iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%98+53.5Reliability 24%97+23.5Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%57+4Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 95Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.95SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#19 of 49 piercing studiosiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 63%
5.0★★★★★3,046 Google reviews · 24 photos
98%five-star reviews
4.97★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
0.5%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
48%reviews answered by the owner
$126typical billiMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews).
Google reviewers rate the shop five stars based on over three thousand reviews, frequently praising artists for punctuality, cleanliness, and clear communication during tattoo and piercing sessions. Many clients highlight the welcoming atmosphere and the ability to accommodate walk-in appointments efficiently. However, a minority of low-star reviews cite poor communication, perceived rudeness, and dissatisfaction with the final quality of specific tattoos or the healing process of piercings.
Google rating: 5.0 out of 5 from 3,046 reviews (98% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 3,046 Google reviews (2,416 with written comments, 704 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 48% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 21, 2026.
Service: Piercing Studio serving San Diego, California.
Data from Google, last updated October 26, 2026.
Score profile vs other piercing studios
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: value and momentum; weakest: replies to reviews.
Sideshow Tattoo and PiercingPiercing Studios median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing: 98/100 on this factor. Category median: 95.A
98
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing: 97/100 on this factor. Category median: 93.A
97
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing: 99/100 on this factor. Category median: 98.A
99
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing: 57/100 on this factor. Category median: 79.C
57
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
3,046 Google reviews we collected
5.0of 5
5 stars2,99998%
4 stars251%
3 stars80%
2 stars50%
1 star90%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 2,416 written reviews
99%praise
Praise3,53299%
Complaints351%
Price
What customers reported paying
$1260% vs typical piercing studios
Middle half of what 800 customers paid ($88–$176) · gold mark = category median.
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude1,19133%
Quality & results77122%
Would recommend65818%
Speed & response56416%
Communication1775%
Price & value1183%
Honesty & trust882%
What customers talk about
We read 2,416 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“He was super nice, welcoming, and made me feel really comfortable throughout the whole process.”
“…ly fun or exciting to work with and used images off of Google and was rude when I corrected her on how she spelt my name also my bsf at the time got a…”
“I came in as a walk-in and had such a great experience!”
“…also my bsf at the time got a tattoo there and hers was genuinely god awful 😭 (this is an edit I was happy when I left given it was my first tattoo b…”
“Super helpful and explained everything as he went along - highly recommend”
“He was able to perfectly match what I wanted and I genuinely cannot recommend this shop enough.”
“The whole process was super quick and he was very understanding and calm when I was about to get pierced.”
“Definitely pierced them faster than anyone else (which let me tell you, getting my septum pierced kinda slowly was a gross sensation).”
“Isaac walked me through everything he did as he was doing it.”
“The piercing is very reasonably priced, and the workers are super professional!”
“Also they are super expensive price bur not worth it!”
“Got my conch here and had minimal pain and he was very knowledgeable and honest with me.”
“I was able to walk in and within 15 minutes I was lying down getting pierced.”
People customers mention
Isaac324 reviews
Jedi85 reviews
Matt74 reviews
Beth74 reviews
Issac68 reviews
Jadd66 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing for 8 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
maddie2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 days ago★★★★★
Got my navel pierced and Isaac was great! The whole process was super quick and he was very understanding and calm when I was about to get pierced. Definitely recommend!
Paid $50–100PiercingsNavel piercing
Alejandra6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 5 days ago★★★★★
I loved Isaac. He make everyone laugh and very confident would definitely get another piercing for him.
Paid $50–100Nose piercing
Lacy1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 days ago★★★★★
Amir was amazing, he was very patient with me on having to change the tattoo and the placement. I absolutely love my tattoo.
Paid $350–400Fine line tattoos
addison2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 days ago★★★★★
Fantastic experience and super quick and easy piercing process!!!!! So great highly recc
Paid $50–100Tongue piercing
Tram4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 days ago★★★★★
Amir was awesome to work with. Very laid back and flexible. Would definitely go to him again!
Paid $200–250Fine line tattoos
Mariana1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
Isaac is the best piercer and I had such a great experience with him. This is my favorite spot for piercings and have gone multiple times. Got my conch here and had minimal pain and he was very knowledgeable and honest with me.
Got my navel pierced and Isaac was great! The whole process was super quick and he was very understanding and calm when I was about to get pierced. Definitely recommend!
Price: $50–100
Services: Piercings, Navel piercing
Response from the owner · a day ago
maddie, a calm and reassuring hand during a piercing really does make all the difference. I'm glad Isaac made the whole thing feel easy for you. Come back and see us anytime!
Dave dela Resma2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Dave has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Isaac was very clean, quick, funny, and informative.
Services: Ear piercing
Response from the owner · a day ago
Dave, those four words say a lot. Clean and quick matter every time, but funny and informative together really do make the whole experience. Glad Isaac took good care of you. Come back and see us anytime.
Alejandra Garcia6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Alejandra has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I loved Isaac. He make everyone laugh and very confident would definitely get another piercing for him.
Price: $50–100
Services: Nose piercing
Response from the owner · a day ago
Alejandra, Isaac has such a great energy and I'm glad it came through during your visit. Laughing through a piercing is honestly the best way to do it. Come back and see us whenever you're ready for the next one!
A JS2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews A has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I came in as a walk-in and had such a great experience! He was super nice, welcoming, and made me feel really comfortable throughout the whole process. I’m really happy with how my piercing turned out. Definitely recommend coming here!
Response from the owner · a day ago
Walk-ins can be a little nerve-wracking so I love hearing the whole experience felt comfortable from start to finish. Really glad your piercing came out exactly how you wanted it. Come back and see us anytime!
Nanako Chung4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Nanako has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Isaac took great care of me and was so kind throughout the process of piercing my rook. He made it quick, easy, and painless. It’s already healing well!!! Very grateful for his work!
Response from the owner · a day ago
Nanako, hearing that your rook is already healing well puts a big smile on my face. Isaac really does have a gift for making the whole experience feel easy, and I'm glad that came through for you. Come back and see us anytime!
Jocelyn Martinez2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Jocelyn has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Amir was amazing, he was very patient with me on having to change the tattoo and the placement. I absolutely love my tattoo.
Price: $350–400
Services: Fine line tattoos
Response from the owner · a day ago
Lacy, it's so good to hear Amir took such good care of you through all the changes. That kind of patience really does make a difference, and I'm glad you ended up with something you love. Come back and see us anytime.
addison laragy2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews addison has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Fantastic experience and super quick and easy piercing process!!!!! So great highly recc
Price: $50–100
Services: Tongue piercing
Response from the owner · a day ago
addison, knowing the process felt quick and easy means a lot. That's exactly how it should feel. Really glad you had a fantastic time and we appreciate the recommendation!
Tram Vo4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Tram has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Amir was awesome to work with. Very laid back and flexible. Would definitely go to him again!
Price: $200–250
Services: Fine line tattoos
Response from the owner · a day ago
Tram, hearing that Amir made the whole experience feel easy and low pressure really does mean a lot. That laid back energy is exactly what you want when you're getting work done. Hope to see you back in the shop soon!
Maribel Aranda6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Maribel has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Amir was professional, fast, friendly and tattoo was on point
Services: Fine line tattoos
Response from the owner · a day ago
Maribel, glad you had such a solid experience with Amir. Fast and on point is exactly what you want from a tattoo session. Come back and see us anytime.
