You should know up front that this review is going to be a RAVE! I had a great experience and would go back to the shop in a heartbeat. But Gene's process is unique and therefore, not for everyone. I'm hoping to give a little insight into how he works so people can get a better sense of what to expect. Here goes: I've wanted a tattoo for a while now and started researching artists about a year ago. I knew I wanted something really unique for my first ink, which is how I came across Tattoo Culture. Gene Coffey's work immediately grabbed me and (even though I kept looking around at other artists) I somehow knew I would wind up back with him. Be aware: Gene's work is one-of-a-kind and that means he is in high demand. He only takes consultations a few times a year and books his tattoo sessions months in advance. Before starting this process, I urge you to do your research. Get to know his work, his style... what he does and doesn't do. Also, you need to appreciate the fact that each of his tattoos is a custom piece. That's the part that specifically drew me to him - the fact that no one else out there is going to have my tattoo. But that means you're gonna have to let go and trust. During the consultation, we talked about the image I wanted... we discussed the elements that were important to me and he took the time to explain what would look best. He even made a rough sketch for me. But that was it. It was explained to me that I wouldn't see the final design until the morning of my tattoo session. I felt like he and I really connected, so I trusted him fully. But again... know whether this is the right fit for you. Gene is a genius - a true artist - but given the permanent nature of a tattoo, this kind of thing freaks people out sometimes. My timeline: I called in March (3/4) and they told me to call back in May, which I did (5/2). I had my consultation (5/18), and then they booked me for the next session they had open (7/27). All in all, about a 5 month process. They sent me a google reminder so it would sync with my calendar, and then called to confirm the appointment the week before. When I showed up the day of my appointment, Gene had the design all ready for approval. We chatted about it for a few minutes and then he got to work. He told me early on that he works fast - and he wasn't kidding. 3 hours total. No breaks. He just kept plowing through. The process was efficient and professional, which really helped ease my anxiety. The staff was polite, and Gene is a genius. His unique style is what drew me to this shop and I will undoubtedly return. Grateful for his time and talent, and wishing him lots of success as his work continues to evolve. Best of luck to anyone trying to get in with him... it's worth every penny! read more

Bardadim Studios - Open Book Tattoo by Gene Coffey (Tattoo Culture) - 7/27/14 - Tattoo Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I could not have asked for a better experience getting my first TWO tattoos. Yes, I went nutzo and got two wrist pieces at the same time. OCD much? Yes. I am amazed that I can verbalize an idea, a vision, and someone can translate that and make it come to life. This is what Gene Coffey did for me. I got a splattered peace sign on my left wrist and some text on my right wrist. They both healed and came out beautifully. The shop was really very nice and open and they were not pretentious at all. BIG plus, guys. Seriously. I have been raving about them and hope to send some of my friends there. I will be back. read more

Bardadim Studios - Thank you, Gene Coffey! - Tattoo Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I trusted Gene to my first tattoo because of his clean, neat linework. I wasn't disappointed. I was able to book an appointment quickly after my consultation. As people have mentioned, Gene doesn't seem to talk much while he works, which is plenty fine with me. I can shut my mouth long enough to let someone concentrate on not messing up a permanent addition to my body. The store is very clean and attractive. Afterwards, I was given a little after-care packet to take care of my new tattoo. My only nitpick was that they wrap their tattoos in saran wrap after they're done, but I was told to take it off after just a few hours, so I wasn't too worried about letting the wound breathe. read more

Bardadim Studios - Tattoo Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

It became clear to me that once I had finally made up my mind to get a tattoo that I was no longer interested in traditional tattoos. I came across work done by the Tattooist at TC via their old Flickr account and was really impressed with the work done by Gene, Loic, and Noon. Going in for the consultation, (my first) back in October 2012 at Tattoo Culture was easy. Like everyone getting a tattoo for the first time I had some ideas but for those who have had tattoos for years you know that not every sketch or idea can work. I decided to get my first piece from Gene because I love his ink blot style and surprisingly he was willing to "work" with my idea as long as he got the freedom to do what he wanted. They keep the shop and their equipment quite clean and more so than I have seen while I was considering other places. After each session, I got a small care package with printed instructions but for those of you getting large or extra large tattoos expect to buy more A&D ointment - Walgreen's typically has the large tube on sale for 4.99. You can pay cash or credit for their service and use your deposit towards the total cost of the tattoo. It was was a pleasant experience working with Gene. He doesn't talk much but the work he does is unique and demands his attention. The results of his efforts speak for itself (see the attached image below). I am definitely going to go back. read more

