Ants Tattoo sd

64

33

117

7 months ago

For my husband's first tattoo, I searched for a place that looked professional and trustworthy. I chose this shop because their Instagram made it seem like they had multiple branches, so I expected better service than others. Unfortunately, that was my BIG mistake. This turned out to be one of the worst customer service experiences I've had. The staff was unprofessional, and the overall experience was very disappointing. Honestly, it's not even worth one star. Tip: If you want to waste your time and money, I would definitely recommend this place. read more

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Ambar A.

174

113

93

2 years ago

Not the best, super quiet front desk but nice. Clean place but vibe isn't the best, my tattoo artist was a bigger guy with bleached hair (didn't even tell me his name and barely spoke a word to me). Kept his AirPods in the whole time, didn't care for what I was saying. He didn't even shave where he was tattooing, genuinely felt like he had 0 care about his work. Did a pretty shit job with huge thick black lines, sucks cause it's on my hand so fairly visible. Didn't wrap properly after either, no mention of aftercare. Poor service and a bad tattoo artist. Would say try to avoid him. read more

Ants Tattoo sd - Shitty hand tattoo with huge thick lines and didn't wipe off excess ink or shave area prior. - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Arthur T.

Elite 26 All-Star

1569

1288

7887

2 years ago

Since getting my first tattoo with Serena in Mar'24...I got another one every few months...for a total of 3! All Naruto ones :D Serena is extremely detailed and provides great convo while during the session. I'm worried about my next San Diego trip...since it seems like I always get a tattoo when I visit haha! Cash/Venmo/Zelle payment only. See you soon Serena! Check out her work @tatdaddy_sd! read more

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Elena M.

30

4

2

1 year ago

Our first time at this tattoo place. They did NOT disappoint. We wanted something simple and Doris did an amazing job on me and my husband. 10/10 highly recommend that you do not skip this place. P.S. they had a few reptiles to look at, SO cute!! read more

Ants Tattoo sd - My tattoo!! - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Hannah A.

0

3

0

4 months ago

Waited 45 minutes after stenciling for you to eat your takeout before we could start. Had a flash tattoo done a little over a year ago by Annabelle. On social media, I inquired about the price, sizing, and time it takes to get it done. They set up an appointment for me that same week. When I showed up, almost every artist had a client and I was the only one waiting for a service to be done. Another artist checked me in and went over the process with me, then went to Annabelle to get the price quote. Annabelle was one of the artists who did not have a client with them when I arrived. I expected it to be the same price that they confirmed with me online prior to the appointment, but he said it would cost me an extra $50 for the tattoo, despite it being the same size that we initially agreed on. When Annabelle was ready setting up, she took me to her station and applied the stencil for me. Just as she was about to finalize everything to start, another woman, I'm assuming who was also a tattoo artist, came up to her station showing her a to go container of food, said something to her, and walked to the back of the shop. Annabelle told me to wait and followed her. I waited for nearly 45 minutes for her to return, despite me asking another person how much longer she would be. She came back, still chewing food, and said she was ready to start the tattoo. If she wanted to have a lunch break, don't tell me to come in at that time just to have me wait that long after we had already applied the stencil. The tattoo was too expensive for how small and simple it was (mind you, the fine lines were also not straight when it was done) and too inconsiderate for how long I had to wait. read more

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Casey C.

2

120

109

7 months ago

We arrived and it took 15 mins before anyone said anything to us and only because we went up to the desk. What really bothered me was I have well over 20 tattoos, I haven't gotten any from this studio, but I noticed multiple artists don't change their gloves. Walking from a client to another artists cart to grab a product wearing the same glove and going back to working on the client. Another artist, younger with long hair jeans and a black tank top on Sunday, was at the desk showing stencils to another artist with gloves on and then went back to the person she was working on and didn't change her gloves. The entire atmosphere is, odd. I know they give trinkets for reviews but unless it's Danny who has an insane portfolio on IG, the quality isn't there. It looks like a run down pet shop meets cheap Temu quality stuff. They'd do well with an entire revamp and re do on their decor and customer service. We barely were engaged by anyone, other people had the same issues and ended up just leaving. An artist was literally asleep snoring at his table during the operating hours... it's just wildly unprofessional, weird energy and a low class shop. read more

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Hanah S.

0

15

3

1 year ago

I came in and got a flash tattoo and came back to get a custom tattoo with my sister and cousin. Phoebe helped us both times! I really liked her and her tattoos are light and quick. Great with fine lines too! Go see Phoebe! Check out my troll! read more

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JoJo S.

703

12

11

11 months ago

Phoebe was the best!!! she has a really light hand and pulls such a clean line... she tattooed me and my 2 friends in just under 2 hours. HIGHLY RECOMMEND read more

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Cassidy N.

