Atomic Zombie

I’ve been to AZ before for piercings, but today it was touch ups on a tattoo by Katrina. As soon as I came in I found the girls up front to be super friendly and nice and there was no wait whatsoever for Katrina. The touchups hurt, not going to lie but that’s because tattoos hurt like a MoFo. I can’t wait till tmro to take the bandage off! Mostly because it’s itchy but partly because it’s ugly. I also really enjoyed «checking myself in» on FB so that everyone thinks I’m bad apples.

I got my first tattoo here, done by Jakob. The shop is nice and very clean, also the staff was really friendly! After a first appointment just for consultation I got a prompt appointment for the actual tattoo. They explained everything to me, how to prepare and how the aftercare works, this is how it should be done.
The tattooing itself was very professional, a perfect job. I’m impressed by the team and special thanks to Jakob for doing such an incredible good job, even if my motive was just a simple one. Would go here again!

Great experience at Atomic. I found Kirk on Instagram and emailed him regarding a half sleeve I was interested in getting. He responded right away and set up a consult within the week. The tattoo turned out great, the shop was very clean and all the staff were friendly. Would definitely recommend this shop to anyone, lots of artists tattooing many different styles.

Found Kirk through a friend and managed to squeeze in an appointment when he had a free couple of hours on a Saturday. The nicest person and made me feel super comfortable! I emailed him a photo of what I wanted and he re-​sketched it with his own touch, which I loved right away (I’m generally very picky). This was my fourth tattoo, but first time visiting Atomic Zombie or Kirk. I can confidently say I would go back to both the shop and the artist, very great and attentive staff and clean shop. Feeling so comfortable at the place definitely motivates for another tattoo very soon!

Went in here for a rook piercing not long ago. It’s an inner ear piercing through some pretty thick cartilage so I wanted it done well. It is quite pricey yes, but their jewelry is some of the best quality and selection in Edmonton, so quite worth it. You get what you pay for, and my piercer Sarai was just the best. She was super calming, walked me through everything to expect during the piercing, and was very skillful in her execution. I was surprised by how (relatively) not painful the piercing was. I thought the placing would be very painful, but Sarai did it so well it was over within about 5 seconds, jewelry and all. She also very thoroughly explained optimal aftercare, dos/don’ts etc. I recommend getting a bottle of their aftercare spray (at the front desk) to aid with healing.
My piercing is doing very well so far, which is a testament to the quality Atomic Zombie prides themselves on. I will be only coming here and getting pierced by Sarai in the future!

This place has all the hype in town. Yes they snag talent from other tattoo places every year, but I have yet to have a good experience. Again, my big expectation is customer service. The front end staff seem to have an attitude and a constant «bad day». I have been there at least four times on different occasions either for a tattoo consult or to check out jewelry. The tattoo artist I had the consult with was okay, however they are over priced in general. Even if I have tried to email them pictures of what I was looking for, the wait time for a consult, nonetheless the actual appointment wait time and the cost has given me every indication to look elsewhere, even though they may be the most advertised place in Edmonton. Yes they seem clean, but they are rude in the front, which is unwelcoming. No thanks, I will look elsewhere, as I would like to spend my hard earned wages somewhere I am appreciated rather than just another «client on the wait list». I have yet to find someone with exceptional talent and customer service and I will wait for the right experience rather than settling for something.

I decided to go here for my first tattoo ever as I read great reviews online. I pre-​sent in by email 4 pieces I was wanting to get, small items and the girl who I responded with determined who to put me with. When I met with the Tattoo Artist he had completely changed the drawings I had sent in that I wanted, they weren’t in the places I had told the girl on the email and phone that I wanted. After talking to him he did explain he wasn’t comfortable doing the few small pieces as they were too detailed and wasn’t comfortable going that small, totally ok with that, glad he was being realistic with what he could and couldn’t do. My appointment was for 1 pm, I didn’t get out until 330 pm and all I ended up with was two tiny little tattoo numbers I had asked for. I was totally bummed out and pretty disappointed all the time I had spent there just to pay regular hour worth of 20 minutes of work. More disappointed that the girl who saw the pieces I wanted and brought with me that had matched me with a junior artist who wasn’t comfortable doing the pieces I asked for which were very simple. I more than likely wouldn’t come back again or recommend to anyone.

