The Crow's Nest

My daughter had her ears pierced here, and it was a great experience! The lady who did the piercing had a great personality and made my daughter feel at ease. I highly recommend!!

This shop is easy to locate with plenty of on street parking available and has a beautiful, welcoming facade. The inside is impeccably clean and sanitary. The artists and staff are as friendly as they are professional and it is very obvious that they cherish the Team culture that has been cultivated here. Do not be put off if your appointment(s) is further out than you wanted, the quality of the work coupled with the judgement free care you will receive is more than worth the wait. The artist who worked on me, Tori, is an absolute hidden gem of masterful artistry in Dubuque and her infectious friendliness, positivity and fiery passion for her craft makes you feel like your friend is working on your piece instead of a stranger. By all means, shop around in town as a smart consumer, but if you don't at least get a consultation here before you put ink to skin somewhere else, you're at great risk of wasting your time, money and, infinitely worse, your satisfaction with your piece. These wonderful people will do it right the first time.

I definitely recommend The Crow’s Nest for your next piercing! Lauren did a fabulous job on my ear piercing! She is professional, caring, and makes the experience very pleasant!

Once again great precise awesome tattoo work Done by Josh! Always a great experience at Crows Nest. I love the crew and atmosphere and loved the Christmas music and convos today

Lauren has once again knocked it out of the park. She is so patient with me while I look at a million different jewelry options. She also let's me know everything that's happening during the procedure so I know what to expect next. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to bedazzle there body. She is an excellent piercer!

I came in, (after my three knocks) and the gentleman who opened the door just pointed to the couch, hardly acknowledged me and said to have a seat on the couch. It felt as if I was another number. Being a mom of six babies, I felt like I was being treated like a child. Having had a lot of art done over the last 15 years in places all over, I have met arrogant artists, to extremely humble artists. This location was the most arrogant I have ever experienced. I did however give this place the benefit of the doubt. I figured, okay... maybe they are very good with their work (though what I have seen on Facebook, wasn't any better or worse than what I have had paid for in other places around the country) but maybe that's why they operate this way (the sense that they are the best 🤔) I have work I need done to help me on my journey. Being a revert to the Catholic faith, having tattoos that offend my own soul, I was given only the option to have expensive laser treatment(which is absolutely not necessary). I felt like they were working an angle for more money, instead of working with me on ideas. I had Nikki, and I could see the religious conflict, as she wore a sweater with a satanic symbol (the goat head and upside down star, I should mention we live next door to satanists who gave us pamphlets to their temple in Dubuque, as a joke). I mentioned I was a Catholic and that's why I'm looking to alter my art, she became harder to work with, she acted like there was nothing she could do. Any decent artist could have worked with what I have got going on. But expressing my past and being vulnerable with my journey, she was definitely turned off it seemed. I understand not everyone is Christian. She brought me over to the gentleman who does the laser treatment and he asked what I wanted in a certain area, so I walked over to grab a sheet of paper to show him, when I came back I noticed she said something and rolled her eyes. As a mom, I definitely can spot an eye roll from a mile away. I chose to not acknowledge it and keep pushing forward with the appointment, until I called it quits and chose somewhere else. I had already made an appointment with a different location before this consultation, just because I had a feeling this wouldn't work out. I went to the different location today to talk about what I wanted and he was amazing. He was humble....That's what was amazing... He told me what would work, what wouldn't work, and what we can do. I am so excited to take this journey of healing with this other location. They also let me know that a lot of people come there and complain about the same thing I experienced. Not everyone is looking for somewhere to go that thinks they're the best. Sometimes, people just need a person to be part of their journey. Almost like a labor and delivery nurse or a midwife, or a doctor who cares for you while you have cancer. This is just as important. And I can definitely say I won't be using this location. My husband had a consult as well, but was sick and couldn't make it. I think everything happens for a reason. Glad he didn't come. There is a darkness in this place that is uncomfortable. Not everyone getting a tattoo is dark, gothic or enjoys this type of environment. Just glad I found a different place to go. Not every tattoo shop has to be dark, uncomfortable and have artists that think they walk on air. As a first impression, I knew right away this was not the place for our family. Its almost insulting, especially when you have lived in other parts of the country (and world) and know what is out there in this industry. Some of the best work I have ever seen, came out of the most inviting, warm and encouraging places. Not places like this.

10/10. Very friendly and just an awesome experience. I went to go see if they could put my piercing back in as it fell out, got it done at some place in arizona. Lauren told me what was going on and why my piercings were infected and kept falling out. Very thorough and informative. I loved it here. Definitely going again!

Stopped to get a nose stud for my daughter should have been a quick in and out purchase. Door was locked and everyone inside ignored me like I wasnt standing outside! Called from the front door and was told I had to set an appointment to purchase a piece of jewelry. Needless to say I wont be going back to the establishment.

I have a handful of tattoos. Today was the first time I’ve gotten one from here. It was done by Sierra. Words can’t describe how much I love it and how great of a job she did. I’ll definitely go back again when I’m ready for my next one. I highly recommend.

Lauren is amazing! She is patient and helpful making sure I understood every step of the process. The shop itself is extremely clean.
And my nose ring looks amazing! Thank you Lauren!!!
I’ve had my first session of tattoo removal & Woodstock was great! Again I found everything to be clean, he was clear about aftercare instructions and the price was great! I’ve had laser removal in a plastic surgeons office and when comparing the two I HIGHLY recommend Crowd’s Nest. Woodstock had me in and out in a fraction of the time since I didn’t have to sit and wait for multiple people to come in and out of the procedure room.