0

4

2

1 year ago

I was a walk in. This was my first tattoo, and I maybe only got it 1.5 months ago? It's already blown out in the middle. The man who tattooed me never told me his name. Actually he never spoke more than 3 word to me . He comes around the corner and picks up the stencil I chose (a flash piece), and points to the chair to tell me to come sit. I say "this is my first tattoo!". He says "ok? Sit" I was like damn ok. After he finished he walks away to cut out a piece of second skin. He doesn't tell me he's finished, he doesn't tell me to follow him, he doesn't ask me if I like it. I don't know but he was a weird guy. The tattoo was 2 inches and 130 not including tip (idek know why I tipped ). Kind of a crazy price and will definitely not be coming back because of the service. The man was a chubby Asian guy w blonde hair. read more

Ants Tattoo sd - Hard to see the blow out in the center of flower - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Jack C.

0

2

0

7 months ago

YOU HAVE TO BEWARE OF THEIR DEPOSIT POLICY & LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE I booked with Danny (@antstattoo_danny) for my first tattoo. I sent him reference photos and paid a $50 deposit upfront. The day after, he sent me a design that looked completely different from what I asked for. When I politely asked for simple changes- like making the lines thicker or the size a bit bigger- he just kept saying "NO" he cannot do it. He refused to make any adjustments or give me any other options. Since it's my first time tattoo and I couldn't agree on a design, I told him I'd pass for now and asked for money back. He refused to refund me and eventually just started ignoring my messages. The $50 isn't a big deal, but his dismissive attitude is incredibly disappointing. Plz be careful before sending this shop a deposit. THEY WILL NOT ADJUST YOUR DESIGN EVEN IF YOU DONT LIKE IT, They will keep your money. read more

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Lauren F.

0

5

6

7 months ago

Lots of options and great prices for their flash tattoos on March 13! They were really nice and understanding people! read more

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Darryl I.

30

4

2

9 months ago

Got two flash tattoos done here for my birthday by Phoebe. I like the vibe for the place, it feels personal. They also have a couple animals in terrariums which is cool, some turtles and lizards. read more

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Julie M.

0

4

3

8 months ago

Do not go here!! I had a horrible experience and even worse tattoo done. Owner was RUDE AND ARROGANT tried to say I have horrible tattoo so what's one more. Using every excuse in the book that skin and paper is different, yea but that's why as you as an owner should make sure you're artist can do the job he also didn't even want help out at all came in very hostile towards me. Now I'm out of $240 and stuck with a horrible tattoo. It's not like I wanted a custom piece I wanted something that they posted on instagram. Some of the tattoo artist were nice and trying to help but there's no helping a really messed up tattoo you loose trust. For the owner to call the cops on me when I was just asking for some compensation is crazy. Do yourself a favor and DO NOT GO HERE read more

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Alexandria S.

0

1

0

11 months ago

Got a 2 new flashes for my bday. Came in just about closing time. Austin took his time and made us feel very welcome. They both came out great! 10/10 would recommend! read more

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Alexis B.

0

3

1

8 months ago

Always a great experience here! They always have really cute flash designs as well. Definitely recommend.

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Alyssa A.

0

5

12

2 years ago

First time coming here was a walk in and I got two flashes done. I had a great experience with the artist Serena and came back a few weeks later to get a third tattoo done by her. Her line work is awesome and I felt comfortable chatting and relaxing while getting ink done. They usually have sales going on which you can see on their instagram so i recommend checking that out too :) read more

Ants Tattoo sd - flash tattoos done by Serena :) - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

Ants Tattoo sd - got my mimikyu tattoo done by Serena. This is my third tattoo done by her, great experience every time :) - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Jonathan M.

0

20

5

10 months ago

Took my daughter here for her first tattoo and had a wonderful experience with Phoebe, then subsequently came back for another tattoo with Annabelle. Both times the customer service, cleanliness, and vibe was top notch. Both had a steady hand and knocked fine lines out of the park. We recommend Ants to anyone looking for a pleasant experience and art they will love. read more

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Bri F.

343

572

529

3 years ago

I'd been familiar with Ants Tattoo for a couple of years, first coming across them in Orange County (where another location is). I was looking for an artist to do some fine line work and start on some big pieces I had planned, so I reached out to them through their IG and was asked to stop by to talk over my ideas with an artist. Left with an appointment booked a week out with Danny. Showed up the day of my appointment and Danny had a design that exceeded my expectations. We knocked out an elbow tattoo, and it's one of my absolute favorites. Danny worked efficiently, made sure I was comfortable, and put a lot of detail into the piece, which I really appreciate. I look forward to getting more tattoos done here. The atmosphere is chill with a seating area, music, clean bathrooms, clean stations, and talented artists. I will note that the parking lot is almost always packed, so plan accordingly when coming by. read more

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Shaila D.

0

1

4

11 months ago

two fine line tattoos were so delicate and cute!! staff is very friendly too i highly recommend read more

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Jade V.

