I got my nose pierced here a few weeks ago and I had a good experience. The guy who pierced my nose was very nice and listened to where exactly I wanted my piercing. Everything seemed clean and sterile, which was my top priority because I didn't want to get an infection. The piercing itself provided enough room for swelling and healing, which again was important for me to prevent infection and keloids. I also got a small tattoo here and it healed well, but per usual in DC, the tattoo was crazy expensive for the size. Ultimately, I do like it here especially because it is in close proximity to my school. read more

just go somewhere else honestly... I had to take my helix out because it was pierced wrong and had no chance of healing, jewelry for tragus wasn't right either. read more

He pierced my rook without considering the anatomy apparently..9 months go by and it's doing okISH. I go back to switch it out bc i need help..and he MANHANDLES it SO badly, the next day its so irritated my piercing falls out. Falls out as in my ear SPLIT. not the earring fell off or nothing..nah my ear SPLIT. and he still made me pay for that shit. be so ffr. read more

Here's the gist: Unsanitary, rude, expensive, a waste of time, please consider going somewhere else. I came in for jewelry, and they didn't have a wide range of options. When one of the workers was helping me he also walked around piercing a group of people without changing gloves, cleaning, or preparing the set up properly read more

We brought our 17 yo daughter in to get her navel pierced. The were very professional, the shop is very clean and he was fast. I definatly reccomend this place. read more

Got a rook piercing here. Was only told the bare minimum for care, so it got infected less than a week later. The infection was so bad that I had to go to the ER and later get surgery. Would not recommend. read more

I went here to get my helix piercing and I was already nervous about it and Steve Gayles, my piercer didn't make it any better. He had positioned it one way and I didn't like it so I told him to move it. Went back and forth a few times and he got super annoyed and kind of shrugged me off. I don't understand why you're getting annoyed when you're piercing someone, it isn't on you, it's on your customer so you should show better customer service. I kept apologizing for making him move the mark a couple times and he didn't even say anything, just shrug me off like I said. Only reason why it was a two star was because it didn't hurt and it was fast. He didn't tell me to take a deep breath in and out like usual but it made it hurt less because I wasn't anticipating it. Overall just wish he had better customer service because I've never felt so uncomfortable with a piercer before till him. read more

BEWARE -- This place is a complete scam. Had an appointment for tomorrow night but can't make it because of the snow storm that just hit DC and a flight cancellation. When I called to cancel, I was told that there's no refund, despite the site / text message confirmation saying that cancellation is an option if it's outside the 24 hour window. So, if you're planning on going here and you make an appointment, rest assured you won't get your money back no matter what. Already in the process of filing a charge back with my credit card company. Unreal. read more

If you want a piercing done properly DO NOT come here. I got my second nose piercing at this shop and it was such a bad idea. It's been a year and a half and my piercing STILL has not healed, is sensitive to the touch and I can't change it. My first nose piercing took MAX 9 months to heal. Most shops use a clamp on your nose once they have marked the spot and then use a needle to pierce the hole with the ring attached on top so it goes directly through in one swift motion. This shop only had JUST a needle and put the ring in directly with his hand! Do not go here. It's not worth whatever deal or discount you are getting. If you choose to do after reading this, you have been warned!!! read more

I've had three other cartilage piercings from other shops and never had a problem with infections. The cartilage piercing I got done here six months ago still gets infected practically every other week. Not sure if it's cheap jewelry or what but I don't recommend this place. Tattoo Paradise in Adams Morgan is more expensive but way higher quality for piercings. read more

My friends and I made appointments for helix piercings online. Payment is online and easy to use. When walking out of the metro stop, I would caution any decent person to be very cautious. The area is pretty sketchy but me and my friends didn't have trouble finding the place. When going in, we were greeted by Steve who was also our piercer. We filled out our paperwork easily and Steve did a great job with our piercings. The process was quick and easy & the piercings were very even! Would definitely come again!! read more

I've gotten piercing infections twice with this shop. Not sure if it's the jewelry or improper cleaning. When I came to ask the piercer fo switch my jewelry out because I was having a bad reaction to the one they put in, the response was "nahhh you probably snagged it" . And they charged me to switch out an earring even though I got it pierced there. read more

Unprofessional tattoo shop that should be avoided at all cost!!! Tattoo artist leaves at random times making you miss your appointment. I will NEVER do business with this shop again. read more

Best piercer in DC! Super professional, affordable, quick and nice! I've had nearly everything pierced here (Lol) definitely recommend!

