Read Street Tattoo Parlor

If you’re looking for a no-nonsense, “old school” tattoo shop, this is the place! Mike King, who did my mermaid tattoo (in the photo) is an experienced and truly talented artist who will work with whatever idea you have, to make your vision come to life. The fact that he rarely does color tattoos (usually just black-and-gray), and that this mermaid wasn’t even his drawing, but it came out so well, is a testament to that. Highly recommended! (Only thing is, they don’t do piercings, but they will refer you to places in the area that do, if you ask.)

Great first tattoo experience! I was tattooed by Mike and I could not have asked for a better artist. He was very patient and helpful with fine tuning the design I wanted. If it’s your first or 50th tattoo I recommend going here. It’s a welcoming and friendly shop and you can really tell that the people in there really love what they do. Not to mention the tattoo came out amazing! If I could give it more stars I would!

Mike King is an amazing artist and generally a really good person. This was my first tattoo and he was amazing to work with and I couldnt be happier with the tattoo. I will definitely go back when its time for another one!

Mike King is a consummate tattoo artist. Very professional and personable. It was good to connect with Mike on person level while he crafted my tattoo of deep meaning.

Been tattooed by by Mike and Emily. Friendly, and good art. I highly recommend.

Read street is spectacular. Their professionalism, friendliness, and work is outstanding. Mark took his time and worked with me in personalizing the design and color scheme with me( which was important because Im a black American). -* Tattoo is still healing

So today I unfortunately was scammed by someone on Instagram who portrayed themselves to be a tattoo artist. I paid a deposit and even confirmed an appointment with an individual who apparently has done this to several others. Little did the scammer know by giving me the address to this tattoo parlor they would be saving my day! Mike did an absolutely amazing job of doing everything he could to rectify this situation for me and even did this awesome tattoo for me! Please please if you are in the Baltimore area and looking to be tattooed by the best, visit Read Street Tattoo Parlor!

I walked-in to get my first tattoo and the process could not have made me feel more comfortable! The people were straightforward about costs and affirmed my choices with guidance about location of the tattoo. The shop was super clean, comfortable, and peaceful. My artist was super kind and walked me through aftercare thoroughly! Im very pleased with my first experience and hope I can come back for more tattoos in the future!

I came to Charlie and Read Street through the recommendation of a friend to get my first tattoo. I am BEYOND thankful that Charlie was the one I worked with for this! The whole process was fully collaborative and Charlie made sure that I was happy with everything at every step of the process.He never made me feel unsure or silly, and his attitude was exactly perfect to alleviate the nerves I had going in. He was personable and friendly and the 2-hour process was like hanging out with a friend... albeit with a little more ouch, haha.I just got done yesterday and am already ready for more!

I had my first tattoo done here as a walk-in on a Saturday afternoon. They had someone available immediately to do a tattoo for both me and my boyfriend. We got pretty small tattoos and they were both $100, which was kind of pricey, but worth it. At first, they wouldnt let my boyfriend come back and sit with me during the tattooing, but when we asked again they let him go back there with me. Mike did my tattoo and he was really nice and did a great job! I started to faint halfway through, and he and the girl up front were AMAZING. They had cold presses and lollipops and a table ready for me in an instant. I really appreciated how well they took care of me and I felt better right away. We were only in for about hour and then we were done. Make sure you bring cash though - its cash only (theres an ATM across the street though). Highly recommend!

They fit us in the same day, the lady behind the counter was super awesome and chill. Our artist, Mike, was just as awesome. He worked so well with my fiance and his first tattoo, and helped me with my third. If youre in the Balt. area, this place is a must for your first or your tenth.

Charlie and the rest of the team was great. Professional customer service, pleasant conversation, but most importantly clean environment. My tattoo was exactly what I asked for and adjustments to the design were handled with grace. Charlie is my new go-to guy.

Love my new tattoo. Charlie Foos did a great job. Im definitely going back for my next tattoo.

Had a cover up done by Violet. She did an amazing drawing and a perfect job of creating a piece that captured all I wanted. The pricing was very fair and she completed it quickly. Healing was better than expected and the quality is better than I could have hoped for. She is terrific and I will be back for more work. Thank you very much!

I decided (on a whim) to get my nose pierced. After calling around to almost every shop in Baltimore City,.. Read Street got the job done! I absolutely love this place and will most certainly be back! Thank you for making me feel welcome amidst a pandemic. :)

Ive been going for about 11 years or so. Mr. Foos is the man.