31

7

2 years ago

Great shop, great artists, I got a flash + 2 colors! My cats with shading, the artist was so nice to accommodate with a flash tattoo! read more

Ants Tattoo sd - Flash tatto + 2 Colors, I got my cats! Great experience, tattoo artist was so nice!! - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Michelle H.

Elite 24

182

772

1775

3 years ago

This is based on my experience with one of their many "flash" events. Pros - Design OPTIONS accurately represented on social media - Responsive DM and easy booking - Wide variety of options, lots of cute pieces and ideas - Clean studio, open space - Staff was kind and friendly - Easy payment options, incl venmo Cons - Design PRICING was not accurately presented on social media, and I feel they were misleading with the actual pricing range - Pricing was negotiated with artists on the spot - designs did not have specified prices attached to them in person (shady and potentially inconsistent and unfair pricing) - Keep track of your deposits made if you scheduled an appointment - they "forgot" I had made an appointment and filled my form out incorrectly, denoting I did not have a deposit to use towards my final fee which I needed to bring to their attention ** THE MOST VITAL CON ** My dime-sized bee was simply not done well: line work and shading was inconsistent. I am not new to tattoos whatsoever, and have art that has all healed without issue. The piece I had done here healed poorly relative to all my other pieces and with evidence of some trauma/overwork. Pictures can speak to this moreso than words. I came out of this experience with overall disappointment and would not recommend flashes (or even significant pieces) be done here. I came with a group of friends, and the same experience was mirrored with one other individual, but a different artist. YMMV. read more

Ants Tattoo sd - 2 weeks healed - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Cristina B.

353

101

166

2 years ago

Serena is the best!!!! She is so detail oriented and personable.i love my tattoo and would come back to her and ants for future work. They were able to see us right away and we were a group of 3. It's very clean and organized and the staff is amazing. I recommend them 100000% read more

Ants Tattoo sd - Marigold tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Naliyah M.

0

1

1 year ago

Don't recommend. Staff makes you feel like you are a burden. I also don't think customers should be treated this way as it made me regret giving money to the business. The person who did my tattoo barely said a word to me. He also didn't even SPELL my tattoo correctly. If my tattoo was at least done how I asked then I would let it go. But the permanent misspelling of my tattoo has forced me to look into laser tattoo removal. read more

Ants Tattoo sd - "answer"...where is the cursive s? so much regret and a terrible first tattoo experience.Hopefully it can fade - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Elizabeth D.

311

137

1079

4 years ago

The first time we came in for a walk-in, there was an hour wait but please keep in mind that we had gone on the last day for a promotion. The second time, a group of friends and I also did a walk-in and were seen pretty quickly! Granted it was Monday afternoon but we had anticipated a wait time for walk-ins regardless of promotions or not! There were lots to choose from on their flash board and everyone was super nice! My first one was done by Michael (the lemon). He was super funny! Loved that he wasn't heavy handed when doing my tattoo! An apprentice was there watching the process during my session. Michael showed that he was very knowledgeable, his clients and takes pride in his work! I will most definitely be back to get my lemon filled in with color (Michael specializes with color) My tattoo, the chick, was done by Yuto! She is super sweet and made the entire experience very pleasant. She made sure to check multiple times how I was feeling through the process! She was also really fun to talk to and her flashes are super cute!! Thank you both for such a nice experience read more

Ants Tattoo sd - Lemon by Michael, chicken by Yuto - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Jessica Y.

321

289

420

4 years ago

I really love this place for a few reason, first the shop is clean and friendly! I was happy to meet several amazing people: Michael (artist), Serena (artist), Austin (apprentice), Yuto (apprentice), plus so many others! The artists are talented and really determined to provide great work. They are ALL so respectful and many of the artists and owners are from China and have a different culture than America, so they run their business different than the other kinds of shops in the area! I think it makes for a classier and cooler experience all around! I wonder why some malicious people have left really disrespectful and slanderous reviews, I was present for some recent reviews that were left cause I recognized the individuals and I can report that the artists are all upstanding and amazing! read more

Ants Tattoo sd - Stage 2. One more session needed - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

Ants Tattoo sd - Work in progress stage 1 - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Thea C.

0

11

17

2 years ago

Went here for the June summer flash, friendly staff nice studio. Unfortunately I think the artist went too deep especially for a placement where the skin is thin. I have several other tattoos and took care of it as usual and even followed the artist's advice but after it seems like theres still a bad blowout in some areas making it look blurry and not fine line. Sucks because I really liked the tattoo, just wished you guys trained ur artists to prevent these blowouts. read more

Ants Tattoo sd - Flash tattoo artist went too deep :( - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

Ants Tattoo sd - Front - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Charlize V.

52

166

169

3 years ago

Came in just to accompany my friend who's a tattoo veteran and ended up getting the first of my own. Perfect way to honor my dog - loved the flash promo and my artist CL was very sweet and made it comfortable for me! Would come back. read more

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Fiorela R.

