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    The Reef Tattoo

    4.1 (39 reviews)
    ModerateTattoo, Piercing
    Closed 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Services - The Reef Tattoo

    Piercing

    Tattooing

    The Reef Tattoo Photos

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    Recommended Reviews - The Reef Tattoo

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    Reviews With Photos

    Tattoo by Erica. I think it looks like a piece of art

    My birthday tattoo. 58 and feeling great! My artist Erica is extremely talented, and everyone in the shop is friendly and engaging. I'm definitely going back.

    Tom Petty Wildflowers

    I've been getting some spur of the moment tattoos lately and Kenny has been great! Great work, fast, makes sure I'm comfortable! Super happy with his work, highly recommend! Thanks for the new ink

    Alzetta H.

    Took my daughter for a navel ring. Service was professional, efficient and expeditious. Location was very clean and I was very pleased with the piercer and her ability. I would before someone l definitely recommend.

    Dabi
    Connor M.

    Rodrigoxrios is the man.. he does great line work and amazing color and detail to go with it. Currently doing some anime style work and am just amazed with the outcome everytime. love the entire atmosphere in this shop the whole time is nothing but good conversations. Also if you wanna zone out and just listen to your music on your head phones. while getting a tattoo

    Tattoo
    Patti M.

    This will be my second review. After getting a memorial tattoo by Emma two years ago, I have since been back for several more tattoos. The shop is super clean, and every time I've been there, I've had an enjoyable experience bantering with Emma, Matt, and the other people that work there. I recommend the reef to anyone looking for a tattoo parlor, and while I have never had a tattoo done by Matt, I have seen some of his work and it's spectacular. Emma has done now at least four tattoos for me in two years, and I love her work, I love her dedication, and pretty much I give her free reign with what ideas I have. I have never been disappointed.

    Atina M.

    So where do I start... I was so happy with my two nostril piercings and my septum done all at one time on 4/20/21. The piercer had a hard time grasping the septum to screw on the ball. It seemed like forever lol. But I soldiered through it. I had to have surgery so I came in on 5/4/21for retainers in all 3 holes. No metal allowed during surgery so I was told. Well, I woke up the next day for surgery 5/5 and the right nostril retainer was gone. My surgery was waaaaay before they opened. So directly after surgery I went back to them and had them put the original metal back in. I was pierced with twist screws in my nostrils but then they switch to "L" screws instead. Then a couple days later I woke up and the ball on the septum was missing. So now I have to go back up there and allow someone to "torture" me as I'd been healing for some days now and the septum didn't hurt anymore. Not until the ball had to be screwed on again. This time I asked for extras in case it happens again so I dont have to come all the way back. She gave me some. I can't tell you how many times the right nostril fell out while I was asleep. So much I was afraid of scaring/irritation I just went to back to them and guess what? I after waiting for over an hour. I asked was there an issue? I was told they only had one piercer (male) and the other one (she) was on her way. She was the one who pierced me initially so I was pissed they would have me sit there that long to replace the "L" jewelry. I ended up walking out the door and found a nearby tattoo/piercings shop and they put labrets in my nostrils. And I dropped a couple hundred on a nice septum ring and I don't have to worry about a ball falling out there isn't one lol. Cost of piercings at The Reef $170 and I tipped her $20.

    Katherine R.

    Emma did a beautiful job on my tattoo. I made a last minute change and she was totally cool with it. I am so happy with how it came out. Trevor did a great job with my piercing. I barely felt it. The place was very clean, they had some great music on and everyone was very chill and laid back! I will definitely be back!

    Sarah B.

    Highly recommend this shop! It is very clean, and the tattoo artists are super friendly! I went to Emma for a small finger tattoo. She was recommended to me by a friend and I ended up connecting with Emma over social media. She took time to respond to me and address my questions as well as reassure me with my concerns. Emma was very up front about what comes with getting a finger tattoo and made sure I was educated on what to expect. She fit me in the next day and was very prepared when I came in, already having the design drawn out from an example picture I sent her. My favorite part about the experience was how she really took her time. I am not the easiest person to tattoo, I am a bit squirmy and I am known to pass out but she handled me like a champ. If I ever want to get another tattoo, Emma will be the first person I reach out to!

