The Alley Piercings

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  Okay,  4 stars only because the guy who did my piercings (Scott Jania) back in 200? left Progressive, I guess. That's a damn shame. He was an excellent piercer. I go to a great guy now and I'm loyal to both my piercer and my tattoo artist, but Scott was definitely top notch.
  
  Let me say this: the previous reviews are right on. For all the bitchiness of The Alley employees, Progressive more than made up for it. I was super nervous going for said piercings (which shall not be named here!) and the guy at the front desk really made me feel at ease. Scott took about a zillion years talking to me and made me feel calm and comfortable--never rushed, and never like I was an inconvenience. It was awesome--a truly great experience. I know I'm going a few years back, but they didn't charge an arm and a leg (as some hot spots in the city are known to do) and that was also very much appreciated. Man, they lost a great piercer with Scott Jania leaving. If he were still there, I'd give a solid five stars all the way.

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  Posted on 06.13.10 Courtney O.

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  I hadn't been to the Alley for a piercing since the Scotts left a few years ago, however, I was getting anxious for something new and thought I'd give the new guy a chance.  I figured I'd talk to them a bit, see how I felt, then decide if I trust him.
  
  I have to say, as great as the Scotts were, I really like Bryan and his apprentice.  They were really friendly and willing to talk and explain things before, during and after the piercing.  Bryan is professional but still friendly.  I felt completely at ease with him and trusted him fully.  He showed me that everything was sterile, he explained each step of what he was doing, talked to me about jewelry, answered all my questions, and joked around with me in between.
  
  Sure, is it pricey compared to other piercing studios?  Of course.  However, I go because I know it's clean, and I know I won't regret it.  I'm willing to pay for better jewelry and a piercer who knows what he's doing.  
  
  Especially after the horror stories I've heard about, this is the only place I trust to get pierced, especially for more unusual piercings.

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  Posted on 04.29.10 M. G.

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  I miss Scott.  In fact, I miss both Scotts.  Jania was the reason I started going and once that other (jackass) piercer left and he brought in Barrs, I knew I wasn't going anywhere.
  
  I called shortly after they both left only to deal with assholes both times.  Turns out my favorite Alley employee was no longer there either, and when I asked when Scott would be in no one mentioned neither worked there anymore.  They hung up on me twice (the first time I called) and days later were extremely rude when I asked if they happened to know of any scarification artists.  
  
  Before completely ruling them out I stopped in, and whoever was behind the counter was completely uninterested in anyone and just leaned on the case like he was bored out of his mind.  From now on I'm going to Johnny at Native Rituals, even though it's not convenient AT ALL........he reminds of Scott Jania.  It's too bad both of the Scotts are gone, they were great and I always recommended my friends go to them.  Now, I send people elsewhere, even if it's just for jewelry.

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  Posted on 05.06.09 Claudia S.

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  Fantastic.
  I got my cartilage pierced by Brian. Although it was a bit pricey ($30 for the piercing, $30 for the jewelry) it was completely worth it. Brian was incredibly knowledgeable and professional and the studio was more clean & sterile than a lot of hospitals I've been in.  The piercing was quick and (relatively) painless.  I would recommend it to anyone.  If they can do such a good job with a simple cartilage piercing, I know it would be a great place to go for something more extreme.  Brian and the guy who rang me up were super friendly, too so it was a great experience overall!

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  Posted on 02.28.09 Maureen M.

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  I grew up in the area... went to the greystone school with the huge church. yup. 10 years in that hood.  anyway.. the alley-- from knowing it as a wee child - i probably wouldn't have fathomed a trip there for a piercing (although i probably would have bc i made a lot of bad decisions----whatever)
  
  point being:  go on youtube  look up piercing videos.  you will find nothing like those videos at progressive piercing/ the alley's piercing studio.  oddly enough (to my imagination as a child) the standards of sterilization and professionalism is INCREDIBLE and at the utmost, tip top, high-end, way to go- way that i could only wish of other piercing studios...
  
  so- as i watch videos of piercings on youtube i am disappointed for those individuals who never got to experience the people piercing at the alley.  
  
  clean.  knowledge.  realist piercers.  
  
  they don't pierce under par.... or over par if you play golf (ha i'm funny)

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  Posted on 02.22.09 Kathryn D.

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  Like Su said, don't let The Alley's exterior scare you off. Progressive, while located inside, is a separate entity. and thank god for that.
  
  In short, there is nowhere else in Chicago I'd even consider over Progressive. This is the place to go for surface piercings, though my friends and I have gotten all kinds of work done here. Both piercers are extremely professional and knowledgeable, and will go the extra mile (or twenty) to make sure you're comfortable. They will never try to sell you something that won't be viable for you, and make sure to explain everything in detail. You won't leave here with questions-- and, if you do, you won't get attitude for coming back and asking them.
  
  I got my first surface piercing done here over two years ago by Scott Jania. He had to special order the jewelry, which didn't come in for three weeks. Even though it was out of his control, he offered to give me my next piercing for free. I later had my septum and anti-eyebrow done by him, and he did a great job with placement on both of them, even though it took at least 20 minutes for me to decide on where I wanted my anti-eyebrow. I didn't feel rushed through the process at any point, even though I'm sure I was being obnoxious.
  
  Edit: I recently got pierced by the other Scott and I was equally as pleased.

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  Posted on 11.30.07 lisa m.

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  I'm starting a separate entry for the piercing studio in The Alley because the reviews of The Alley as a clothing store are overwhelmingly negative but the piercing studio is great!
  
  So as I said, it's in The Alley but the same kid selling you a t-shirt is not going to be working at the studio. Currently Scott Barrs and Scott Jania are the piercers. Great guys, very patient and willing to explain procedure and jewelry.
  
  I was able to get a piercing as a walk-in on a Saturday. My friend was able to come back and watch but no photography due to The Alley's policies. Lots of attention was given to piercing placement. And I know  the piercer is only partially responsible for how much it hurts (my brain being mostly responsible), it was not as painful as I had feared.
  
  So The Alley as a clothing store may be old and busted but don't hold that against the piercing studio!

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  Posted on 08.26.07 Su S.

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