As for the location and building itself, its fairly cool and inviting… as for my first tattoo it was disturbing. It has been over a year since i got my first tattoo from Jakob, and I have not written a review about it since I was offered a free tattoo for the mistake she made. I got a quote done and I saw the stencil everything was spelled correctly and looked great! My best friend was getting tattooed after me so as she is about to finish I am so excited, I take a quick glance in the mirror and think I LOVE IT. I send a picture of it too a friend and since she maybe did not take such a quick glance texts me immediatley saying Insecurity was spelt wrong. I thought she was kidding… At second glance nope she spelt insecurity «insceurity». Trying to keep my cool and not freak out I tell Jakob and her first immediate response «I will pay for your laser». Not exactly what I wanted to hear. What was suppose to be an exciting day turned into an awful experience. As she looked further she decided it would be easy t make the c and e and if we make the writing more cursive could make the e look like a c… as well as she put SKIN color over the e to make it a c. It looks fine, however if you look closely you can see where the mistake was made. She could not refund me the deposit so she offered me a free tattoo up to a few hours. I tipped her on the tattoo she made a mistake on and was always being really calm about the whole thing.
Today was suppose to be my second tattoo with Jakob… free. We shared a few emails to set something up and than had my consult early July. We made the appt for Aug.20 at noon. I wrote it in my phone when I was beside her (so I dont mess up the dates and times later on) but to my shock 3 days prior to my tattoo I get a message that she would see me Aug.19 at 6:30 pm. Different date different time. I was so confused and waiting for her to call me back to figure out what changed/​went wrong. Why were our appt times so different?! When she called me she spoke to me as if I was wrong and I got the dates wrong… However if there was a miscommunication than I think we could have figured it out the best we could. I could not come on the wednesday and she was talking so in a tone that FINE i could come thursday. I asked her «are you sure thats okay…» as I could tell it was annoying or inconvencing her in some way. her reply «Well its gunna have to me okay now isnt it?». Now i feel bad for a mistake I did not make… She clearly was annoyed and had no desire to be giving me this tattoo because it was free, i felt like she wish I never came back. I messaged her that evening after our phone call to cancel as I felt like I was inconveniencing her and this experience has once again turned negative. She never responded to my message, never called me back. I dont know how she can feel okay mispelling a tattoo that will be on my body for my whole life and offer me something to right her wrong and handle this the way she did.
I will never go back to atomic zombie. I am DISTURBED by this whole experience.

Well worth the drive for me! I had my tragus pierced there recently, and I was really impressed with the shop.
The staff was friendly, and personable from the get go. The shop is impeccable, and clean. I was immediately at ease. Sarai was amazing. It is hands down the easiest piercing I’ve had. The aftercare explanation was thorough. I left knowing that if I had any issues at all, they were only a phone call away — and would be happy to help.
I’ll definitely be back.

I just had my first tattoos done. Artist Kirk was great. He handled last minute change by me well. Steady hand, and excellent lettering; and over a 2 hour session. My wife will be asking for him for her first tattoo in the fall; maybe I’ll be ready for my second set by then.
Clean environment, and great upbeat latin music in the background — mariachi le bronx it was.
If you want a tattoo, don’t waste any time — go book a consult with Kirk.

The staff at Atomic Zombie are all amazing. It’s not a surprise that this shop has such a great reputation because of them. When people ask me to recommend places in the city for piercings or tattoos AZ is always the first name I drop.

I have never received any piercings from Atomic Zombie, so I can’t comment on that aspect of their business. But the tattoo side of their business is the best I’ve seen in this city.
I personally have 3 tattoos from artists that work/​have worked there, and the experience of every single one has been incredible. It’s a bit of a wait to get in for your initial consultation, but if you’re getting a permanent piece of art on your body, does an extra month really matter?
For the consultations, the staff does a great job to get you hooked up with an artist who is into whatever you’re into and will understand your idea. The artist then listens and gives feedback and I love that. They’re the professional — I want their opinion! The appointment itself is always great. The artists are friendly and kind while they tattoo you, and they want you to love the piece. They’re great at going over tattoo aftercare and telling you when you need to return for a touchup,.
The staff themselves are great, too. Alissa is always really sweet and kind and helpful. I couldn’t recommend this place more (and I do when anybody asks!) to anybody looking for a beautiful tattoo.

My friend and I went in to get our second lobes and tragus pierced (we did walk-​in and were very nervous.)
We had Alissa do our piercings and she was professional, talented, patient and very friendly. She definitely calmed our nerves and was never condescending which we both really appreciated.
She provided an incredible experience and service. We both love our new piercings. I definitely recommend Atomic Zombie to anyone interested in getting a tattoo or piercing.

