I heard of the Hideaway from a colleague who had amazing color work done and recommended the shop. I'm sure any artist could have done the Traumatic Brain Injury awareness Ribbon I received, but I was scoping a new tattoo shop for future reference, and wanted the right place and artist to tattoo me for such a meaningful piece. I saw Melvin's work, and I immediately scheduled an appointment. Her character, energy and desire to nourish a welcoming and warm tattoo shop is admirable. The shop itself may be the best shop I've been to, as it's a renovated old house, which made the experience and conversation while getting tattooed feel "homey". Also, the parking is great, and the location makes the experience feel like you're going to a friends to hang, and get work done. I highly recommend the shop, the vibe, the artists (the other artists in the shop who weren't working with me, still gave off as welcoming and great energy as Melvin to me). If you're looking for beautiful, vibrant color, and maybe a conversation that could lead to the beyond, book with Melvin! read more

The Hideaway - Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Ribbon w/ Resilience & Growth leaves to symbolize the healing journey. - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

Percy (an apprentice) is so awesome. I absolutely recommend her at the Hideaway Tattoo!! I felt comfortable the whole time. I'm totally in love with my tattoo and can't wait to schedule another! Blown away. Please check her out! If I could give you 10 stars, Percy, I would!!! Great place, great vibes, great people and sick a** tattoos!!! P.S. My daughter LOVES it!!!! read more

The Hideaway - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

Great place, all the artists were super friendly and professional. Clean well established place.

I have been to the Hideaway several times, my artist was Ginger Pennington for all visits. Ginger is a wonderful artist and individual; I got my first tattoo with them and she is gentle handed. The first time I went to get tattooed (my first time ever), I was really nervous. Ginger talked me through the experience and was really patient. For a first timer or someone already inked, you are in great hands. I come from the Inland Empire area (2 hrs away) to get tatted by Ginger and it is 100% worth it - they really brought my ideas to life and I love her variety of styles. I was also able to get a color test before we did the color on my 2nd session, which really comforted me bc I have always wanted color tattoos but wasn't sure how they'd look on my skin. The shop is clean and all the artists I've met while there are nice, it's all socially distanced and everyone was wearing masks. read more

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I came across Melvin's IG page and knew she would be the perfect one to complete this idea in my head. I shared a picture of my daughter and asked her if she could turn it into a Princess Cartoon type of tattoo. Quinn was great at communicating Melvins availability for prebook and waitlist options. From start to finish it's been the best experience I've had working with a tattoo shop. read more

The Hideaway - Rainbow Princess - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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I have never been to a more welcoming and inclusive tattoo shop than the Hideaway in the 16 years I have been getting tattoos. The space is so special, with each artist having private-like areas, lending to a very special experience. I have tattoos from Nikki, Mike, and Crystal and I cannot say enough about how amazing they are as people, let alone their work as artists. I am in absolute love with all of the tattoos I have received at this shop and no matter what style you are looking for you are likely to find someone here that can do it! Love the Hideaway, it's almost like a home away from home at this point and I'm very grateful for the people I have met getting tattoos here! read more

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The most high-quality, friendliest, and most inclusive tattoo shop you'll ever have the pleasure and privilege of coming across. I'm so proud to be a client, I am constantly complimented on the work I've had done there because it is so well-done. Melvin is an absolutely star, she is so gifted and kind and has the most amazing mind. I couldn't ask for a more creative or talented tattoo artist. The hideaway is truly the best place ever, I wanna spend all freakin day there, and my only wish is I had unlimited space for tattoos!!!! read more

The shop is clean, cozy, and welcoming. Joey did a great job making my bestie and I comfortable and our matching tattoos came out great! read more

The Hideaway - Our matching tattoos by Joey T! - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

I wouldn't even consider getting tattooed anywhere else! The studio itself is really cute, clean, and comfortable. But the best thing about The Hideaway, is that it's home to some of San Diego's most talented tattoo artists. I've been to Melvin multiple times and she is beyond amazing. Every tattoo she does looks like a masterpiece. She also happens to be the sweetest person ever, so it's a double win. I get compliments on her work all the time. She has a wide array of ink colors in her arsenal and isn't afraid to use them. I always look forward to going back and getting more work done with her. Also I have noticed Nikki does some really stunning stuff as well..so I might need to make an appointment with her sometime too. Another artist who's kick ass work caught my eye was Chowdah Bowl. Basically there's so many skilled artists, it's hard to pick which one you'll want to work with. You can't go wrong when you get ink done the right way and choose The Hideaway. read more

