For my first tattoo, I wanted lettering of a Latin inscription over my shoulders. I walked into Zebra's because it was one of the few places I knew of. The counter staff and one of the artists had a distant, "too-cool-for-you" attitude, so I looked over the artists' catalogs by myself in search of quality ink. I was seriously impressed with Brian's work, especially with his lettering, and when I asked who he was I was pointed to the nicest guy in the room who was treating his current clients with an extra dose of professionalism. How you do one thing is how you do everything.
During our first meeting, I gave Brian the basics what I wanted, but felt like I skimped on a few details (i.e., I wanted vines over the lettering). But when I walked in the second time, he had basically read my mind and had done a great job outlining the inscription with badass foliage. I handed him a printout of what I envisioned the final product to look like, and for our third meeting he combined both ideas and took it to a next-level, out-of-this-world stencil! Despite being seriously impressed, I asked for one extra modification to his drawing (enlargement). He did that like he did the other mods: with zen-like patience and the humility of a true craftsman.
Finally, the tattooing itself was excellent. Brian is a great artist, and was very open about the process (needles used, pre-ink application, techniques being done for each section, etc). I spent most of the time zoning out, but when I felt like talking or coughing, he was accommodating for both. I left with clear after-care instructions and a free touch-up waiver, but I don't think I'll need it - the quality of the body art is unreal!
Came in today to get my tongue pierced. (Walnut creek store) What a great experience. Guy at the counter was very nice and knowledgeable. Gal who did it was quick,friendly and very knowledgeable as well. Numbing spray was the worst part tastes awful but I'm a baby for piercings even though I have a full sleeve of tattoos. My only concern is that its only been an hour or so yet the bar doesn't look like there's any room left incase it starts to swell up,hopefully it will be ok. ( wonder if they gave me the wrong length bar) Anyways, when I came before last year to get my nose done,staff wasn't as friendly so great job on the improvement guys!:) I think sometimes the "judgemental stares" are really just the staff checking out and admiring whatever tattoos and body modifications you have. (Was complimented on my sleeve and short blonde buzzed hair. Thank you Zebra staff! Now,just gotta deal through the swelling over the next few days!:)
Review Source:I got that triple helix piercing done on my ear. And while the placement was fine & the piercer was friendly enough, he should've caught that the jewelry the people working the counter helped me pick out was wrong. The posts that were placed in my ear were WAY too short and the piercings didn't have adequate space to heal. The girl working the front counter was friendly and gave me a discount. She, however, was the only friendly face at the counter. The guys she was working with had serious judgement faces, and did NOT provide a welcoming environment for the shop. But she should've been knowledgable enough to select longer posts and the piercer DEFINITELY should've caught it. As a result the piercing never healed & they all had to come out. So I now have to get them redone, but I will not be going back to Zebra.
Review Source:Zebras in both Walnut Creek and Berkely locations are just AWESOME! The service is as good as it gets. The owner and store manager are committed to creating happy loyal customers. That I have experienced first hand.The work that these tattoo artist do is phanominal. No one can touch this place. Go there and see the sites and you will see the quality is 100%. I would recommend this place to any of my friends and family. The people in this place are just honest and down to earth people. GO ZEBRA'S! Â Thanks for being #1
Review Source:I have only really trusted Zebra store locations to pierce me. They act professional, don't mind people who are squirmy with needles, and the piercer is always really nice.
I had my belly button pierced somewhere else and it was a disaster! The piercer was new and inexperienced. Not only did he elongate the piercing experience, but he pierced it crooked!!! Thankfully as it healed I was able to help it straighten out a bit. Don't have an experience like I did with a horrible piercer: go somewhere you have experience and that you trust.
I have had my rook and nose pierced at Zebras and it was nearly painless and a very smooth experience. The Walnut Creek locations is definitely less cramped than the Berkeley one and seems like it might even be a bit cleaner as well. I definitely prefer the Walnut Creek location more than the Berkeley one, even if it does take me an extra 30 minutes to get to.
I went in to look at some jewelry and chek out the prices I liked the variety but the service was not so great. The workers were not asking me if I needed help and were talking amongst each other and sizing me up down like I wasn't worthy to be there. I have expreienced better service at the Berkeley one that was full of people and extremely busy. Definitely won't come to the Walnut Creek location again.
Review Source:My friends get piercings here all the time and they recommended me to come here. I only had my ears pierced, so I wanted something new. I decided to get my triple helias and I LOVE THEM! I had to wait about 30-40 min because it was packed, but it was totally worth it! My piercer was Wes and he was amazing. He was very professional, quick, and friendly. I loved how he spent time actually placing the earrings in the perfect spot. He not only went over the steps on what he was doing, but he also made normal conversation. I'm now just waiting to go back to have them shorten the stud/bar. THANK YOU WES! (: Â I get so many compliments on my helias!
Review Source:I have nothing bad to say about this place so five stars is a must. I came here to get the left side of my lip pierced. The first time I came in, my piercer was extremely nice. She was so welcoming and so friendly I couldn't help but be put at ease as she kept the conversation going so I wouldn't be nervous. She seriously deserves props. Anyway, I had to come in here a second time a week after because as the swelling went down, I realized it wasn't exactly where I had wanted the placement of my piercing to be, so I came back and got it repierced. Although I got a different piercer this time, she was also friendly and was explaining to me step by step what she had to do this time to make sure I didn't have to come back and get a third whole in my face haha I used the same piercing I had originally used so it was only $33 to get it repierced plus the $5 labor fee + $5 removing of the piercing piece. It would have been $5 less if I had taken off the jewelry myself but I was having trouble doing so. I had to way about 15-20 mins for the jewelry to be sterilized so I had time to walk around before returning. In conclusion, I love this place for their quick, friendly, and very helpful staff.
Review Source:I am inlove with Zebras! I have only been to the Walnut Creek location so I can't say anything about the Berkley one (if its anything like Walnut Creek then I'm inlove already) but Zebras in Walnut Creek is AMAZING.
This was the first tattoo and piercing shop that I had ever been into that smelt amazingly clean, looked clean, and had an amazing atmosphere right when you walk in.
The staff totally rocks! I love everyone here! You feel instantly welcomed from the second you walk through the door.
About a year and a half ago, I fell inlove with the piercing atmosphere. I got my belly button pierced by Chris who is totally awesome. He was super professional. Then six months later, I got my nose pierced by Wes who is just as amazing! He is super professional, easy to talk to and keeps you calm.
Not only are the piercers great but the selection of jewelry is phenomenal. Whenever I need new plugs or a piece of jewelry I come here and send all my friends here!
Now on to tattoos, my boyfriend had gotten two tattoos (one was a cover up from a horrible tattoo he had gotten when he was younger) by Joe. His artwork, technique and ability with so many different kinds of tattooing is just amazing.
I had been coming up with my idea in my head for about a year so I decided to get my first tattoo about two weeks ago. Joe did SUCH an amazing job. You can really see how he is an all around amazing artist by the spectrum of talent he has. He did a great job. He made me feel totally comfortable, talked me through the process and was joking with me and keeping a conversation with me the entire time of my just over two hour tattoo.
