Trust the reviews, Kitchens' Ink is A1. I had an exceptional experience here and based on the…read moreoutpour of positive reviews on both Yelp and Google, it would appear the vast majority of clients agree. When it comes to something you're going to smack on your body for eternity (unless you want to endure the immense pain and wallet hemorrhaging that accompanies laser removal) you best put some real thought into where you're going to go for ink.
I planned a short getaway to Denver and as an early birthday gift to myself, sprung for a new tattoo as part of the trip. After doing some preliminary research on Yelp, I stumbled across Kitchens & decided to further investigate. Initially, I was pleased with the work of all the artists, but narrowed it down to three in particular who I thought would be best suited for my tattoo after browsing their portfolios. I sent an email to Kitchens describing what I wanted, where I wanted it, some reference photos, artists I'd like to work with, and my availability. Within a couple of hours, Rene responded and shortly thereafter we were able to set up an appointment. *I just want to note real quickly how much I appreciated being able to discuss things over email. It allowed me to easily concentrate and thoroughly contemplate my desired tattoo. I know a lot of tattoo novice's get nervous when describing the tat(s) they want, and this is an easy medium of communication that takes that edge off.
A week later I was at the shop in person. They're fittingly located in the arts district, and the shop is easy to find as it's right on the main thoroughfare that is Santa Fe Drive. There's by no means an abundance of parking, but it is relatively easy to come by. When I entered the shop, I immediately felt relaxed and comfortable, which is sadly not always the case. Unfortunately, many tattoo shops I've been in have had an omnipresent air of pretentiousness. That could not have been farther from my experience at Kitchens. They provide a safe, CLEAN, relaxed environment that is welcoming to all.
Rene is.....an extraordinary artist. I felt like he took my reference photos, and altered them in a collaborative way, fusing his artistic style with my personality. He was receptive, patient, and didn't give me a single ounce of grief when I asked if we could change the location of my tattoo from my leg to my arm. When deciding how to position my tattoo he even went as far as to take into account the curvature of my body and how the tattoo would look in relation. In my humble opinion, that attention to detail separates the good from the great. Rene took artistic liberty, but never in a way that was grandiose or far fetched. His linework is top-notch and he works efficiently. Bonus points because he's genuinely a nice guy, and he was easy to converse with, attentive, and communicative. He comes highly recommended by me, and should I ever find myself needing a tattoo in Denver, he has my loyalty!
A final word regarding pricing, because I know it's on everyone's mind. I'm not sure if I've just been frequenting expensive shops or what, but Kitchens' Ink was VERY affordable. Especially considering the impressive quality of the tattoo. It was shockingly reasonable, especially for how well done it was. Definitely a hidden gem if you want quality work, at a price that won't bury you. They conveniently take most credit/debit cards, and as always that cash money, baby!
Lots of love to Kitchens Ink. It's one thing to provide a wonderful tattoo, but a top pedigree experience as well? I feel beyond lucky.