Boston Tattoo Company - Somerville

Marina is an absolute angel. They are so warm and gentle and kind; understanding that piercings can be scary and painful! They foster a positive environment and you never feel rushed or silly as you often can getting piercings and tattoos. The jewelry selection is beautiful and highly curated, although pricey, they are truly investment pieces. The space is clean and inviting and theyre always playing good music. Marina has taken such good care of me throughout my ear stacking journey as well as my sweet mom who just got her nose ring put in and is obsessed. Definitely book with Marina at the Davis location asap!

I had my first tattoo done 2 days ago at BTC in Davis Square. It was a great experience - highly recommend this shop. I have been coming here for years for piercings of all kinds, and I continue to come back because the shop is clean, professional, and funky (side note - I have learned it is ALWAYS worth it to pay a little bit extra for a high quality shop - dont skimp in a place where they are using needles on your body).Naturally BTC was my #1 choice for my first tattoo. I met with Edward Boesch for a consultation. The consultation was reassuring and helped me feel comfortable and ready. I got the tattoo a few days later (very easy to schedule), and Edward was a delightful person to spend 3 hours with! He was kind, calm, and friendly. He did a hell of a job! He made sure to check how I was doing often during, and offered some breaks in between. The picture is the one he took right after the tattoo of a ~5 inch flower on the center of my back. Im excited to see how it looks after it heals!

Recently got a great tattoo from Hail! They were fantastic to work with, I sent in my idea, they got back to me quickly, told me the price and were able to see me in a week. When I arrived, they had already printed out a design of my tattoo and we talked about sizing. It turned out fantastic! They were also very kind and gentle, which was great for me because Im a scaredy cat for needles. Great conversation while I was getting it done as well. I highly recommend Hail!

Came in for a jewelry change because my original pricing jewelry was too loose and causing irritation. Everyone was so kind and welcoming! The shop was clean and well laid out, the rooms were very private without feeling small, and the waiting area was bright and comfortable. It’s rare that I only see fem/female staff in a tattoo shop, but in the day I went in I only saw women - it was amazing how instantly safe I felt in the space.The piercer walked me through my options and showed me what she had that matched my style and taste, I’m very happy with the new jewelry. They have a beautiful selection there and we talked a bit about her ordering process and custom curations. She was so gentile when changing out the piercing, despite it being irritated. She paused whenever I needed it and made sure I was ready to continue before starting again.I’m so glad I went and I will definitely return!

Saw Marina for two spontaneous helix piercings this week. She was awesome, professional and quick! Honestly the best piercing experience I’ve had, and definitely the most professional place I’ve been too. Will definitely be back for more ✨💚

I saw an absolutely incredible artist Cheddahcookietattoo. She was incredibly accommodating and considerate. This was my 4th tattoo and she did such an amazing job. It’s a wrap around ankle piece and it took 4 1/2 hours. She made sure I was comfortable the whole time, walked me through every step of the process and almost entirely free handed what is now my absolute favorite piece. This artist is well worth building a relationship with. Her personal style is super cool and I recommend checking out her flash!

Brought my mother in to get her ears pierced for mothers day. Marina was delightful and explained every step, I appreciated her gentle demeanor. Everything is comfortable and extremely clean.

I had a wonderful experience at The Boston Tattoo Company. My artist, Alicia Thomas, was very responsive when I initially reached out to her for two small arm pieces I was interested in getting done. I e-mailed her the concepts and she drew them out for me, and despite both our busy schedules we finally set up appointment. She is just as nice in person! I was there for two hours and she completed both of my tattoos. I couldnt be happier with them! I 100% recommend this tattoo shop and specifically Alicia Thomas. I cant wait to for her to finish my sleeve!

I got my ears pierced with Marina. She was excellent, very comforting, super kind, and really knowledgeable.

Had a great experience here! I called asking if they accepted walk ins, which they did not, but they managed to get me in within a couple of days which was so great. Eddie did our tattoos, and he was so calming, conversational and did great work. The shop itself had a great vibe, it was clean and very well decorated. 10/10 would reccomend!