Just went in yesterday to show him how my tattoo was healing and told him I will for sure becoming back to him for my second tattoo! :D
i WILL revise my review and rating if management realizes that something is terribly wrong, refunds my $5 adjustment fee, trims, adjusts, and files my screw OR replaces my white gold screw. the one i own has PLIER MARKS (cuts) on the opal since the day it was inserted. zebra charges $49 for a 2mm opal, MARK IT THE FUCK UP as soon as you pay for it, REFUSES to make sure your jewelry fits or is comfortable, then mocks you for claiming to be in pain and tell you it's DANGEROUS and unprofessional to make your screw fit you. oh, and they think nothing of letting your jewelry dangle out of your nostril by 1/4" unscrewed and 1/8" screwed.
jewelers (like me) own and use cup burrs to round wire ends. zebra insists that to snip the end of my screw will cause cuts and infection. the U of my far-too-long piercing slams against my actual nasal bone (not cartilage) all day and all night because the staff at zebra REFUSE to flatten it so it lies along my pierced nostril the way ALL my other screws (even the ones purchased online) do.
i'm deaf. i go in to plead for an adjustment and am laughed about. i'm called ugly, stupid and whiny. during visit 3 i explained that i could lipread the three young front-room staff making fun of my looks. they covered their mouths and started laughing.
any pressure on my nose will cause a dig much sharper than the one i'm making with this review. half the time i wash my face, because the straight part of the screw is 1/8" longer than my nostril is thick, i yank it out with the side of my thumb.
cozy in bed in february of 2008 at 7:30 in the morning when my artisan-forged screw caught on my pillowcase and flew across my wooden floor in a huge queens bedroom: "fuck, i don't feel like putting my glasses on. i'm-a wait until 9 to actually look for the damn thing," the damn hole had closed right up, confirmed at NY adorned, where i'd purchased a blue opal set in a white gold screw that fit beautifully and now fits in a storage unit in the bronx.
i had three nostril screws i alternated between. i had the ultimate personal statement that had never become infected or inflamed, or induced excess mucus production.
i had my first nostril piercing done for about $20. i was only permitted a ring and told to purchase a screw once i'd healed. online research since zebra has proven that rings are optimal for initial jewelry and that initial piercings done with screws can cause keloids.
i was NEVER offered a ring at zebra or told that because of possible (nonexistent) swelling the screw would be a full 1/8" TOO LONG and protrude a full 1/4"! it still protrudes 1/8" in either direction.
i have a very dry nose and for the first six weeks after this piercing my left nostril was stuffed. i dripped mucus all day. the day of my piercing i asked that they restraighten the wire, tighten the length and create a screw because the L i had was too long and was poking my mucus flap or dangling about 1/4" outside my nostril. i was also in pain. this was about 20 minutes after the piercing.
i was told that no screw would be formed until i had healed. when asked why they hadn't done it properly i was warned by the piercer that swelling might occur and that that was why it was much too long. i was assured that that would not be the case when i came in for the follow-up readjustment, which was the first i had heard about that. i wasn't told that this MANDATORY adjustment would cost $5.
at no point during my jewelry selection, paperwork or piercing was i shown a ring or told that it'd be optimal until swelling had gone down, nor was i notified that i'd be stuck with a $50 screw that would never, ever, EVER fit, or that they don't have the proper equipment to cut and file jewelry (they do at NY adorned).
i still pull U-shaped cocoon boogers off this thing nearly every day, which i haven't yet posted a picture of, and i never had any mucus stuck to my jewelry for FOUR AND A HALF YEARS, not once! my left nostril produces excess (bloody) mucus every day due to the irritation, and sometimes it will hang from the jewelry.
i was also told that "we use sterile equipment, so you don't have hepatitis or HIV" when i reported that because i'd been calming a squeamish friend in sign language we had all ignored the fact that the piercing needle was already out of its packaging when we walked into the room. there were three of us and we all agree that it was lying on the tray uncovered when we walked in.
the positive reviews likely come from inexperienced or chatted-up clientele. i've had five non-traditional piercings and this is my first terrible experience. i won't get my fourth tattoo here, and i draw my own!
$68 plus $5 is much too much for daily pain, a temporary keloid, health risks, a damaged jewel, an unrepairable cockblocking screw, staff who make fun of deaf or disabled customers, daily nose-picking Q-tips to remove detritus because my screw blocks kleenex and nose blows, bloody crust and the fear that i have HIV.
So I went back and had my jewelry replaced. They only charged me for the change and not the jewelry itself, which was only $10. Once again my piece discolored and is now a shade of black... It is a dermal so I cannot remove it. Really annoyed... I do not have the time or money to change it out every month or so. I clean it, take care of it etc... Jewelry is cheap and very disappointed
Review Source:Had a couple drinks at Stanfords, decided to get something new for my body.
Didnt realized my friend and i came when they were about to close, the workers were very nice about it (if you're reading this, sorry!) We ended up both getting out tragus pierced, the piercer was patient and helpful.
I love the selection of jewelry they have! The jewelry is also very affordable and you most definitely getting what you pay for! Â Love this place!
I will never ever come back here!! Worst Customer Service from my tattoo artist.
First of all I came in with two of my friends because I had a scheduled appointment to get two small elephants and a quote tattooed on my ankle with the tattoo artists NINO. I was really excited about it and couldn't wait. This would be my second tattoo and my first tattoo from Zebras. I've heard good reviews for this place. Okay so I come in and the place is really nice, organized, and clean. I loved it.
I met with my tattoo artists and he draws out the elephants and shows me. I told him okay yea that's nice but can you make the trunks go upward and I also asked what about the quote I wanted. He already seemed very irritated to change it and said rudely "OKAY CAN YOU ATLEAST LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT ANY OTHER CHANGE BEFORE I DRAW IT AGAIN?" Seems like he was obviously having a bad day or maybe he is just a rude person!! Ugh.
In my opinion, I feel like if you are going to have something on your body for the rest of your life you want to love it. I didn't want to be stuck with something that I hated or didn't like! Shesh, And I'm not too picky but I just wanted something I would really like. So I told him all the changes I wanted and he was just like oh I don't think you should get the quote because that would just be too much on your ankle, so I just said okay fine. Then he finally said that if I shortened the quote it would look okay. So I agreed with that and before I could say what kind of font I wanted for the quote, he said cursive? I was like okay... I wanted to see if it would like nicely drawn with the elephants. Typically though, I thought tattoo artists show you different kind of fonts from a font book or the internet and have you decide which looks best. That's what was done for my first tattoo from another place I got it done at. I just felted I was being RUSHED, so he can get it done and over with. So anyways, I wait about five-ten minutes for him to add on the quote and fix it up.
He comes back and after I told him all the changes I wanted, he shows me the drawing with the shortened quote way different then what I wanted. I told him oh sorry but I wanted this in the quote (like I mentioned before). He looks at me pissed, and was like "I GUESS!" I started feeling really uncomfortable, and I'm typically shy so I didn't want to bust out yelling at him back, so I talked to my friends and we were ready to just leave out of there. They felt he was being really rude too! The fact that I already paid for the deposit and that I drove about an hour to Walnut Creek I stayed because I wanted to at least get something done. So he came back and told me it would be $200 dollars and that to come in the room after I paid. So after I paid I went in there, not sure if I really liked the cursive he did for the quote I told him I'm really sorry but I think I just want the elephants... He looked up and said, "ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?" I was just amazed he even responded that way and my friends kept looking at me like what the hell. I told him umm yes, and then he sighed and we started. All he kept saying was don't move and to stay still or he will mess up. We finished about one hour and the elephants were really nice and the size of about two quarters. He took a picture of it, wrapped my ankle, and I left. Â SO I basically paid $200 dollars for something that took like an hour and to receive super rude customer service. I also though he would have gave some advice for after care treatment but he of course he didn't. And I didn't even want to ask because I felt like everything I asked was a bother to him. ALL in ALL I will never be going back there thanks to him, worst experience ever. The tattoo came out nice that's why there is one star, but I would rather go somewhere else that would do a good job with have a great customer service compared to this!!
