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    Baltimore Tattoo Museum

    4.3 (76 reviews)
    ModerateTattoo, Museums, Piercing
    Closed 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Services - Baltimore Tattoo Museum

    Tattooing

    Baltimore Tattoo Museum Photos

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    Reviews With Photos

    Melon tattoo behind ear from artist Ian Smith
    Helen T.

    After living in Baltimore for five years, I was nearby with a friend and finally decided it was time to check out the museum, which one drives by on the way to Fells Point or Canton. We walked around the "museum," which consisted of wallpapered drawings of flash/custom/signature designs from artists over the past 100 years (the most recently dated stuff maybe mentioned the early 2000s) in the hallway/waiting area of an active tattoo shop. Small biographies of significant artists were nestled in, which contained some funny anecdotes of this fascinating profession. Like other reviews mention, there was no info about present-day art styles, and I didn't see anything about female and/or non-white artists. "No photos allowed" signs were posted throughout the building. It was an interesting collection of tattoo history but not a professional museum by any means. After 20 minutes of looking at the displays and flipping through flash binders, I talked with the storefront manager John about a silly tattoo idea (melon on my melon = watermelon tattoo behind my ear), and he was friendly and laughed at my idea, which was all I needed to convince me to go through with it. After that, he tapped in his coworker Ian, who listened to my explanation and talked me about the realistics, suggesting we simplify the design so I could keep it small yet discernible over time. Ian drew a melon up, which certainly seemed much plainer than what I was envisioning, but I trusted his judgment that "if it was any smaller or more detailed, it would blow out like if it was on knuckles." He then set up while I filled out paperwork and waited in the museum, then he called me in and got started with shaving my hairline and laying the stencil down. Ian warned me the placement might not hurt that bad, but it would be loud, then got to work. From start to end, the actual tattoo time was 25 minutes. For pricing, it was a minimum $100 for arms and legs, $150 for face/neck/hands/feet, and $120 for everything else (I believe) - mine ended up $180 plus tip. They took card, but something I found weird was that I paid and tipped before the tattoo session started. Ian didn't talk to me much, only asking to reposition, but he was thorough and clear about healing directions. He was professional in demeanor; when I checked out the design in the mirror, I was pleasantly surprised to see the added shading detail that made the design much cleaner than the original, demonstrating a great attention to detail. Great walk-in tattoo experience when I wasn't expecting to even get a tattoo when I walked in! (PS: Funniest part was the "F*** Yelp!" sign at the register...)

    Sad tattoo

    If you're looking for a place to get a spontaneous tattoo... this might not be the place. My friend and I were in town for a concert and wanted to get something cute to remember the trip by. I forget the woman's name that did my tattoo but she was unprofessional and I am not very pleased with the tattoo I got. She didn't greet me or thank me for coming in or for the tip. Got mad bc I didn't pay prior to the tattoo (nobody told me that I had to and never paid before a tattoo before). Just didn't have a good experience and she acted like she didn't even want the business.

    Brian R.

    I absolutely LOVE this place. They are very covid-19 cdc guidelines compliant, they're friendly, LGBT+ friendly, and their work is spot on. I made a Facebook recommendation and this spot had the most recommendations out of anyone or location. I'm very thankful. I'd highly recommend getting your next tattoo from here.

    Front of the store
    Dina F.

    If you need a tattoo this is the place to go! I got a few done in the past by Chris Keaton who happens to be the owner of Baltimore Tattoo Museum and I definitely plan on going back! The whole staff is super friendly and when it comes to COVID-19, they are sure to make everyone safe. They make sure everyone wears masks and uses sanitizer upon entry. You have to call the minute you get there to let someone let you in. Once inside, they take your temperature and ask you some COVID questions and have you fill out some paperwork and then it is time spent with your artist. The experience is the best and you feel comfortable in knowing that they want you to feel safe as well. I am definitely going back soon to finish some more work!

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    7 years ago

    best place to get piercings done in Baltimore. Super sanitary and everyone who works there is super friendly and helpful.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Baltimore Tattoo Museum

    Review Highlights - Baltimore Tattoo Museum

    Chris Keaton did my second tattoo - he was super nice and did a BEAUTIFUL job - and listened to exactly what I wanted and then did it.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

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    Tattoo Charlie's

    Tattoo Charlie's

    3.8
    (17 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    Called this tattoo shop to see if they were taking walk ins on a Wednesday afternoon - The man over…read morethe phone said come on in! The shop is located on a sketchy street but once upstairs inside of the shop it is spacious and clean. I was lucky enough to find street parking around the corner. This is a cash only establishment and their is an ATM outside if you need to withdraw. My friend and I were getting small tattoos on our wrist and the prices were kind of steep - granted we did just walk in and we are in downtown Baltimore, so kind of expected.... When Danny (tattoo artist ) was about to start, a piercing appointment came in so he got that done right away. His technique was good, he was very clean, using new needles and gloves - it took less then ten minutes for two of my mini tattoos. I was charged $80. My friend was charged $60 for her one cross tattoo. Danny was great and had good customer service but I probably would not come back for the prices.