Went there for the 1st time to get a tattoo from a guest artist. The place was clean the vibe hip and staff where friendly. The guest artist from Mexico was great and Im looking forward to her return to Boston. Only critique the table for the client to lay could be more comfortable and perhaps water n snacks for the clients.

I just had a pleasant appointment with Leslie. I found her to be knowledgeable, friendly and approachable, while maintaining professionalism. I needed some old jewelry changed (shorter bar for tragus and new ring for forward helix) and I loved the small but interesting jewelry selection on offer; sadly, Im on a budget. I will get my pennies sorted and be back to see her, for sure! I would recommend her for any of your piercing services/needs.

Leslie is the best!!!! The whole experience was comfortable from start to finish. I came in with a vision and she made it happen! I got 3 ear piercings (2 lobe + faux rook) in one sitting, and barely felt them. The jewelry selection is great, and they had a ton of cute, dainty, gold jewelry (+ some hand-crafted options) that matched exactly what I wanted. I felt like they had the best intentions for me and gave me true professional opinions based on what I asked for. Will definitely come here again!!

Came in to get a new septum ring. Brian was friendly and efficient - I was still in and out within 10-15 minutes. The fee for his service was very reasonable. The jewelry piece itself was admittedly more than I expected ($260 for 14k rose gold, hammered 3/8 ring). However, I wanted to get something high quality and subtle. It does seem like they have a decent variety of rings, so Im sure someone can find something in their price range. Very responsive staff, *love* the ability to book online, and they accept credit cards. Professional, clean, and modern place.

I walked in to the Boston Tattoo Company to get both an industrial and tragus piercing done. A friend of mine recently got her septum pierced and recommended this place to me. The man at the front desk said he isnt sure if I could get both because its technically 3 piercings, which is a lot. That alone left a good impression on me - it showed that they care about their customers. Ive had bad luck with piercers before so Im always a little weary. It ended up being doable and I was able to pick out a jewelry piece for my tragus. The price was a little expensive than what I was used to (in fact it was double what I was expecting), however since I had bad piercings that didnt heal properly in the past from a mall piercing store, I absolutely did not mind paying a little extra for someone who knows what they are doing. The piercing process was done very professionally and quick. The industrial hurt like hell, but the tragus was nice and easy. I am very happy with the results! Highly recommend!

I had a great experience with Marina. I will definitely be back and make another appointment with her. Kind, made conversation that distracted me, just very good overall!

I came here for my first tattoo and Cheddar (Chelsea, Cheddar, or Cookie) was wonderful! She was really reassuring and I ended up with exactly the tattoo I wanted. The staff is friendly, and the shop is clean and reasonably priced. I recommend coming here!

Y’all absolutely killed it! From accommodating my last minute appointment request to Milo’s laser precision. Everyone I spoke to was amazingly professional and kind. 10/10

I had a great experience both times I visited BTC in Somerville. The shop was clean, the staff was friendly and accommodating, and service was always fast and efficient. My first appointment was great, the piercer and his assistant were very accommodating and listened to my concerns. They were very patient with me and let me sit a few minutes afterwards to make sure I was ok! When one of my piercings accidentally came out a few months later, I booked a consultative appointment as soon as I could to have it put back in by a professional. The piercer was patient and accommodating, and even double checked that I had ate that day before proceeding with the replacement. She gave recommendations as to avoid this issue in the future, and while she did not do my initial piercings, she was just as patient and accommodating as the first time. I have not gotten tattoos here before, but I highly recommend their piercing services!

I got my septum pierced here by Joe, after snagging a same day appointment slot. I was nervous, but the whole thing was so chill and I was surprised at how quick and easy Joe made it seem. It felt professional, smooth, and sanitary, and it honestly hurt less than when I got my earlobes pierced elsewhere a few years back. I couldnt have asked for a more pleasant septum piercing experience.

