I came to Black Serum with a real challenge: two blobby, blurry name tattoos on my wrist that had spread badly over the years. I needed a cover-up but was terrified of ending up with something massive just to hide what was underneath. Siri completely put me at ease. She worked with me through the design process, finding a solution that didn't require going bigger than necessary -- which felt like an impossible ask given what we were working with. The result is genuinely miraculous. You cannot see a single trace of the original tattoos. The new piece is clean, crisp, and exactly what I wanted. Siri far exceeded my expectations and I would trust her with anything. If you have a cover-up situation that feels hopeless, go see her. If you have a new tattoo that you've been wanting, go see her. She's the one. read more

I have wanted to get a tattoo for the longest time but under the condition that it was something with a lot of personal meaning, since, after all, a tattoo is permanent body art and a form of self expression. This month, my creative juices were flowing. I brainstormed ideas for a while, and I knew it was finally time. The next logical steps were to find a tattoo studio and research artists who could bring my idea to life. I searched for the top-rated tattoo studios in San Francisco with an impeccable reputation, unmatched hygienic practices, and of course the right aura and aesthetic that caught my attention. Black Serum was an easy choice. It stood out from the rest and really seemed like the best of the best. With an impressive lineup of artists from many different backgrounds and representing a wide range of styles, there were never any other close contenders. With the tattoo studio decided, I next researched the artists who call Black Serum their home base. I narrowed it down to about 2-3 artists but ultimately chose Viktoria for my first ink because of her captivating aesthetic and fine-line style showcasing high precision and attention to detail, which I knew was exactly what my piece required. Viktoria was very easy and pleasant to work with. I messaged her on Instagram to schedule the appointment and finalize the design. A couple of days before my appointment, she sent over the conceptual sketch and asked me if I wanted to change anything. I was very happy with the overall design and only asked her to update the font of the numbers from serif style (Times New Roman) to sans serif (Calibri) for a more modern look. She was quick to confirm and comply. After confirming all the details, I went into the appointment feeling like I knew exactly what to expect. On the day of my appointment, I arrived early to check in and sign the waiver. I also connected to WiFi available via a QR code on the table in the waiting area. Viktoria arrived 8 minutes before my scheduled time slot to set up. When she was ready, she called me back. We chatted a bit, and she told me she's been in the tattoo business for 5 years. She showed me about 4 stencils of various sizes of my tattoo design. She looked at my right arm just above the wrist where the tattoo would go and chose the second size out of the lineup. When she first applied the stencil, it was closer to my wrist. Dissatisfied with the result, she removed it and applied it higher up on the forearm. She explained the skin was thicker there, and she also moved my hand open and closed to demonstrate how if she tattooed it lower, the creases in my wrist would bend the tattoo, causing it to fade over time. I was really happy she pointed out these details that I might not have considered and readily accepted her redirection. After that, she got to work. The entire inking process took a little less than an hour. She works very efficiently. At the end, she let the tattoo set for a few minutes before adding touch-ups and removing the stencil. When the tattoo was finished, she took me over to a wall with ring lights, reflectors, and a dark background to snap a few shots. She also told me a few of her own aftercare instructions, in addition to what the studio sent me when I signed the waiver, and finally collected cash payment. The entire process was seamless with Viktoria, and I highly recommend her. I would not hesitate to book her again if I decide to get additional fine-line tattoos in the future. read more

Black Serum Tattoo - outside - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I had such a wonderful experience at Black Serum. I worked with Anita Rossi and she was just a joy to work with. She was incredibly professional, talented, and went the extra mile to make sure I was happy with the art before my appointment. She was very responsive via email which made scheduling easy, and sent me multiple potential visions of the tattoo, which were all beautiful. When I came into my tattoo appointment, she was so friendly and really worked with me to make sure I had the exact placement that I wanted. During the tattooing, she was also great to chat with and it was fun hearing about her life and travels. I absolutely love the tattoo I got, and would recommend Anita to anybody! read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Bat tattoo Anita Rossi - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

I visited Black Serum to have Anita Rossi do a poppy piece on my chest, and it was the best experience. She was so gentle and sweet, and I trust her completely. Love the design she came up with and how it turned out. I will be seeing her again for more! read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Fine line x-ray poppy tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

LOVE my tattoo addition. Siri is super skilled, patient and easy to work with, I highly recommend her!

Sirimontra (@vect.her.ink) is an expert precision tattoo artist and somehow an even better person. She was totally professional from start to finish, including a consultation, even though my request was pretty simple. She is dedicated to her craft and even touched up an old tattoo from someone else free of charge. I absolutely love the finished product, with impossibly clean lines. So glad I trusted her with a really important and meaningful piece. read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Geometric tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

George is awesome, he absolutely crushed it on my rib tattoo. Love his style and flow.