I will stick to the place that did my first tattoo and avoid the attitude that the guy gave me here!
Sorry for the rant but this experience was so upsetting to me!
This truly the cleanest and most professional tattoo/piercing shop EVER! Â So many people but the wait was quick. Took my girl, Ivana to get her septum pierced! Â Soooo very affordable too. Tim was so gentle and knowledgable AND HOT! Â Hope to get my portrait of my kids done their soon by Jose!!! Â Excellent experience!!!
Review Source:This place SUCKS. We went in to get a Belly Ring for my girl and the girl that helped us was a total B**CH that knew nothing about piercings. It was obvious she did not want to help us or even wanted to be there. She kept trying to sell us belly rings for $600.00 we kept saying "until we knew if we liked it we would not spend 600.00". She was young and clueless, we went to Blue Star in Concord and we were in and out in and hour with exactly what we wanted by a guy who really knew the business. Do yourself a favor and avoid Zebra like the plague!
Review Source:Well you usually want others to know of places you like, right?
I used to live in Oakland for school and wanted to get a tattoo. I decided on Zebra in Berkeley. Six years later I made a trip to San Francisco. Of course where did I have to go?? Zebra in Berkeley. They couldn't accommodate on such short notice. But they called Walnut Creek and they had openings! I had never been to the Walnut Creek location but it was very clean. I loved that the artist had divided rooms so you don't feel like the whole world is watching you get a tattoo. My artist was Nino and he was very friendly and welcoming. He gave me his advice on the size of the tattoo that I wanted. One short drawing later and I was ready. I had forgotten the pain from six years before. It didn't take that long though and I was out the door, very happy with my tattoo.
All in all: friendly and welcoming staff (check), clean facilities (check), awesome artists (check) and a happy customer (double check)
So yes if I drove 300+ miles just to get a tattoo, I think its a darn good place.
I read some of the reviews and it sucks some people did not have such a good experience, because mine was great. It was packed with customers in the shop and they were obviously busy but a really nice lady got me started and hooked me up with Miguel who does script really well. (I was a walk-in). I told him I would like a nice cursive font but nothing too fancy of my pet's name who had just died earlier today. He designed it while I was waiting and did it perfectly. He took his time tattooing me and made absolutely sure the stencil was straight and that I was happy before he started.
I had gone to two other tattoo shops earlier today and their service was not good so I decided against having them do it. I don't think Zebra tattoo was over priced at all. They charged in the exact same price range as the others I checked out and Zebra's customer service was great. Everyone was really nice. Thank you, Miguel, for doing such a wonderful job and for making my day a bit better.
Miguel also went over the care instructions with me and I was given a handout on how to care for the tattoo while it was healing. I would definitely come back and see Miguel.
The customer service here is awful. Â When I tried to make an appt., the manager "danielle" was super rude and short. Â She told me there was no way she could fit me in. Â Her attitude was horrible and she didn't offer to get me in any other time, no apologies, no smile...just "no." once she finished with me, she sat behind the desk and filed her nails, offering me no help as I was perusing the piercing jewelry, which is what I came in for. Comical. Don't go there, go to Concord where at least staff isn't too "cool" to actually make the business money.
Review Source:I came in here last Sunday the 15th with my friend to get her a clear bar for her ear since shes starting a new job, and to get myself a new head for my surface piercing.  I got it done in 2010 and hadn't changed it since then.  The staff is really nice, accommodating, and patient.  I was a little nervous getting it changed because I didn't know what to expect.  The person that was going to change my piercing  was a man which I was kind of nervous about. I didn't know what kind of personality I was going to encounter...To my surprise, he was extremely KIND, GENTLE, SERIOUSLY HANDSOME and made me FEEL SOOO COMFORTABLE!! I think his name is Wes?...I will DEFINATLEY BE COMMING BACK TO HIM FOR MY FUTURE PIERCINGS!
Review Source:I started my rose piece on my ribs with Moises (Mo) about a year ago with only one session. I've been meaning to go back but haven't had the time to since the next time I plan to go, I plan to finish it all. Like we all know they are a bit pricey but "you get what you paid for!" which is why I haven't changed my mind of artist or shop. I plan to stay with Zebra all the way bc I know they're the best in town, hands down!
Review Source:The only place I get my piercings from! The cleanliness they uphold is superb and that isn't something I take lightly.
I appreciate that everything is sterile and opened in front of you. Therefor putting any worry aside that you may have about instruments, needles and jewelry not being pre- packaged.
So far I have had both of my industrials, surface piercings and anchors done here. I only use Jenny as my piercer. She is quick, efficient and patient!
I wouldn't suggest spending money on the topical numbing cream because it is only going to partially numb the first layer of skin- and honestly, WTF is that going to do? I have yet to try it but it only makes sense that it wouldn't work.
They also give you a buzzer to alert you when it is your turn, just like a restaurant. It has a two mile radius,
And if you're going to get a piercing, might as well be a sav and get it done the right way. Without alcohol, medication or numbing cream. I did all of mine sober. Best time to hit Zebra is during the opening hours or after traffic.
It is such an upcale setting for a tattoo and piercing shop. I love it! The decor is oh so chic! It is such a cool place to get work done!
people that work here are soooooo dry. ALL the time. it kinda makes you wonder what the hell. I stood there for 15 minutes waiting for some service and this one girl was just hanging out at the counter twiddling her thumbs - each sec that passed by my eyes were just getting bigger and bigger bc i was in a slight shock. it was some serious thumb twiddling. she finally asked me, have you been helped yet in this goth voice, shit was enough for me to slap my own forehead and be like yah go back to doinh what you were doing. crazy---
CRAZY
I wish I could give this shop a higher review, but I was really disappointed.
I went to Zebra's 2 days ago to take a look at what lip rings were available for my spider bite piercings.
The girl who helped me was very sweet, knowledgeable and honest. So I was very impressed with her customer service and it made me even more excited to get my piercings done by them.
When yesterday came about, i called the shop to confirm that they were going to close at 5, since it was Christmas Eve, and a girl told me yes.
When i finally got off work and walked to the shop, I was caught off guard that they were closed and it was around 440.
I really wanted my piercings done yesterday so I could show my family who are from out of town and this was going to be a late bday/Christmas gift to myself.
I just wish that the person on the phone would've told me that they were going to close early because it was Christmas Eve.
I was in the area today and stopped by to get my navel pierced. This shop smells good when you first walk in! Like fresh, girly perfume. Kind of weird for a tattoo/piercing place, but nice. I was allowed to pick the jewelry I wanted, which was a plus (some piercing places will only use a plain steel piece of jewelry when you first get a piercing).
