This has been my go-to nail salon for over 5 years now. It's not the best 10/10 in terms of quality of a mani or pedi, but for the price you pay it's worth it. Also sometimes a hit or miss depending on who is doing your nails (some are more aggressive than others, some pay more attention to detail). I honestly don't mind and never request anyone special. During covid they are enforcing social distancing, and there is a clear plastic wall barrier between you and the lady doing your nails. Everyone has to wear a mask and they take your temperature as well. Great selection of colors in both regular and shellac gel, which I've gotten both on many occasions. The wax paraffin feels amazing on hands and feet, especially if you like it hot. If you're in the area I would definitely recommend coming here. I've made appointments and also done walk-ins. Credit card is accepted. But Cash/Venmo for tip only. read more

This may be my first review ever in my 30 years of life , because it was that terrible. I came in to take off my acrylics and considered getting a manicure. However this turned into me confused on the entire process (instructing her to do things) ...it was uncomfortable and awkward. The vibe was not it. Nice little salon , but the workers not so much. The best part was after filing my nails all different lengths and shapes, I still had acrylic on my nails and she put oil all over my hand before I washed it. I didn't say a word , but you could tell I was upset. Then to really put the icing on the cake ... they wanted to charge my card the "minimum of $12" when I was just simply going to pay the $10 , not say a word and go back again. read more

City Nails & Spa - No comment - Nail Salons Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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It's really a clean business. And the ladies take their time and do your feet and nails with care.

terrible service. I went to get my acrylics removed and the old lady at the register did it--she ran the drill over my cuticles 4 times and then got upset when I flinched. My cuticles were bruised and she left the removal midway cussing in some other language. unprofessional, incompetent and rude. not only was her attitude terrible, my cuticles were red for days. no wonder this place is always empty! read more

I use to come here when I worked at Blackstone so I knew I'd be safe. Hannah took 30 minutes taking off the acrylic I got in DC a few weeks ago and I felt so bad but she got the job done!!! However, five of my nails already off or chipped after 2 days. read more

City Nails & Spa - Nail Salons Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Terrible terrible work the lady got mad because I requested someone else and horrible costumer service and they're over priced. Never coming here again. read more

Hannah was so helpful and did a phenomenal job on my nails. She even stayed later than closing to ensure my nails were looking top notch. Thank you!! read more

i got a dip manicure that took nearly two hours due to the length of time it took to remove my previous dip. the tech was tearing the old polish off with a cuticle trimmer. she did not file down the dip powder at all and it was patchy and uneven. it started chipping the next day and the chrome top coat is rubbing off. i just cut them myself because my raggedy nails were catching on everything. read more

The nail tech ripped out my ingrown toenail instead of cutting it off, so it ripped my skin and hurt a lot. Then I got an infection in the area due to the open wound and dirty tools they used. Do not go. read more

Place is usually packed on weekends (especially on Fridays), however the wonderful ladies here do an incredible job. 2 week old regular pedicure still looks good! read more

City Nails & Spa - Nail Salons Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Not a great experience today. See photo for an example of a really shoddy manicure. Took that photo right after I walked out and the left hand nails look just as bad because she didn't paint the nails anywhere close to my cuticle. Questioning whether I could have done a better job myself. $15 plus $3 tip = $18 I think I'll go elsewhere next time because the same pricing is just a street away on Tremont. read more

City Nails & Spa - Nail Salons Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Becca: Came here with a friend using the Groupon for a gel mani. I made an appointment and we were seen right away and were not given an attitude for using a discounted coupon, which I appreciated. The salon is vibrant and clean and the staff is kind and courteous. They had many options to choose from for gel. I originally picked out a blue color and the woman doing my nails could see the bad look on my face after she painted the first nail. Sensing my dissatisfaction, she immediately told me I could change it and helped me pick out a new, more neutral color. I'm usually too polite to speak up so I am happy she was so observant and kind. (Little did I know that I would be getting engaged later that day, she saved me!!) The manicure was great. The gel was even and lasted almost 4 weeks. I had to take it off because my nails were growing too long, not because it chipped! All in all was super satisfied with the experience and would return again. read more

City Nails & Spa - Was super excited to show off my new ring with the fresh gel mani! - Nail Salons Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

DONT COME HERE. I've given this place 3 chances and it sucks every single time. I only go when I'm desperate and my nail lady isn't available. I just went for a gel mani and pedi & my nails look horrible. She literally shook her head at me when I asked for a French mani. She kept huffing and puffing at every request and I felt like I was bothering her. Nails didn't even last a week even though it's gel. My toes also had gel and started peeling the day after. I won't be back again. They charged me 100$ for this BS. Also you'll get be getting your nails done at a bar type thing with super uncomfortable chairs while sitting 2 inches next to someone else. Go see any other nail salon but this one. read more

