Karsten SturmayLooking for the best places to get piercings in Edmonton? We have you covered!
In this article, the members of our team went looking for and tested the go-to piercing shops in the city. At the end of it all, we chose the body modification artists we deemed better than the rest!
How We Picked the Top Piercing Places in Edmonton
1. Atomic Tattoo and Piercing
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| WEBSITE | https://atomiczombie.squarespace.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 10121 124 St, Edmonton, AB T5N 1P5, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 780-482-2662 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Tuesday-Saturday (12 PM-7 PM) ; Closed on Sundays and Mondays |
| OTHER SERVICES | Tattoo, microblading |
| PAYMENT CHANNELS | Cash, debit, Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Tap, and Apple Pay |
| 1. ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 1.1 Responsiveness | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| 1.2 Operating Hours | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 2. EXPERTISE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2.1 Efficiency | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| 2.2 Years of experience | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 3. PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 4. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Atomic Tattoo and Piercing has been around since 2007, and since then they have built a solid reputation for their piercing and tattoo services. We tried their piercing services with some friends who wanted to get pierced (we paid for the piercings, of course) and were impressed with their level of care and professionalism.
Their shop has two piercers; Alissa and Sarai. Both are very knowledgeable and competent at what they do and their level of skill is apparent in their efficiency.
All the jewelry they use are implant grade and meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. They work with a lot of manufacturers for body jewelry so you’re spoilt for choice.
They also strictly follow Alberta Health Services regulations on their sterilization procedures and are even the teaching facility for Concordia University’s Environmental Health Program.
This shows us that they have strict protocols in place in terms of cleanliness and standardization practices. They use single-use disposable needles and not piercing guns as well.
We noticed from their portfolio that they specialize in ear, cartilage, and facial piercings. So they’re a good option if that’s what you’re looking for.
They were very professional and made sure to check our government-issued photo ID to make sure we were of age. They also discussed the procedure and aftercare protocols clearly before starting and directed us to their reminders on their website.
One drawback, we think, is that they only have female piercers. Although they’re extremely professional and can work with any sex or gender, we do understand that some people might have specific preferences, especially for more private piercings.
So, if you might be more comfy with a male piercer, it might be best to check out other shops on this list.
As for location, they’re easy to find. They also have free parking behind their studio so it’s easier for those driving there.
Their rates are slightly more expensive compared to other shops. So that’s something to consider especially if you’re working with a specific budget.
Pros
- Wide range of jewelry choices
- Convenient location with free parking
- Clear explanation of aftercare guidelines
- Specializes in ear, cartilage, and facial piercings
- Teaching facility for Concordia University’s Environmental Health Program
Cons
- Slightly more expensive rates
- No male piercers available
- Only 2 piercers available
- Closed on Sundays and Mondays
Customer Reviews
Extremely professional and transparent
Alissa is hella amazing! I have always wanted to get a piercing by her so this review is a long time coming. From the moment you walk in she takes great care of you and makes you feel welcome in the shop. Alissa is extremely professional and transparent! I had my septum pierced by her recently and it has healed nicely with her guidance of aftercare instructions. I look forward to more future piercings by her & I will always recommend her & Atomic Tattoo & Piercing for anyone seeking work done! -Jenna H.
The store is always spotless
I’ve been to Atomic multiple times for different tattoo/piercings. My experience is always a positive one, everyone is professional and friendly. Jewelry is very high quality. The store is always spotless as well. I 100% recommend you go here! -Meggan T.
2. Red Loon Tattoo & Piercing
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| WEBSITE | https://www.redloontattoo.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 7716 104 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 4C5, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 780-469-0101 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Sunday-Monday (12 PM-6 PM); Tuesday-Saturday (12 PM-7 PM) |
| OTHER SERVICES | Tattoo |
| PAYMENT CHANNELS | Cash, debit, and credit (No American Express at this time) |
| 1. ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 1.1 Responsiveness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 1.2 Operating Hours | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2. EXPERTISE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2.1 Efficiency | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| 2.2 Years of experience | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 3. PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 4. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Red Loon Tattoo & Piercing has a collective industry experience of 30 years. So, it’s safe to say that they have extensive experience with both piercings and tattoos.
