Avant Garde

Finally got my nose pierced today. The reviews on Unilocal were right on target. Being a health care professional, I was concerned about safe hygiene and sanitation. But when you walk into the store, you smell the antiseptic. Not a speck of dust if blood or dust anywhere. The room in which the piercing is done is clean and extremely hygienic. The needle is one time use only. The needle insertion is slightly barbaric compared to the needle gun but hey, who am I to say anything? They say it’s better this way, and I believe them. The two ladies behind the counter are knowledgeable about their jobs. Listen to their advice! I did have to use some Tylenol and ibuprofen afterwards, but that’s fine. This will be my first and only piercing, otherwise I’d tell you that I was going back again. But I’m not. I AM extremely satisfied with my one and only visit though ;))

Stopped in today because I was curious about getting my nose pierced. The girl at the front desk was incredibly helpful with answering all my questions. Brent was the guy who did the piercing. The guy was super legit very professional and made the whole thing easy and relaxed. Really solid place thanks guys.

If you’re looking for a great piercing — go here. The prices may be a bit more than other places, but that’s because you are truly getting the best quality jewelry and piercer. Everything is incredibly sanitary here — which, of course, is a major factor when getting a piercing. I had one piercing done here that was speedy quick and done very well. I just went back today because I had problems with one of my hip piercings (done at a different shop). The piercer, Brent, took one look and knew immediately what the problem was. He was very thorough in explaining the problem, incorrect jewelry, and what he could do to fix it, along with the pros and cons. I opted to buy new jewelry and try my luck in hopes that my piercings could be salvaged and go back to looking nice! Again, the piercer was incredibly thorough in explaining why he chose the jewelry he did, what had happened to the piercing, and how to take care of them. Even better, now that I went there and they changed it to their jewelry — they will continue to take care of them in case of future problems (which is only a probability because of the issues from the former piercer).
Side note: this shop only does piercings and all of their ceriticates and licenses are posted right on the wall for everyone to see. Much better experiencing than going to a shop that does both piercing and tattoos.

We decided to come here after reading they were a 2015 Sponsor for Pridefest. As gay community members, we’re all for supporting those who support us!
That makes what happened more disappointing. We went for some jewelry for an eye and lip piercing. While browsing jewelry, the young woman behind the counter is talking to another employer about an earlier experience where someone’s blood had gotten on her. She proceeds to say she was glad she knew the person, otherwise she would have been like «eww, your aids are on me, get it off!»
I get she may have been joking around and being dramatic, maybe this wasn’t her true feelings on the subject, but the time and place could not have been worse or more off-​putting.
We bought something out of pure need at the moment, but I can say that we will never be returning to this location. I’m whole heartedly disappointed in this particular «sponsorship» of our community.

Piercer is very experienced and nice. He makes you feel very comfortable. I would let him stab me again.

I got my septum pierced here back in 2010 and it was a relatively pleasant and low-​pain experience. The piercer knew what he was doing and it was quick. I have sensitive skin and had no problems with the piercing healing. Also, I really liked how clean and sterile everything looked, and felt. That feeling of ease is extremely important to me in a piercing facility. I went back last year to buy some surgical steel tunnels– they were very reasonably priced and they offered to have the piercer put them in for me. Clearly that wasn’t necessary since I’d had my ears stretched to that gauge for 4 years but I figured since they were offering, why not? I thought that that was a courteous and professional gesture. I will continue to go back there.

I have had ten piercings done here, starting ten years ago, and refuse to go anywhere else, ever. The shop is impeccably clean, absolute transparency when it comes to sterilization, and I have never experienced rude counter people or piercers. The prices and jewelry selection are great and reasonably priced.

I didn’t get a piercing, just came in to buy a new nose ring and couldn’t even stay to buy anything. Front desk girl was rude from the moment I walked in and not only to me, but to everyone else. It got a little busy so I understand the frustration, but if you have things a little bit more organized, then you wouldn’t go through all that trouble. I won’t be returning, although I hear that they are a nice sanitized place, the front desk girl kind of ruined it for me.