I went about a month ago for a Tragus piercing, three weeks later my piercing got infected. I am not sure how it got infected but i cleaned it three times a day with the sea salt product i purchased from them and it's about to be a month and my piercing is still infected. It seems to be a keloid infection. read more

Piercing Connect & Tattoos - Tattoo Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I got my nipple pierced here, and the whole process felt rushed. There were no markings to make sure it was even and he didn't ask how I wanted it; he just clamped and pierced. The whole process was over very quickly, and I thought that was a good thing until I got home and noticed that the piercing was CROOKED! I would've noticed before I left, but he didn't give me a chance to see it -- I don't even think there was a mirror around! When I called and told him it was crooked, the piercer told me to take it out and to come back in two days to re-pierce it (after he tried to blame me for it being crooked in the first place). However, when I called three other shops for another opinion, they all said to wait at least 2 weeks to a month in order for it to heal properly. If I would've done what they said here, I probably would've ended up with problems with the piercing. I should've known from the moment I walked in not to do a piercing here. It looks super shady, the employees are rude and unwelcoming, there was no explanation of what was going to happen, and no mention of how to take care of the piercing afterwards. He offered to do the re-piercing for free, but I turned that down. Between the bad advice and horrible service, who knows what I would've ended up with. I would never trust them with anything again. Don't be fooled by a cheap price!! read more

So initially ranked this place 4 stars but now 4 days later, I'm seeing that I got what I paid for. Paid 1/3rd of what other shops were quoting for my design so thought it was a great deal. NOPE, u get what u pay for in this case. My tattoo has peeled (which is normal in healing) but mine has peeled to the point that the ink is gone in some spots. So now I have to have it retouched once it's healed. This is def an amateur shop, had my first one at a much higher price at a diff shop and the color is still brilliant now 5 years later. Meanwhile this one already looks busted and I've been told by couple ppl w that's that it's not supposed to look this faint even while healing. So buyer beware. Real nice people but technique isn't the best and work isn't top notch read more

The tattoo artist are everything but professional. He's constantly late to appointments and has horrible customer service.

I had gotten my tragus pierced here and it was so unbearably painful. It was pierced with a curved barbel which is the incorrect bar for this type of piercing causing it to grow TWO keloids on either side. It also got infected very shortly after being pierced and still has NOT healed at all, even with proper care. read more

I've been to this piercer two times. A few years ago I got my belly pierced and it was okay. But recently I got my tragus pierced by him, it got infected and I had it removed. I take very good care of my piercings and nothing has ever happened not even a keloid. The jewelry for my piercing was too small and too tight. It pus a lot and was extremely swollen. I thought it was apart of the healing process, but after talking to a few other piercers it wasn't. Although, his deals are good. His customer service isn't good all!!! Just be careful if you decide to get pierced. read more

Piercing Connect & Tattoos - Swollen and infected tragus piercing. - Tattoo Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Probably the WORST experience I've had in a piercing shop. The piercer, as I was filling out paperwork, made a comment about how ready he was to get out of there (an hour and a half before closing). Barely sterilized the equipment. Used the wrong jewels for my nipple piercings (they were way too small and left no room for swelling/healing). Did not have me lie down, and didn't even examine my nipples before starting to make sure he was using the right jewel/going in the right/symmetric spot. He stuck a clamp on my nipples and shoved a needle through. A friend of mine could've done what I paid $90 for. I had them looked at by a professional and she told me he went way too deep into my nipple and that I should take them out and let them heal. I will be thankful if I don't have to see a doctor because of this experience. read more

I called Piercing Connect looking for an industrial piercing. After hearing the prices (the lowest that I've found so far in DC), and seeing the exterior (the first floor of which is vacant and has "for lease" signs up), I was suspicious. HOWEVER, I am very happy with my piercings and would 100% go back. I came in for an industrial ($40 with card incl jewelry, but on this day the sale was $20 if you used cash), but left with a tragus piercing as well because I couldn't pass up on the BOGO half off deal through yelp (which meant it came out to be only $18!!). There is a $2 fee for using credit cards and sometimes a discount if you use cash, so definitely keep that in mind. The shop might need some aesthetic TLC, but everything was sterile and newly opened, and my piercer was very helpful and professional. 5 star experience. read more

Piercing Connect & Tattoos - Tattoo Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Very clean and professional. Such a relaxing environment. Loved my piercing experience. Steve is the best in the business!!!

Piercing Connect is the ONLY shop I choose to go to in DC. I'm from California and most of the time, I'll wait until I go to DC just to get pierced or tatted. The shop is extremely clean. I've never had any problems with the owner or staff. Just be respectful and they'll give you all of the respect in the world. They have a variety of body jewelry if you just want to switch it up too. Don't be afraid to ask for any piercing even if it seems rare. Trust me, he's done them all. He's a professional. I've been going to Piercing Connect for YEARS (before there was even a shop) read more

Steve is great. Just came from getting the industrial and he was very patient with me and explained how to take care of it. Very good job.