    Tattoo work done by Marc on 08/14/21.
    Steve K.

    My daughter and I came to get some tattoo work done by Marc. I have followed his tattoo workmanship for years and finally made the voyage from Iowa to Illinois to see what he could do. The shop itself was very well organized and had a modern touch to it with great graffiti artwork on all the walls. You can tell this is a creative hub where what they do is done with great pride. This shop was easy to find and well located. As far as the tattoo work... my daughter got a simple two word ink job which took like 10 minutes. My tattoo work was more intricate and I still feel Marc took his time to do it insanely right, yet it felt like it took under an hour. Marc took the time to show me how he is able to do his tattoo design work so that each customer's artwork is done with great precision and detail. Overall, I keep looking at my tattoo and beyond proud of the job Marc did and have already scheduled him for my next tattoo job in September.

    Emily P.

    I had my first tattoo done here and it was in a pretty sensitive area but was not bad. Everyone was talking and it was a really nice distraction. The guys are so cool and I could not have asked for a better first experience. A decent price for a permanent piece of art work on your body. 100% recommend this shop for any tattoo.

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    1 month ago

    I got my ear pierced and I'm back today for a tattoo ! Fantaboulous employee, super clean, Super Fun Experience !

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    4 years ago

    Clean, friendly, and professional. Very informative and helpful. I came in to get my nose pierced and will be back for a tattoo.

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

    10/10 amazing get all ur ink done here they do everything make an appointment and get ur next snazzy dazzy dope new tattoo.

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    8 years ago

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    Matt M.

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    Ask the Community - The Reef Tattoo

    Is it by appointment only for piercings? Or are walk-ins accepted

    I believe they allow both

    What is the shops minimum for a tattoo?

    I believe shop minimum is 85

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - The Reef Tattoo

    Matt was our artist and he offered his honest opinion about our ideas and helped with placement.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Steven Stanczyk, aka SKUBA, is the MAN!! I've been tattooed…read moreat different shops, in different countries, and Stanczyk is the best I have ever had put ink to my skin. I saw two different guys who had been inked by him, and the quality of work was on such an incredibly high level, I literally questioned if their tattoo's were real. Between having the steadiest hands, artistic eye, all his years of experience, there is no place else I will ever go again. He won't rush you or the job, ink you for your money, slap random garbage on your body, or give you anything less than his honest opinion. He is the definition of a true artist and master of his trade. Thankfully I still have room on my body for him to ink. I would challenge any tattoo artist to come close to his level. He exceeded my expectations above and beyond in every way. If you want the best, give 7 Day Tattoo & Art Gallery a call, stop by their shop, or send them an email. 1-708-897-9855 7daygallerytattoo@gmail.com 6000 W. 159th Street Oak Forest, IL 60452 https://7daygallerytattoo.com/ If you look at my photo, know that all I gave Stanczyk (SKUBA) was a simple black and white outline drawing of what I wanted and he turned it into a tattoo that I will be proud of for the rest of my life. His freehand shading, perfect and crisp lines, just simply an amazing job. If you live in a different state, come to 7 Day Tattoo & Art Gallery for your work if you want the absolute best on your body. You only get one life to live, make it count and get the best ink you can.