The Hideaway - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

This was my second visit to the hideaway Tattoo... I am amazed at the work that they do there. The staff is friendly ,professional , and easy to talk to. They make sure you are comfortable and give you great suggestions and make sure things go/fit in place ! Nikki Rex tattooed me two times and I can't wait to go back again for my third fourth etc....I get compliments all the time on her work it's crazy GOOD!!!! read more

The Hideaway - Ray ..... tattoo artist @nikkirex - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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ktrantattoos, Kristine Tran, is a nice and kind person, but as a tattoo artist she lacks the experience and professionalism to maintain a safe and trusting tattoo session low price = lack of professionalism, tattoo blowout, overworked tattoo area on skin also very funny that her policy was customers can't have a friend over but they are allowed their own s.o and coworker in the small room without masks. i really didn't want to write this but my friends and family saw my tattoo and recommended I write this so that others don't want run into what I had to experience.. or at least have some knowledge about it. I had my sailor moon wand tattoo done July 2021, and six/seven months later I am still upset about it. please consider when working with younger new tattoo artists. you are taking a risk with your body, trust, and sometimes money. my tattoo on my shin was over worked and still is painful. the quick fix for the mistake on my ski = flaking and scabbing only in that area the tattoo blowed out, and messy where the symbol of mercury is while i do appreciate it being free, it was scary having it tried to be fixed without knowledge of what happens when you over work an area I did not have the knowledge that I do know that your skin can be overworked with the tattoo needle painful & regretful experience I have had tattoos done with different artists but with ktrantatoos - the needle hurt since it was pushed in deeply and continuously in the same spot. here is before & after. happy new year read more

The Hideaway - January 2022 - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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I got my first tattoo at The Hideaway from Joey and it was a great experience. All the artists here are super friendly, I love how everyone is so fun and welcoming, the vibe is just really fantastic here. I've come back repeatedly now, I've had tattoos from Joey and Melvin and I'm very happy with how they turned out. All of my pieces have healed nicely, they're super vibrant and I can't wait to get more. read more

I love this place! All the artists are so nice and their work is beautiful. Ive gotten two peices here and I live in LA county and the two hour trip was worth it both times. Check out their instagram how to book with their individual artists. read more

The Hideaway - Artist Mike - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

I came into the Hideaway for the flash tattoo special advertised on Instagram. I left almost in tears by how happy I am! Melvin was my artist and she is amazing. The line work is so crisp and clean and the color is so vibrant and saturated. This was my very first tattoo and I'm overjoyed! The shop overall was adorable and clean. I love the kawaii aesthetic. I'm so happy I found this shop in my home town! I thought I'd have to go to LA for such a quality tattoo and experience. The apprentice, Ginger was so sweet and patient. She made everyone who walked in the door feel very welcome and there was a lot of us in line for the sale. I'm already thinking of my next tattoo with Melvin! I cannot wait! read more

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I've been here twice so far to two different artists and I LOVE it here so much! I feel extremely welcome and was able to chat with the artist about nerdy things like anime, etc. Both Ginger and Melvin are very sweet and cool individuals. Their linework is always amazing and the color is flawless! Can't wait to go to some of the other artists here. read more

The Hideaway - Tattoo of my cat as a maneki-neko done by Melvin - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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@melvin_arizmendi is awesome! Such a cute studio. Can't wait to get another piece! Couldn't be happier. read more

The Hideaway - Magical, mushrooms, tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

Go to Nikki if you want your dog transformed in to a cartoon!! She's so beyond sweet and has the biggest love for animals. The shop is so cute and it didn't feel like your normal generic tattoo shop I felt so comfortable and welcomed here! Thank you Nikki!! I will be back when I get my next puppy!! read more

The Hideaway - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

I have been coming to Nikki since 2018. She is amazing. The shop is clean . Everyone is professional. Our appts are like my therapy sessions. I love Nikki and her work is more than top notch amazing. I wanted a Disney sleeve for so long and waited for so long to find someone I trust with doing it. Finding Nikki changed my life. She makes sure to get everything right. I trust Nikki with all of my tattoos and my life and I will never go anywhere else read more

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Melvin is amazing! She is so skilled and honestly one of the nicest people I have ever met. I'm so happy with my piece. The picture can speak for itself : ) read more

The Hideaway - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

I have to echo what another reviewer mentioned below which is that the artists here aren't the friendliest to their clientele. I think many of them are talented, and when I walked in the shop was very nice and quiet, but unfortunately the experience was negatively affected by the artists. There were three or so of them hanging around, not doing anything, just loitering which was strange as it was, and my artist talked to them the entire time and mostly ignored me. When I did try to speak, the others would talk over me. It ended up feeling very gossip-y and clique-y. It didn't help that when I came back to retrieve a forgotten item I got that very distinct feeling of walking into a room where everyone was just talking about you and it wasn't nice things. One of the other artists actually glared at me and picked up my item as if it was disgusting to hand it to me, which I hadn't asked her to do. It was just very unprofessional and left a bad taste in my mouth. The artists are talented so they'll continue to draw clients I'm sure; it's just a shame that they'll continue to be rude while doing so. read more