Bardadim Studios - This piece was done at "Tattoo Culture" by artist "Gene Coffey" - Tattoo Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I wanted a great tattoo from a place so clean I could eat off the floors. That place was Tattoo Culture. I spoke to Gene and showed him a picture of what I wanted--a tattoo of a little doll I've had since I was a baby (in honor of my grandmother who would fix her when she ripped). He sketched it, tattooed it, and I love it. I get compliments on it all the time, particularly about the vividness of the color and close resemblance to the actual doll. read more

Bardadim Studios - Danielle M's doll tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I was tattooed by Gene about 6 months ago, and I have no complaints about the tattoo. However, when I went in for the consultation, Gene was borderline obnoxious. He looked at my current tattoos and told me which ones were lame and which ones were cool, and he was VERY resistant about doing my tattoo. I had to tell him several times that I was open to whatever vision he may have, and had to change the location (I originally wanted it on my arm--we switched it to my calf) for him to consider doing it. Day of the tattoo, things were fine. We didn't chat much, which doesn't matter because I'm not particularly chatty with people I just meet, and the tattoo came out great. He's very good at the water color thing, I'll give him that. Looking back, I don't think I would commit to a tattoo with someone who doesn't make me feel 100% comfortable. I was eager for his work, but I left the initial consultation less than thrilled. it shouldn't be like that. read more

I did a lot of research into different tattoo artists and their styles but I decided to get a watercolor style kitten from Gene and it turned out beautifully. 2 hours of pain was totally worth it. He showed me the artwork before we got started and I made some changes and we got started right there. Everyone there is really chill and super nice. The studio is very spacious and comfortable without the tacky samples of tattoos that you choose off the wall. There are only talented artists here! I will be back here hopefully to get a tattoo from Loic when he comes around as a visiting artist. read more

With all the great reviews Tattoo Culture has, it would seem like I'm wasting my time writing another positive review. Well, maybe I am, but I don't care damn it! I want to shout my love from the rooftops. I've been wanting to get a tattoo for since i was, maybe, 12 years old. After choosing a style and design, I went looking for an artist. Here's where I found a few things out: 1) some tattoo artist are snotty bastards that will scoff at your idea 2) Good tattoo artists will sometimes be so booked that they won't even take a consultation 3) Some tattoo establishments have the business management skills on the lower level of your local McDonald's franchise. But none of these apply to Tattoo Culture. The artists (Gene in my case) are cool guys that you can talk to, they help develop your design, and he was only one cigarette away from being ready to start when I showed up. The design was just how I described it and looks great. So, while I'm contemplating my next tattoo, I'm not looking for another place to go. read more

After following Gene's work for some time, I was extremely excited for my first consultation with him set for June '13. I went in and spoke to him about my idea (an anatomic heart with flowers in watercolor style). He said it was something that was his style and would be interested in doing, but he also warned me he wouldn't have an opening until at least December. Well, to get a piece of permanent art on my body, it would be worth waiting for the perfect one. He put me on his waiting list and said I should get a call about October. Sure enough, I got the call and came back in October to talk to Gene again. We went over my vision again and he made a quick rough sketch. Honestly, after waiting 3 months for the tattoo that I was originally so excited about, I was feeling nervous and having doubts. But after seeing just his rough sketch, I fell in love again. I made the appointment to come back in January '14 to get the tattoo. Saw the final sketch and was stoked! It was exactly what I wanted but so much more beautiful than I had ever imagined. I expected a 3 hour session since it was a moderately sized piece. Gene told me beforehand he works fast but he finished in exactly 2 hours! I could not believe it. There are reviews criticizing Gene and his way of working, as there are many reviews defending it. If you don't feel comfortable getting inked by someone, don't. If you love a piece of art enough to want it on your body permanently, get it. More than 2 months later and it's healed beautifully and perfectly. I love the tattoo and I love it on my body. read more

