I've been here several times for pedicures, regular manicures, acrylic manicures, and fill ins. I usually have a decent experience but not so fantastic that I want to drive out to crocker park every two weeks.
I came here for the first time with my mom based on the recommendation of a classmate. Their website says they take walk ins and when I called ahead just to double check they assured me that they could do walk ins, yes, even for a full set of acrylics. We arrived on a weekday when they first opened and were surprised to see the place packed already. There usually is not a receptionist there so you kind of have to figure it out for yourself. Finally we found a little clip board with a sign in sheet and wrote down our names and the service we wanted. After nearly a half an hour of waiting a man finally came to check the sign in sheet and informed us, in a less than tactful manner, that they couldn't accommodate walk ins for acrylics. I was a little surprised not only because we had already been told that they could accommodate walk ins for that specific service, but because even the smallest hole in the wall salons with a whopping three employees have someone on staff who can do acrylics and gel nails. They aren't that uncommon.
So we made an appointment over the phone (there is no guarantee someone will answer the phone the first time you call. You usually have to try two or three times. How the hell does a salon this big not have a receptionist?). They couldn't get us in for nearly two weeks which was unusual for a salon this big, and it wasn't during peak season or anything. No holidays nearby, nothing like that. So I was already debating going somewhere else.
When we finally got in we did have to wait a considerable amount of time and that seems typical for all my subsequent trips as well, your appointment time is more like a very rough estimate and you probably shouldn't plan anything time sensitive near your appointment. When we finally got in we were relieved that both our nail techs were very friendly and nice. I had a full set of acrylics and nail art done, the tech didn't rush and she did a beautiful job. My mom also had a full set of acrylics put on with a basic polish job. Mine turned out great and lasted a very long time, I also got a lot of compliments on my nails My moms nail tech was very nice but didn't do as good of a job. Her nails turned out a bit misshaped and several broke off within the week (and she has a computer based office job, she wasn't doing anything strenuous).
The bar is ok. They don't really have any brown liquors or decent beer. It is more the type of drink you would expect to appeal to the Crocker Park housewives. Super sugary cocktails that have an alcohol content of 1%. More liquid candy than booze. But still, fairly priced (no more expensive than any other bar) and they do taste good.
The waiting area is pretty much non existent which is a huge oversight for a salon where you will be waiting. There are maybe 5 or so chairs and nothing to read. Eventually a pool of people just ends up standing in the entryway.
I never write a place off based on one bad experience, I worked in the service industry for far too long so I realize that some days nothing goes right. Sadly, every subsequent trip there was also a mixed bag. Half unprofessional and miserable, half decent.
The Pros; Has an ok bar, the actual nail techs are friendly, the pedicures have always been well done and relaxing.
The Cons; Crocker Park is the grease trap of Cleveland, there is a long wait with no where to wait, the quality of nail services are inconsistent, they advertise walk ins but I have never successfully been able to get a walk in for any services, there seems to be no receptionist.
The experience was never overwhelmingly terrible, but it leaves a lot to be desired. I'm still on the hunt for a consistently good nail salon in the Cleveland area.