I got my tattoo here from Katya about a month ago, and it turned out amazing! This was my first tattoo, so I didn't quite know what to expect going in, but the whole experience was incredible from start to finish. Katya was super professional, patient, and made me feel completely comfortable the entire time. Her attention to detail was next level, and she made sure I understood exactly what the process would be like. The shop itself was very cool and had a great atmosphere, which made the experience even better. Healing went smoothly, and the tattoo still looks great weeks later. I couldn't have asked for a better first tattoo experience. I highly recommend Katya, and I'll definitely be back soon! read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

I had such a great experience getting tattooed by Siri. I brought in an asymmetrical design idea, and she was able to thoughtfully adjust it and turn it into a beautifully balanced, symmetrical piece while still keeping the look and feeling I wanted. Her attention to detail and precision with the line work are seriously impressive. Beyond the quality of her work, she was also incredibly sweet and easy to talk to throughout the appointment. She made the whole experience feel relaxed and comfortable, and she worked efficiently without sacrificing any of the detail. The tattoo turned out absolutely beautiful and I couldn't be happier with it. If you're looking for an artist who is talented, thoughtful about design, and genuinely cares about the final result, I would definitely recommend Siri. I'll absolutely be going back to her for my next tattoo. read more

Siri is a highly talented artist and overall, a wonderful person. I had multiple sessions with her to complete several pieces. She totally understood what I was looking for and she made sure to go through all of the detail with me beforehand. Her years of experience showed through her technique, her empathy, care and professionalism. And of course, the art totally exceeded any expectations. She captured the perfect mix of elements to honor the strong women in my family. I felt very much at ease with her and I would seek her out again if I continue to add to my art collection. I highly recommend Siri!!! read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

I got my first tattoo here by Katya and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I came to her with an idea of a tattoo to honor my grandparents and she created a beautiful design that turned out even better as a tattoo. She has a gentle hand and is super calm and encouraging, making the experience super easy and almost painless. She's also very professional and kind, only wanting to make you feel as happy about the work as possible. I would recommend Katya to anyone for a beautiful and meaningful tattoo. read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

Absolutely love my tattoo from Sodam! The detail and precision are incredible, and he made the whole process comfortable (it was my first one). I'll definitely be back. read more

Black Serum Tattoo - By Sodam - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

I got my latest tattoo from Siri and I am so incredibly happy with the results. She not only touched up an existing fine line tattoo that I had done by another artist but she created a powerful, detailed and delicate new addition. It was such a fun experience and a true pleasure to work with her and when I am ready for more, she is the one that I will return to. read more

Absolutely loved, and seriously grateful for, Sirimontra's professionalism, design talent, attention to detail, self-admitted atring attention to detail (absolutely true), and patience with me throughout the process of creating two custom pieces. These are my first two tattoos; both prompted largely by the loss of a dear family member and friend. I wanted someone to listen. I wanted someone who heard my thoughts and could incorporate them. I wanted someone with whom I could have an experience that was memorable, beyond the work. I needed someone who made me feel safe. Siri offered all of this and more. I highly recommend her. read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I recently had a session with Katya (@fennec.fox.tats on Insta) and the entire experience was wonderful. Katya is an excellent artist, I've already received compliments on both her design and the linework/shading. The consultation process was easy breezy and Katya was super accommodating of all my questions and requests. She made the experience incredibly comfortable and safe. I can't wait to go back for more! read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I absolutely love Black Serum the space is so diverse! I live in Florida but I've seen Viktoria for two of my fine line tattoos and she's now the only person I'll see for fine line tattoos! I will wait to come to SF to get my tattoos done by her. Her insta is @tatts.ivanova. She's so patient and her work is very delicate. read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I visited Black Serum Tattoo in San Francisco for a tattoo of a cup of tea, and I'm quite disappointed with the outcome. The design lacked the detail and precision I was expecting. The lines weren't as crisp, and the overall tattoo felt rushed. While the staff were friendly and welcoming, the final result didn't live up to the studio's reputation. I hope they can focus more on quality and attention to detail for future clients. For some reasons, my review has disappeared from Google so I have to post it here. That explains a lot... read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Cup of tea tattoo Black Serum - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

