Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    FTW Tattoo Parlor

    4.7 (118 reviews)
    ModerateTattoo
    Closed 12:00 pm - 7:00 PM

    Services - FTW Tattoo Parlor

    Tattooing

    FTW Tattoo Parlor Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - FTW Tattoo Parlor

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Amanda H.

    Had a really good experience with this place. Went looking for someone to tattoo myself and my friend last weekend. It was kind of a last minute decision but we figured some place in Berkeley would be available for walk ins. No such luck. After trying NUMEROUS places, I called FTW and spoke to a very nice man who said he would call his partner to see if she was coming in and call me right back. About 10 minutes later, I got a call back and was told I could go in right then. Perfect! The place is small, clean and has easy street parking. We met Ellie who came in early specifically to do our tattoos. She was great! She was very down to earth and real with us. I had planned on getting my tattoo on the side of my foot but she explained that this particular area did not hold ink well and did not recommend doing it in that spot. I took her advice and I'm glad I did! She was extremely patient with us and really took her time to make sure everything was how we wanted it. She also suggested some good shading options that I happily took. My tattoo looks amazing and so does my friend's. While we were here, my boyfriend fell in love with some drawings done by Andre and I am pretty sure he is going to come here for his next tattoo very soon. Prices were comparable. I just never expect good customer service these days and wonderful, down to earth people, but these guys really proved me wrong. They went out of their way to make us happy. Thank you so much!!

    back piece by jason, tiger and phoenix in yin yang position with koi fish underneath
    Charlie N.

    5 sessions and 20+ hr later and it's finally over. I want to thank fellow yelpers for leading me here. after searching yelp, and looking at each artist portfolio I chose jason to be my tattoo artist. I came in with an idea of what I wanted done (back piece) and about 2 weeks later he sketched it up, better then what I envisioned. I wanted a tiger with a phoenix in a yin yang position with a koi fish beneath it. i've gotten so many compliments on the work. he did a kick ass job on it. my sis liked his work so much she came and got a back and arm piece of a koi fish. this shop is clean, friendly, and professional. although i only delt with jason, lying there for that many hours, you can't help and look what other people are getting. i got to see the other tattoo artist work, and i have to say, you can't go wrong with any of them. again thank you yelpers for this great place. will definitely come back here to get inked.

    By Jay Watkins
    Sean S.

    I walked in after I visited another shop, which wasn't able to schedule me. I then realized that my friend had constantly spoken well of FTW Tattoo, so I got to hiking. Upon arriving, Alex Matus, the really cool tattoo artist up front who is into metal, greeted me. She asked what I would like and referred me to the portfolios. I checked them out and for what I wanted, I fixated on Jay Watkins' work. Jay was right in front of me and I got to speak to him on the spot. Jay is very friendly and easy to work with. He visualized what I wanted and couldn't do one element and showed me why. He was right and his idea actually flowed way better. We settled on an idea and I also scheduled an appointment for my friend to get tattooed after me. Jay is very thorough with his artwork and took his time. Both tattoos he did are amazing and we love them. He works clean, changes his gloves, does all the stuff you'd expect. His drawing was perfect the first time for both of our tattoos. I can't say enough good things about Jay as an artist. He really is easy and comforting to work with. Jay also makes his own machines, so he's got an understanding of how his equipment works beyond just turning it on and going. That's something I appreciate in an artist. This shop is so friendly and chill to be in and they have amazingly good vibes all around. I will be getting more tattoos here for sure. Park around the corner to avoid meters.

    Ron Domstead at FTW
    Bc L.

    Right now i'm up to my 3rd tattoo by Ron Domstead. Usually i like to collect different pieces from many different artists but Ron is just so welcoming and talented that I keep coming back for more. Last week the shop was rather quiet and I popped in to say hello and found myself getting a rather large full color tattoo for a very reasonable price. Ron also showed me different drawings he was saving for me to get at a later date. Ron really takes the time to look at my arms and see how my entire sleeves are going to come together and places each piece so that the next piece will look right when it's all finished. Once again i can't praise this shop enough. Come here if you're looking for a respectable shop .... go somewhere else if you're looking to get some scratch tattoo as cheaply as possible. *You get what you pay for people.*

    by Ellie Geyer, after one sitting, one more session to go
    Donna S.

    Ellie is the best! I have been waiting awhile to get a tattoo in the Bay Area. I just couldn't find an artist that I really liked & didn't cost me my 1st born. I've looked at Ellie's work a couple of times while at Body Manipulations. Once I finally decided on my idea, I checked Ellie's website (elliegeyer.com) to see when she works. Low an behold, she has taken up working in Oakland 1 day a week at FTW. I was so excited that she was tattooing in the East Bay! We had a consultation & it went okay. When I went back the following to get it started, I couldn't believe what she had drawn up for me. I had given her a vague idea of what I wanted (I am not artistically inclined in the least, so a sketch was out of the question) & the design she came up with was better than I could have ever imagined. It was beautiful! Transferring it from drawing to permanent ink was great! She kept checking up on me to see if I was doing ok & telling me funny stories. The guys in the shop were telling crazy stories & making us laugh. It was a great experience! They have an adorable shop dog who licked me like crazy! Oh & the final result of the tattoo was absolute amazing! I have one session to go & I can't wait. Ellie is an amazing artist, has great talent, & is super friendly. I definitely want her to do lots more work on me!