Easily the best shop in Edmonton; of course it’s a little pricey, but I always go with you get what you pay for. If you’re modding your body, then you’re best to spend the extra fifty or so dollars in order to really feel the quality of what you’re getting.
My first experience was just to replace some jewelry; I called in ahead to make sure they had the type I was looking for, and then when I got there I changed my mind while there. I haven’t lost the piece since, it was put in really well and I’ve had no issues.
My second experience, I went in to get my nipples pierced, and it was safe to say I was a little terrified. I’d had many piercings before, but this was a little more daunting and intense of an experience. I was pierced by Corby, who was professional and made me feel incredibly comfortable despite having to be partially nude and that alone causing some nerves. She’s very calming, incredibly professional, and knows her stuff. Without being tasteless, she informed me about how she would be piercing them and didn’t make me feel uncomfortable at all, which was a bit of a feat considering.
The actual piercing was even better; after admitting I was a little nervous, she made it go incredibly fast. I think the entire process took under 3 minutes to pierce both, and while I was initially afraid it was fine.
A great experience, totally comfortable, professional and done extremely well; it’s well worth the extra money to know that your piercing will be done right.

I hate that I’m giving them a lower rating but a couple of us had wanted to go in for a piercing and called ahead to ask about appointments/​openings. They told us over the phone that it was walk ins all day and to come right in. When we got there. The girl informed us that they were all out of nose studs for new piercings and to come back some other time. We had called just a couple of hours earlier and told them what we wanted and they had us come all the way there and just sent us off. Id kind of understand if it was a sales scheme to offer an alternative piercing once we were there but it was just nope maybe later this week. No one even talked about what they did have in stock. Definitely left feeling a little upset.
It’s unfortunate because I love their artists there and their tattoos are amazing. Id still come back for tattoos but not for a piercing where any other store would be more accommodating.

My experience with Atomic Zombie was amazing! I first e-​mailed them an inspiration picture and got a quote from a specific artist. They e-​mailed me back pretty quickly and gave me a very reasonable 3.5 hour quote for what I wanted. I figured I’d wait a month or so to make the appointment so I could save up.
When my fiancé told me he’d pay for it for our 5 year anniversary, I was ecstatic! No less than 2 days later, Atomic Zombie posted on their facebook page that Katrina (the artist I wanted) had a 3 hour opening for the next day. I jumped on i, called the shop and talked to Alyssa, and got the appointment! Alyssa was very personable and friendly.
I arrived about 20 minutes early, was greeted by the super friendly Alyssa and filled out the necessary paperwork. Katrina showed me what she had drawn up and it was absolutely perfect! Even without a real consultation, just a few e-​mails back and forth, she managed to grasp exactly what I wanted.
Katrina made me feel very at ease, I actually really liked that the staff pop in to each others little rooms and commented on the work of their co workers. It made me feel even more excited about my decision! Everyone was so friendly and laid back.
Katrina even finished it in 2.5 hours :) (that made my fiancé very happy haha).
Katrina went over the after care, told me to give the shop a call when its healed in 6 weeks and that they’d fit me in for any touch ups I needed, and sent me on my way.
My only disappointment is that I completely forgot to check out their body jewelry!
Thanks to everyone at the shop, atomic zombie found a repeat customer in me !

I nearly gave my artist a heart attack when I asked if I could make changes 20mins into the tattoo. Haha! I was just joking. maybe it wasn’t the right moment ;) I got my first tattoo here and my only regret is that because it was a simple piece, it seems an under-​use of the talent they have at Atomic Zombie. The whole studio is decorated with really impressive artwork by the staff. The space itself is really big, open and welcoming. It’s very clean and professional, so you know you’re in good hands from the moment you walk in the door. Everyone I spoke with from the front desk staff to the artists were very friendly and helpful. They’re up front with what’s reasonable and what’s not, and work with you to make sure everything comes out perfect. Katreen was fab! I look forward to getting my next tattoo here very soon =)

I came here on a recommendation from another studio to get a surface piercing and it was by far the best experience I’ve had! The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly, and the studio looks awesome.
Alissa helped me pick out jewelry that was best suited for the location of the piercing and made me feel really calm and relaxed during the whole procedure. She really knows her stuff and answered all my questions and concerns. I found it to be a little pricey but it was totally worth it. I’d recommend this place to anyone and will definitely be a return customer.

I adore Atomic Zombie. I have experienced many other shops, and a lot of the artists were rude/​condescending. It’s pretty common. Everyone at Atomic Zombie is super friendly… It’s refreshing.
I’m moving out of the country soon and the thing I will miss the most is this place. I would rather fly in from California to have Jakob tattoo me than risk dealing with dickish people at another shop.
Really, Jakob= tattoos, Alissa= piercings. For me, at least. And they’re both so fricking adorable. The other artists at the shop have really good portfolios, but these are just my girls.

Atmosphere: 5 star
Shop Layout: 5 star
Artist Quality: 5 star
Customer Service: 5 star
Everything about Atomic Zombie is a 5 star body art establishment. Everyone is friendly and their artists are very high calibre. From their tattooists to their piercers you will get the best of the best.
I encourage anyone considering a tattoo or piercing, to get in touch with Atomic Zombie.