This review is for Katya, who not only is extremely talented, patient and communicative, but is a very sweet and calming person. I'm super anxious when it comes to tattoos, and she walked me through every step and answered all my questions, including design modifications, prior to my appointment. She really put my mind at ease and was thoroughly prepared when I arrived. We played with the size and placement and landed on something I would have never considered myself; I absolutely appreciated her feedback and professionalism. She's also so prepared in her work space! (Phone holder, charger, candies, water, etc). I have raved about her to my friends and would absolutely get a tattoo done by her again. If you're looking for someone who does amazing fine line work, you have to check her out! I've gotten so many compliments on this piece already. Thank you Katya!! read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

I decided this year would be the year I get my first tattoo and after searching styles and artists here and on IG, I found Dana and realized she worked out of Black Serum. We had a short and easy exchange over email to discuss the design and after it sounded like a fit, I paid a deposit a few weeks ahead of my appointment, which was this past Friday. I arrived early so someone let me in after confirming who I was there for - the door is locked so you have to message your artist in order to enter. They have a nice lobby area where I was able to charge my phone while I signed the consent form and waited for Dana to get her station ready. The facilities are very clean which is always good to know. Being my first tattoo, Dana kindly walked me through all of the steps she was taking and checked in with me periodically to make sure I was doing okay with the pain. Overall, it took about an hour and I am very happy with the final product! I think I may be a "one and done" girl, but if I were to get another one, I'd definitely book Dana again. read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Lobby - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I am very impressed on how the place is kept up, how fun and relaxing the environment is at Black Serum Tattoo. The artists are really professional and my artist Luciana is extraordinary. She listened to all my details and created two of my new tattoo additions. She captured the message of the tattoos with such a fine detail in her drawings, with gentleness and artistry. Luciana is very talented, personable and relatable. I will keep coming back to her for my future tattoos. @dsilvatattoo https://www.instagram.com/dsilvatattoo/?hl=en is read more

Out of the four different tattoo parlors that I'd been to, Black Serum near the intersection of Valencia St and 14th St in SF was by far the largest in terms of space. I believe it's about 2,500 sq ft of space they have in total, and although I only spent time on the 1st fl, they have a 2nd fl and an outdoor garden. There were two separate areas that were separated by a wall, from what I remember - one was a smaller area where the main entrance/exit is located that had a few artists and then a larger area to the left. Individual tattoo artists have their own space where they work, with a partition/divider between their space and their neighbor's. When I got to to this location for my appt during early August 2023, I made the mistake of knocking on their door to get the attention of an employee inside, as their doors are locked at all times (I safely assume due to the location and also so the artists don't get interrupted - I used to live a few blocks south from this place and I'm fully aware this is not a safe area of The City). After an employee came to open the door, I was asked if I had texted my tattoo artist, and that's when I noticed the small sign on the door instructing you to do so. I totally missed that, but thankfully they were nice about it and quickly informed my tattoo artist that I'd arrived. I found a traveling artist that goes by the name, Dim, a S Korean artist based in NY posting his work on IG during the middle of 2023 and after seeing his online portfolio, I made up my mind that if all goes well, I'd like to see if he could do an 'Iwa bird on my arm while he was briefly at Black Serum. The cost that I was quoted was easily the highest of all the tattoos that I have - but when I saw the sketch of what he came up with and also the previous work he had done on other clients, I was convinced this was going to be worth it. If I wasn't employed though, I'll fully admit the cost would've been too much and for sure I wouldn't have been able to justify paying for it, but fortunately I had finally found a well paying job in early 2023. Dim was very professional and I felt at ease the entire time - a soft-spoken and nice individual that I could clearly see was passionate about his work and very focused - he checked up on me every so often to ask if I was doing okay, which I appreciated. Dim had first made sure of the placement of the tattoo, the orientation that I'd wanted and after that, it was about 3 hours in total for the 'Iwa bird to be completed, with one break in between that he had taken. The completed tattoo was absolutely beautiful, I was very satisfied with it (when I visited HI a few months later, a Hawaiian guy complimented the tattoo, which said a lot!) and I'm truly glad I had happened to come across Dim on IG at the time and was able to book a date/time to go to SF from the South Bay on my day off to have this done! The music that was playing at Black Serum during the few hours happened to be the type of music that I liked listening to (at the time it was R&B) which was cool. The restroom, along with the rest of Black Serum was clean, decorated with very good taste and one of the nicer restrooms that I've ever seen. During my time at Black Serum on a Saturday, I could tell they were pretty booked. If you're looking to get a tattoo at Black Serum, don't hesitate or have any doubts about coming here, you will be in good hands. read more