    I went to get my septum pierced. Everything was really great up until it was over. The nose ring…read morefell out while I was there! I asked them to put it back in and they did no problem. They don't accept card but kindly directed me to an ATM where I got out cash. The nose ring fell out again while i was just using the ATM. I went back after getting the cash and they told me to stop messing with it, which would have been fine if I was, but as a brand new piercing I couldn't bear to touch it. Here's where it gets a little sketchy... I ask how much the piercing it. He says "20..." I hand him the twenty and I watch his eyes go to my bag where he can see I have another twenty. Then he goes "...one. And I don't have change." So I paid FORTY dollars for a "twenty one dollar" piercing (though I'm convinced it was only twenty) and on my way home it fell out again. The whole "twenty.... one" thing left a bad taste in my mouth so I didn't want to go back. Obviously, the hole closed that day. I wrongly paid forty dollars for a piercing I didn't even have for a whole 3 hours. Would not go back.

    Photos
    Tattoo Charlie's
    Tattoo Charlie's
    Tattoo Charlie's

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    Saints & Sinners

    Saints & Sinners

    4.1
    (99 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    For my first time ever getting a tattoo, this shop really solidified the experience for me. I…read morecalled the shop soon after they opened & after hearing that they take walk ins, I sent my inspiration photos, calmed myself (because my nervous excitement was very real I found myself on the cobblestone streets where Saints & Sinners is. Dwaine greeted me & gave me a concise rundown of the process. Upon hearing it was my first time, he was very warm and reassured me that I was in good hands. Waited while my design was drawn up by Dave (who is also the resident landscaper) & took in all the inspiration on the walls. There were frames and books a-plenty. About 10 minutes later, Dave tells me to come upstairs - it's getting real now! From the time he laid the stencil down to the last swipe took all of a solid 20 minutes; I hadn't even got to the juicy part of the podcast I was listening to. After my tears (happy & bittersweet ones for personal reasons) and my payment, I left the shop with my tattoo wrapped well & with stickers, pins and lollipops in my aftercare kit. Sweet. All in all, this was easily the best hour of my day & I can't wait to see how well it will heal. You have a customer in me, Dave - thank you so much.

    Walked in and they accommodated us immediately. Friendly, clean, professional. A little more…read moreexpensive than I expected, but I don't regret the extra money.

    Photos
    My first tattoo done by Dave!
    My first tattoo done by Dave!
    State crustacean for our Maryland vacation.
    State crustacean for our Maryland vacation.
    My cancer daughter

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    My cancer daughter
    Triple Crown Towson

    Triple Crown Towson

    4.0
    (71 reviews)
    8.0 mi

    Took our daughter in to have her lobes pierced and could not be more impressed with the whole…read moreexperience. If your kid is under 18, you'll need your ID, child's birth certificate as well as a photo ID for your child (if they have one...she's 17 so we used her learners permit). The whole shop is immaculate, all staff super friendly start to finish. George did her piercing and he was fantastic and made the experience a lot of fun, explained everything he was doing and provided very detailed aftercare instructions. We will definitely be back! Updating to say we've now been back several more times...my daughter got her first tattoo here and then went back for a helix piercing. Both excellent experiences, same as our first visit. George did her helix piercing (this was several years ago now...we were sad to hear he had since passed away). I was in a few weeks ago to get a nostril piercing for myself (Dec 2023). Shop is still bright and clean and Kim did a great job with my piercing and made me feel very comfortable during the process. I am planning to go back for a few new piercings for my ears soon.

    I got my lip pierced here, and it was awful. Not only did I get an infection because the stud was…read moretoo short, but the piercer also upcharged me with a larger gauge. I had to go to a different shop to get a longer stud because it was embedded in my lip, which led to the infection. At this other shop, they were appalled that Triple Crown gave me a 14-gauge 8mm stud for the healing period, informing me they had likely upcharged me for the gauge size. The piercer also did not tell me a lot about the healing process; she only handed me their booklet on it, telling me to keep it clean. Not worth the money, which was about $80 for the service and stud. If you want to get your ears pierced, that is fine, but do not come here for facial piercings.

    Photos
    Triple Crown Towson
    Stairs leading up
    Stairs leading up
    Swelling and crusting. Waking up with puss in ear.

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    Swelling and crusting. Waking up with puss in ear.

    Baltimore Tattoo Museum - tattoo - Updated August 2026

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