We personally can vouch for their level of expertise, efficiency, and professionalism, making them a worthy contender on this list. For one, we like that they have three piercers on board who have different specializations and backgrounds.
For example, Michelle specializes in body piercings while Cody is best at ear curation and freehand piercing. All of the piercers specialize in adult piercings, by the way.
You can inquire more during your consultation to know which piercer is best for your preferences and needs.
They’re a fully disposable studio so you’re assured they don’t reuse any piercing equipment. They work closely with Alberta Health Services to ensure the safety and cleanliness of their shop.
The studio owner, Lexci, is even a trainer for Health Educators and has industry-specific training on blood-borne pathogens and infection control. So you know you’re in safe hands.
Price-wise, we find them one of the most affordable out of the different shops in the city. If you’re looking for a high quality piercing experience that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, then they’re a great choice.
They can accommodate walk-ins, so if you’re feeling impulsive and want a piercing ASAP, they’re the place to go to. They do prioritize booked customers though, so set an appointment ahead of time to ensure a slot.
One thing we noticed, however, is that they don’t have aftercare guidelines on their website. Although they make sure to brief customers, we wish there was a ready guide for customers that’s easily accessible.
Pros
- Three piercers on board
- Accommodates walk-ins
- They have industry-specific training on infection control
- Affordable rates
Cons
- No aftercare guidelines on their website
- Don’t accept AMEX
- Inconsistent operating hours
Customer Reviews
The atmosphere was amazing
Got a septum piercing done by Maddy and she was wonderful! A great experience. They were able to get me in quickly and Maddy explained everything she was doing thoroughly. Very clean stations, awesome private room in the back to get the piercing done. They have a good selection of jewelry. The atmosphere was amazing! Very chill, everyone was nice. Super cool artwork throughout the studio. -Keegan
My piercer was so kind and they explained everything so well
First off the staff was so kind and welcoming. I’m not a heavily pierced person so I was nervous to get my nose pierced. My piercer was so kind and they explained everything so well multiple times. It was basically painless as well. It’s been almost a week and my nose has healed so well. Doesn’t hurt, and it barely hurt the first few days, just sore. Amazing experience! -Orlah M.
3. Pitbull Tattoos
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| WEBSITE | https://pitbullonwhyte.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 10554 82 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 2A4, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 587-523-5580 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Wednesday-Sunday (12 PM-7 PM); Closed on Monday and Tuesday |
| OTHER SERVICES | Tattoo |
| PAYMENT CHANNELS | Debit, credit, tap, or cash |
| 1. ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 1.1 Responsiveness | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 1.2 Operating Hours | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 2. EXPERTISE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2.1 Efficiency | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| 2.2 Years of experience | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 3. PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 4. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Another great place to visit for piercings is Pitbull Tattoos, a shop that has been open since 2012. We discovered them because of their high client ratings and decided to try them out ourselves – and we were so glad we did.
For one, their piercers, Autumn and Mike, have extensive experience and are talented at what they do. Their portfolios speak for themselves.
Since they have years of experience to back them up, we weren’t surprised when we saw how efficient they are. They’re also very gentle – perfect for first timers.
They specialize in standard, advanced, and exotic piercings. We like that they’re versatile and have a depth of experience with all these kinds of piercings.
Based on our experience, they’re not only skilled, but also professional and easy to talk to. With piercings and body modification in general, it’s important that you go to artists you trust.
We love that both their piercers are warm, friendly, and help you become at ease when you consult with them. They also make sure to walk you through the procedure and important reminders before starting your appointment.
The place and piercing stations are very clean and we can see that they take security and sanitation protocols seriously.
They also have a buy one, get one promo for piercings until further notice. It’s a good deal because you can have both of them or share with a companion.
Do know that they only accommodate customers with booked appointments. You need to book approximately two weeks in advance, so if you’re not keen on waiting, you should go for the other shops in this list.
Should you need to cancel your appointment for an emergency, the good thing is that they don’t charge any cancellation fees or penalties when you do so.
One drawback we can see is that their shop is located on the 2nd floor of the building and they’re pretty easy to miss. Also, they’re hard to access for people with mobility issues.
Despite that, we think that the shop and its staff are reliable overall and definitely deserve a spot on this list.