I have been to The Hideaway twice now. I've gotten work done by Nikki (Grogu piece) and Mike (Darth Vader piece). I can say with the most confidence that you are in good hands at this shop. The level of cleanliness, organization, professionalism, kindness, and TALENT is unmatched. I've received tons of compliments on my tattoos and it's all thanks to them. I cannot wait to continue to get work done with Mike as he is currently working on a Star Wars sleeve for me. Aside from Mike's ability to make my tattoo dreams come true was his attention to detail not just in his work but the experience as well. Mike has a TV in his room and when I walked in he was playing the exact show that my Darth Vader piece was from. It was incredibly kind and thoughtful. They way that all the artists hype eachother up and support each other is sweet. If you want your tattoo dreams to come true then I'd highly recommend you run and not walk to The Hideaway. read more

If you are looking for amazing tattoos look no further. Mike and Nikki have made the absolutely best tattoo shop in San Diego. I have been tattooed by multiple people in this shop and I have never been let down once. Every single artist is talented and skilled beyond belief. Every single piece I have from them is a work of art. Thank you so much for being the best!!! read more

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My artist was Nikki Rex, she greeted me so warmly and had an amazing design set up for me to look at. Shop was super clean and precautions in place. The whole session felt like I was talking to an old friend and the attention to detail and myself as a client was awesome. She rocked this piece in honor of my late mother. I am so honored and grateful to wear this piece and to know a great person. Thank you Nikki for being Fantastic!!!! read more

The Hideaway - In honor of my Mom who was a complete Momma Bear. - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

I came here actually around oct 2020 for Kristine, she had a very cute flash and I could not resist ! She was so sweet and kept in touch with me on how I was feeling if I was uncomfortable and if I needed to take a break due to an uncomfortable position. We bonded over our love for animals and even another artist was so inclusive and even the person they were tattooing ! I felt like I needed to write this because I see the negative comments and I didn't get any of that walking in. And I'll going back today actually for Jeff and I'm can't be more excited read more

The Hideaway - My little witchy soot sprite. Thank you Kristene - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

I came here last Friday to get a tattoo done by Melvin and, although painful, it came out perfect and I'm so in love with it. Melvin's assistant, Julie, answered my email requesting an appointment fairly quickly and helped me with my deposit and getting everything set up. She was very kind and easy to talk to through email and texting as I live in a different state. YES, I knew I was visiting my parents and HAD to get my tattoo from Melvin. I know she is known for doing a lot of the kawaii, pastel colored tattoos, but I also saw her line work in just using blank ink was gorgeous. I went with a floral tattoo covering the lower, outer half of my forearm and a bit onto my hand. The lines and shading are just so amazing and I could tell how much she cared in getting the tattoo just right without rushing through it. Very thankful I could get an appointment in and I can't wait to get another one from her! read more

After looking endlessly for the perfect artist for a very meaningful tattoo I found Nikki on Instagram, I made my appointment 3 months in advance because she was completely booked. Definitely worth the wait and the drive from Orange County! It's a cute little shop and each station reflects the artist. This was my biggest tattoo the by far the best artist yet. Nikki is the best Can't wait to go back. read more

The Hideaway - Alice and Ariel tattoo done by Nikki! - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

I went to the Hideaway for my first ever tattoo. Of course I was feeling a little nervous, but after walking in I was instantly greeted and immediately felt more at ease. My artist was Nikki and she was so welcoming, friendly, and a pleasure to work with. She took an idea I had in my head and made it a reality on my skin. Her talent is undeniable; I highly recommend her work read more

The Hideaway - My first tattoo by Nikki Rex - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

I drove all the way from L.A. for a tattoo from Kristine and she did not disappoint. She's such a talented artist and was so kind and attentive the entire time. Her work is impeccable and I'm obsessed with my new tattoo. The shop was clean, neat and welcoming. I can't wait to go back! read more

Absolutely love this little shop. It's such a hidden gem and goes above and beyond most shops I've seen. I came across Melvin on Instagram and booked an appointment a couple months out. When I went in to see her, the shop was so cute, clean, and quiet! None of the usually loud insanity of most tattoo shops I've been in. Melvin's work space is obviously almost *too* cute, and her work is beyond that. It was honestly one of the most enjoyable tattoo experiences I have ever had. We chilled, we listened to Odesza, we talked about Sex and the City. It was honestly a dream. And the best part is, I left with the cutest little addition to my collection. I absolutely love this place and will definitely be coming back for more in the future! LOVE The Hideaway and can't wait to come back :) Thanks again Melvin x3 read more