Tattoo Culture is a sharp little shop in the heart of Williamsburg and, a mere three minute walk from Yours, Truly. I was able to walk right in and get my tattoo, although that was a year ago and there is probably more of a wait now. Gene did my work and I was 100% happy with it. I will go back! Although I have to admit, it's a dangerous, dangerous thing to be located so close because I am a whimsical kind of gal and love getting tattooed. I fear I may be covered before I know it! read more

I had become aware of Gene's work via Facebook some time ago, but I had been certain that any opportunity to discuss my tattoo idea with him would have been near impossible (I live in Missouri!). However, once I received news that I had landed an internship in New York City I knew I had to try and get an appointment. What I really liked about Gene was his extremely artistic approach to tattooing. It's obvious he puts a lot of thought into his designs, and that he wants each tattoo to be excellent. I was extremely impressed by the design he had done based off of my idea, and as he was working he would occasionally mention small additions he was putting in in order to enhance the piece. A lot of people seem of the opinion that Gene is cold and unapproachable, but he was anything but! During each session he asked me questions about where I was from, what I did... And, he seemed genuinely into what he was doing--I could tell that he enjoyed tattooing and was happy with how the tattoo was progressing. Overall, I had a great experience. The shop was clean and I was really appreciative of Gene's attention to the design and happy that he liked the finished product as much as I did. I receive compliments daily on the tattoo, and I love that I have a truly unique piece of art that looks amazing. I highly recommend Gene and Tattoo Culture, and will try to be back in the future! read more

Gene Coffey is the sh*t! I got a fairly large piece on my side not too long ago and went to Gene because of his amazing work with flowers. I emailed him my idea and some pictures to go off of and when I came in for my consult, he had a sketch already prepared for me. The drawing was pretty much perfect - he was really able to grasp my idea. I put down my $50 deposit and scheduled time two weeks later to get it done. I also was able to get some touch-ups done free of charge - not sure if that is standard or he was just hooking me up. The staff is friendly, the place is really clean and doubles as an art gallery, there is no ridiculous wait list, and the work is amazing. I highly recommend going here if you are considering getting custom work done (I believe they only do custom work.) Prices are pretty reasonable at $125 an hour - they accept credit card - cash tip. read more

Artistic brilliance. I just had a piece completed by Gene. From design to inking, he was great. I feel lucky to have him down the street. For the exceptionally high quality work, prices are extremely reasonable. He's busy (and I think getting busier), but be patient. It's worth it. read more

Oh Gene. Flowers bloom beneath your fingers with buzzing sound. I too got flowers , as this seems to be Gene's thing and he took what could have been a typical B&W flower piece and added stylistic nuances to it that really made the flowers pop. Need flowers? Gene's your guy. :) read more

Oh Gene, I fawn. My skin itched and yearned to be quenched with ink and you provided the craft. Crazy mad straight lines. I hold my wrist to my cheeks and doted over the beauty of it. So basic on paper, but brought to life on skin. I want more, but I mustn't. I need to map out the canvas I have left and make a more smarter layout. Yeah... Finally I was able to get a coveted appointment with the kookie yet lovable Frenchie, Noon. Like I stated before: He's the SICKEST! At first glance, some may say his work is primitive (freakin' amateurs), but the details he puts into his craft is laboriously amazing. Oh and they don't just call him the butcher for any reason. Prepare for pain (the bigger the tat is or longer it takes, your pain barrier will fold eventually. we all do. i wept like a baby...ok i didn't, but i had a tear!). The results will be all the worth in the end. read more

I got my first tattoo here, but second tattoo with Brian. He does absolutely amazing work and gets every detail just perfect. Like someone else said, maybe he just has a light touch but neither of my tattoos have hurt at all. I called for a consultation, was seen 3 days later ,and got my tattoo done the same day. The place is pretty small, but it's clean, cozy, and really cool. Definitely recommended. read more

I'd been wanting a tattoo for years and finally had the time/funds/design/readiness to do it! I came here a few times a year ago with my boyfriend at the time to watch him get a sleeve done and I really liked the shop and Gene. Anyway, came here myself a week ago to get my first tattoo ever. Gene was wonderful and so nice and took his time to make it look great!!! Definitely going back to him for my next (probably early summer). The shop itself is fabulous. Very clean and organized, art on the walls, extremely comfy couch. I came for one of the gallery openings a while back too - fun. Highly recommend it! A few of my tattooed friends saw the work and asked me where the shop was, since they've been looking for a good tattoo shop here for a while now. read more

