I just got my 23rd tattoo on June 18th. Seven of those have been done at Out On a Whim in the last couple of years. Sal is absolutely the best! I live 2 1/2 hours from the shop, but I refuse to go to anyone else! Sal has always been able to take my idea and turn it into the perfect tattoo. His work is just beautiful! The shop is so very welcoming. The artists are professional, yet friendly and laid back. Everything is clean and well set up. I am already looking forward to getting another tattoo sometime in the future. read more

Out On A Whim - Done by Sal in 12/2023. While I was there getting a new tattoo, he did some touch-ups and made it look absolutely new again! - Tattoo Near Me - Dekalb, Illinois

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Sam (the piercer) was amazing. I've had 3 piercings done in the last couple weeks and he made em painless. Def recommend

I had my jewelry put back in after having it out for surgery. The guy dropped the ball on the floor that was meant to be screwed on. He was looking for it on the floor which was dirty. He said he found it and went to put it on and I told him that wasn't mine it was someone else's so he looked again and made a comment that the guy the night before was supposed to clean the room and sweep the floor. I was mortified. Very unsanitary! I usually go to Proton but the piercer wasn't in. I will never go back there. The place has gone downhill since Kenny sold it to the new owner read more

I went in to get an eagle added to a flat Polish flag and some white & red coloring. For some reason, the tattoo artist, Jesse, decided to add dark lines to this flag. When I asked him why he added those lines, he said it looks like the flag is flowing in the wind & that the marks will fade. However a flat flag doesn't need to flow in the wind. I left there hoping the marks would fade because this was simply a flat flag but they didn't, so I called to complain & the tattoo artist offered to fix it but every time I arrived there (which was about an hour away from my home), he'd have forgotten about our appointment & would have another one there that was a paying customer. If he didn't screwed it up to begin with, there would be nothing that he would have to do for free! Therefore, since it's already been twice that I had to turn around and drive home, I decided that I cannot count on this business & need to get it fixed elsewhere. This recklessness is now going to cost me most likely three times as much or more to remove the dark marks with laser and then to color them back in with tattoo ink. If you're thinking of going here, I would suggest going somewhere else, because they are incapable of a simple tattoo let alone correcting a mistake. Also Jesse's constant demeaning use of calling me "honey" or "sweetie" really bothered me because if you do not know me, you shouldn't call me those types of names. It's male chauvinism at its worst & at a place of business! How unprofessional! read more

Out On A Whim - Marks added to the flat Polish flag, thereby ruining the tattoo completely! - Tattoo Near Me - Dekalb, Illinois

Today I got a tattoo that I have wanted since I was an emo kid in middle school. I was very nervous about it because it was my first tattoo, and it is very important to me. A very small tattoo, all it said was "Green Day". Nonetheless, the sentimental value was strong with this one. Randi was SO helpful and even put Green Day on. I was so nervous but I left so excited and happy with my new tattoo. PLEASE go here!! I am so happy! read more

I have work done from Barbie and Justin, will never go to another shop! Pink rose was done by Barbie about a year ago and the yellow rose was just done by Justin. Came all the way from Grand Haven MI read more

Out On A Whim - Tattoo Near Me - Dekalb, Illinois

The piercing man was very knowledgeable and gave good advice on aftercare. I had a botched piercing from another place he gave advice on and it healed a bit better with his help. 10/10, i recommend for piercings. They also have a wide selection of jewlery and replacement pieces, from regular quality to high quality. read more

This place is outstanding. It's the best shop in the area. The owners Justin and Barbie are good at what they do and are great people as well. I wouldn't hesitate to send any friend or family member there for a tattoo. The shop is clean, well lit, and is aesthetically cool. Reading the other reviews, I'd say one in particular definitely needs to be taken with a giant grain of salt. read more

My daughter, my mother-in-law and I all got a tattoo a couple of weeks ago. This was a first for all of us but Randi made it comfortable and easy for us. It was a great experience! read more