I had a great experience with Alicia Thomas. I first reached out to her in August 2019 with some rough ideas around what I was hoping to get. She had me come in for a consultation in early September, through which she was very patient with my lack of knowledge around the tattoo process (as a first-timer). I paid a deposit and scheduled my appointment for early 2020, and was happy to learn that she had a cancellation that allowed me to move up my appointment (late Nov 2019).On the day-of, she was very kind and professional. Because my tattoo design was roughly inspired by my wedding henna (and I had asked her to design something that echoes the original without replicating it), she gave me a few different options to select from. I asked her to combine elements and make revisions on the design - not once, but twice - and was very happy with the final result. She then placed it on my arm and we made some tweaks yet again before she got to work.Throughout the actual tattooing process, she was gentle but efficient! Breaks were taken when needed but the light chit chat, her speed of work and overall pleasant environment made the painful parts go pretty quickly. She then gave me thorough information on my aftercare, and responded extremely quickly to an aftercare question I had a few weeks later.The tattoo has healed up nicely, and the end-to-end experience with Alicia was fantastic. Her passion for her work was evident, and Im grateful she was willing to channel it towards my piece!

I had a horrible experience on September 9 with the previous piercer Joe. My friend and I came in looking to replace the current nose jewelry we had and we were completely mislead on the jewelry we had purchased. The Jewlery gave me an irritation bump that did not go away until I changed it for a better Jewlery style. I called to have the issue be resolved but Marina insisted for me to come into the store to help me resolve the issue. To which she did not help resolve the issue and basically wasted my time. They were not considerate of my experience and did not offer me any options on how to resolve my problem. I won’t suggest this place to anyone else and I will not be coming back. I was a previous loyal customer as well and I’m extremely disappointed with the staff.

I came in for a sort of spur of the moment daith piercing. Marina was super helpful, disarming, and professional!

Overall: Fair service, poor stud selection for piercingUpdate: Piercing hasnt healed in over two months, which isnt truly their fault. Sadly, the studs are nearly impossible to re-insert since the post is way too thick and also insert from the back of the ear. My friends found this style of stud bizarre. Would recommend finding a place with studs that actually usable.I just want to preface this review by saying that this was my first piercing (both lobes), so this is my only reference for piercing shops. I really dont like giving bad reviews, so Im happy to revise the review if these points arent well-founded.The piercing itself was super quick, and the piercer was friendly. Its been about 2 months, and the healing process hasnt had any major issues. Still some pus from the piercing so Im waiting for it to fully heal.Phone service - Poor experience over the phone. Asked about the stud selection and pricing, and I could tell that the person on the other end really didnt want to talk. He just repeated that it varies a lot, so I didnt come away with any useful info.Piercing placement - The piercing placement was just as he had marked, but one of the holes isnt perpendicular to the lobe so it is slightly upturned at an angle compared to the other ear. Not the biggest deal since ears arent flat surfaces anyways.Piercing selection - This was my biggest gripe and potentially the least fair critique in this review. When I came in, they didnt have any black studs, which I felt was a standard option to have. They only had a half display case of other studs, so I just went with a brown color. I felt bad about walking away just because I was being picky, and I also didnt want to have to wait two weeks for another appointment when they might still not have what I wanted.Studs - The studs themselves arent great. They are pretty long compared to the thickness of my earlobe, and they have flat back caps. The result is that they get caught all the time on stuff, which is kinda painful and definitely impacts the healing process. Wasnt really aware of the these issues when picking the studs, so just be wary of this.The service overall was fine, and my biggest issues were with the studs themselves. Unfortunately, when that makes up at least 2/3 of the total cost, its going to make a significant impact on the experience and the review.