I got a HUGE piece here and I went with LOIC who is one of their guest artist from France. I actually found this spot because i was at the tattoo convention and saw his art. I looked at it and decided that he was the one that can make my weird tat come alive. I did a memorial piece for my cousin who passed away. It's a weird design but he was so excited to do it that I got really excited. I got the piece on my side and it was absolutely ridiculous. I almost passed out with pain and cursed the shit out of LOIC who was really patient with me. I cried i yelled i made funny noises but after 3 hours of work it was done and i was SO HAPPY!! The only thing that i had to complain about was some stupid chick that kept laughing at my pain. Which i think was really rude since she was only doing her arm. Not sayin she needed to be nice to me but rudeness i can't stand and if i wasnt in so much pain i prob would've tried to punch her. OTHERWISE, the people there were awesome and I LOVE my tat! It's a great place to go and i would def recommend going there. its clean and it's relaxing and they really try to keep you as comfortable as you can be in such a painful situation. read more

Cut right to the chase: DO IT! Atmosphere: First thing I notice is the people in the environment and it is very welcoming with a nice modern feel to it. I was getting a meaningful piece and I wanted to feel as comfortable as possible. This place definitely did that. Called a week ahead to set up a consolation, went in, brought in reference materials for him, talked for about 20-30 minutes, and I booked 5 months or so in advance. They are very professional and set up google calendar reminders (after the consultation) so that everyone is on the same page with dates. Artist: My artist was Gene Coffey which I highly recommend if your design involves flowers. He has a unique watercolor/brush technique, and with his use of fine lines, creates beautiful art work. I had 3 saguaro blossoms that I wanted to represent for each member of my family. Being a graphic designer, I had to let go and let him do his thing. I could tell that he had a lot of fun doing this piece because I gave him the freedom to do HIS style. NEVER TELL A TATTOO ARTIST HOW TO USE THEIR STYLE. Give them your concept, talk it out, and don't be an @$$hole. One thing that did make me nervous was that I emailed a week before to see the sketch and he replied that he usually doesn't work on the design until the night before. I respect that he was honest and knowing his skills along with the reputation he has built, I trusted him. The day of my tattoo, he had an amazing sketch (which is in the picture section) of a saguaro with blossoms. Only problem was that he had 3 too many blossoms and that I had only asked for 3 total. I don't blame Gene as I did book him 5 months in advance and it may have slipped his mind, but all in all, it was no problem as he hopped on his computer to cut the 6 blossoms down to 3. Within 30 minutes, he fixed it and I was under the needle. Some may get mad but one thing everyone should understand while getting a tattoo is, that it's not a race. Patience is virtue and after seeing his sketch, the extra 30 minutes to my 5 month wait was well worth it! Over all, I'm super happy with what I have on my body for the rest of my life! For the art you get, WELL worth the price (don't forget to tip)! Even though I told myself this would be the last one for a while, I see myself going back sooner than expect. See ya soon Gene! read more

Bardadim Studios - Gene Coffey: Saguaro Blossoms - Tattoo Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I forgot his name but the tattoo artist from so cal! Absolutely loved him and the piece he did. Took all of 15 minutes and I was in & out. read more

Bardadim Studios - Tattoo Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

So clean. So kind. It was my first one. The visiting tattoo artist was so sweet, she kept me relaxed when that awful fill needle was OWNING me. I brought a crap drawing of what i wanted (which was an ultra exact, geometrical image) and she drew it up for me with the perfect measurements. SO careful, it had it be at exactly the right angle and it is PERFECT. Highly recommended. read more

I've gotten two tats done here from Gene and I love both of them so much. I'm actually going in this Saturday to talk to him about another I want to get. He's like the only dude who works there most of the time and he's just incredibly nice and easily approachable which I think is almost as important as an artist's actual skill. Gene never makes you feel nervous or anything. Gene's tattoos are incredible. My favorites of his seem to mostly be on his Flickr account. read more