0

6

2

2 years ago

Amazing place i stumbled upon in November 2023 during a San Diego visit for a concert, love the place! I'm from Houston Texas & I make it my new goal to come every 3-6 months now to get a new tattoo from Nina & Qing. The details & fine lining is fantastic. Friendly staff, professional & calming/friendly environment, love that everyone is passionate about their own art style! Can't wait to visit again to fill up my arm! read more

Ants Tattoo sd - Qing - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

Ants Tattoo sd - Nina - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Lyna N.

13

176

553

3 years ago

Got a flat piercing done by Lexy about two months ago! They have great jewelry options as well as pricing and I'm in love with the way my ear looks! Lexy was great and piercing went very smoothly. It's a welcoming shop and very clean. read more

Ants Tattoo sd - Flat piercing up top done by Lexy - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Alex F.

0

2

0

7 months ago

Quick easy and professional. I got a custom design and they were very accommodating. I will likely be back for a flash because they have sooo many options! read more

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Doreen W.

0

3

2

1 year ago

Thank you CL and Austin for the experience and the great job you did with our tattoos!! They were both very friendly! Including Annabelle who was also very nice ! read more

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Nena O.

58

11

38

3 years ago

Boyfriend and I got a few tattoos with Anabel. She works well and fast . Loved our tattoos and how they turned out . She even gave us some really good deals because of the tattoos we got . My fave tattoo shop read more

Ants Tattoo sd - pochita from chainsaw man - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

Ants Tattoo sd - finger tattoos - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

Ants Tattoo sd - Valentines matching kunai tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

Ants Tattoo sd - matching flash - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Jose P.

0

1

0

1 year ago

Honestly only put one star for the customer service the lady was nice but my sister and I came in for matching sibling tattoos and god did they fuck me up bad. Sorry for the language but that's the only way to put it. Left me bad scaring and the design looks really bad. For my sister it look ok from a far but also left her scaring. I came here since the tattoos looked good but hell no never coming here again. read more

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Lisa M.

0

2

1

1 year ago

Everything went amazing!! Sara was so incredibly helpful, patient and it goes without saying, extremely talented! She puts a lot of precision and care into her work! I will only be coming to her from now on and highly recommend her!! 12 tattoos later from her and I couldn't be happier read more

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Rodrigo G.

0

7

9

3 years ago

I recently gotten a nice tattoo from one of my favorite animes from this awesome tattoo parlor, today I'm currently getting another tattoo just because I love the atmosphere in the vibe it's very well. The customer service for this location is so perfect. I feel welcome every time I come in. read more

Ants Tattoo sd - Ashitaka Movie character. male protagonist in the 1997 Studio Ghibli film Princess Mononoke. - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

Ants Tattoo sd - Great work done . - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Michelle P.

7.8 mi•Ocean Beach, Point Loma

229

507

2682

3 years ago

The staff is super friendly and accommodating. Cute vibe in the shop, very clean. They had quite a few artists able and willing to take walk ins. I will say, though, for the small tattoos I got done.... it took TWO HOURS and 4 artists to complete it. I have numerous tats, so this wasn't my first rodeo. My tat ended up with some uneven lines and blotchiness; I'm hesitant to return to do a touch-up as my overall experience didn't give me the warm, fuzzy feeling. read more

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Yerin P.

7

29

31

2 years ago

CL was my artist, she absolutely KILLED IT ohmygod i love my new piece so much thank you also so sweet and nice atmosphere!! read more

Ants Tattoo sd - Butterfly - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Tiffany T.

326

15

8

3 years ago

During my time here, I came with two other friends getting tattoos as well. I was a walk in while my friends had appointment s. J was my artist and she is very good at what she does! Efficient, friendly, and sincere in her thoughts and recommendations for shading and placement. I am definitely keeping this shop and my artist on my list of awesome people! The vibe is super friendly with the lobby having areas you can sit and play video games. As well little flash sheets that give you a nostalgic feeling seeing the anime's I grew up with in the 90's read more

Ants Tattoo sd - Art from the tattoo artist ! - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

Ants Tattoo sd - Flash sheet of some cool nifty fun things - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

Ants Tattoo sd - What I got! - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Mindy N.

0

13

5

2 years ago

I went on Friday the 13th, and got Danny as an artist. He went above and beyond! He made sure I was comfortable, and made sure I liked the placement before going. It was quick and painless. (-: Would 10/10 go again read more

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More info about Ants Tattoo sd

4411 Mercury St
Ste 205
San Diego, CA 92111
Kearny Mesa
Directions
(619) 991-0055
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.antstattoo.com

Hours

What time does Ants Tattoo sd open?

Ants Tattoo sd opens at 12:00 PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Ants Tattoo sd close?

Ants Tattoo sd closes at 8:00 PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.Ants Tattoo sd is closed on Tuesday.

Mon, Wed-Sun 12:00 PM - 8:00 PMTue Closed

Services

Is Ants Tattoo sd by appointment only?