I went in to get my septum redone after having it pierced uneven in the wrong spot. Maria Mylnikov helped me out. She was awesome super professional, very knowledgeable, and did a great job. She informed me about the whole process as we went along. I felt comfortable there the whole time. I would definetly go back and get more things done here! Also some incredible artwork there too.

Mike was awful. Couldn’t tattoo a straight line.. my cross came out crooked and now looks like an “f”. It’s embarrassing to say I’m probably going to have to get this covered up since people keep pointing it out... Charlie is the only one who’s worth booking time with in my experience. I used to LOVE this place but have gotten more disappointed every time I send a friend there and now ruining a small my walk in. I apologize Charlie but I’m pretty pissed about this.

Alex is on his 8th(ish) hour of my back tattoo and it is ridiculous! I love everything about it!!! He is very professional and very talented. Best decision I have made in a long time. One more session and I am done! Check out his work - he is amazing!

I went there to get my sun tattoo colored and I absolutely loved the end result. It was 100x better than what I was expecting it to be. I forgot the artist name but he did an amazing job and he is very very nice. Made my nerves go away😊 the staff is also super friendly, I would definitely go again

Nipple piercings were accurately aligned, sterile utensils, and clean, modern, up-to-date surgical equipment at clean and sanitized environment. Great prices, ample care/aftercare jewelry and tools, and convenient jewelry change available. Recommendable!!! Emily is fast and great!!! Slight pain, but fast relief after piercing!!!

I got a simple outline drawing tattooed on my hip. Andy was my artist, he was very pleasant and adjusted his design at my request. Very talented and professional, ill definitely be back!

Ive been getting Tattoo work done at Read street since 2003. They are professionals of the trade, and I trust the Artists affiliated with their brand. I got my very first tattoo there, and when Im back in Baltimore, those are the people who come to my mind when I think about getting a tattoo. Im a little disappointed because I cant get the work that I want done this week before I go back on duty, and get on the road. They did have a slot available for my ladyfriend to get a few small pieces done, and thats kool. When a Tattoo parlor is full of appointments, its because theyre good at doing tattoos. Next time I come to town Im gonna have to schedule my appointment ahead of time. I would recommend Read street Tattoos to anyone who takes their body art seriously, who isnt looking to pay $30-$50 and expect to get huge peices of high quality work. Good work, cost good money, and Read streets prices are reasonable for those of us who understand showing appreciation to a quality Artist.

Alex is the man, and always does great work. I more so apt to letting the artist do their own thing with my idea and maybe add in some of my input. His work came out perfectly and I will be going back to see him again.

I have nothing but good things to write about Read Street Tattoo Parlor. I found the team over there to be professional, friendly, kind, and efficient. I enjoyed the parlor atmosphere (very clean, organized and thoughtfully designed), and their courteous business practices made a return patron out of me. The level of craftsmanship is very impressive. Charlie Foos is wonderful. Thanks for a great experience!Kendall

This is my 2nd trip to this tattoo parlor, I had an amazing experience both times.I had Mike redo an old faded tattoo and he turned it into a masterpiece from the faded mess I had.It has a cool atmosphere great staff, especially the receptionist she was so nice.This is the only tattoo shop Im going to have for the future, I strongly recommend this place and its artist.Its a very fair price for the work.

Best tattoo shop in the city! They did my last 3 tattoos and they turned out great. Theyre reasonable and theyll do their best to tattoo the exact design you want unlike other tattoo shops that try to convince you to get something that you really dont want.

Walked in with no appointment for my first tattoo. I only had a 20 minute wait, and finalized my tattoo (a text tattoo) with J Ranno, who was efficient, relaxed, and obviously very experienced. I was put at ease and my tattoo is healing nicely. The shop is very clean, which is a big plus.

Booked an appointment with them and forgot about the time. The receptionist said she left a message with me but I never received one. I called back to apologize and look for a way to reschedule to work with the shop. The receptionist was sassy and I no longer wanted to entrust the shop with such an important piece.

Got pierced here by Emily, who no longer works there. She used bars that were too short, too large a gauge, straight instead of bent, she put the left one in crooked, and stripped the threads on it. I had to go to another shop to get them removed (ever have a ball thats embedded under into your nipple with stripped threads removed? fun) and get proper jewelry. And big thanks to DeVille Ink at 5920 Eastern Ave...Josh got it all straightened out, except for the crooked hole, and only charged me for the new jewelry.I do see Emilys listed as a tattoo artist on another shops page, so maybe piercing isnt her full time gig?Anyway, if her work was bad, how much does it reflect on the shop? I dont know. I called the shop and let them know what was going on, though. They referred me to another shop since they no longer had a piercer. Did they offer to even look at it? Maybe a discount on future service? A (partial?) refund on her poor work? No. I dont know whats standard, but I would think theyd take more interest in the work that was performed under their name. Either way...for future piercings, Im going back to Josh at Deville.