    Love everything about this place. Always good vibes people are chill and someone working there has…read morea sick ass motorcycle

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    BMI Tattoo - Cover up after

    BMI Tattoo

    4.2(54 reviews)
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    The first time I visited Koz at BMI for a piercing with a friend, I was extremely nervous and had a…read morefew drinks in me. He had actually turned me away, but explained why he had to do so. We sat talking for a good 10 minutes and he was actually able to explain the whole process and calm my nerves down. Due to his professionalism, kindness, and easy-going attitude, decided I was going to come back in a day or two. I ended up coming back two weeks due to work and he did remember me and he was very professional and I was able to get my piercing and he was 100% right on healing. A few weeks after my piercing, I had a concern and I stopped in. He was great at explaining everything again, and I had to force him to take a tip as for my thank you. The tattoo artists were also very nice and welcoming when I walked in each time. I highly recommend this place and will be coming back.

    Piercer was incredibly rude to me. Acted annoyed from the moment I walked in…read more Went in for a ring change and instead of simply saying that the gauge size of my rings are not what they have in the shop, he went on to explain this in a very confusing and technical way that I didn't understand because I'm not a professional or someone in the tattoo/ piercing world. Got annoyed and rolled his eyes every time I asked a clarifying question. Then went on to attack the quality of my piercings and the fact that they weren't real gold which is pretty unprofessional and just also weirdo behavior. Overall very unpleasant and unhelpful conversation and this dude had the attitude that makes people avoid certain shops. Would give 0 stars if I could

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    Chicago HTS Tattoo & Piercing - Nose piercing

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    3.6(5 reviews)
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    Do your research before patronizing this establishment. I came to Chicago Heights Tattoo & Piercing…read morefor nipple and belly button piercings after it was recommended to by a friend. Not sure if this friend has ever been serviced here or if her recommendation was solely based on her living/working nearby, but I regret ever coming here. Firstly my piercer Noemi was extremely rude, supposedly they have signage posted stating that people other than the piercee are not allowed into the piercing area without the piercer's permission (probably so that there are no witnesses to her botched piercings). Despite receiving nipple piercings I was provided no privacy (a male employee and another employee's children wandered into my piercing area during my appointment, I was also pierced in direct view of the establishment's security cameras). When I texted Noemi regarding an issue with my piercing a week later, I was told to fix it myself or to come in at a fee. I had done some research on nipple piercings prior to coming in and how the initial barbell is typically longer to accommodate swelling. My barbell was extremely short and the balls on the ends eventually began putting pressure on my nipples creating migration of my piercing and difficulty cleaning and eroding of the skin around my nipples. Considering the previous experience I had with this establishment, I sought out a professional second opinion at a shop with experienced piercers in Wicker Park only to find out that not only were my barbells too short and balls too small (should be long enough to see 1 mm of the barbell on either side of the nipple to accommodate swelling in the initial healing phase especially, which an experienced piercer would/should know) but that Noemi had also pierced into my areola on both breasts which could delay my healing process and would require custom barbells whenever changing my jewelry. Because of the risk for adverse healing due to this botched piercing, I agreed with this more experienced piercer that the best course of action was removing the piercings and repiercing once the wounds heal. So now $80 down the drain and wounds on both breasts that will hopefully heal without incident. TAKE YOUR MONEY ELSEWHERE.

    I love mine and am coming back for my cleavage piercings next week! Bea, you are beyond words…read moreAMAZING! My first piercing experience was better than I could have imagined. It had to be for me to get 3 in the same day.

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    Chicago HTS Tattoo & Piercing - Tongue piercing. Barely felt a thing!

    Tongue piercing. Barely felt a thing!

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    After getting three piercings here, I can say that my interactions have been nothing but top notch…read more I fully plan on going back for more piercings!! Thanks to all of them for being professional and helpful! As a response to the comment by F.U. from 2 weeks ago: I was wondering if you would review via Yelp. I was in the studio the day you and your child were in and was mortified by how rude you were to the piercer and staff. So much so, in fact, that I apologized for you. You're welcome. You were determined to have the piercer tell you what you wanted to hear, rather than what their training and certifications has taught them. Shame on you for treating people the way you did, in front of your child. What an example to set.

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    The Reef Tattoo - tattoo - Updated May 2026

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