I called Boston Tattoo Company yesterday because I was worried an piercing I got 9 weeks ago from a different piercing place (the pop-up in Seaport... you know the one) was infected. I was embarrassed to have to call because I knew by that point that that pop-up is not a reputable place to get pierced, and I very much regretted that decision. I asked if it would be possible for them to look at it, and the woman on the phone could not have been nicer. I was able to make an appointment for that evening, and Brian met with me and took a look at the ear piercing. Brian truly could not have been kinder. He really had no reason to be - I had gotten pierced elsewhere, and now he was having to deal with the ramifications. Yet he was understanding, he did not shame me (though I deserved to be), and helped me figure out a plan of action for getting my piercing to better health. He was incredibly knowledgeable and patient; he answered every one of my questions and did not make me feel rushed. He also did not even attempt to sell me anything, despite the fact that I probably would have bought anything to make my ear better. Truly a class-act! I will absolutely be coming here in the future for any piercings, and I have already recommended to my friend that she come here. Brian was kind, professional, and knowledgeable, and I should have come here in the first place. If you are thinking about that pop-up in Seaport... come here instead. I could not have asked for a better experience.

I had a tattoo appointment originally scheduled for January 2022, and had to reschedule due to COVID issues. The shop was really helpful reaching out and getting me rebooked for March.My appointment with Deanna was great! The shop is easy to find and the folks there were kind and friendly and super helpful. I arrived early and was able to replace my nose piercing that I’d lost the night before while waiting for my tattoo appointment.Deanna was fabulous, I’ve admired her work for quite a while and I’m so excited to have her work on me. She was quick and careful, let me stop for stretches and explained the aftercare for the tattoo super clearly. Really really good experience. I also ended up having to message her the morning after as the saniderm had started to come off, and she was super responsive and helpful.Overall, really great experience and hopefully will be back soon!!

Dont even bother with this place, its overpriced and trendy garbage. Not even worth the hassle, especially for piercings.

I am not into piercings and only have my ear lobes done - so when I went in I stated that I was a little nervous and looking for more information. The process was very transactional - I did not find the staff or piercer that friendly. I was in and out and just felt I was talked down to. I was also disapointed to find out that they did not provide their customers with saline solution for the piercing. Like i mentioned, I am not familiar with piercings but I felt a $40 piercing fee was a little high. Overall, I did find this place clean and efficient just not personal.

I went in for my first tattoo. I worked with Alicia on my design and came in for my first appointment. The store was clean and everyone was friendly and professional. While getting my tattoo my partner decided to finally get a septum piercing, and they were able to get a walk-in appointment alright away.My tattoo is healing really well, and I am excited to go back and get the rest of it filled in. I definitely recommend going to Boston Tattoo company if youre interested in getting a tattoo or a piercing. Its a clean and safe environment and it was a great experience.

I’ve been to Boston tattoo company multiple times at both Somerville and Medford. Recently I got a tattoo in Somerville and it was genuinely the worst experience I have had with an artist. I went with my partner to get matching tattoos and the end results look drastically different, which is really disappointing because they were supposed to be really special and now they’re just a sad reminder of this horrible experience. To start, the tatto was literally three lines and somehow the two tattoos look different. They tattoos both vary in thickness, mine looking very thick and my partners looking thin. The artist showed up 20 minutes pst our scheduled appointment time and then we waited another 30 for them to set up, which is completely fine and expected. When we finally went to his room for the tattoo he placed the stencil on my partner and said we needed to let it dry and then left us alone for another 15ish minutes while he went to get coffee. My tattoo is completely blown out and the ink spread and also extremely faded somehow? I have multiple tattoos, and every artist I go to says I heal them well, so I know this wasn’t for my lack of applying aquaphor after the tattoo. The tattoo quality itself is horrible. I’ve had some really great tattoos done at BTC (and if I was based off those I would give them a 5 star, but based solely of this appointment and interaction I have to give them a 2/5), but after this I can’t go back because it was truly so uncomfortable and such a let down.

I had two tattoo sessions with Deanna and they were amazing. The environment was comfortable, with lovely spooky/nerdy decor and great music.Deanna’s work is gorgeous and I couldn’t be happier with it. The line work and shading are both just right. On top of that, Deanna gave me great care instructions and extra Saniderm so the tattoo healed quickly and safely.I have no doubt that I’ll be going back to Deanna for more tattoos.