Pros
- Friendly and talented piercers
- Buy one get one deal on piercings
- No cancellation fees
- Versatile in terms of experience with kinds of piercings
Cons
- Can be hard to locate and not that accessible for people with mobility issues
- Need to book approximately 2 weeks in advance
Customer Reviews
Did so well figuring out exactly what we wanted
Had an amazing experience at Pitbull tattoo! My friend and I both got 2 piercings each today, this was my second time returning to Pitbull. They have an awesome buy 1 get 1 free for piercings here! Upon arrival, we were greeted, given a paper to sign and to be honest the process was effortless and quick. My friend and I sat comfortably in the waiting area for about 10-15 minutes, before we were called inside. Our piercer was AUTUMN. She’s pierced me before, including my nose and did such a good job. My friend also came in with me and it was kinda fun to watch it all happen. Autumn was very thorough in cleaning the areas, she did so well figuring out exactly what we wanted. Giving us multiple options to choose from for placements and she is so informative and kind. I highly recommend Pitbull for all peoples who want piercings. -Hopey H.
Made me feel confident and comfortable
Got my septum and tongue pierced. I’ve had my tongue pierced before but never my septum. This was my first time at Pitbull and the piercer was very friendly and knowledgeable. He made me feel confident and comfortable. He has 30 years experience and with that comes 30 years of knowledge. He pierced so quick that I didn’t even have time to react! He was very big on consent and made sure I was ready before he did anything. I would 100% recommend! -Amber
4. Goodfellas Ink
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| WEBSITE | https://goodfellasink.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 9709 118 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5G 0P4, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 780-477-3554 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Tuesday-Saturday (12 PM- 7 PM); Closed on Sunday and Monday |
| OTHER SERVICES | Tattoo, tattoo cover up, tattoo design |
| 1. ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 1.1 Responsiveness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 1.2 Operating Hours | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2. EXPERTISE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2.1 Efficiency | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| 2.2 Years of experience | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 3. PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 4. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Goodfellas Ink is another great contender for one of the best piercing shops in Edmonton. They have one full-time piercer, Michelle, who is well-versed with doing different kinds of piercings.
Looking at her portfolio, it’s easy to see that she has years of experience and incredible skills to match. When you consult with her, you can really notice her passion and dedication to her work.
She can also help guide you find the best jewelry to match your preferences and needs. They have a wide range of implant grade titanium, niobium, and 14kt gold options to choose from.
They have an online form so it’s easy to book a consultation or appointment with Michelle. A non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your slot.
Should you need to cancel and reschedule without a 48-hour notice, you will be required to rebook and pay a deposit again. They are very accommodating though and the staff are always pleasant to talk to, based on our experience.
We did notice that their shop specializes more on tattoos than piercings. They also only have one piercer at their shop, so that’s something to consider.
Still, we like the overall vibe of the shop, the warm welcome of the artists, their professionalism, and cleanliness. We’re not the only ones who think so – they have a strong client base in Edmonton.
Although we cannot deny that their services are top-notch, their rates are more expensive compared to other shops for piercings. So they’re probably not the best ones to call if what you’re after is affordability.
Pros
- Versatile and skilled with different kinds of piercings
- Lots of choices for jewelry
- Easy booking process
- Intuitive online form
- Accommodating staff
Cons
- Expensive rates
- Nonrefundable deposit required
Customer Reviews
You could tell she enjoyed what she was doing and was knowledgeable about piercings
I came in to get my lobes pierced, unfortunately i can’t remember the girls name who did it but she was amazing. very clean and you could tell she enjoyed what she was doing and was knowledgeable about piercings. definitely will be going here for my first tattoo! -Nicolas R.
The employees are polite to their customers
The business is clean and looks nice the employees are polite to their customers I went here to buy a piercing they did not have it but they said they were willing to order it in so other future customers could get that particular piercing if they wanted. -Kody
5. Ritualistics
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| WEBSITE | https://www.ritualistics.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 15804 Stony Plain Rd. Edmonton, AB T5P 3Z6 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (780) 413-8434 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Wed: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Thur – Fri: 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM Sat: 12PM – 6PM Sun – Tues: CLOSED |
| OTHER SERVICES | Piercing, Tattoo, and Aftercare |
| PAYMENT CHANNELS | Cash, debit, Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Tap, and Apple Pay |
We recently had the privilege of experiencing Ritualistics’ piercing services, and it’s safe to say that they’ve left an indelible mark. Their commitment to excellence shines through in every facet of their operation.