No, Ants Tattoo sd is not by appointment only.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Ants Tattoo sd have parking?

Yes, Ants Tattoo sd has parking options.

Other Amenities

Does Ants Tattoo sd have free WiFi?

Yes, Ants Tattoo sd has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Tattoo shop in San Diego

Ants Tattoo sd Reviews in Other Languages

Review Highlights - Ants Tattoo sd

“Highly recommend booking with Yuto as her work is amazing, she really takes her time and makes sure that everything looks perfect.”

Mentioned in 21 reviews

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The best experience I've had. Took a concept and brought it to life. Steve is an extraordinary…read morevisionary and artist and the whole studio of artists treated me like family. I couldn't recommend them more. If you're thinking of getting your first tattoo or looking for your next, visit Lionsden. You will not be disappointed. Epic attention to detail, amazing atmosphere, kind professionals and talented artists.

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Lions Den Tattoo Studio - What a honor! We just won San Diego's best tattoo shop voted on by its readers - Incredible! #besttattooshop #besttattooartist #walkintattoo

What a honor! We just won San Diego's best tattoo shop voted on by its readers - Incredible! #besttattooshop #besttattooartist #walkintattoo

Walk-Ins Always Welcomed

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Rose tattoo from Steve

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Isaac was awesome! He did such a great job with both of my daughters and made the whole piercing…read moreexperience so easy and comfortable for them. He was patient, professional, and made them both feel at ease. Highly recommend Isaac to anyone looking to get a piercing!

Jedi did mine and it was my first tattoo. He did a great job and I love it and still in love with…read moreit. Healed really well with his instructions and he also gave me his card if I have any questions or concerns. Matthew did my sister's and it was also her first tattoo. She's very happy and loves hers as well and he did a fantastic job! When I was getting my tattoo, you can feel the community vibes if that makes sense. People would come in and everyone in the shop knew who they were and they were making plans for a community block party for the 4th. Seeing and hearing that made me so happy cause not only are they talented but they are down-to-earth and wants the best for everyone who visits them.

Outline minimalist Elephant Tattoo from Jadd.

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4.8(348 reviews)

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I had the BEST experience getting tattooed by Klaudia at Buju Tattoo! This has honestly been my…read morefavorite tattoo experience so far. I picked one of her spooky sexy bat girl designs because I absolutely loved it, and it came out even more beautiful tattooed! Klaudia was so sweet and made me feel super comfortable and relaxed the entire appointment. She has such a light hand that I literally almost fell asleep while she was tattooing me I couldn't believe how easy and comfortable the whole session was! I'm absolutely obsessed with my tattoo and all the little details. Such a great experience from start to finish, and I would 100% come back to Klaudia for another one of her designs!

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Boutique

Bruce Becerra is as absolutely amazing. I explained what I wanted and gave him free rein to design…read moreit based on what I've told him. It's an amazing tattoo, it's even better than what I imagined. Little details I never would have thought of. Also, the vibe in the shop was so chilled and comfortable. I've been to some shops that feel somewhat intimidating. Cynthia at the front was so friendly, even introduced me to the neighbourhood cat, Turbo, who is an absolute chonk. I highly recommend the place, the people are top notch, and the work is even better.

I'm disappointed more and more every day with my tattoo by Mike from bearcat tattoo. I showed up to…read morethis shop with an exact idea in mind and my artist was difficult to work with. He shot down my design and placement idea and kept suggesting different things that were not aligned with my vision. I was unfortunately persuaded by Mike and I'm so disappointed with the end result. Should have stuck to my gut. Now I'm stuck with this piece forever because this guy essentially pushed me into a direction I didn't want want to go. 0/10 would not recommend to anyone. Also, this guy charges you from the second you walk in the shop - I provided the entire tattoo inspo and design and he went with what he thought was cool and pushed me. Unfortunately I trusted him. Last time walk into this shop

Nate Anderson is the shit!!!!

Flower tattoo by Nate Anderson

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Artist Nate Anderson

Nothing Sacred Tattoo

4.4(139 reviews)

7.6 mi•Gaslamp

Great shop and Toni is top-notch with fantastic listening and artistic skills making possible what…read moreothers said isn't. Highly recommend - you won't go wrong here!!

0/10. Do NOT come here…read more I found this artist through Instagram for anime tattoos. His work looked good, so I reached out. He was quick to respond and asked for a $200 deposit, which I sent via Apple Pay on March 5 to the shop owner. We booked for March 16. Leading up to the appointment, he would send random updates on the design, but nothing was finalized. I gave feedback and stayed patient, even knowing they had a Friday the 13th event going on. I didn't hit him up again until March 15 (the day before my appointment) because we STILL didn't have a finished design, which is wild. He tells me he'll have it done that day. Cool. Then a few hours later, I get a generic email saying my appointment is canceled. No explanation. Nothing. So I reach out to the number I sent my $200 to asking for a refund, and instead of handling it like professionals, they get confrontational and start acting like I'm the problem for asking for MY money back. They try to hide behind a "no refund" policy... even though THEY canceled on me. Make that make sense. I added my conversation with the artist, since the owner wants to claim harassment. Judge for yourself. No policy was ever clearly shown to me, and communication was trash the entire time. Instead of owning their mistake, they blamed me and got disrespectful. I only got my money back after I told them I'd file a chargeback with my bank and take them to small claims court. Go read their bad reviews--you'll see a pattern, especially with how the owner talks to customers. Super unprofessional. Save your time, save your money, and go somewhere else.