I was amused at the buzzer they give you to wait with, I felt like I was waiting for a table at a restaurant. After a short wait, I met with Jenny. I was so happy to have a hot girl do my piercing! Most guy piercers are cocky jerks. Â She was friendly and made the whole process quick and relatively painless. I gave her a nice tip and frolicked away to Broadway Plaza.
Overall I had a great experience at Zebra and would definitely recommend Jenny. The placement is perfect and I couldn't be happier!
Great experience! Joe put me at ease from the start. Talked with him two weeks before the scheduled appointment, gave him example so he could provide sketch/photoshop the actual pattern prior to the appointment to save time, and then he did exactly what was agreed on. Â The shop is clean, the staff is friendly, and I will definitely be back. Â Joe is a talented tattoo artist and is definitely worth the cost (and temporary discomfort....LOL).
Review Source:I've gotten most of my piercings at the Zebra in Berkeley, but I came here for my latest one because Walnut Creek is a lot closer to my house. I don't like the superficial/commercial/materialistic feel of this location... the other seems to have a lot more character. But its Walnut Creek, so I guess its expected.
I got my industrial done for $60, including the jewelry. A little more pricey than some places, but I know when I go to Zebra its clean and they're going to do a good job, so for me its worth it. All the staff I met was friendly. Wes did my piercing and he was great! He made sure I got the right size jewelry and it was very smooth, barely hurt at all.
Not a bad place to go to get a piercing. I really wish the atmosphere was a bit different but again... its Walnut Creek.
My review was filtered, but whatever - just wanted to come back and say that the owner of this place sent me a message here asking me "why I was trying to hurt" him with my "two-star review". Uh, sorry dude, but I'm entitled to my opinion, and it's not like your business is hurting, why are you individually messaging people who don't like you? Totally unprofessional.
Review Source:Whoa, tattoo/piercing places have come a long way! This place is really we stocked with retail merchandise, flat screen TV, a lot of professional employees, clean bathroom, water cooler, etc. The staff was friendly and helpful on giving me piercing options. Gave recommendations and sympathetic to me being a scaredy cat.
Went on Sat at 12pm and had to wait about 15 minutes (I was given a pager) and directed to Chris to piercing. He was pleasant and very quick. I have had a number of facial/body piercings and I was pleasantly surpirsed by how quick he was.
For those who gave poor reviews, I think they may have been expecting cheap/Claire's pricing on piercings and tattoo. I would advise that you get what you pay for and these prices are comparable to other shops. However, I think that the online price list is out of date since my piercing was more expensive than the listed price (however within a reasonable price in my opinion.)
I hate the commercial feel of the place and the fact that I think it would be hard to develop a relationship with a piercer. However, I got my lip pierced here about a month ago, and went in about a week later to have the ball put back in place and I had a pretty great experience both times. Â (Also, the place is super clean. Â It smells like disinfectant and they are very meticulous about sterile procedure.)
The piercers I interacted with were both awesome. Â The guy who pierced me was very polite and professional (pretty good looking too, which was nice). Â Talked me through it with a calm and soothing voice. Â Put real consideration into placing my piercing. Â Great!
I came back in because the ball popped out of my captive ring and I couldn't get it back in place. Â They charged 5 dollars, which kind of annoyed me... it was seriously a week later. But the girl (brunette, short, tatted-up and super cute) who helped both me and my sister (who had her nose jewelry changed) was great! Answered my questions in a knowledgeable manner, and wasn't in a hurry to get us out of there. Â It ended up being worth 5 bucks. My sister was having problems with inflammation in her 5 month old nose piercing. Â The piercer put in a smaller stud, and bent it so it wouldn't move as much. Â Her piercing is MUCH better now. So kudos to both piercers!
The bummer about this place is the variety of the staff you encounter. Â You're going to deal with at least three different people if you're getting a piercing done. Some are kind of shitty, some are awesome, most of them give you different (sometimes conflicting) advice about your piercing. ie, right before my sister went in to get her jewelry changed, the girl at the counter was giving advice about her nose pierce which was COMPLETELY shot down by the piercer 5 minutes later. Â Also the staff up front is obviously instructed to push the aftercare products. Â So you've already spent money on retail priced jewelry + $30 or so for the piercing and they want you to spend like $15 more on aftercare products... Annoying.
Just a bit of advice based on my own research and experience:
Don't automatically buy their aftercare products. Â They buy their products in bulk, mark up the price a bit and slap on a Zebra sticker. Â Just go to a drug store and pick up SAFE or some other benzalkonium chloride cleanser and buy some sea salt that doesn't contain an anti-caking agent to do your soaks. Â Use the money you save to tip the piercer!
Also.... they're pushing Emu oil now. I wouldn't use it a. because I'm a vegetarian and b. because there haven't been studies on humans that indicate that it promotes healing or has anti-inflammatory properties. Â Those claims are based on a few studies conducted with rodents. Also I can't imagine regulation of emu oil is very good. Â PLUS, I didn't ask about it, but piercers always advise against neosporin and I don't see why goopy bird fat would be okay if goopy antibiotic ointment isn't. I'm a little sketched out by the whole proposition. Â Keep it simple, keep it clean.
One of my friend wanted me to get my piercing and tattoos here. Its popular in Walnut Creek.
First time I went here was for my first tattoo. Tattoo that I can remember, but hide from my parents and job reference. So, my friend supported (held my hand) and I got my inner lip, yes, inner lip of a heart from James (which no longer at Walnut Creek); 8 months ago I am guessing. The price for the tattoo was $100, donation and artist work/time. I do think that is expensive for a tattoo, but its already been done.
This time/recently, I came here for a piercing. The same friend came with me from getting the tattoo. Also my boyfriend came with me for my support and wanted to know how piercing works. At first I wanted industrial, but I changed my mind for a helia. Chris did my piercing. He was supporting and helped me calm down as possible.
Overall, I think there good employers.
Probably going here when I'm ready for another tattoo or piercing and back at Zebra. :)
I got my first serious piercing here, and I could have not had a better experience. I got my traigus pierced, I did my research about this piercing before going through with it. FYI; I HATE Needles, so i was super nervous and anxious. Luckily a friend was also getting a piercing, the industrial, and I just went first to get it over with before absolutely bailing out. But the girl who did my piercing was super nice & cool, she made me feel comfortable, which made me less tense. As soon as i knew it, she had stuck the need in, put in my earring, & was done. It was such a good experience I'm going back to get another piercing.
Also, my friend had a good experience too. As soon as we knew it we were both out, with our new piercings. =)
I have a few tattoos all from parlors in Berkley. Â Now, living in WC I thought I'd get my latest from my new local spot. Â In many cases when entering a tattoo parlor the people look at you weird because you don't have as many facial piercings as them and judging all the reasons for your body art. Â But Zebras was great. Â The employees have some attitude, but just enough. Â What I like best about Zebras is how clean everything is. Â When going to a place where they are going to stick a needle in your skin for an hour, you want it to be as sterile as possible. Â They do a good job at that and I commend them. Â I would give it 5 stars, but it is a bit pricey.
Review Source:Walnut Creek is not filled with a ton of tattoo shops.
I wanted something simple and fast since I was in town.
An outline of a bow on my finger and a small word on my wrist. Just black.