Great welcoming atmosphere. Super talented staff!

Went for a eyebrow piercing both me and my husband and my sister in-law got a tongue piercing all the piercings we’re done by Maria she was awesome definitely coming back for more piercings she was clean professional and really down to earth great conversation all in all GREAT 1st time experience

Came in for an impromptu piece. The price was fair, the work was solid. Will likely be back.

Violet was informative, friendly, and professional, as was all the staff at Read Street. My tattoo looks better than I could have imagined, and I am very impressed with every part of my experience there.

Charlie Foos is a master of his craft! Great tattoos in a clean, professional and friendly environment. Highly recommended.

This studio is amazing, everyone was very friendly and super easy to talk to. i got a tattoo for a very reasonable price and because the experience was so good i am defiantly coming back for my next tats and i am very sure that i will only go 2 read street tattoo parlor exclusively from now on

Mike is incredible person and a talented artist. Definitely going to go here again in the future.

Charlie and his crew are the best in Baltimore. Ive had my last 4 tattoos with Charlie at Read St. and I will be back for more.

Got my first tattoo done here as a walk in. Super helpful and friendly staff, they were very patient with me which I was super thankful for. I highly recommend stopping in for a visit.

I called around, i read reviews on different places that do tattoos, i shaw this tattoo store on the corner just passing through down town Baltimore, iam sooo happy i choosed this place omg its beautiful just beautiful, clean like omg you wouldnt think it look like a museum inside,the floors r to die for,the rest room is beautiful, the customer service is outstanding, i promise you go here for service you wont go anywhere else,the price was right,i had a budget an they worked with my budget an my tattoo once she finished was just beautiful....i will be going back...

Not a bad place to get a tattoo. The staff are friendly and helpful. Prices are somewhat pricey, but if you want a very good quality tattoo then this is the place to go.

Mike was great. Very knowledgeable about his craft.

Love this place. Everyone is super friendly and helpful and the artists are very talented.

Came in for their flash sale today on Halloween and got pretty shittily done knife, its crooked and really embarrassing. Just save yourself the time and go somewhere with better artists.

I called and asked for a specific piece of jewelry, the guy said yes come I have it. I get there and the guy went home and nobody else could help me. It was now 9pm and everywhere else was closed.

Everything I have gotten there (25 tattoos) has been outstanding, especially the ten done by Violet Fivel.

Had my septum pierced the other day. was the easiest, painless, quickest piercing ive gotten! thank you so much emily!

It was a great experience and a job well done! Tattoo is still looking amazing 8 years later!

Great service will be getting more work done here soon

Walked in, got my first one. Nothing but good vibes. Andy was great.

I got two tats so far. Great Atmosphere Good People. I shall be back🤘🏿

My favorite tattoo place. Great and super talented artists. Will always go back for my next tattoo.

I went to Joe for a tattoo and he did such an amazing job. Will definitely go back for another!!

Amazing work, Charlies the man..

Was hot and no cold water and kinda questionable bathroom. Restroom is Not for ladies lol but cool staffand reasonable prices

Talented artists and fair pricing and great atmosphere. Joe did mine and he did a great job.

Mike Kohler was Fantastic! Everyone at Read Street was really great!

Awesome clean shop always overflowing with talent. Ive been going there for over 10 years

Been going here for years and have moved from an artist to another, after she left, with still amazing results.

Awesome place, talked me through my first tattoo and they donated to animal causes.

Andy was awesome. Cant wait to go back!

Charlie foos does excellent work

Great work and decently priced..

Very professional and friendly staff. Highly recommend for tattoos or piercings.

I was a walk-in. They were quick and the work was good. No complaints at all!

Great place. High quality. Good deals. Friendly staff. Clean. Creative. Nice.

Ryan is amazing... won’t go anywhere else

Difficult to find. staff could use some training on interaction with customers.

Love me some Charlie Foos!!!

Great artists for amazing traditional style tattoos

Amazing people and great work!

Clean studio providing quality work.

Halloween flash.. Discounted price for holiday

My experience here was subpar at best.

Great experience and awesome work

With you for life - charlie foos

Great art

Good work

They were very professional

Just set my appointment!!

Great atmosphere great people

Great customer service

Charlie is the BEST!

Excellent work!!!

Very professional.

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Awesome staff!!!!!!!

Excellent work