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Guru Tattoo

4.9(277 reviews)

6.3 mi

Locally owned & operated

Certified professionals

Super kind and professional, my tattoo artist Bean was super welcoming and interactive he really…read moreknows how to get you comfortable and start convos. Will definitely be going back to him!

I had such an amazing experience with Lina at Guru Tattoo! She did an incredible job on my tattoo…read moreand I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. From the beginning, she really listened to what I wanted, made me feel completely comfortable, and took the time to make sure everything was just right. Not only is her work absolutely beautiful, but she was also so much fun to hang out with. Spending several hours getting tattooed could easily feel like a long day, but with Lina it genuinely felt like hanging out with a friend. She made the whole experience fun, relaxed, and memorable. I'm absolutely in love with my tattoo and would 100% recommend Lina to anyone looking for an amazing artist and an awesome experience. Thank you, Lina!

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Absolute Tattoo & Piercing

4.4(307 reviews)

0.8 mi•Kearny Mesa

Still love this place but unfortunately parking is unbearable. I have come and left due to no…read moreparking....

The lady who pierced me was very welcoming and nice, she talked to me for a bit abo it the piercing…read moreand how the healing goes, overall very friendly and nice lady customer service wise. as for the piercing I got a naval/belly button piercing here and it came out extremely crooked. I understand that everybodies anatomy is different and it could cause a slight tilt on the piercing but it's been weeks since I got the piercing and looking at it now with no more swelling or redness it is almost ridiculous how off the piercing is. It's very obvious and disappointing how crooked it is. I even went home to my home piercer and even he left a comment saying that it was done very poorly. Loved the service and friendliness but unfortunately Im going to take out the piecing let it heal and then get it redone somewhere else. I want to prefaced that I really hate leaving a bad review and I tried to convince myself that it was fine but honestly just the comments I get from my friends and even another piercer about how it looks just kind of made me feel like I needed to share my honest experience.

Double piercing by Lexi! Amazing person and process was seamless

Double Anti-Tragus piercings by Lexy

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My conch done by tevita this week

Tahiti Felix's Master Tattoo

4.8(138 reviews)

7.3 mi•Gaslamp

I have an amazing time at Tahiti Felix's Master Tattoo every time I go. Everyone here is super…read morefriendly and professional. Lots of great artists and Jasper, the piercer is great. Super quick, let's you know what's happening and is obviously experienced. The shop is clean and well maintained and not intimidating at all. The walls are covered in flash to choose from, both historical American traditional and original handpainted flash by the artists. The place is basically a museum, its covered in history and amazing photos of Tahiti Felix himself. I recommend this place to everyone who asks about my tattoos.

Jasper turned it up to an 11 out of a possible 5. I felt thoroughly safe in their presence and they…read moreensured that I knew everything about the aftercare that I need to be doing. Service, Peak. Quality, Peak. Vibe, Peak. Expenses, Worth It. They even sent me a pdf file with aftercare instructions! :3 If I am ever in San Diego again I will definitely stop by for more body mods.

Oldest shop west of the Mississippi.

Outside

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Before and after cover up tattoo!

7 Seas Tattoo

4.6(146 reviews)

7.4 mi•East Village

All the tattooers at 7 seas are legit. Doesn't matter the style there's someone who can do it. Dan…read morePryor is a legend!

Went here for a matching friend tattoo while I was in town. We had two we were choosing from and…read morethe artist let us know that the first one looked like the tinder logo so we chose the other one! He was quick, clean, helped with placement, and did a great job! Highly recommend

See more unrecommended reviews

Ganesh rework by Tonya

Fairy Sitting on a Mushroom Tattoo on Shoulder Blade Area

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Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

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222 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Chris L.

0

1

0

3 years ago

Stopped by this shop to visit Serena for a tattoo we had been talking about for a few months. Ended up bringing a few friends along since we are in town visiting and sharing a car. I got evil eyes on the sides of my fingers and Serena perfectly executed what I wanted even though the design was extremely small with very fine detail. I'm extremely happy with the detail and absolutely crispy line work! It hasn't even been 24 hours and I have received several compliments from strangers and friends. Most of which mention how they are impressed by such fine line work and attention to detail. True story. To there, be happy. Everyone was very friendly and the shop was extremely clean. read more

Bonnie T.