$150?! wayyyy overpriced. (generally all of their stuff is way overpriced).
You can find a better place, with better artists, and for a better price.
Trust me.
Find an artist you love, and a place with better customer service. I'm sure it depends on when you're there, but when I was there I was instantly treated with attitude.
Just remember: just because Zebra charges so much doesn't mean it is going to be the best tattoo. You're paying for a label.
I was very hesitant to come to Zebra because I read a lot of bad reviews about the one in Berkeley but my friend had gone to this one and said it was a really legit place. I was getting a dermal and she was getting a nose piercing. My first thought entering the shop was that it was very spacious and clean. The staff there were sooo nice it was AMAZING, (most of my experiences at other tatoo/ piercing places is the staff and artist have some sort of stick stuck somewhere and act like they are too busy or too "good" to be bothered by a customer) . The girl helping us didnt mind us asking 100 questions or explaining things we were nervous about and the rest of the staff were just as friendly.
Our piercer was Wes and I must say I havent come across an artist like him before. His vibe was really calming and professional. He was also very aware of what was good placement for you and didnt have that "oh thats good enough" attitude. He even made great conversation as we waited for my piercing to stop bleeding.
My only complaints are:
- they are a bit far away from where I live (I have to pay bridge toll to get there)
- Also at the last shop I went to they gave you sea salt (you need it to clean your piercing afterwards) for free and here you have to pay separate for it plus whatever other after care you want
Overall they were clean, extremely friendly, and the best Ive seen. From now on if I want a piercing Im going here.
Had my tattoo done by Joe. He took my idea and made it even better. I love my tattoo! Joe is a true artist and worked with me to get my piece just right. He was worth every penny. If you are going to have permanent art, trust your piece with Zebra Tattoo. You get what you pay for, and they proved it.
Review Source:I'm absolutely ashamed that I hadn't reviewed this place before. I spent a great deal of my summer here getting a cover-up done by Joe.
No, it's not cheap. Honestly though, who in their right mind would want a cheap tattoo? You get what you pay for, trust me. Tattoos aren't an enjoyable experience by any stretch, but I managed to hang out for 20+ hours to get the most kickass tattoo possible. I could speak volumes about how awesome everyone was, especially Joe. He did such an amazing job, it's impossible to tell that I had a tattoo before the one I have now.
If you're considering a quality tattoo, especially if you need a cover-up, go to Zebra.
I got anchors done to my collar bone and Wes did my piercing. He was really nice and made me feel comfortable, he was awesome! The piercing didn't hurt as bad as I thought it was going to. (I didn't use the numbing gel). Wes told me what I was about to feel so I wasn't surprised by any of the pinching or pressure that I felt. I am in love with my new piercings!
Review Source:Zebra Tattoo in Walnut Creek is a very clean and nice shop.
This review is dedicated to my tattoo artist James. He is a great guy, very professional, and phenomenal tattoo artist. I have been getting tattoos from James for the past 10 years. I recommend him to all my family and friends that is looking for a tattoo. All of my tattoos from James have always been better than i could have imagined .I like the fact that I can give him an idea and let him run with it and let his artistic ability go. I received many compliments on his work. If your looking for a great tattoo artist go see James, I highly recommend him.
I went there today to get my tragus pierced and WES was the piercer subbing for a different piercer that was sick or something. He was so nice and patient; he spoke in a calm voice and went through each step with me. The staff was friendly and helpful & the shop was clean and not that crowded. The wait was long but helped calm my nerves a bit. Best part: the piercing didn't even hurt that much!!! My only problem was that it was a little pricey: $49 ($46+$3 tip)
Thanks WES!!!
Edit: I gave 5 stars previously, but I'm taking it down a notch, because my tragus jewelry is TARNISHED....after 6 months. I paid a good $24, so I didn't expect my jewelry to tarnish so quickly!!!
So I had been thinking about getting my belly button pierced for a few years now, and yesterday I was like "Today is the day!" I just spontaneously decided to go get it done, since I was already in Walnut Creek. I usually get all of my piercings at the Berkeley location, but I really wanted to check the Walnut Creek location out anyways.
Parking was easy, it's metered. Right when I walked into the shop I was very impressed with how much cleaner and more appealing to the eye this shop was compared to the Berkeley one. The people working there were also MUCH, MUCH friendlier compared to the people that work at the Berkeley location. In Berkeley I always feel like they look at me like I'm stupid because I'm scared at how much my piercing will hurt. They are really sarcastic and rude. But at this location the two girls at the counter were super nice and were fun to chat with. One even showed me her belly button ring and everything.
So, to say the least, I'm afraidy-cat. I was very nervous and scared to get my belly button pierced and was secretly wishing I would get a female piercing because somehow I rationalized that it would hurt less if it was a girl? lol but anyways, I got the numbing stuff which was $6 and I think it really made a difference. But after the numbing stuff I waited 15 minutes and then I went to a room and the girl named Kimberly, was there and ready to pierce me. She was super nice and understanding about my fear! She was easy to talk to and distracted me (I asked her to) before the piercing. It was very quick and although not painless, I think she really knew what she was doing. I love my new ring! It's awesome and not crooked or anything.
If I do decide to get another piercing I will go back to Kimberly for sure! I really liked her, and I think I'm going to start coming to this Zebra location instead! The people here are just so much nicer and the place just feeeeels cleaner. Thanks Zebra!
I am genuinely afraid to walk into the Berkeley Zebra. So yeah, I drove all the way out to Walnut Creek to get my triples.
This one is much cleaner and 10 times bigger than the one in Berkeley. The front staff was really friendly, and the prices really aren't terrible. It was much better than what I paid for my double. The piercing and my surgical steel studs were less than $30 together. They had a pretty decent selection of jewelry as well. Comfortable waiting area, and not a bad wait if you come in on  a weekday. I just flipped through their tattoos while I waited for them to sterilize everything.
I believe Zebra's policy is that you don't need parental consent nor are you required to sign the 18 waiver for any ear piercings.
It's been close to a month and my ears are fine. No fungus or anything spouting from my lobes, so I'd give Zebra another shot.
Honestly I don't enjoy going to Zebras. I have gotten some ear piercings there and my tongue piercing. The only piercer who I would have pierce me there is Wes. He is very nice and laid back. Other than Wes, the majority of employees there make me feel rushed and act as if I were wasting their time. Every time I go into Zebras to get a piercing or jewelry I feel blown off so I have stopped going. One plus about Zebras though, is that it is very clean inside.
Review Source:This wasn't my first tattoo. I had a place i used to go to in SF but my guy left, so I needed to look elsewhere. I was excited that Zebra opened in Walnut Creek(saves a trek to sf and then back home bandaged up) but I was worried because I cannot stand the one in Berkeley. This one has the most amazing vibe to it, and its not packed 24/7 with tweens trying to be cool on Telegraph.
I walked in seeing if they had any openings that day for a tattoo, was scheduled for later that afternoon. score! While waiting, all the staff took the time to say hi, talk to me and just show general interest. Whats even better, is its a killer way to escape the boringness of Walnut Creek and get some edgy people into your day. Love it.