About 3 years ago Brian pierced my septum and that alone was such a wonderful, comfortable experience. It healed perfectly and never had issues with it.A little less then a month about I got bit in the face by a dog and as a result, had to take it out. I went back here and luckily Brian was the piercer available. He was just as kind as I remembered and was helpful in explaining my options depending on the condition my nose would be. We ended up just “stretching” my septum since it didn’t completely close. Even tho it was a little bit unpleasant I’m glad he was the one handling it.Great to have a local place with consistent, great service.

I got a tattoo with Andres and I had a great experience with both the artist and Mike at the front desk. They’re kind and straight forward about everything. Andres is a phenomenal artist, made a real piece of art out of a cover up request. The tattoo healed in NO TIME (10 days), and I work a job where I stand, run around and lift things for 8 hours every day. 1000% recommended.

Deanna has such talent and grace. I am beyond in love with the quality of work she tattooed and am impressed at how well she oriented this piece among my other tattoos! Not to mention she was a delight to chat with! The style is exactly what I wanted & the detail she put in is stunning. Cannot wait to return to her for my next piece!

I love this place. Got two tattoos (including my first) and piercings here. Very professional but still a super chill and kind environment. I worked with 3 different members of staff and all of them were super insightful and knowledgeable. Always will be my top option.

Deanna tattooed me and my buddy Lou (and has for over a year)- she helped us flesh out a rad design, and has single-handedly produced the coolest sleeve I’ve ever seen (with one feature). It was a great experience, she’s super chill to talk to and her work speaks for itself, but I’ll still talk about it the designs she helps flesh out are unreal. Fantastic experience, very professional, excellent work.

I had an appointment with Jake. He was super chill, made me feel so comfortable and took his time listening to me and designing the perfect tattoo. During the whole process he kept checking if I was doing fine. Was so happy with the results and definitely made another appointment with him before leaving.

I’ve been tattooed by Sarah, and I have been pierced by Brian. Sarah is super cool and a great artist. She does great work and is super fun to work with. When I am tattooed by her, she is always making me feel as comfortable as possible throughout the entire experience. You can definitely tell she enjoys tattooing her clients.Brian gave me three piercings in total: an anti-tragus and a faux snug. He was really helpful in assessing what would work best for my anatomy as well as finding jewelry that worked for me. His station was clean and organized. Like Sarah, he made me feel safe and comfortable and checked on me several times. The piercings look great, and my faux snug looks like one singular barbell. He seems like a calm person which makes a painful experience as easy as possible.When I’ve been in the shop, the other artists I have seen in passing always seem to be kind and in high spirits. Every time I visit, I can always sense the good vibes. If you’re looking for a tattoo or piercing, hit up Sarah and Brian. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

I’ve gone to Deanna for almost all of my tattoos and love every single one. She is so talented and her work is always amazing! I have another appointment in June! I recommend booking soon!

Customer service is awful, first consult appointment I had with Irina I drove over an hour to see her, she cancelled on me 5 minutes before the scheduled appointment. When we rescheduled the appointment and had our consultation I felt very rushed, although I liked her work so I set up 2 tattoo appointments for June and July. About a week ago I had found out I was moving out of state and needed to cancel both appointments, I was told I would be getting both of my deposits back. I still have not seen a dollar and the man I spoke to was very, very rude about it. Absolutely awful business.

I worked with Ishraki and I must say it was the best tattoo experience I’ve had so far. Ishraki had amazing communication and went over every detail of the tattoo. Made sure it was what i wanted and that it would also look good when healed. I got a new favorite tattoo now!!!

The last two interactions Ive had with employees of this location include watching a Jeep near miss of a pedestrian with a stroller, and being turned away at the door looking for jewelry they no longer sell as its out of style recommending me to go to another local shop. So, not paying attention to detail when it matters, and not selling wares. Sure, I will go to another shop, good recommendation.