I was soooo nervous to get my naval pierced, but the receptionist was very welcoming and helpful with calming my nerves. As for the piercer, Brent, he was awesome! He did see the blonde in me and poked fun at my nerves. But he did an amazing job! It is perfect! I got it pierced about a week and a half ago, and I have yet to have ANY issues, not even much redness! Very pleased, and will recommend Avant Garde to anyone who wants a piercing! :) Thank you!

I got a VCH piercing here. I was very nervous and kind of embarrassed. They were very professional, very clean, quick, and the piercing was placed perfectly. The price was better than I expected. I was in and out in about 15 minutes.
I chose them because they ONLY do piercings, they aren’t a tattoo shop that does piercings on the side. They had a great selection of jewelry, whether you want to pay little or a lot. I personally needed 14kt gold because I’m allergic to other metals, they had the perfect piece for me.
Everyone was friendly and helpful, starting with the girl at the front desk, who helped me pick the correct jewelry according to my needs, to the piercer who was very chill, professional, and clearly skilled!
I will definitely go back there for any other piercings.

I got my nose pierced here back in June. I set up an appointment over the phone the night before and when I got there, I was helped immediately. The girl behind the counter was very friendly and helped me pick out the best jewelry for my piercing. The piercer himself was just as friendly, and between sterilizing my nose and actually piercing it, I was in and out of the clean shop in less than 10 minutes. I recommend this place to anyone and will come back.

They are OK in my book. My wife went here for a piercing — and they did a good job. The nice thing was any time she had an issue, they would always help out.
The issue usually had to do with trying to change out the piercing (nose), and not being able to get it back in. She would stop in there, and they would get her in and out in no time — at no charge.
They seemed very professional, and the work environment was sterile.

I got my nose pierced here in 2009 as a walk-​in and the guy was nonchalant, but this is the only place that accommodates my need for custom bending of nose rings. (Skin Candy Tatto in Oak Creek refuses to accommodate me.) They were also most helpful in guiding me in belly ring sizes.

I got my septum pierced here back in 2000 because they were pretty much the cheapest place. I had my own jewelry and I’ve never had any trouble. It doesn’t have the most inviting atmosphere but it seems like it’s still pretty clean. I used to always lie and say I had it done somewhere else because I didn’t think Avant Garde was cool enough but I’m certain you could do worse. I liked the in and out of it. I like that they didn’t seem interested in all the cooler than thou posturing that you usually find in a piercing salon.

Parents: DO NOT LET YOUR CHILDREN GET A PIERCING HERE!
I got my tongue pierced here, at age 16. Without a parent present.
If you did not know, you have to be 16 to get a non-​ear piercing, WITH a parent’s consent. 18 otherwise. It’s not that the folks at Avant Garde don’t ID you; it’s that they don’t care whose ID you give them. As long as it’s an 18 year old’s ID, you’re good.
I’m short, Asian, and, well, Asian, and my then-boyfriend’s sister (whose ID I used) was taller, white, and almost punk-​looking. They made a copy of the ID on the back of the forms I signed, and clearly the employee knew it was not me. But they played along, and let me get my piercing.
I know other people, underage, who have received piercings at Avant Garde. They all, too, used other people’s IDs. One girl I knew even used her boyfriend’s ID. His name was Ashley and he had longer hair, but clearly (with the 5 o’clock shadow) he was a male. That and it was listed he weighed about 100 pounds more than she appeared. The employees still let her get her belly button pierced, no problem.
They seemed perfectly sterile and clean; but, now that I am legally an adult, when I get a piercing or tattoo, etc. I want to make sure the place I patronize follow all of the rules and laws! Because, I figure, if they don’t follow one rule, what’s to say they won’t ignore another?