I got my second tattoo here a few weeks ago. I picked this shop because I wanted a local place, so I started looking around my neighborhood. When I saw Noon's portfolio on Tattoo Culture I knew I wanted my piece to be by him. He travels around the world doing tattoos and was only going to be in Brooklyn for a few days, so I booked my appointment months in advance. We emailed back and forth about what I wanted (a camera), I made my deposit to the very friendly guy behind the counter, and 4 months later came in for my ink. The place was spotlessly clean and everyone was really nice. My tattoo came out perfectly and I can't wait to go back for more! No complaints whatsoever. read more

Bardadim Studios - fresh ink, still looking a little angry. by NOON @ tattoo culture - Tattoo Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I don't know what to say about this place other than I wouldn't go anywhere else. I did a lot of research for an artist that had the style for what I wanted and I found that in Brian Wren. I had just moved from Washington DC and left my old parlor who I had a few pieces done, but Brian's portfolio really stood out. I came in with the grandest of ideas, but thankfully Brian swayed me from all the extravagant ideas that I had sold myself on. Through 4 very painful sessions on my ribs, the end product was better than anything I could have hoped for. If you are in the market for something original just go in and get a consultation. Brian and Gene have different styles, but are more than likely to be your cup of tea in terms of something dope you want. One of the biggest sells for this place is that the front doesn't have dozens of flash images. Everything is original. Note: Hidden bathroom behind the bookcase is pretty rad. read more

Awesome tattoo shop, George one of the best artists I've ever met. He has a high level of skill and really professional approach to the tattooing. read more

Bardadim Studios - George working at the Empire State tattoo convention 2017 - Tattoo Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

My girlfriend and I both got tattoos within the past year from Dave Wallin at Tattoo Culture and can not sing its praises highly enough. Dave is an extremely talented artist, who is capable of tattooing in a wide variety of styles. We both get extremely positive feedback and tons of compliments on our tattoos. Moreover, neither of us had much tattoo experience coming in. In each instance, Dave really took the time to help design our tattoos to our exact specifications, sometimes through repeat visits to Tattoo Culture, sometimes through back-and-forth over e-mail, and in each case, with no extra cost for the time he spent to help deliver the exact tattoo that we imagined. I am so grateful to Dave for his artistry, patience, kindness, professionalism, and generosity. I would HIGHLY recommend Tattoo Culture. read more

My regular tattoo artist is Daniel DiMattia of Belgium who is a regular guest artist at Tattoo Culture. It's really the only place in New York to get that specialized blackwork tattooing. But what inspired me to write this review is that I'm excited to have resident artist Gene Coffey add to Dan's work. Gene's portfolio is diverse, he's stellar at different styles, but I truly adore his lettering and so he's the artist I've chosen to do my wrists. There are lots of great tattoo artists in NYC. What differentiates Tattoo Culture is the shop vibe (in addition to great art). It's a no-rock-star attitude zone. Everyone is friendly and it just makes the experience so much better. read more

Bardadim Studios - Backpiece and Sleeves by Daniel DiMattia, guest artist at Tattoo Culture. - Tattoo Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Ok I have to admit we started out a bit rocky.. My artist lost the sketch to my ink-wishes and when I arrived EXTREMELY READY for my first ink he wasn't prepared! STILL 5 stars! Loïc is truely an artist.. Chaotic, fun and totaly talented! :) so we came up with a design and about 7 hours later we were done! His work is very neat, detailed, playful and a piece of art! As of the tattoo experience.. He asked me constantly if I was ok if I needed a break.. The shop is ultra clean and friendly vibe! My first tattoo experience was top notch! I absolutely love my piece of art and will definitely stop by in France :) oh and one more thing u might wanna learn French cause these guys speak a lot of it kinda like the Chinese nail salon lol read more

I am very pleased with Tattoo Culture and even more pleased with my tattoo artist, Dave Wallin. I was hesistant to even entertain the idea of getting a tattoo for fear of a poor collaboration of ideas resulting in mediocre work. The "chair-side" manner of the artist is also important to me. Dave met my needs and surpassed my expectations in both artistry and attitude. Knowing that tattoo artists are not mind readers, I was floored when I received the final draft of my tattoo which reflected my vision perfectly(and then some). I live for the fact that Tattoo Culture has a very high standard without the ego. Clean, accommodating with even a little Prince on the soundtrack, I would say that this is definately the joint. read more