0

2

3 years ago

i have gone to ants tattoo to get three tattoos now and the service has always been great! i got my first one with eason, second with ciel, and third with nina, and all three artists did a great job. the artists are extremely kind and they always accommodate! when upon making an appointment and requesting for a design, the artists always does an amazing job communicating about time, the design, and pricing. the artists also puts in great effort to ensure i am happy with the design and placement prior to tattooing. i highly recommend going to ants tattoo to get a tattoo if you live in san diego, especially if you are looking for amazing custom fine line tattoos! read more

Jhemica H.

31

3

7

11 months ago

I'm so in love with my new tattoo! Phoebe was absolutely amazing! Super friendly and easy to talk to. She made sure the placement and all the little details were exactly how I wanted before she even started, which I really appreciated. The whole experience was comfortable and fun. The lines are clean and the design is beautiful. If you're thinking about getting a tattoo, I highly recommend Phoebe. She's talented, thoughtful, and makes sure you walk out feeling confident and happy with your piece. read more

Nikki N.

146

3

4

3 years ago

They were so kind, helpful, fun, welcoming, and most of all talented all across the board. I called for a walk in hand tattoo and they accommodated my every need. I wasn't afraid to ask for adjustments after they reassured me to speak up as many times as i need to when wanting something. Danny and his girlfriend prepared the tattoo for me perfectly and the studio is so clean and pretty. i love ants and will never stop recommending them to everyone i know :) 200% happy with their customer service! read more

Janelle L.

0

1

3

2 years ago

Ants Tattoo is such a comfy and welcoming environment! I became so obsessed with the custom design Yuto made for me that today was my second visit back. 2 weeks ago, she did my collarbone tattoo and though I was extremely nervous, she was so reassuring and reliable. Today, she extended the design to my lower arm and I am again extremely happy! Overall, the studio provides a unique, friendly, and professional vibe. I will be back! read more

Nancy Z.

0

4

13

3 years ago

I had the pleasure of getting a Kiki's Delivery Services tattoo done by Danny, and I couldn't be happier with the result. Not only is Danny incredibly friendly and approachable, but his skills as a tattoo artist are truly impressive. He captured exactly what I had in mind, and the tattoo turned out even better than I could have imagined. This tattoo place is also clean with great staff! Will highly recommend to everyone! read more

My Linh M.

0

3

4

3 years ago

I'm new to getting tattoos and Yuto has taken such good care of me! She is so gentle and her work is so high quality! I definitely recommend coming here if you are new to getting tattoos and might be anxious! You will not be disappointed. The vibes here are so chill and definitely less scary than your typical tattoo shop. I can't wait to come back for my next tattoo! read more

Ilima F.

0

3

4

3 years ago

Had a great first time getting a tattoo here and really enjoyed my time with Nina! Found them on IG and her work specifically at this shop and had always wanted to get something from her. Walk-ins are accepted and they were so quick and safe about everything! The studio is big and they allow for your friends to come and sit with you :) read more

Alex C.

0

2

2 years ago

Came here for my first tattoo! Yuto was really friendly & loved jellyfish, so going to her was perfect The studio is clean & has lots of ideas or past examples everywhere, so even if you come in with no idea, there's lots of inspiration. Will definitely go to her again for my next jellyfish when I'm a bit braver lol read more

Alex M.

0

2

1

3 years ago

What a wonderful tattoo shop. I instantly felt comfortable as soon as I walked in. The entire staff was welcoming and friendly. I was tattooed by Leo and he did an AMAZING job. The communication leading up to the tattoo was wonderful as well. I highly recommend visiting this shop to execute your tattoo needs! read more

Christian F.

0

3

0

4 years ago

came in for the promotion and ended up getting three more tattoos this place is great, this is the first of many tattoos i will be getting from this shop. my artist was serena she was very appreciative of the other three non promotional tattoos i requested. very excited with the work she did read more

Vincent P.

105

9

2

3 years ago

Super great service, didn't even come in looking for a tattoo but I walked out with one lmao. All the employees are nice and welcoming, helped me thru my first tattoo, and the place itself is well decorated with urban/street deco. LGBT and POC friendly! Think I'll be coming back again! read more

Jessica S.

0

3

0

3 years ago

If I could give this place 6 stars I would. They're so insanely kind and accommodating! They fit me and my aunt in on short notice and helped us get our tattoos, which look AMAZING by the way. Thank you so much to the staff for the great experience and I will definitely be back soon! read more

Celeste H.

0

2

1

3 years ago

We are in town from NorCal & came in as walk ins on Easter Sunday, they took all of us in right away & were very easy to work with what each of us wanted. Serena, Michael & Annabelle we're AH-MA-ZING! Next time we're in San Diego we're definitely gonna visit and get more work again!! read more

Stephanie C.