Shop is clean and doesnt feel stuffy or crowded, lots of positive vibes. Parking lot small but street parking available. Joseph was very helpful and kind throughout the entire process and I absolutely love my tattoo! Also really loved that he relaxed my worry of the aftercare. He gives you a sticker and they are absolutely kawaii! Will be back again! read more

Got my first tattoo by the talented kawaii master Melvin I had such a great experience here, everyone was so professional and easygoing. Melvin is such an amazing artist who was so kind and patient with me since this was my first tattoo experience. She thoroughly went over care instructions and took the time to message me as well. I highly recommend The Hideaway, all of the artists here are really great and I can't wait to come back in the future read more

The Hideaway - Puglie pug and kawaii designs by Melvin - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

The Hilton of tattoo shops! Came all the way out here for the talented Nikki! Nikkirex On Instagram! Love her art and I'm so glad I have the pleasure to represent her work. Very clean and spacious shop and great vibes. Definitely will be coming back for more work. This is the destination shop of sunny San Diego! read more

The Hideaway - Stitch x salmon roll by Nikki - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

Nikki is freaking amazing! She is super nice and friendly. And if you are a nerd/geek, she is a wonderful person to talk while getting tattooed! She was very clean and Covid safe, she wiped everything down and the door was open so there fresh air. She even turned on Harry Potter during the session which was a super nice distraction from the painful spots. Also, she listened to what you want for your tattoo and adds her creativity into it. Overall, she is an amazing tattoo artist. read more

Got tattooed again by Chowdah today. Always super nice, they even let me show up in my pajamas sometimes. read more

The Hideaway - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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This shop is a hidden gem. I came from OC to get tattooed by Melvin and it was so worth the trip! This was my biggest piece yet and she made me feel relaxed and at ease the whole time. All of the staff I met were super cool and friendly. And there was a great playlist of chill music playing in the background. Melvin is so incredibly talented and I highly recommend her! Can't wait to come back again! read more

The Hideaway - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

I really like this place! The shop itself is very roomy, clean, and cozy, like you're in someone's home. I saw Connie for an ankle piece, and was extremely happy for several reasons. First, she was very accommodating and helpful with my appointment, and got me in sooner than originally planned since I'm going out of town and was worried the piece wouldn't heal in time for the trip. When I got to the shop she was super nice and obviously wanted to give me the best work possible for my design. (quick tip: trust your artist and let them make suggestions/tweaks because they usually know best). She seemed genuinely excited to do the tattoo, which I've never actually experienced with other artists elsewhere, and made me feel very comfortable trusting her with my design. She's also got a couple sketchbooks full of really great designs ready to go, and I know I'll be coming back to her in the near future. I definitely recommend her! No complaints here read more

A hidden gem. Clean, unpretentious and welcoming. The artists are like one big family. Ask for Matty Butler he's amazingly talented and an all around good guy that won't over charge you. I'm stoked with my piece and definitely plan to go back for more work. read more

I wish I could give ten stars! Melvin is one of the best tattoo artists and her colors are the most vibrant and beautiful. Her style is unique and she is able to take an idea that you tell her and turn it into a tattoo that everyone compliments! I'll be back soon to do more on my sleeve. read more

The Hideaway - I've returned many times for memorial tattoos for my daughter and this is the most recent. Melvin is an amazing artist! - Tattoo Near Me - San Diego, California

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Words cannot describe the magic that is created in this shop. Melvin is AMAZING and every idea I've brought to her, she's always gone above and beyond on all of my pieces. My first session with Melvin was suppose to be a simple cover up, but with her attention to detail and brilliant ideas, that simple cover up turned into an entire sleeve and I couldn't be more pleased, overjoyed and in love with how it turned out. I am now a dedicated client and always return to her for an exquisite piece. And she's not the only awesome artist there, you want something unique and amazing, you've got to go check out The Hideaway crew. read more

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So first off I will say that the art that comes out of this shop is really well done. I wanted a tattoo from here but the way appointments are set up and the lack of communication between myself and the artist was an atrocity. I was informed that I am not allowed to meet with the artist beforehand and that if I wanted anything changed about the tattoo that she would last min. I think not. I'm not sure how trusting other people are with something as expensive and permanent as a tattoo but I would never show up to get a large tattoo without even meeting the artist first. The "assistant" was extremely rude and not helpful in the slightest and makes Melvin come off as an entitled child. I'll take my $2,000+ somewhere else that is more respectful and cares more about their customers. Shame because the ink that comes out of this shop is fire. 0/10 would not recommend to anybody. read more