This is a bit of a lengthy review, but might be useful if you are thinking of getting a tattoo from Gene. I wanted to post in response to the one star review below... I have been looking to get a large back piece for several years and finally decided to reach out to Gene to discuss it. Being a designer myself, I was fairly nervous about the process, because I have very definitive opinions about what I like in terms of style, composition, color and form. But a good friend of mine also advised me that part of the tattoo experience is the collaboration and trust you place in the artist, in both their work and their expertise. I decided to meet with Gene (as well as having consultations with other quite high profile artists) because I thought he had a beautiful hand. His sense of proportion, artistry and the fluidity of his line were all attributes that require long hours of practice and inherent talent, which I don't think you can really substitute for. During my initial consultation with Gene, I felt a bit taken aback that he wasn't just going to simply listen to what I wanted and go with it (as many other artists do). He suggested a background in order to maintain the purity of the figure/ground relationship of the main element without using outlines to define the form. I was initially very opposed to having a background element, but I understood his point and eventually felt he was right that the strength of the composition relied on the lack of line work. He suggested a brush stroke, which I reluctantly agreed to and left. After thinking about it for a few nights, I decided that the brush stroke was not an element that I felt any connection to, so I emailed him some additional ideas for background elements. He asked that I come in for another consultation to discuss the ideas. During the consultation we went back and forth with our ideas, and eventually settled on the image, the background and the coloration. I was fairly nervous going in for my appointment, not only because it was my first large tattoo but also because Gene and I had been pushing each other back and forth about the tattoo and I was worried that I would have to fight for what I wanted. But when I arrived, Gene was remarkably friendly and when I saw the sketch of the tattoo I was amazed that my hypercritical, control-freak self did not require any edits. It was a gorgeous image and beautiful composition. Gene also placed the template on me, but agreed after looking at it that we should make it larger and add an element to fit better on my back, despite the fact that this took additional time and effort. He was as motivated as I was to get the tattoo perfect! I also didn't know what I'd do while under the needle for 4 hours since he seemed a little taciturn during the consultations, but I discovered that he's just trying to be efficient during consolations and is very thoughtful during the session and we had great conversations while avoiding awkward chattiness. SUMMARY: You should be prepared that Gene is an artist, and is not going to replicate exactly what you want if he thinks the composition can be improved. Also, he will not take on work that is not in a style that is interesting to him, and he has the wait list to prove that he doesn't have to. Not to demean the excellent craftsmanship of other tattoo artists out there, but Gene is clearly an artist (a designer rather than a seamstress). Honestly I trust no one, especially as it relates to art and design (and permanent additions to my body), so this was a big leap for me, but my tattoo came out extraordinarily beautifully, and my experience with Gene even through all the pain of it, was pretty amazing. If you are open to working with him in developing your design, I don't think you will be disappointed. If you are set on the exact parameters of what you want, you may want to seek out someone with less artistic vision. read more

I picked this spot for my first tattoo because of these raving yelp reviews. The design I wanted was, essentially, an extremely basic circle and arrow. The circle appears to be more of an awkward oval, and the arrow noticeably crooked. I was thinking about returning to have the thing touched up, but the result was so unacceptable that I think I'll definitely be getting my ink fixed at a different salon. Unsure why I had such a different experience than everyone else- but it was really a shameful job on a simple tattoo. Sorry guys. read more