0

1

0

3 years ago

My tattoo experiences that I have had here have been amazing. The one I got before a year ago I have been complimented on several times and the one I just got was beautiful. Would recommend this place to anyone. They are very professional and do very good work. Thank you again! read more

Natalie M.

0

1

0

4 years ago

AMAZING! Serena was amazing super cool for a first time tatooer. The vibes were immaculate and her line work was beautiful. I got an ankle tattoo and it looked wonderful. Great place great people and great specials. Shout out to Jessica for making the experience better. read more

Lailah C.

0

1

0

3 years ago

Nina was great. It was my first tattoo, and the shop was clean and she was super friendly. I had her adjust the placement and she was really patient and made sure I liked it before it officially went on. I like the way it turned out and will update if anything changes! read more

Jennifer S.

0

2

1

2 years ago

My Mom and I got our tattoos done today and the experience was wonderful. We easily made an appointment and they worked with our schedule. The tattoo artist was so nice and friendly. She did a beautiful job and made us feel right at home. Can't wait to come back!! read more

Mariam R.

0

2

1

3 years ago

just got my third tattoo today with Leo and he was amazing! he designed a portrait tattoo of a picture of my grandpa and exceeded my expectations! I also brought my 1 year old daughter with me and the whole staff embraced her and we absolutely lovely with her. read more

Jennifer S.

0

3

2

3 years ago

Emailed them for an appointment and got a reply right away. As soon as I got there, Eason was very patient with me as I was indecisive on placement. He was very communicative about the placement and pricing. Definitely going back here again soon! read more

Ants Tattoo sd - tattoo - Updated October 2026

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4.8

(27 reviews)

I came to Oleksander H. for an Oceanside tattoo, and he did an amazing job. I had seen his work…read morebefore booking and was impressed by the quality, especially at a price that felt reasonable. After working with him, I can say the experience lived up to it. He brought my idea to life beautifully. The sunset colors, palm trees, and details along the road toward the beach came together even better than I imagined. He was easy to work with throughout the process, and I'm already looking forward to coming back for another piece. The owner was incredibly welcoming, as were the other artists. I also got to see some excellent work coming out of the shop while I was there. I'm really happy with my tattoo and would gladly recommend Oleksander and the team.

Quick bday tatt! They accommodated me on a walk in, mid afternoon on a weekday. I wanted a simple…read moretattoo. Waited about 20 mins for the owner and he hooked me up. Giving 4 stars because I wasn't aware of the minimum. My fault for not asking, but I should've been told. Anyways $100minimum, at least what I was charged. Is that norm or overcharge? Idk but HBD to me lol Cool shop vibe right off Broadway. Music was dope.

San Diego Tattoo Company

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I walked in on a Thursday night simply wanting to get my jewelry changed, and the customer service…read morewas absolutely impeccable! They were friendly, welcoming, and took the time to have a conversation with me about what would work best before setting up their station and changing out my jewelry. The whole experience was easy, comfortable, and professional. I'm not in a place to get a new piercing today, but when I am, I'll absolutely be coming back here for it! Highly recommend!

I got my tongue pierced here, it turned out crooked which is a shame and the piercer didn't say…read moreanything about it.

Lions Den Tattoo Studio

4.8

(275 reviews)

The best experience I've had. Took a concept and brought it to life. Steve is an extraordinary…read morevisionary and artist and the whole studio of artists treated me like family. I couldn't recommend them more. If you're thinking of getting your first tattoo or looking for your next, visit Lionsden. You will not be disappointed. Epic attention to detail, amazing atmosphere, kind professionals and talented artists.

Great experience for my first tattoo, highly recommend Lions Den!…read more Walked in on a Sunday when they first opened at 12, was checked in and waited in the shared lobby area. Cool spot where the owner Mike also features his other business the Good Company Golf Club (will have to check out their sim another time). About 15 minutes later I was led back by my artist Zhu who was patient with the tweaks I wanted to make and communicated clearly the process. After 45 minutes my small piece was done and she also explained the after care instructions thoroughly. Cash only for their tattoo services but they have an atm in the waiting area for convenience.

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Amazing artists and very creative! I got a beautiful elegant piece per my request and Igoris truly…read moredelivered! Can't wait to come back and get more ink from here! The vibes were great!! 100/10 recommended!

Everything is clean organized. I made my appointment a week in advance and sent a picture of what I…read morewanted. I got an immediate response. Once I arrived, we spent a good time discussing size and line thickness and was promised the quote he gave wouldn't change if it meant it would look better bigger. Good vibes all around! Parking was easy and the place was easy to find.

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Came in with a different tatt asking for after care product. JC not only gave me the ointment but…read morealso cleaned my new tatt and gave me high quality derma shield. I was so worried about how to take care of it but he really saved me. Thank you man. He's really cool.

Space is clean and welcoming. I met with Baki a couple months ago to start the process and he was…read moreattentive to what I wanted we initially decided on yellow for the tiger but I decided to keep it black and red and it came out great. Thank you Baki (:

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