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Amazing little spot! I had been going to get my nails done near my apartment in Brighton for a while now but stopped because they're prices were too high for all the maintenance that came from their services. Enter City Nails & Spa - I came here because it's three blocks from my office on Harrison Avenue and I am so glad I did! I got the perfect set of acrylics for Valentine's Day at a reasonable price. This is going to be my new go to nail salon! The place was busy with new walk ins as well as booked regulars who swear by this salon - and I can see why! It's a super cute set up with friendly people and a huge array of colors. They do much more than manicures and pedicures so definitely give them a try. It felt like I was in an old bar that got converted into a salon and I loved it. Nice wood fixtures that give it a homey vibe. Chinese New Year is coming up so it's decorated with beautiful gold and red all over the place. Can't recommend enough and can't wait to go back! read more

City Nails & Spa - Nail Salons Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I arrived at 10:20a for my 10:30a appointment. I decided to get a pedi add on since there was a little early and they had availability. Pedi was great, while getting pedi my nail tech removed the gel polish with a electric tool , they did not soak them off. I have natural nails, they were ready to go. I asked for a nude ombré, the picture I showed was clearly dip, but since I had hard gel removed they assumed I wanted hard gel again, without recommending what I had asked for. All said and done the ombré turned out terrible because she tried to paint them on. The manager offered to remove the ombré for a plain color. All of this is fine, I just want my nails to look good. I guess what I'm most upset about is they charged me $90 for a gel color change, and I didn't even leave with what I had asked for. IMO that's unacceptable read more

I am very picky when it comes to my nails and have tried a few others in the city but always return back here. Over the years I have brought my family and friends here as well. My favorite girl knows exactly what I want and pays attention to the tiny details. I have become a regular to the point that she has gotten great at picking out colors for me based on a trip I'm taking or the season we are in. While I wouldn't describe this place as the most luxurious nail salon in Boston it's reliable. Be warned this place could be packed on the weekends especially if it's nice out. read more

City Nails & Spa - Nail Salons Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I took an Uber to City Nails after work today and, lucky me, it was 6:15 PM and there wasn't a single customer in the shop. Not one. Yay! All the nail techs were sitting around doing nothing in the pedicure chairs. One comes from behind the bar with a pleasant smile and asked me what I'd like to have done. I said I needed a fill, please. Without missing a beat, she told me - wait for it - the lady who does fills is not in today. Come back tomorrow Oh shit, was "a fill" the wrong answer? Did I offend her? Were my cooties out? Did I forget my deodorant? OK, I'll leave But, just out of curiosity, what exactly do the 5 or 6 of you sitting there in uniform do? Nail tech impersonations? Professional seat warmers? Or was it just a tough day at the office? You ladies relax. I will never bother you again. read more

Some of the ladies are really nice here but the owner is not. She was exceptionally rude to my 11 year old niece who was getting a gel manicure. She messed up her mani then was "huffing and puffing" because she said my niece moved her hand. Then, she had the audacity to accuse my 5 yo daughter of stealing nail polish (like we would even need more nail polish at home. I mean, isn't that the whole purpose of going to a salon, because you don't want to do your own nails?). read more

This salon is not recommended. I left with 3 fingers bleeding after a manicure. One of which became infected and I needed to see a doctor for treatment. I will not be going back. read more

I went there with my friend to get her nails done, and they did, according to her, a horrid job. Even I could tell that nails are not supposed to to have sags or bumps. When she complained they said she came in late, did not have the time to properly fix her nails, but why take her as a customer if you do not have the time to do the job? They offered her a $20 refund, and take off the nail polish, an insulting offer! read more

I have been here since I was a child. It has switched owners many times. By far, this is probably the best experience I have had. The decoration is very comfortable. The manicure stations are like bar tables, so the manicurist is standing which gives them a better view of your nails. As for me, I do not have to slouch my back. I didn't get a pedicure today, so can't really judge on that. I usually dislike getting gel nails because I hate how they have to file down your nail plate (which I have pretty thin ones to begin with). But I saw how nice they did this lady's and decided to try it again (4th time:1st in China when it first came out, 2nd in Brooklyn when it first arrived in America, 3rd in Brooklyn again different nail salon and it was way too thick for me). Gave it a shot today and love it! Didn't really filed too harshly on my nail plate and did not come out super thick. It was overall a pleasant experience. read more

City Nails & Spa - shellac gel nail - Nail Salons Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I asked for a coffin shape and got a messily done almond shape. there was not one person in the whole salon. was more expensive than better places I've been. read more