Mimisama was very kind and helpful. Very glad I got my first tattoos with her. She also gave a lot of good tips and advises about tattoo aftercare and prep me when I was nervous. During the process, she was super efficient and knows all the details of where to position hand to make the art perfect. The art was even better than I thought and they look exactly like the photos I provided. Will comeback again if thought of a new design! read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Cat with wings - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I've been to Black Serum for both my tattoos, and have had the best experience both times. They keep the studio very safe & clean, and it is a really beautiful space. The first artist I saw there was Anita Darkling in 2019, and I believe she's gone private since. When I knew the concept for my next tattoo, I looked at the artists at Black Serum. I knew that their quality/professionalism was going to be up to par. More recently, I saw Tattonica for a second piece on my forearm. She was super responsive, took time to understand my needs and frequently checked in with me. I love my new piece so much, shes very talented. I will be back. read more

I recently visited Black Serum and saw Katya. I was fascinated by the decorations in the store and the entire vibe. The store was clean and sanitary and each "booth" had privacy. Katya was extremely professional and super prepared when I got there. She listened to exactly what I wanted and gave her professional advice as well. What she designed was perfect. The details she added were also beautiful and very well done. Her work is detailed, fine lines and beautiful. read more

I've been working with Daniel (@Zide.Nation) for about a month now to create and finished a piece, and I can only describe the experience with him as incredible. I could not be happier with the work he did. His art style is so detailed and interesting, creating designs that you didn't even know were possible on skin. You can tell he has a genuine love for what he does. He was extremely receptive to feedback and ideas, and made the whole process super relaxed and as unstressed as possible. Working with him felt comfortable through and through. He was great company during breaks, and over all was everything I was looking for in an artist when booking. I'm super appreciative twords him, and will absolutely be getting more work done with him in the future. read more

I got work done by Zide.Nation last night at Black Serum, and he's a professional in every sense of the word. I brought him two existing tattoos I wanted expanded and evolved into his ink-flow style--a much harder brief than starting from scratch--and he absolutely nailed it. His artistic talent is world-class. The design process was genuinely collaborative: with a short explanation and a couple examples, he immediately understood the direction and elevated it. He's also very open to exploring beyond his core style, thoughtfully weaving in elements I liked from similar aesthetics so the final piece feels uniquely mine. If you need freehand work or shading, this is your guy. His line confidence, flow, and gradients are remarkable, and he integrates new work into old pieces so everything feels intentional and cohesive rather than "added on." Professional, communicative, and focused from start to finish--and the final result exceeded expectations. I'll definitely be back for more work with Zide.Nation and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for refined, flowing, freehand-forward tattoos. read more

I vibe for this space is so cool. I see Katya and she has done a few tattoos for me over the last two years. I am always so excited to get a new piece from her she is very sweet and talented. I picked something from her flash this time and my little Jack Rabbit came out perfectly. Thank you again Katya read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

Whitney was the artist who did my tattoo! It was exceptionally delightful! As an artist and person they were considerate, informative, and made sure to provide an amazing experience. My tattoo is healing amazingly and it was a real treat! The shop itself is amazing with tons of great artist and a professional environment with lots of cool art to look at while getting tattooed. Definitely would recommend! You can find Whitney's work on instagram @witchneytattoos read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I got a unique, beautifully artistic nature tattoo at this impeccably clean and professional studio. If you're serious, know what you want, and see tattoos as art, this is a perfect place to go. read more

Black Serum Tattoo - I got this tattoo in honor of my wife, whose nickname is Chipmunk. She's currently fighting cancer. - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

I discovered Anita Rossi on instagram, searching for an artist that could possibly interpret my ideas, and then create a custom piece just for me, based on my story. When I found out she was visiting Black Serum in San Francisco, I jumped on that! Her attention to detail, her dedication to connecting deeply with her clients and and their experiences, is really what brings her to the top (also her love for animals, windows & doors, and all the often overlooked beautiful things in this world). She created art from my photos of the mourning doves that make me cry because they have helped me through dark times. And an abstract, architectural piece dedicated to my husband - an interpretation of just a small detail from our wedding that I will have with me forever. Her art is just stunning...mind blowing... Anita Rossi is true talent, a loving soul, and gently honest. I can't think of anyone else to trust in what she gave me. She is the best!! ...and she's fucking funny! Thanks Anita read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Inspired by the glass and metal of the art nouveau-ish / maybe baroque style, of San Francisco's City Hall's windows. - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I am very happy I discovered cacta, she is a wonderful artist and such a sweetheart. When I arrived she explained everything to me before we got started, she was very reassuring and respectful. I am in love with the way my thigh & calf piece turned out. Her detailing and shading was remarkable, she was patient when I needed a break. Cacta is very kind and optimistic, I was able to talk to her during my sessions and was comfortable with vulnerable. She brought my idea to life and created a unique piece. The shop was very clean, unique, and has a very welcoming atmosphere. I recommend checking it out :) read more

