Adams Ave Nail & Hair Bar — Local services in San Diego

I saw that management had changed but didn't think there would be a drastic difference so I didn't mind checking it out so I called to set up an appointment for first thing the next day. Unfortunately, the experience was VERY DIFFERENT for me. They do still offer free drinks but the decor/setup is pretty different, which feels a bit cold now (we were also the first/only ones there so maybe it was that). My daughter (16) got a mani & pedi that she enjoyed and looks good. She really liked the hand/arm massage that came with the manicure. I got a full set and pedi, which is where I have the most feedback. The pedicure was and looks fine overall but I do feel like she skimped out on a couple things like cleaning up under the nail and the side cuticles, as well as after applying paint doing the crisp line clean up (these were all standard previously). The full set experience was not good at all. I showed her a picture and wanted the exact same thing except instead of a black design I wanted it in pink. I asked for the pink to be the same color as what I used on my toes but she said no because it wasn't gel. I thought maybe she misunderstood and thought I wanted the whole nail in that color instead of just the design so I figured I'd explain closer to when she was applying the design. Once that time came I explained again a couple times and she kept insisting on using gel. I even mentioned she can use a gel topper if her intention was to upsell me since I had already planned to get gel, but usually the designs are done in nail polish so it doesn't bleed/expand. At this point, as the top coat is being applied to my basically done pedicure, she looks like she just realized I wasn't asked about gel polish for my toes (which I never get) and tried to push it then. Once I declined, she started to tell the lady who did my pedicure that she needs to upsell gel next time and basically coaching her how to do it. At this point, if I hadn't been uncomfortable (I very much was), I was just ready to be done with my services so she won the whole doing the design with gel. Sure enough, it looks awful but more than that I had the picture of the design that she was referencing for each nail the entire time and did it completely wrong. It was just supposed to be a little heart on each finger, staggered but all facing the same direction and she did big heart with some facing in and some facing out. I wasn't interested in awkwardly trying to ask for what I wanted just to be passive aggressively ignored. This was not something I typically dealt with previously (the upselling , lack of customer service, and/or poor quality of work) I paid $210 plus tip for everything, I asked her to breakdown the total and she was showing me scribbled receipts and explaining it, but it was incredibly hard to follow so I just accepted it. From what I can remember I never paid that much there previously and my daughter used the also get a full set since she wasn't playing sports then. They don't say cash only but when I gave her my debit card she asked me to use the ATM and when I said I prefer she just charge my card she insisted I use it because I would get a fee. I pointed out the fee was less than what the machine and my bank would charge me and she offered the reimburse me the ATM fees so again I was pressured into whatever they wanted me to do. In all fairness the previous owners also preferred cash and would suggest the ATM but never pushed back if you asked them to charge your card. I was just ready to get out of there and sad realizing I need to find a whole new nail place when I thought I had the perfect one. I debated posting a review because it was just my personal experience from one visit but I thought about how uncomfortable I was and as I inspect the nails I become more and more disappointed with the poor quality and experience so want to give a heads up to those on the fence about returning to the shop, just in case. I would post a picture, but honestly I'm so embarrassed and cringe...

My new favorite nail place! I made an appointment for me and my brother and I was seen right away. They have a complimentary drink menu to choose from with Vietnamese coffee, lychee mimosa, red and white wine, green tea, homemade lemonade and more. They were very clean. Even the bathroom smelled good. On to my pedicure.. I chose the lavender pedicure which comes with callus removal for $45. My tech did an amazing job removing all of the dead skin on my feet. I knew she was a pro when she pulled out a tool that looked like it was from Home Depot and it delicately but effectively removed all of my hardened skin on my heels. My brother is tough to please with pedicures and he left very happy and also agreed that this was our new go to spot. Some tips for first timers: there is only street parking so allow extra time to find a good spot, there is an extra charge for credit cards so be prepared with cash or Venmo. Tips accepted in cash or Venmo only. Kid friendly - they have a smaller chair for little girls and they even have a kids menu. Excellent customer...

$55-70 with tip, credit card has % fee. Atm inside for .50 charge.

Atmosphere is nice, seems like they can take lots of volume at once. Steady customers but not over crowded. Seemed like walkins ok, or appointments. Unique set up with bar style manicure tables top as compared to individual desks. Traditional chairs for pedicure. Complementary drinks. Lots of nail options with add ons.

My only thing to note is my white bled into the base of the nail a little bit. Can’t really tell unless you super close. I would suggest to have done one more round under the light to set the white tips more. It’s my first french tip gel set so wasn’t sure what to expect.

Lilly, she attention to detail was pretty good. She’s very friendly and chatty if you want to chat. My gel isn’t stuck to my fingers and the color reaches end to end! The coffee provided was yummy!

I would recommend this place and try again. This was my first time with Adams Ave Nail...