Best part? My artist. Monica was just fierce. She is so sweet and a true artist. Her portfolio holds some amazing works. She was meticulous in her setup and really took the time to make sure everything was sanitized and ready to go. The tattoo itself was as painless as a tattoo could be. As soon as it started, it was over and it was more than I could imagine.
Seriously there is no need to trek to SF anymore when you are craving a tattoo or piercing. And believe me, if you want a piercing, jewelry choices are overwhelming.
I was here at around noon on a Monday and the place was absolutely PACKED. I was quite surprised, but I guess it's a good sign that the place is busy. Rachel greeted me as I walked in and helped me right away, asking tons of questions to make sure my needs and concerns were addressed. Â 15 minutes later, I had all of my questions answered, multiple release waivers signed (there's a special form to be signed for surface piercings, as they heal differently), and I was sitting in a waiting area with one of those restaurant light-up buzzer things awaiting my turn. The wait was anywhere between 20-30 minutes, but I wasn't concerned because A) of the aforementioned ease I felt in the busy-ness and the demand for the artists, B) the great reviews I read on Yelp, C) I had nowhere to be, and I was a walk-in, whereas many shops take appointments only, and D) the general jitters I feel before getting pierced or inked are exciting, so prolonging them a bit was just fun. :)
I got my nape pierced by Wes, and he is simply amazing. Â He asked if I had any questions, we talked about the size of bar I'd be getting, and felt my neck with his hands as I turned it, flexed the muscles, etc. so he could pierce it in a place that would sit the best. Â I could just FEEL that he knows what he's doing and he's confident in his work. Â I took a girlfriend in the room with me and he was chatting with us through the whole process. Â (I made the mistake of looking back at the GIANT needle, and he had me take a few deep breaths to calm down a bit.) Â Before we left, he offered to loosen my friend's lip stud for free (she wanted to change it at home herself but couldn't loosen the ball), and when the ball fell off and we lost it on the floor, he gave her another one!
Rachel and Wes are very friendly and professional, I definitely recommend Zebra to anyone who is nervous about new piercings!
I was referred to tattoo artist Monica Painter by my co-worker. Â I made a consult appointment and met with the artist 2 weeks prior to my appointment time. Â She looked at the example pictures I brought, listened to my idea, and had a great sketch together in a short time. A $40 deposit is required, which goes toward the tattoo fee.
When I arrived for the appointment, Monica was friendly and professional. Â She had worked on my tattoo idea quite a bit more, and it looked great. Â
The entire shop staff seemed friendly and interested in their customers. Â The atmosphere is generally busy and loud, so I brought an mp3 player to listen to. Â
The tattoo took the artist less time (and cost less money) than was anticipated. Â The shading and color work is impressive. Â It came out looking excellent! Â I will be going back to Monica Painter for more tattoos.
My 11 year old daughter got her ear pierced two days ago at Zebra's. She was very nervous and shaky. Wes (we had heard good things about him so we went on a Sunday) explained the whole procedure to her, calmed her down and the whole process went very smoothly. He took his time explaining the cleaning process. Before piercing her ears, he had put two white spots on her ears, marking where he would pierce so you have no surprise at the end.
The place was extremely clean, I felt very comfortable having my daughter getting her ears pierced.
The staff was friendly. It was a little bit more pricey than what I thought ($75 for the piercing, jewelry and cleaning products) but since I wanted a needle to be used and not a piercing gun, a professional and not a mall, and a spotless environnment, that has a price (that I paid without complains)
Wes pierced my navel, it was a very clean and calming experience, however I believe that some of the jewelry is overpriced...but the staff is polite and very knowledgeable about the procedures being done, which is very relaxing when getting a piercing or tattoo done. Â I've also gone to the Zebra's in Berkeley and the environment is Walnut Creek is more peaceful and less crowded, so it's quicker and easier to get something done.
Review Source:Got a couple of piercings here and wouldn't hesitate to get more. The pricing is expensive but for piercings it's OK considering it's clean and LOCAL. The person who did my piercings was very professional and knew what he was doing. Can't comment on the tats, I go somewhere else for those for various reasons.
So that said, atmosphere is my gripe here. They have beepers to let you know when you can get your piercing, Â the type restaurants give you to let you know your table is ready. C'mon! It's Walnut Creek and they do cater to that local crowd but that really is kind of a turn off for me because it just detracts from the whole experience of getting some kind of body art done.
Let me start off by saying that one of my biggest fears when getting a tattoo is that the artist DOES NOT GIVE A SHIT about you, or if he/she messes up your tattoo. My ideal tattoo experience would include an artist who listens to what you want and is at YOUR (the customer--the one who is paying) service, rather than you being at THEIR service (or their inconvenience). So I'm always wary when I walk into tattoo shops because I'm NOT a fan of pretentious, condescending vibes, and I (the customer) am looking for good service that actually WANTS my business.
I went here about 9 months ago to get a new tattoo and another tattoo touched up/fixed (the result of a bad, independent artist who was very nice but did a VERY shitty job). I had never heard anything bad about Zebra in the past and it seemed like a pretty hyped-up place, so I decided to check it out.
I checked out their website and looked at every artist's bio/portfolio, trying to decide who best to book my appointment with. Monica seemed to be the best choice, as I really liked her portfolio and connected to her bio.
I wasn't excited that I had to drive all the way out to WC just to book my consult and put down a deposit. It took me a good 20+ minutes to drive there, and about 2 minutes to book the consult. I get that you need the deposit to ensure the appointment so no one gets stood up on their time, but I would have rather just given a CC# over the phone.
I will say that the owner, staff, and artists were REALLY nice, friendly, and helpful. They acknowledged me when I needed help, and seemed eager to help me out. There was less of a pretentious vibe going than there typically is in Berkeley......except when I went in for my actual consult and met Monica. While the other artists I met were helpful and nice to me (which definitely put me at ease), Monica had that holier-than-thou, pretentious, "I'd-rather-be-elsewhere" tattoo artist attitude that put me on edge.
I came in prepared, with several pictures of the concept I was going for, but still needed some help in setting down a final product that combined all the elements I liked from each picture. Monica seemed to be pressed for time, or maybe I just felt rushed and under pressure from her unwelcome disposition, so she gave me her email address and asked me to send her just a few of my favorite pictures and she'd come up with something by the next appointment. We set the appointment for the next week.
That night I went home and e-mailed her 3-5 pictures, complete with detailed descriptions of what I did and did not like about each one.
When I went to my appointment the following week, I learned that she had not done any preparation for my appt, and probably hadn't even looked at my e-mail. She said that I was her last client of the day, so she would just sketch something up right then. She went into her e-mail and printed out the photos, and I then had to go through and describe AGAIN what I liked/disliked about each one to give her a good idea of what to put in/not put into the piece. She seemed to be annoyed when she'd sketch something and I asked her to do something a little different because it wasn't what I asked for.
I brought my husband with me, and while she was sketching, he complimented a particular piece of art on the wall that he liked. She looked up at it and retorted, "Oh that? It's trash."
She wasn't interested in small talk and made little to no effort of making us feel comfortable or welcome.
When we got into the tattoo room, I appreciated the flat screen TV so my husband would have something to watch while I was crushing the bones in his hand with my in-pain squeezes. However, I was in no position to see the TV, so it made little difference to me whether it was there or not.
