night – and people want to talk about how comfortable the beds are, so that’s a good place to start.”

The stylists find out exactly what you want beforehand with a consultation – cuts range from $75 to $200.

But perhaps few salon owners are as dedicated to hooking up their single clientele as the ladies who run the trippy Beehive salon in Williamsburg.

Here, singles can have a Polaroid taken and put into a big book stuffed with photos of other singles.

“We get tons of cuties in here,” says Bean Schappert, who, along with co-owner Luisa Vieira, is known as a “queen bee.” “It’s split pretty much 50-50 with guys and girls.”

Clients flip through the picture books while getting their hair cut – the Beehive even boasts a few long-term connections. But aside from the kooky matchmaking scene, the place has a look all its own.

The waiting area is carpeted in astroturf; a mural of the sky is painted on the ceiling. Customers are encouraged to bring records to the salon; the owners will play whatever you bring in. There are tarot card readings on the weekends. Local artists display their handbag and clothing designs inside – it’s all for sale.

“We wanted to create a space that’s fun,” said Schappert, who charges just $45 per cut. “It’s never intimidating in here.”

And she wants her clients to know that their social life is as important to her as their hair: “Our theme is ‘Meet your honey at the hive,'” she says. “It’s a riot.”

WHERE TO GO:

* Mete Turkmen Salon

26 E. 64th St between Fifth and Madison aves; (212) 355-5578. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

* Sip n’ Snip

204 Waverly Place, (212) 242-3880. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

* Devachan

560 Broadway, between Prince and Spring streets, (212) 274-8686. Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* The Beehive Salon

494 Lorimer St., Willamsburg; (718) 782-8376. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, noon to 5 p.m