This is a very good place to go and have tattoo and piercing done; the shop is very clean. Steven who did my nose piercing was friendly, patience and professional; he used Topical Skin Cleanser to clean the site and jewelry before piercing. I definitely recommend this shop for tattoo and piercing. I am going back in two weeks for my navel piercing. read more

The service provided here was excellent! Beyond getting what i wanted, how I wanted it the piercer was very patient. An addition to that, he doesn't mind answering questions about piercings he didn't even do. After you've paid for your service he still treats you the same way and responds like your business is valued. The location was small but very comfortable, convenient and close to the Howard campus. read more

First Steve put the wrong gauge in my industrial bar.so it never healed and I have huge keloids.dont go

Great service, fast and painless. Outside is just that...the outside. Don't base your rating or reviews of this establishment on outer appearance only. read more

First time getting piercings and Steve was chill, super friendly. He definitely made it an easy experience. It's been about 2 weeks and I'm confident that the piercings are healing right, so I'm glad I picked up the salt water spray. Look out for his IG specials. Glad I finally did it! Happy customer, check him out! -- The location is on the second floor, so just look out for the sign up top and black door read more

Very fast, efficient, and reasonable. I highly recommend for body piecing. I recently got my nose pierced. Other than my ear lobes i never had a body piercing so i didn't know what to expect. However it was very quick and almost painless. The end result was better than i imagined. I definitely would go back for any additional piercings and recommend my friends. GREAT PRICES. read more

Our two girls (5&7) finally got their lobes pierced!! I am very happy with the price, process, and Steve's patience! The shop needs a little work but I felt it was clean. read more

I was visiting DC a few weeks ago and decided to go to The Piercing Connect after seeing a lot of Steve's work on social media; I had been looking forward to finally visiting because of the rave comments under his posts, and the reasonable prices too. I came in to get pierced. The piercing turned out alright, but he did not do a good job of welcoming me and explaining the piercing process, manipulation/changing of the ring, or after care; he did not care much about my concerns either. I felt like I had to do a lot of probing to get any information, and it should not have been that way. I felt rushed, and he did not even thank me for my patronage afterwards. I've been to other piercers, and so I know what good customer service is, in that regard. Let me also add that Steve did not ask me where I wanted the hole to be placed; he just poked a hole where he wanted to. Steve needs to do a better job with providing information about the service one is about to receive/has received. He seemed to also care more about certain customers than others (he was nicer to customers from "the hood"). I'd give this place 2.5 stars because the piercing was pretty at first, but customer service means a lot to me, and for this reason, I will not be going back. I guess you really get what you pay for. Proceed at your own risk. read more

I was really excited to get my belly button pierced here. I was getting an inverse navel piercing and the piercer stuck the needle in then took it out so when he tried to insert the jewelry, he faced some difficulty. Sadly, he had to reinsert the needle, causing me unnecessary pain. The end result was beautiful. I wish it was a better experience though. They were very professional & expressed sincere apology. It was a difficult piercing so I understood. I'd definitely go back. read more

Got my septum pierced here for a pretty low price. The process was quick. The shop was very clean. My piercer was cool. The piercing healed so perfectly that I was able to change my jewelry within the next month (even though I "technically" was told not to) with no problems. read more

I appreciate that they post deals on IG (they have 2 pages so pay attention to both; some of the deals are cash only so pay attention to that) because of this I was able to get my tongue and my nose pierced, along with a stud (additional 10 dollars), alcohol free mouthwash, and aftercare spray for 40 total. Steve was very patient with me which I appreciate, I had a great experience. read more

I honestly would not recommend bringing your business here. Even though the prices are cheap, the service isn't worth it. Steve was very inhospitable and was trying to rush through as if he was bored. I got my nose pierced and paid $10 for the jewelry, only for the stud to fall out 3 days later. Not only that, the jewelry was so small to the point that my piercing fell out of my nose completely. I had to reinsert it to prevent it from closing which resulted in a granuloma that I've been treating with tea tree oil. Thankfully it went away. Save yourself the trauma and disappointment. Go elsewhere with your business. read more

Went in to get my belly button pierced and it turned out great. Everything was clean and the workers were nice. Only complaint was the wait time, which was 3 hours because I went when they had a special. read more

Shop was clean, and affordable, however the piercer was extremely rude, very unprofessional. I scheduled an appointment at 12pm and waited outside until 2pm for the piercer to get there! I don't recommend any one going there, it isn't worth the services. read more

Very awful experience the tattoo guy is unable to do his job. He ruined a friends tattoo design and now she has to live with his mistake forever. Very impersonal and money driven staff do not go here if you want a tattoo. Did not even apologize for ruining her tattoo and stubbornly handed back her money. Was frustrated the whole time and did not take constructive criticism well. Please save your money unless you want a piercing. That is why the place is called the piercing connect. read more