I think Monica would have preferred not to talk to us at all the whole time, as I found I was the one always trying to make small talk to calm MYSELF down. Overall she seemed pretty dismissive, but from what I got, I learned that the majority of the WC customers annoyed her, and that her online bio was a completely made-up joke because she thought writing a bio was stupid.
In addition, Monica is EXTREMELY heavy-handed. All the tattoos I've had in the past hurt nowhere near as bad as hers. I would say the experience was pretty fucking excruciating and made me not want to get any tattoos ever again.
To her credit, the fix job, which was just retracing some simple text, turned out well. But some of the letters are raised up (similar to how a scar is raised) while others are flat and smooth on the skin.
The new tattoo looks good, but I had to go back to get it touched up because part of it turned into a giant scab that took forever to fall off...so when it finally did come off weeks later, the skin underneath was all raw, red, and fucked up.
But at least I got a free Tshirt at the end.
2 stars defined = "Meh. I've experienced better." = Very true
I love Zebra's, the best place I've been to so far. I've gotten things done at other places, they have ended up either fucked up or infected. I've gotten my dahliah's done and my septum done both this month at Zebra's. Nice workers who are always there to help. The price range is a bit high but I think it's worth it. The piercers are excellent and nice and they won't make you feel uncomfortable. I recommend this place for anyone who wants to get their first piercing done. :)
Review Source:They get 4 stars for being so awesome and giving me a tattoo that I absolutely loooove!
I considered many less stars because the price seemed so ridiculous, but I was on vacation soo...I guess my circumstances were in their favor. Had I not been on vacation I probably would have shopped around a bit.
Got a tatt about the size of a silver dollar (maybe a bit larger) outlined in black and with probably 3-4 colors all mixed in there...was expecting it to cost $100 max. I live in Florida so maybe they do it wicked cheap over here or maybe I haven't checked the prices recently but they charged $150 for this one in California.
The price nearly gave me a heart attack, but again, I was on vacation so I thought, "what the hell, why not?"
I'm a fan of how the employees were so friendly. They appeared genuinely interested in my need for a tattoo. And the artist, Toe-knee, was great. He entertained us with jokes the whole time. And even if we hadn't had Toe-knee's jokes, we had a flat screen tv to watch whilst getting tattooed. Great experience
Oh, and I'm also a fan of how the shop is decorated
Here I am getting inked and then another of our matching finished products:
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I took my younger cousin here to get a second piercing in her ears. Â I had never had my ears pierced and I hadn't planned on it today. Â Well, the people were so nice I ended up getting my ears pierced! I loved the front desk staff and the piercing artist, Wes. It was just a really nice establishment and well worth the drive to Walnut Creek.
Review Source:After years of years of trekking to berkeley for my craving for a new piercing Zebra finally opened in Walnut Creek!! It still has the same fun vibe with friendly staff who aren't at all unapproachable to my relatively conservative appearance.
There is a large selection of jewelry all moderately priced with options within all price ranges. Their cleaning kits are definitely THE best though. Every experience anywhere before Zebra left me with bad after-care advice and a sebsequent infection so I am so thankful for the knowledgable staff here! Everything is super clean and safe which a must, and generally for a walk-in piercing the wait is not bad (my average wait times have been about 30 mins).
GREAT DEAL: Go with a friend and split an ear piercing: get one piercing with jewelry for $13 each!
Went back to Zebra to get my cover-up tattoo on my ankle. For 13 years (or 14) I've been sporting what everyone calls my 'gansta' tattoo. I had the three-dots that represent 'Mi Vida Loca' on my right inner ankle for much to long. Explaining it to people was like explaining why I don't speak or understand Tagalog.
I made my appointment with Miguel on Saturday with a $40 deposit. I thought I would be nervous, but I have to expect the expected pain. I came back on Saturday, paid the remaining of my payment ($60). And hopped on the chair. My boyfriend was gracious to come and be my moral support plus someone I can grab on to. Miguel did a sketch of my Gemini symbol via visuals he found on the Internet. He said it would be better than printing it out and tracing it.
The pain was bearable but since I never had a filler done on my first tattoo, I was amazed that I didn't pass out from the intensity. Miguel did a great job and I couldn't believe it only took a short time. I definitely recommend him and my bf and I already know whose doing our next tats.
WARNING: DO NOT COME HERE! Â
My recent experience in May/2009
By far the worst piercing experience I have ever had!!!!
They rush you like cattle.
Brand you.
Then they want you to get the "F" out since you already paid them.
I've had so many problems with my piercing to say the least. Â It kept bleeding, pain wouldn't subside. They tell you if you have any problems call us. Yeah right! I placed several calls and supposedly the piercer was going to call me back. Well I never got a call back and after 2 months of trying to maintain my piercing I was not able to keep up with the pain. Â I should have known when that asshole used those rusty pliers to clamp the piercing I was going to have trouble. Â Who uses dirty tools on such a much needed sterile environment?
So I went to Body Manipulations in San Francisco for advice and to remove my piercing.. Â They were so helpful and knowledgeable. Â They told me that the retard who pierced my ear had angled it improperly and went through the bone. Â So therefore, it would never heal and if I waited any longer it would have probably gotten infected. Â Thank god for people that know what they are doing at Body Manipulations.
I got my first tattoo here and was satisfied. The staff is really good, but the pricing is expensive. I wasn't exactly looking for a bargain for my first, and they did make me feel really comfortable, so I don't regret it. With that said, I don't think I would get another tattoo from here because it was so overpriced. It is pretty much what you would expect for a tattoo and piercing place in Walnut Creek--the setting is very upscale and boutique-y--very different from the Berkeley location. I don't need flat screen tv's in every room.
I think that Sun E.'s post starting off:
"Family Fun!
Yes, @ Zebra!"
basically says it all. Walnut Creek moms: take your daughters here to get their belly buttons or noses pierced and maybe a cute tramp stamp or tattoo of a butterfly or a heart or a flower. Or maybe take your son, who is feeling left out 'cause all the cool kids on his lacrosse team have plugs, to gauge his ears. You too can feel edgy without having to deal with the attitude, dirtiness, or vulgarity you might encounter in more *urban* areas. You can hit up J. Crew, Lacoste, Coach and Nordstrom, and then walk just a block or two to Zebra for some family fun and counter-culture-co-optation!
The people are very polite, and the scent inside the store is of course reminiscent of it's Berkeley counterpart, but the pricing is rediculous.
Paging hipster parents, and kids just 18 using their parents $$ to get their rebellion on. . .this is the place for you.
It's not, however, the place for anyone who knows the value of the tattoo they want to get, or anyone who shops around.
I went in to get my tattoo priced. All I wanted was a small, (we're talking smaller than a thumbnail) sized outline of a star, with yellow inside. That's all. SIGNIFICANTLY smaller than my other two tats, and less intricate. My last 2 tats were about the size of a golf ball, and were between 65 and 80 dollars. My FIRST tat was 75, same size, and done at the Berkeley Zebra, so yes, imagine my shock, when the trendy but carefully edgy salesgirl quoted me $90!?!?! for my little star.
Desperately trying to maintain civility, I thanked her quickly and walked out, before exploding into laughter. Overpriced insanity. INSANITY. I may or may not have managed to contain a snort in the store, I don't remember.
So anyway, make sure you shop around if money is at all a concern to you when getting your body art. It's not all about price, but it certainly doesn't hurt.