Service: Ritualistics sets the gold standard for piercing services. From the moment we walked in, their highly skilled team exhibited professionalism and expertise. The piercer took time to discuss options, ensuring we made the right choice. The procedure itself was swift and virtually painless – a testament to their skill.
Convenience: Our experience was marked by sheer convenience. Ritualistics’ well-appointed studio was immaculate, instilling confidence in their commitment to hygiene and safety. Appointments were easy to schedule, and they accommodated our busy schedule with flexibility. Their aftercare guidance was thorough, ensuring a smooth healing process.
Reputation: Ritualistics’ reputation precedes them, and for good reason. They’ve garnered a loyal following due to their consistent quality and ethical practices. Countless satisfied clients speak to their commitment to excellence. We’re now proud to count ourselves among those who’ve experienced their exceptional service.
Cost: While quality often comes at a premium, Ritualistics strikes a remarkable balance. Their pricing is competitive and transparent. We felt that we received excellent value for the top-tier service they provided. In the realm of body piercing, where precision and hygiene are paramount, Ritualistics offers affordability without compromise.
Pros
- Professionalism
- Expertise
- Hygiene
- Competitive pricing
Cons
- No promos yet
Customer Reviews
“Ritualistics exceeded my expectations with their professionalism and precision. Highly recommended!”
“I felt in safe hands at Ritualistics; their expertise and commitment to hygiene made the whole experience comfortable and worry-free.”
6. Lazybones Tattoo
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| WEBSITE | https://lazybonestattoo.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 10357 82 Ave NW Unit 210, Edmonton, AB T6E 1Z9, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 780-566-0038 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday (11 AM-7 PM) ; Sunday (12 PM- 6 PM) ;Closed on Wednesday and Thursday |
| OTHER SERVICES | Tattoo |
| 1. ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 1.1 Responsiveness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 1.2 Operating Hours | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2. EXPERTISE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2.1 Efficiency | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| 2.2 Years of experience | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 3. PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 4. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Another one of our favorite places to go to is Lazybones Tattoo, a Korean-owned tattoo and piercing shop on Whyte Avenue.
Although it’s the youngest place on this list, having only opened in 2021, we’ve seen their dedication to their craft and consistency in the quality of their services.
In a span of two years, they have built a strong client base in Edmonton not just because of their skills, but because of their professionalism and warmth. They have this ability to help put people at ease, which we can attest to.
We noticed the staff’s meticulous adherence to infection prevention and control practices, and the shop is spotless. They even give strict guidelines on blood-borne and communicable diseases, showing us that they really take the customers’ safety and comfort seriously.
The booking process is very convenient based on experience, and they are very responsive to inquiries. They even send you important reminders about your appointment and check in with you after the service.
Although they are mostly known for doing amazing and creative tattoos, we think their piercing services done by Ashley, are worth looking into as well.
Ashley is gentle, accommodating, and has extensive experience in the industry – making the whole process seamless and virtually painless. She’s meticulous, careful, and precise.
We love her efficiency and appreciate that she walks her clients through the procedure carefully; covering the risks involved and crucial after-care instructions. She also accepts walk-ins, a big bonus because there’s no long waiting time.
Granted, the range of piercing services is not as extensive as other companies on this list, but what they do offer, they do really well. So you get your money’s worth.
They offer the following currently:
- Ear/ear cartilage piercing
- Nose piercing
- Oral piercing
- Navel piercing
One thing we noticed is that their website isn’t very detailed as of the moment and lacks some information. It makes it a bit hard to look through their services.
Pros
- Strong client base
- Great customer care
- Clean place
- Easy booking process
- Responsive to inquiries
Cons
- Range of piercing services not as extensive compared to other companies
- Inconsistent operating hours
- Accepts walk-ins for piercings
- Only one piercer
Customer Reviews
Extremely meticulous
Clean, professional and extremely meticulous! I look forward to returning in the future! -Ashley L.
Super accommodating and clean
Super accommodating and clean even after just less than an hour to prepare for me.-Natalia Malunga