Best lave for a mani pedi in Boston! Nancy, the owner, makes sure you have a good experience. They take their time with each customer. And the leg massage at the end of the pedi is so relaxing. Whether you run a lot, or just want to get your feet ready for the summer, this is the place! Go in & enjoy this place. It is quite spacious! read more

City Nails & Spa - Mani station! - Nail Salons Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Found my nail place in Boston! I made an appoint for my 2 roommates and I on a Saturday morning, we all got gel mani and pedis. They have a large array of Essie and OPI nail polishes, gotta love it! The manicurists were very attentive and nice to speak to. Karen did a wonderful job on both my mani and pedi, she was very sweet and detailed with her job, I appreciated her work so so much. City Nails is very clean and modern. I loved their sleek, wood decor, paired perfectly with plants and flowers throughout their establishment. Once we were finished with pedis, they switch you over to the manicure area which looks very similar to a bar. They have tv's for entertainment, baseball was on #winning. After a very much needed mani and pedi and long search for a nail salon in Boston, I have found City Nails, beyond relieved! read more

City Nails & Spa - Nail Salons Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I just moved down the street from this nail salon and was excited to give it a try. I am leaving for a wedding tomorrow and wanted a manicure and pedicure. I got a regular pedicure and dipping powder manicure. The nail technician was nice, but clearly unfamiliar with how to do dipping powder. I wish she told me. I would have been just as happy with a gel manicure. Instead I spent two hours and $73 to get an uneven chunky manicure with cotton ball fuzz stuck to my nails. I could not be more disappointed. read more

City Nails & Spa - Nail Salons Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I felt like the woman doing my nails could not see very well honestly... there is fuzz caught underneath the polish and the sides are not painted fully. She also stabbed my cuticle by accident which hurt. She was in a hurry to help the next customer. Would not recommend. read more

City Nails & Spa - Nail polish - Nail Salons Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I've been going to this salon for my nails for nearly three years. Most of the women who work here are very hardworking and do a generally good job for the cost of the service. I want to share my recent experiences which have made me decide to stop coming here once and for all. A few months ago a newer member of the staff give me a very painful pedicure, which was made more difficult by our inability to communicate due to her lack of English. The opposite of the relaxing experience you hope to have at the salon. Not long after, despite this bad experience, I went back and had a regular manicure which was done by who I think is the owner. It was incredibly rushed, incredibly painful as she filed my nails down to the tip, and unsurprisingly the polish was applied unevenly. I swore never to go back, but back I went due to the convenient location. This time I started making appts with Tina, who is wonderful. Last week unfortunately she was out, and I risked going in without an appt. My luck ran out and I got both the newer worker for my pedi (which was as painful and awkward as I remembered) as well as the owner for my mani (which lasted all of 10 minutes). When I asked her to give me clear polish instead of the gel mani I had planned as I feared a crappy job, she cracked some joke with her coworkers as she clearly made fun of whatever I had said. I can tolerate a bad job here and there, but to disrespect customers in this way is simply unacceptable. For this reason, I can support them no longer. If you're going to go here, do yourself a favor and make an appointment with your favorite technician ahead of time... read more

This is the third time I have gone for a Pedicure. The first two were excellent. This mornings was the worst. The Tech didn't speak, rushed thru the procedure and then said finished. Perhaps she was having a bad day, but I will not go to her again. read more

It's a big no from me. The lady at the front desk snapped at me when I asked a question. The nail tech burned me with the drill several times. I kept apologizing and she let me know she was annoyed with me (sighing and rolling her eyes). She applied the dip so heavy that my nails have blobs on the sides. The nail tech was super rough tugging my arm closer to her. It was wild. The dip wasn't evenly applied so it's not covering the sides of my nails. I'm not sure what was up. I've never been there before but I've never had such a weird experience getting dip before. She might have just been having a bad day but for that price I was frustrated with the quality and roughness of the service. I still gave a good tip, but I'll never go back. read more

3 stars bc the people here are so nice but -2 two stars bc my gel mani always chips or begins to lift within a couple of days which never happens to me if I go to my regular nail tech. read more

They get the job done without a lot of fuss. They have a lot of loyal customers, so expect a wait if you show up mid-day on a weekend. And maybe bring your own polish. I've been to a lot of places, but this is my go-to for now. read more