I am only writing this review not because I am bitter, but to help anyone who is picking where they want to get their tattoo if they are unsure of an artist. A friend of mine recommended I go to Gene for a tattoo, she got a really wonderful black ink tattoo by him a few years ago and and her piece was a great testament to this guy's talent. I sent an email to set an appointment, and they told me to call. I ended up in the area anyways and walked in to see if I could get a consultation. Gene was actually there when I walked in, he wasn't working on anyone, and the girl at the desk asked if he had a minute to consult. He said no and went on doing whatever he was doing so I set up an appointment for 3 weeks later. I went in for my consultation, all I wanted was some pencils and leaves in an arrangement. Gene was a bit confused, and I had drawn a little sketch. He said it was too detailed, and I said I was open to interpretation. All I wanted was a black ink tattoo in his style, and then he told me he only does color now. He told me to look at other people's books in the store, and that was that. I'm a waitress at a restaurant that gets a lot of Yelps, and for the most part, those 1 star/2 star reviews are usually filled out by bitter and nasty people who are ridiculously difficult. So obviously, you can take my 2 stars with a grain of salt. It is annoying that I was recommended to this place by someone who did get a black ink only tattoo, and that it takes me half an hour to get to a place where I get shut down in less than 2 minutes, and then spend another half hour to get home. I understand that what I wanted wasn't in the typical bird/flowers/buildings category he normally does, but I really was a fan of his style and wanted to get a tattoo in a really beautiful way. I know some tattoo artists are particular about what they do, some only do typography, some only geometry, etc., but I didn't realize that Gene was one of them. It doesn't matter that I didn't get my piece there, he's talented enough that he will always have business, and as I found out, will have a wait to be seen. My review will literally not effect him in anyway, and that's great because I'm not trying to vilify Gene. This is written for people who are contemplating if this is the guy for your tattoo. So, if you are looking for some badass flowers or birds, this is definitely your guy, if it's anything else, mmmaybe not so much. read more

PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW CAREFULLY BEFORE CONSIDERING A TATTOO HERE. I went into Tattoo culture two months ago to get my first tattoo. The artist I met was very friendly and willing to work with me on the design I wanted. I could not be happier with the tattoo she did for me- it is above and beyond what I had imagined before coming here and I will wear it proudly for the rest of my life. People often stop me on the street and tell me it's one of the coolest tattoos they've ever seen. So on that note, Tattoo culture did a great job. Before I got the piece done they asked me to sign a form saying they were not liable for health complications that occurred related to getting this tattoo, and when I asked them about possible issues they said there was a small risk of infection or allergic reaction, but generally it was nothing to worry about. This is where things started to go very bad. About a week after getting my tattoo red pustules started forming on my arm on and around the tattoo. Thinking nothing of it, I called them about it and they recommended using a different moisturizer. In another week's time, my arm was completely covered in burning, itching red pustules and I went to see a doctor about it. My doctor told me that I had contracted MRSA, a very aggressive bacteria that lingers around skin abrasions and can, in extreme cases, necessitate skin grafts or other forms of surgical removal. MRSA is very contagious and those that contract it can in some cases be infected for life. He said the most likely culprit was use of a non-sterile razor when shaving my arm before the tattoo. After two months and three courses of antibiotics (and hundreds of dollars in medical bills), this infection has significantly contracted but is still lingering around my tattoo, with new pustules forming on almost a daily basis. I need to wash all of my laundry daily and constantly treat my arm with antibacterial soaps. All this after very carefully following tattoo aftercare instructions and keeping my tattoo meticulously clean following application. Great tattoo, poor hygene- I can't recommend this place to any of my friends in good faith after an experience like this, which is a shame because their artist did such a nice job. read more

I love Tattoo Culture! I've been participating in their art shows for a while, but Dave Wallin also gave me my first tattoo. Not only did he totally realize my vision and give me the most beautiful script imaginable- he also made me not be such a chicken! I love these guys! read more

Got my first tattoo here about a week ago and couldn't have had a better experience. Thom Gastelum (instagram.com/twaynethomas) is the man. He was patient with me when I wasn't quite sure where I wanted the design and got right down to business when I was ready. Will definitely be returning here for my second tattoo. read more

Super clean and efficient shop. Gene's work is absolutely worth the wait for an appt. His art is unique and beautiful and I am proud to have an original Gene Coffey on my arm. I have never seen birds or flowers captured as eloquently and vividly as Gene's. I will return. On top of that, he was able to cover almost my entire upper arm in just about 3 hours. Just amazing. read more

I wanted to express my deepest emotions of my life and the profession that I practice. Dave Wallins allows my imagination and vision come to life with ink and needle. He is a gifted artist who not only realizes your dream of a tattoo but enhances it with his creativity and innovations. What you wish for will be much more than your realize. It's hard to explain without seeing his work. I have tattoos from another famous NYC artist...and his skill and imagination pales to what Dave can do - which is why Dave's creations surrounds the other designs! I have four pieces done already with a fifth one in progress. Most likely, with more to come over time. Just come to the studio in Willamsburg. Let him take your dream tattoo farther than you could ever imagine. read more