Oh Zebra! My go to spot for piercings. I came to Zebra on two occasions: one for my belly button piercing and my left cartilage ear piercing, the second for my tongue piercing.
On the first occasion, if you calculate my age, and how long ago I did this, yeah I guess I would be considered a teenybopper as they're known to be Zebra's main clientele. Be ready to LITERALLY rub elbows with young college girls or high school girls with their moms to get their nose pierced. This place is small and gets crowded on the weekends. My cartilage piercing didn't hurt at all. My belly button hurt somewhat. Months later, my cartilage piercing healed while my belly button got infected. I'm guessing my belly button rejected it. Oh wells. I now have a faded scar near my belly button and 80 bucks (piercing + jewelry) down the drain.
The second time, I went to get my tongue pierced. Was I scared? Heck yeah I was. Waiting in line, my friend told me he didn't like the vibe of the place. He said, "I personally wouldn't come here." We came on a Sunday, and surprisingly it wasn't as busy as I'm used to. See now, I was smart. I chose two pieces of jewelry: a clear stud to get pierced with and another one to change into when the healing process is done. Why clear stud? Uh....so my parents couldn't see it! Ah...but eventually they did. They have good eyes for middle aged people. Anyways, my friend told me the needle went through my tongue like butter and was surprised I couldn't feel it going in.
But 5 minutes later, OH MY GOODNESS. Throbbing pain. For the rest of the day. Sipped on slurpees and ate ice cream for the whole day. COULDN'T TALK. Maybe it was a bad idea to go on Super Bowl Sunday. Everyone else I hung out with that day was happy though. No Grace bad mouthing every play and yelling at the screen.
Overall, Zebra is cool if you're a college student wanting to get pierced. Don't think I'd ever go back only because I think I'm pretty much done with my piercing endeavors.
I had higher expectations. I've been to the Zebra's in Berkeley for a friend's tongue piercing and would have rated it a 4.5+ They did a quick, clean and friendly job considering how nervous my friend was. The Walnut Creek location, on the other hand, was... "alright".
Pretty much from entrance, assistance, payment, waiting, piercing and exit... everything was done... OK. I didn't get the "rockstar" experience that Zebra's is known for. My piercer did a swift job. I got an industrial with them.. but for what it's worth, it never healed and I ended up removing it a year after. I guess a short bar was put in and the pressure lead to keloid scars.. Not a pretty picture. The bumps are still there many months after I took it out. Eek.
I was eating a grape today, and my juicy bit of fruit suddenly tasted like a hard small ball. Wait a second.
I spat out everything in my napkin, and found the top stud of my tongue piercing mixed in with some chewed grape. I nearly choked on that crappy piece of jewelry I bought at Zebra! Minus stars for shoddy craftsmanship.
Fortunately, I was smart enough to fix it and now I'm still baller.
I was a total believer and super thrilled about the new Zebra in Walnut Creek, and after buying jewelery there a few times started talking with one of the tattoo artists, JOE, about a tattoo I've been wanting for years. Â He tells me he would be really interested in drawing it for me and that it fit his style of work, sweet, I'm super stoked. Â And in order to have Joe draw me something that I could look at and make changes to before committing to the tattoo he charged me an "art fee" of $100 and told me he would call me in a few days to let me know when he would have something. Â
No call ever came, and I called a week later, he told me he would have something in a few days and would let me know, again, no call. Â One week later I call and the guy tells me, "oh we thought you were coming in on Saturday" .... hmmm, well I would have if someone let me know.
I finally make it down there, and the drawing was ok, and he admits to me that he only spent about 20 minutes on it, because he didn't want to spend too much time if I ended up hating it. Â It wasn't terrible, yet some key things I had told him he clearly neglected to include and went with his ideas instead. Â Which would have been ok if I was very vague on what I had wanted, which I wasn't, there were some very specific things, and he really neglected all of them except the very general concept of the piece. Â
He is working on a tattoo while I was looking at the drawing, and told me to write him a note. Â Instead of just writing a note I take a piece of paper and draw the piece in the general shape I wanted, to which he reacts rudely "so what, are you just gonna draw your own back piece?!?" Â I finish my notes, and he tells me he'll have something in.. guess what... a few days.
One week... no call... I call and he tells me, he'll have something in "a few days" and that if I didn't like it then I should work with someone else. Â Ummm... WTF?!?!?
This time he actually does call in a few days (which is a total of 2 months now from the first meeting and $100 art fee) and I go down to look at the piece, thinking he would have just elaborated on what I had drawn. Â But no, it is essentially the same exact drawing form before but with some very slight differences. Â I looked at the drawing and just walked out. Â Although I wanted to leave a note of something to the effect of "REALLY? you could have at LEAST tried."
I understand that working with an artist is not the easiest thing to do, I am an artist myself. Â But if I took someones money i would have tried a little harder. Â And when he realized he didn't want to work with me, because god forbid I call and wonder where my art is when he says it will be there in "a few days" ans I don't hear anything for a week, he should have just said, sorry, I cant help you, here's your money. Â But instead I think he consciously chose to be a dick and draw me a shitty drawing so I would bail on him. Â
I plan on calling the manager in hopes to get some sort of refund, because a total of 35 minutes worth of sketching is not worth $100. Â Not at all. Â
If you want a butterfly tattooed on your ankle or Semper Fi across your back, then sure, Zebra WC would be a fine option. Â But as far as any real art goes don't bother, most of the tattooists there are simply picture artists and nothing more, paint by numbers, trace and color... if you want some real art, don't waste your time here.
if you thought zebra in berkeley was good people watching just wait until you see these walnut creek folk looking for tattoos. if you ever wanted to be spoiled in a tattoo shop this is the place for you.
the walnut creek location is set up more like a day spa not your grab a number and wait shop.
adult contemporary music played throughout the store rather than hardcore punk.
validated parking  beats the hell of finding any kind of parking in berkeley.
no street vendors or tye dye but hummers and pottery barn.
no 20 something college kids but young girls, moms and
grandmothers with matching tattoos.
three private rooms with reclining leather chairs and flat screen tvs.
no old school punk, pinup girls and sweet designs but in walnut creek the popular seems to be family crests, names and butterflies.
i definitely need to wait this new location out and see how it plays out. i hope it does well but in the meantime be prepared to see all of sorts of new and unusual sights in walnut creek.
Yes folks, there is a Zebra in Walnut Creek.
And yes, they are just as awesome here as they are in Berkeley.
So lets start with how much I LOVED Zebra. The customer service I received was really friendly, and lemme just say the eye makeup of the girl giving it was really damn cool. I give props to anyone who wears more eye makeup than me and pulls it off.
I also got a neat little zebra bag free and a 2.00 off coupon which will soon be put to good use.
This Zebra carries tons of flasks, bunches of belts and enough jewelry to choke Elizabeth Taylor. They have all the stables of the other Zebra, the naughty stickers, the cool belt buckles and the piercing and tattooing of their clients.
I will say it's kinda cool that you can see both the tat's being drawn on their large drawing table and then being done in a semi private area. I've never actually seen a tattoo being done, so it was a little like watching a scary movie and hoping you don't get sick or scream.
I will def be coming back. Awesome belt with handcuffs, you are so mine!
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