I am going to give City Nails a solid 4 stars. I will reserve a 5th star for a second visit (which I will definitely schedule). Why am I reserving a star? Well, my friend and I are were two of three clients in the enormous salon and the few bad reviews on here seem to be as a result of rushed service so I want to be sure having your nails done here is a true, solid 5-star investment before I go all in! What you need to know before you go: 1 - Amazingly clean, open, airy and bright. 2 - Well-kept pedicure chairs that give brilliant back massages 3 - Pedicures last 20-25 minutes with lengthy scrubs and massages 4 - Selection of colors is amazing. My new favorite: Essie's "In Stitches" 5 - You sit at a long bar to have your nails done - great idea! 6 - Frequent manicure card. Have ten manicures, the 11th is free 7 - Yes, they have Shellac. Total for a Shellac manicure and pedicure is only $55.00. Good relative to the expensive location. I for one, did not experience any of the negative things that others did, but I will definitely go back to make sure that my great experience wasn't a one hit wonder! read more

Michelle is awesome! Always does flawless, uniformly shaped acrylic nails. Once she knows the shape you like she is able to replicate it every time. I've tried other salons in the Boston are and I always return to Michelle because she's consistently the best. read more

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The first time I came here I was told to pick a color and have a seat at the counter. After 20 minutes of no one even looking in my direction, I asked how much longer it would be. The nail lady said "20 minutes" so I up and left and did my own damn nails. I gave them another chance last week and I'm actually really glad that I did. I ended up getting a wonderful nail lady who took her time from start to finish and made pleasant conversation and cheered on Family Feud. The space is nicer than most nail salons I've been to in Boston and my nails came out great. I paid the extra $10 from the back rub while my nails dried and even though it was only $10, it really wasn't worth it. This is probably going to end up replacing My Mani Pedi on Tremont to be my go-to for my mani/pedi. read more

I have mixed feelings about the good reviews this place is getting. On the one hand, I'm happy because my neighborhood needs a great nail salon and I want these folks to stay in business; on the other hand, the more well known it becomes, the more crowded it will be and the less able I will be to pop in whenever I have a chip and get it taken care of. I guess I'll be unselfish and echo the great reviews. This place used to be a total dump called T&J Nail Salon, but it's under new ownership and has undergone a total metamorphosis. Comfy massaging pedi-spa chairs, nice atmosphere, and clean, clean, clean! The people who work here are also really sweet and the prices are quite reasonable. In all, I've never had a bad or disappointing experience. So, yeah. Go here. Just not when I want to. read more

The cleanest nail salon that I have been to in Boston-~with the exception of Bella Sante on Newbury Street. They do shellac nails and as another reviewer said, have the largest collection of colors that I have seen. I am reserving the last star for a second visit, which will include a pedicure. The prices are excellent; the nail bar is clever. Up to my 7th visit and I am just as pleased as with the first. Pedi chairs are amazing.Relaxing Took my husband for a min-pedi today ( no polish, no cutting, please!) Everyone was so nice to him. Salon is immaculate~Bella Sante, you still do have an edge on your waxing and feeling of total serenity. read more

I love this place! At 28 years old I never was someone who "got their nails done." I always just do them myself. I stopped in here for a treat on my birthday and I am hooked! They are cheap for Boston, very clean and have a great (aka HUGE) selection of shellac, gel, OPI and Essie products! They are very good and my gel never chips. My pedicure lasted 5 weeks without chipping (although it did grow out). Excellent. I may never do my own nails again! FYI: They also have a reward card, but you have to pay in cash to get a stamp. Also bring cash to tip as they won't add extra onto the card. read more

I LOVE having my nails done here! City Nails is walking distance from my office, and I spend my hour lunch here once every 3 weeks or so. The salon is very clean, with massage chairs for pedis and a bar for manis. You can even ask to have both done at once to save time. They have a large selection of both Essie and OPI colors and will find one for you if you know the name. They never mess up my polish, even when they are very busy. Sometimes there is a little bit of a wait if the weather is nice. read more

My go-to in my hood -- rarely need an appt, just roll in -- place is clean, relaxing, and playing awesome K-pop on in the background. Solid and massive selection of colors -- and I genuinely think that the UV dryers make the polish last longer. Strong in the massage department, and the women are lovely. Ped is $25ish and a polish change is $8 or 12, I don't remember -- I think a full mani is $15, but unsure. Oh, a word to the wise, do not go here for a wax. Ever. But absolutely hit up the nails. read more

I've since moved from the SE, but moving takes a toll on your nails, so I figured I'd visit my old reliable, City Nails. I rarely get manicures, but I figured, why not. WHAT A MISTAKE. The woman cut my cuticle so that it bled and it HURT. Now there is a terrible scab that looks like that I bite my nails -- all this BEFORE a BIG INTERVIEW.... WTF. She didn't say anything, no discount, nothing. Not only that, the polish is bubbling! UGH. WHAT A WASTE of time and money. I basically had to take off the polish and just wear a bandaid on the nail that was bleeding. City Nails you have let me down, never coming back. Not worth my drive over. I'm going to look for a new place in my new neighborhood. read more