The interior design of this place is fantastic. It's been remodeled and is under new ownership. Everyone is super nice and helpful. Definitely coming back! read more

Got the serotonin molecule tattooed on my arm. Did an awesome job I walked in without and appointment and I love the new tat. Cool place I'd definetly come back read more

If only I could rate it with negative stars. I came here around 6pm. Really not even busy at all. Maybe a client or two. I came to get a piercing for my bottom lip. I want a 16g flatback with a small gem preferably without the ball metal. He took out his messy unorganized jewelry tray and mentioned it verbally to me it was a fucking mess. Took less than 30 seconds to try and find me a piercing and then proceeded to tell me that it's a mess and this is why he doesn't pierce and how messy and unorganized it was and how he couldn't find me one. He then told me hecould recommend elsewhere for me to go as he whispered to me Dekalb Tattoo because he use to work there. So I will recommend everyone else should as well they're literally just down the st from this lazy shop. I wouldn't even come back. I will say for the record I did buy a piercing for $10. I haven't had one in for 2 days and didn't want to risk it closing so I bought it. Needless to say I would not go to this place even if it was out on a whim. read more

If you want to get a piercing get it here! The owner/piercer is very knowleable and easy to talk to. Years ago i got my lip done and had a great experiance! My bf got his nipples pierced and they both are straight he also go his septum done recently; that looks good too! They have a huge selection of jewerly something for every taste. I gave this place a 4 because of all the hippy crap you have to waste your vision on when you go here. Other than that clean piercing rooms, nice people, a new hunk of metal in your body what more could you want? read more

Ugh. I should have run out the door the moment I stepped in. Gross main room (I mean, I don't want to have a bird in a place where I'm buying piercings) and the guy seriously rubbed me the wrong way. Definitely will never come back here even to buy replacement piercings. Avoid if you can. read more

Had my tragus pierced here. He gave excellent advice, and it healed perfectly. Looks great.

Amazing location and friendly staff. Not only does Kenny do piercings but he does amazing decoration balloon work for events and designed a massive balloon arch to cover the front of my store for it's grand opening. I highly recommend this business! read more

Very clean! Barbie did my tattoo and was awesome! No doubt I would go back again! The staff is very friendly! Great atmosphere!

Love Kenny! Just switched out my nose ring for a stud, must say his instructions on piercing care are the best! I've had my navel pierced by Kenny, my daughter had her navel pierced by him... He knows his stuff. Love also the stories he tells. Would not ever go anywhere else for a piercing. read more

PIERCINGS: Do NOT get any piercing from Out on a Whim. I had a terrible experience where the jewelry wouldn't go through. The piercer used a normal needle not a hollow needle which is VERY important for piercings and substantially determines the healing process of your piercing. THE PIERCER WAS HIGH. I could smell the marijuana on his clothes and he couldn't keep a clear conversation whatsoever. This is a very unprofessional place. I STRONGLY suggest receiving a piercing from Euro Tattoo on Rockford. ALL piercings are $10 and he is so amazing. read more

NEVER GET A PIERCING FROM HERE! Not only does Kenny do a terrible job with piercings, he also hits on any girl that walks in! My piercing is so messed up and when I went to have it looked at by a PROFESSIONAL, they said Kenny has a bad reputation for not piercing correctly and told me that I am going to lose my piercing that was OVERPRICED! Also, navel piercings are not supposed to be done with a hoop because they wont heal properly, it was just him being CHEAP! I should've done my research before having to deal with all the pain that comes with an improperly done piercing. I would give this place ZERO stars if it would let me. read more

Amazing! The new owners are extremely talented and welcoming. Before I left tonight after my first piece with them I scheduled a second visit. I've had horrible experiences with other shops in the past. Barbie and Justin will receive all my future business. If your thinking about getting some ink done, at least stop by and see what they have to offer. Phenomenal work, affordable prices, and a very comfortable environment. A+ read more