This is a clear 5 out of 5. Everything about the shop and experience was beyond any expectations. A few of my siblings have gotten tattoos here before and were all extremely happy with the results. I did not differ. The shop is perfectly clean and I've had no issues post-tattoo. The artist, Thom, was super accommodating. He had a great sketch prepared but was more than willing to make a few minor adjustments to perfect it to my specific taste. He was also great with checking up to make sure I was doing okay during the process. A week after and I LOVE the tattoo and have gotten a lot of compliments. Completely recommend the shop for any type of tattoo! read more

I had nothing but the most incredible experience at tattoo culture. The guest artist, Alisa, took an image I sent her and made her own composition and I couldn't be happier with it. The experience was collaborative, and left me with one hell of a beautiful tat. Thanks Alisa, Rachel and Thom! You guys rock! read more

This is primarily a review about Thom, who did my piece. I would not hesitate to recommend Thom as a tattoo artist! I came here for my 5th tattoo. My first four had been done by widely known, so called "top NYC artists", but the pricing, and, in many cases, the attitudes that came along with that, had finally turned me off. I knew there were many talented artists who were more 'under the radar' and just as good as the big name artists and shops. This was going to be my biggest tattoo yet, and it was going to be on my side as opposed to my wrists and forearm, and I did a great deal of research online going over the portfolios of artists all around the NYC area. I had my theme and images already thought out and selected. I was interested in a black and white, line drawn piece, and I wanted an artist with a lot of experience doing that style. I finally settled on two artists, one of them being Thom at Tattoo Culture. I was planning on meeting with both artists to hear their ideas and check out their shops. I ended up meeting with Thom first, and I cancelled the other appointment and never looked back. First off, the shop itself is super chill. Located in a very accessible part of Williamsburg, plenty of street parking, and a great vibe on the street outside. The space is intimate, sun lit and casual, no blaring music or overly done, distracting decor. Just classy, clean, and chill. Rachel at the front is professional and courteous and patient, no attitude at all. I had contacted Thom beforehand, as I was on a very tight schedule that day. He went out of his way to accommodate me; he actually agreed to get up early and come to meet me at the shop well before opening time, and he was there when he said he would be. Just a note here....I first met Thom in August, during the very quiet months of the summer. The shop is very quiet at that time, and he had more flexibility in his schedule to work with me time wise....understandably, that level of flexibility might not be possible at times of year when the shop is slammed. Thom came across as sweet, patient, attentive, interested, passionate and professional, and that impression did not change over the course of a couple of consultations and the actual tattoo day. The piece I wanted to do required pulling together a couple of images that did not necessarily match style-wise. Thom listened carefully to what the piece meant to me, and what it represented. He made it perfectly clear that he understood what I wanted and that he wanted to deliver that, while at the same time expressing his interest and intent, as an artist and as a professional with experience as to how a final piece will look, in making sure that the final piece was going to have artistic and visual integrity; that it 'looked like one complete piece', and that it had his creative stamp on it. We ended up doing a second consult in the shop to further clarify the piece after he had done some drawings. Thom had no attitude or ego when I did not care for a particular direction or drawing he had done, he just moved on. When I got there for the actual tattoo appointment, we still had a lot of work to do getting the piece finalized. Thom redrew the piece and reworked it several times while I enjoyed the street life and read my book in the coffee shop next door. He never rushed me or made me feel like he had reached his limit of patience. When we got the design set, Thom got right to work, no messing around or trying to run the clock. He works at a very nice pace. Actually, the billable piece itself took 3 hours, and I believe that was shorter than the time that we spent designing it. I LOVE the piece; the design came together in the end visually without surrendering anything that was important to me, and the actual tattoo came out exactly the way it was drawn up, which included a good deal of small detail. The placement and size are perfect. Thom has a great eye and great skill, and he's a cool, easy going guy! The final price was half the price of my other pieces, and this was a 3 hour job vs. the 1 or 2 hour jobs that the other pieces were, and, while this piece is Very different than my other pieces, so they cannot be compared apples to apples, there is no difference in terms of quality of work. Post tattoo instructions were clear and patiently delivered, with time for questions, etc. Loved the whole experience! billy read more