    Jason S.

    I've been coming to get tattooed here for about 7 or 8 years now and it just dawned on me that I've never given them a review on Yelp. Sean is my guy. He's done six tattoos for me over the years and I love every one of them! Very professional but super cool and sociable at the same time. I highly recommend Sean and FTW in general as all the artist that work here are passionate about their work and it shows in the end product. Satisfaction guaranteed!

    excuse photo quality.

    See all

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Vera G.
    4
    39
    95

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kelly C.
    146
    70
    1

    17 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sean S.
    126
    99
    28

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bc L.
    140
    43
    1

    16 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John H.
    215
    62
    7

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 14
    Thanks 0
    Love this 16
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bala V.
    17
    16
    0

    7 years ago

    Sean did an awesome job, would definitely recommend going to him. It was my 1st Tattoo and he made the process very calming.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jon N.
    178
    32
    0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sue P.
    27
    16
    2

    17 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joseph D.
    7
    122
    13

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lee B.
    24
    143
    42

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hope O.
    150
    22
    1

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Linz H.
    26
    21
    0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kristine D.
    64
    429
    204

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maia H.
    11
    26
    0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rae B.
    0
    42
    0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - FTW Tattoo Parlor

    Review Highlights - FTW Tattoo Parlor

    I go to Sean, he does a amazing job, as the looks of the other artist works they do amazing jobs as well.

    Mentioned in 29 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Tattoo 7,607 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Industrial Tattoo

    Industrial Tattoo

    4.5(1k reviews)
    0.9 miTelegraph Ave
    $$

    Made an appointment on line for my daughter's 18th bday & there was promotion for $18 service fee…read moreper piercing so that was helpful. The day of the piercing the wait time was at least 20 min. After our appt.time. If I had to pay the meter for parking, we would definitely had to add more money & time. The front desk staff were informative & helpful when showing me all the options of earrings to choose from. As far as the service, the Accredited Piercer (Marina Muller) starts to disinfect the ear & mark the ear. There was a little confusion from Marina bc for the on-line sign up form it asks what service you want done & which ear. Marina forgot to ask & confirm w/my daughter which ear she wanted pierced. As soon as this was cleared up, the process went very smoothly. As far as the price, it was a birthday piercing special for $18 each service & my daughter decided on 2 piercings. The earrings were an additional fee. The store is well kept, neat & the customer service was good, just be attentive to the actual piercings when the credited piercer does the work.

    We brought our 16-year old to get his ears pierced here, and they were great. I haven't had any…read moreexperience with piercing in 30+ years, and it's completely different now. No piercing gun! Just a needle. It's all very civilized. I was concerned with how much it might hurt or how intimidated he might be by the experience, but the person helping us put him at ease and explained every step, including the best way to care for new piercings. For any customers under 18, an original birth certificate is required and one of the birth parents (with identification) must also be present. Definitely make an appointment as the lines can be long.

    Photos
    Industrial Tattoo - The day I got my piercing it looks pretty nice and she did a great job. My objective was to go for 2Pac style kind of nose piercing.

    The day I got my piercing it looks pretty nice and she did a great job. My objective was to go for 2Pac style kind of nose piercing.

    Industrial Tattoo
    Industrial Tattoo

    See all

    Bell & Iron Tattoo - Inner portion of a floral sleeve done by Lo

    Bell & Iron Tattoo

    4.9(153 reviews)
    2.7 miGrand Lake, Lower Hills
    $$

    I had an amazing experience at Bell & Iron today! Sophie was my tattoo artist, and is clearly a…read moreyoung up and comer. From my first contact via Instagram and then in the shop, they were friendly, professional, enthusiastic, and patient. They made the whole experience very comfortable and natural, and any nerves I had were gone in no time. This was only my second tattoo and I find the whole experience somewhat intimidating, especially after having a judgmental and pretentious artist for my first tattoo. The time I spent at Bell & Iron was completely different, and I'd recommend this shop in a heartbeat. The owner was buzzing around during my session as well, and I could tell he was also very warm and welcoming to every customer, no matter who they are. I'm sure I'll go back to work with Sophie again in the future!

    What a delightful surprise! After over a decade away from getting ink, I found Joe Paul's portfolio…read moreonline and was immediately impressed. From the first consultation, Joe was super friendly, chill, and professional -- collaborating closely to make sure my designs came out just right. After a marathon 8-hour session for four pieces, his precision, artistry, coloring, and textures (which I didn't even know were possible with skin art!) completely blew me away. These were deeply personal and contemplated pieces and he did them justice. I could not be happier with what I get to showcase on my body. No regrets -- thanks, Joe, and keep up the good work!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    Photos
    Bell & Iron Tattoo - Floral arm completed by Lo

    Floral arm completed by Lo

    Bell & Iron Tattoo - Snapdragons on inner left shin by Lo, 2.5 weeks healed

    Snapdragons on inner left shin by Lo, 2.5 weeks healed

    Bell & Iron Tattoo

    See all

    FTW Tattoo Parlor - tattoo - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...