I had the pleasure of recently getting two tattoos from Anita Rossi at Black Serum. Anita is an incredible artist and a kind, genuine and fun person to spend time with. She was super sweet from the first time we emailed months ago, and was completely understanding both when I changed my mind about what design I wanted; and when I had to reschedule because I was sick. Our appointment was great, her husband even made us a delicious espresso to start which was so lovely. Anita was patient while we tried different positions and sizes of the stencil, and she has such a nice demeanor and touch. Her work is really so beautiful, I loved the sketches so much, but it comes to life even more than I could have imagined with such incredible detail once it's done. I couldn't be happier with both the pieces I got. Now I am thinking of what to get next time she is here in SF! Truly can't recommend Anita enough; and the shop was also very nice, airy and comfortable. read more

Couldn't be happier with my experience at Black Serum with Mimi-Sama. I was browsing for a piece I've been meaning to get for some time, and found Mimi's IG. She responded within an hour on a weekend night, gave me everything I needed (booking/costs/ideas) all in a quick exchange, and was really flexible with what I wanted. She incorporated exactly as I had envisioned and did an incredible job of it. The session itself was really pleasant and Mimi was really sweet and considerate and operated flawlessly. Afterwards, she was thorough with what I should do in aftercare, and told me she would respond anytime if I needed information from her. Thank you Mimi! Great chill and artistic vibes at Black Serum! Highly recommend! read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

Amazing staff and atmosphere. Was super happy I got to experience my first tattoo here. I had a guest artist from Korea and she was very patient with trying to communicate over Google translate. Parking is a bit tricky because of the location but I think it's worth it read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Kirby tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is my third tattoo at Black Serum. I always look to them before anyone else when considering a new tattoo, because I know anyone that Brucius brings in has to be good! This time I was fortunate to get a tattoo from visiting artist Anita Rossi. Can't say enough about how sweet and delightful she was to work with. She was very excited about the design and it made me excited too! Not to mention it was by far my easiest tattoo -- several times I forgot I was being tattooed at all! Would not hesitate to work with her again. Thanks Anita! read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I couldn't be more grateful for this as my first tattoo experience. I flew in from Philly specifically to work with Anita Rossi, a guest artist from Italy that I've been following for several years. Simply put, working with Anita is a treat. We exchanged thoughts on the design beforehand and her work was perfect. On the morning of the appointment I was greeted by Anita's outgoing energy and enthusiasm that made the 7+ hour sitting fly by. I'm thrilled with the final result and can't wait to work with her on project number two, three, four...and more. The Black Serum studio is stunning--it's incredibly clean, spacious, has a fantastic vibe, and the staff is extremely talented, friendly, and helpful. As soon as I entered the waiting area, I felt confident in my decision and knew that I was going to leave with a piece I was proud of. If you're in search of an exceptional tattoo experience, I highly recommend Anita and Black Serum. They exceeded all of my expectations and I will be back in a few months. read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Barracuda tattoo by Anita Rossi - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

I was tattooed by Anita Rossi and she is an amazing artist. Anita listened to me and made my ideas into a beautiful design and was able to guide me with the composition & placement in a way that was not pushy, but professional with her artist eye, and she truly knows what she's doing. Anita did a great job on my single needle tattoo and was so warm and friendly. I would go to her again and recommend her higjhly. The shop was clean and professional as well. read more

Really like the place. It's clean and interesting inside. Everyone is nice and supportive. Really nice. Sodam is doing a tat on my forearm. I bloody love it, it's stunning. Sodam is amazing and respected by his peers. He told me he has been doing this for 17 years. He is the sweetest man, he's not remotely arrogant, and he's simply crazy talented. He is generous and cares a ton about his work and the craft. He also scheduled a touch-up that will be no cost. I met the owner of the place today too. He too is super sweet and caring and happy to help me and more. I really appreciate the service I got. It was tops. It wasn't cheap, but it was absolutely worth the cost I paid and I will be coming back for more artwork. read more

Black Serum Tattoo - Tattoo by Sodam - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California

Got a piece done by Sodam and couldn't be happier! This place is very inviting and welcoming. Not the best cell reception, but it is 2025 and wifi is still a thing lol. Going back in a month to finish up my piece and I can't wait (sorta-- painful lol)! read more

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Katya was fantastic and so easy to work with! she took a few pics of my little cat and gave me such an adorable piece back. love it. read more

Black Serum Tattoo - my tattoo and inspo pic - Tattoo Near Me - San Francisco, California