The Gulch Nail Bar — Local services in Nashville-Davidson

I’ve been going to this salon for the better part of a year and a half. I found my technician and would only go to her for the following 7 months until she quit (it is worth noting that she alluded to her departure several times due to the hostile environment — which can especially be detected if the owner is present). After she quit, I was lucky enough to find another INCREDIBLE, very funny, welcoming and talented nail technician. She, too, alluded to the hostile environment and quit less than 3 months after working there. This evening, after a 12 hour work day, I walked into the salon at 6:30. While the salon is advertised to close at 7:30, the staff had already begun their closing routine. It is also worth noting that the majority of my childhood was spent in my family’s salons of which I then worked for many years. Needless to say, I am privy to the cleaning routines (and then some) and thus am sensitive to avoiding walking in last minute. However, when I sat down to get a pedicure, I explained that the previous nail technicians have encouraged me to avoid cutting the sides of my nails as I’m prone to hang nails — when I explained this to the man doing my pedicure, he basically said “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Let me do my job”. He dismissed my request and continued to mumble under his breath to the girl doing my nails (they were doing my hands and feet simultaneously to maximize efficiency — I must say that the quality I became used to was compromised). They filed my nails and didn’t wash them so the file dust was in the crease of my nail when they (I say “they” because 2 people were going back and forth to paint my nails) began painting them. They did a horrendous job of cleaning up the dead skin and cuticles (perhaps this was because I was hunched over in the pedicure chair so she could reach my hands). This is when I said, “I didn’t think I came in that late. I understood you closed at 7:30”. The man replied, “It’s the weekend ... we want to go home.” I stayed silent, tipped them relatively well and thanked them for their service.

Again, I completely understand this notion. Adversely, when you commit to a certain schedule, that doesn’t mean you leave promptly every night, especially in the service industry. When I worked in a salon, we closed at 9 and didn’t leave until 11 most nights (I had a lot more to clean than pedicure tubs and nail dust... there was a spiral staircase and 14 tanning beds as well as 7 hair stations and 4 massage rooms — I digress).

This is so disappointing because I have ALWAYS treated this staff with respect and have even made friends with a few. I’ve always tipped 25% and have even helped to clean my mess when they were slammed. This was the last time I visit the Gulch Nail Bar. Keep it up, ladies and gentlemen.. if you continue treating your staff and customers this way, you won’t be in business much longer. I hope you read this and feel compelled to exercise strategic business decisions to improve the quality of...

The good: The nail bar is located right in the Gulch around restaurants and stores, giving it a fun, urban vibe. The inside of the salon was sleek and clean, and there was a wide variety of nail colors to choose from. The pedicure area was beautiful and our seats were massage chairs, which was nice. The salon offers complimentary beverages, including wine!

The not so great: I made a reservation for a party of 6 to have manicures and pedicures for my mother's 50th birthday. We arrived 10 minutes before our 3:00 appointment time, but weren't seated for our pedicures for a good 10-15 minutes after our reservation time. Once we were seated, our nail technicians didn't start our treatment for approximately another 10 minutes (To their credit, the salon was busy with other groups, but I made my reservation weeks in advance so I was expecting prompt service). When our pedicures were finished, they separated our group and did one person's manicure on the other side of the bar where we couldn't see or chat with her.

I was most disappointed in the customer service provided at the salon. The receptionist was not enthusiastic about helping us, and the majority of my group's nail technicians were rude. My technician, Tam Lee, was incredibly rude to me and I would not recommend her services. She became angry with me after the polish on my toe nail smudged when she was putting my flip flops on. She scowled at me and told me not to move while fixing the nail. At the nail bar she insinuated that my mother was too large to fit in the bar seat. I tried making small talk with her, but she hardly responded or looked at me throughout the appointment. She was rough with my hands and missed the corners of both my finger and toe nails with polish upon further inspection.

My mother's technician was very sweet but forgot to do the hot towel wraps on her legs during her pedicure, and instead wrapped her legs at the manicure bar. The member of our group that was separated from us also did not receive a leg massage during her pedicure. Because of this her treatments were completed far before the rest of the group's. One member of our group had a phenomenal technician but forgot her name. She was very kind and provided high quality service. She told the member of our group that she was originally from Dickson, TN and she had brown curly hair. If you can, please tell her thank you!

Overall, I would not recommend this salon for large groups. The majority of our technicians were rushed and not thorough with our services. I would maybe consider coming back with one or two other people at a less busy time. I was expecting to receive better treatment, especially since I spent over $400 (including tip) on my...

I will say I have never had a nail experience quite like this before. On 10/28, I asked for a pure black shellac mani pedicure as Halloween was around the corner. My total came out to $126 plus a $25 cash. Also parking was $7 per hour after the first hour.

My nail shape was done well, however upon getting home, I noticed my shellac polish was “wet” and had certain nails already pealed from the center as through it was not cured all the way. (Pictures 5-7)

Since they were closed I called the next day as was told to come in to fixed the issue, and paid $7 for parking again but by nighttime the polish had done the same again. (Pictures 1-4). After calling, I was texted from someone in their business telling me they would refund me $30 for the polish. And then they asked me to come in again. To which I thought was unfair because I would have to pay to park again and have another shop fix their mistake. Up until this point, I could excuse the service as a polish issue, but this is where the business completely disrespected me.

I walked in and was immediately met with yelling ( when I was very particular about not yelling or blaming anything, but attempting to find a solution that was fair to the point that I had spent almost $165 at this point to have a terrible experience not to mention that having improperly cured nails is associated with fungi aka greenies). After yelling at me and saying that it was my fault for choosing a polish that would not cure… but it was a polish in their shop. I was offered a $30 refund and for them to take my nails off.

The point that got me the most was that I was threatened by a woman who I presumed is the owner, that I left a review being HONEST, with pictures, they would end my $30 refund. Despite what this owner might think of me as a young woman, integrity is worth more than a disrespectfully offered $30 when $165 had been wasted. If I can save one person from the experience that I had here it would be worth it.

I came here hoping to have an hour of two to feel like I could take care of myself and was instead met with disrespect....