Moniques Body Art

Category:	Tattoo Shop
Address:	1861 Gulf to Bay Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33765, USA
Phone:	+1 727-462-8346
Site:	moniquesbodyart.com
Rating:	4.9
Working:	Closed 12–8PM 12–8PM 12–8PM 12–9PM 12–9PM 12–6PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 5

Tanner Hockert

Since Ive been legally able to get piercings and tattoos, Ive been going to this awesome place. Billy, the owner, is easily the light of the entire shop. Having had him pierce myself and multiple friends, his experience shows in the way he makes the customer feel calm and at home, not to mention the very little pain that comes with. Its very clear he knows what hes doing, and if I ever want a piercing, thats the first place Id go. Having said that, yesterday, I wanted a tattoo. Though Ive been there before for tattoos (and received one from a very nice woman, whos art still looks great on my chest), I had the displeasure of being confronted with the rudest, most frank tattoo artist Ive ever met, Tom. As a young adult, I can appreciate that people have bad days and sometimes people misdirect their anger, and I can also appreciate the "angsty" feel of a tattoo shop. But, Tom was a different breed of rude. Not only have I came in prior to this specifically requesting Billy to talk about a piercing, when he rudely interrupted me- criticized me, then turned me away, but yesterday, before even sketching, he had used the phrase "I cant read your mind" twice, in front of my friends and other customers, after I had specifically said I was open to artist interpretation on my simple, yet meaningful crown. I was a little thrown off by this, but it didnt really hit me until both of my friends currently with me said something about how rude he came off as well. Then as Im paying attention, I notice multiple rude remarks that follow, one including yet another "I cant read your mind". Now that im sufficiently irritated, I saw the crown he drew up and really liked it. And fortunately for him, that was his one saving grace. He then fell silent THE ENTIRE TIME HE TATTOOED ME, not responding to anything I said, or even giving me a break. Finally, when the tattoo was completed, I said "wow I love it, Thank you" and he simply replied "good". I asked my friends if they liked it and they did, and they said something about how calm I was. And I agreed, saying "yes, I did my best to not tense up or move" which got the response from Tom: "Well, you didnt do a very good job." I ended up wanting to sprint out of the shop, and tipped him $30 for a job well done, but mostly because I couldnt stand to be around his negativity for another second... I didnt even count the tip, I was basically just throwing money at him. Ive never before this been so happy to leave Moniques. However, with that being said, the artwork was great and the tattoo my friend received was also beautiful... though she had at least had pleasantries with her artist. All the artists there are great, and Ive never met a better piercer than Billy, but to any new comers, I would stray as far away from Tom as possible. He made me feel as though I didnt have a say in my tattoo, because he made me nervous to speak up. Luckily it came out awesome, but if I was a new customer, I wouldnt go back after that. The shop is clean, beautiful, and everyone else is super friendly and helpful. Not to mention Billy has awesome jewelry for piercings as well. If you get Tom, however, you may consider requesting someone a little more pleasant who has your interest in mind rather than saying "I dont wanna be drawing all night, I cant read your mind". The artwork came out great, but boy am I lucky it happened to be exactly what I wanted on the first try because I was extremely disappointed as a loyal, appreciative, and regular customer.

A Private User

AMAZING! I am not a tattoo or piercing person (not because I dont like them but because Im a big wus and dont like pain) lol However, I was determined to get my ears re-pierced, so I could wear earrings for my wedding. I decided to try a tattoo/piercing place rather than the Clairs or Piercing Pagoda type places because people said that you heal better from a needle rather than the gun that the Pagoda uses. I went to Blue Devil in Ybor first, but was very disappointed when I realized that one of my piercings was completely crooked (my earring was pointing down!) Thank god I found Moniques though! They had some really cute surgical steel earrings which the guy said would probably help with the healing. Sadly, I cant remember the guys name that pierced my ear, but he was so awesome! The piercing was so quick and easy with no pain at all! The piercing is perfectly even and straight! Now I will have pretty ears for the wedding! Woohoo! It was also really nice that the guys in there were very nice to my fiance and me even though it was pretty obvious that we were not big tattoo people. Blue Devil people were kind of rude to us and acted like we were crazy for coming there for just a regular ear piercing.

Joey Leone

I went here with my mother to inquire about tattoos. I am 24 years old and have contemplated what I want for a while (as in I have no tattoos yet because I want it to be right). The man who helped us called me a teenager and scoffed at my requests, stating that I had jobs to get and I didnt need hand tattoos. I have a career path already worked out and I am a grown man, younger yes but not ignorant. I will be having my art done elsewhere, where I am showed respect. I dont need life advice from a tattoo artist, I need my tattoos done or not. Next time dont assume because someone takes their mother (who also wanted work done) that they are just another dumb kid. Its too bad, Ive heard good stories about this place, but they refuse to tattoo a "teenagers hands". Ive been waiting years for these tattoos and this man blew off my request because he was scared I wouldnt get a job. Worry about your art, not my future (I got that covered).

Nikki Voutsinas

A few months ago I went to Moniques because I wanted two piercings somewhere that I didnt want to risk botching. I was really nervous because one of the piercing was a Christina (an uncommon surface piercing with a really high rejection rate) so I did my homework and shopped around. Even though it was not the best price I found I am so so so so so happy I went to Billy. Before he pierced me I expressed my concerns about rejection and he promised me that if he did it, it was unlikely to reject. He even offered to re-pierce it for free if it did. He was professional, really nice and funny, and months later my high risk surface piercing is almost completely healed and hasnt showed any sign of rejection at all. If you are nervous, go to Billy. If you want an unusual piercing, go to Billy. If you want to have a nice, healthy, long lasting piercing done correctly, go to Billy. If you are stupid, go anywhere else.

B. Lee

Prior to going to Moniques, I had only had my ear lobes pierced when I was much younger. I had decided that I wanted to get my nose and the cartilage of my ear pierced. Considering I hadnt pierced anything in over 15 years, I was nervous, and wanted only the best. After reading the stellar reviews online and having these accolades confirmed by personal references, I decided to take the plunge. Billy was amazing. He was very professional and will make you feel VERY at ease, even if youre the slightest bit nervous or concerned. He took his time and was very thorough on explaining the process and the after care points. Regardless if youre going in for your first piercing for your 15th, go see Billy. I really can not say enough good things about my experience at Moniques. Thank you for a wonderful experience! Ill definitely be back!