Worst experience ever will never come back to this location very unprofessional service the artist Edward Boesch is very unsure with himself he will speak with you via social media see your artwork/ idea say he can do it schedule a consultation with you have you meet him to view the area you want to get tatted ..have you pay a deposit set a date and doesn’t even reach out to you the day of to communicate so you end up doing so ..once you arrive this guy doesn’t have anything prepared and has you wait for 20 minutes then he begins questioning your whole idea next thing you know this guy is being rude towards you and saying “I can easily just say no to doing this tatt yo” and I spent like 2 hours and all he did was complain and did the test lay of the artwork just to tell the front desk lady just refund him I’m not doing this job and tried to make me think he’s doing me a favor by giving my money back when everyone knows if you cancel a job and not the customer you have to refund them ..the worst thing out of all this was him telling me my idea doesn’t match HIS vision in his mind NO ONE SHOULD BE COMING HERE IM VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!!

Had a wonderful time, Brian did my bridge (Ive had it years before, but it fell out and closed before I could replace it). He was very friendly and he kept me comfortable and chatting as he took care of it. I will definitely go back there again to get things done, and may even ask them to do my next tattoo. Keep up the good work!

Got a tattoo from Alicia yesterday and she was awesome! I did a piece from her flash with a few modifications, and the way she made the changes looked awesome! She was timely, friendly, and clearly very skilled at tattooing, and I love my piece. Will definitely be looking into getting another tattoo from her.

I made an appointment for two people, which was accepted by the piercer. Yet, when I showed up and said both of us were going to get something, he acted like he didn’t read my appointment request that he accepted. Additionally, I am well aware that the shop isn’t selling “cheap” jewelry, but I mentioned wanting the cheapest piece of jewelry, as it was a lobe piercing that I’ve had done before that will heal quickly, and the piercer seemed upset that I asked for the cheaper option. Overall, I am not impressed with this shop for piercing. If you don’t want to pay $100+ for one piece, this isn’t the place for you.

I absolutely love this tattoo shop! I had both of these tattoos done by Arran V., I love his work and he made both tattoo experiences GREAT. Arran made sure I was comfortable and made sure I took breaks if I needed to.I also had some piercings swapped out by Joe, who also did an amazing job! He was so helpful with picking out jewelry that would fit what I was looking for best. He made the process quick and easy which I loved!I definitely recommend this tattoo shop for tattoos and piercings! Everyone who works here is so nice and happy to answer any questions you have. Also their prices are very reasonable and totally worth the product you get!!

Had a great experience getting my ears pierced for the first time here.Joseph was very nice and calming, telling me everything he was going to do before doing it. He placed the piercings well, asking me to confirm exact location before piercing.The piercings have been healing well, with no signs of infection or irritation.

I love Boston Tattoo Company for their piercings but I wouldn’t recommend getting tattoos here. Extremely overpriced. I got a >2 inch black line work (three little hearts) and they charged $120 when we were told the minimum was $60. My sister was paying and she was talking about it’s her first tattoo and I honestly believed they took advantage of her. I wish she had told me how much before we left the shop because there is no possible way that what I got was worth $120 plus a 20% tip. You live and learn but I definitely wouldn’t recommend getting tattooed here and I for sure will not be returning.

I was a little hesitant about going here to get a piercing because of some of the reviews, but I had a really great experience. I like that you can walk in and dont need an appointment. The workers were really nice and answered all my questions, but you do have to speak up if you have questions. The only downside was that the selection of earrings was limited, but this was because a new store recently opened and they split up the merchandise between this one and the new one. I had Joe, he was nice, professional, and the piercing was quick and painless.Im editing this because I just got my earring re-sized today. The switch of the earring post was super quick and painless, but Im not happy because they charge almost $20 to switch out the post. Ive been to other piercing parlors that dont charge for this. I will never go back here to get the earring post changed out because i think its absurd to charge that much for something so small when the piercing itself is fairly expensive.

Ive had four piercings done by Brian - two helixes, a conch and a nostril (somehow the nostril piercing didnt even hurt - he is so good at placement and working precisely and efficiently). Brian is so professional and kind - and he and Joe are APP certified, which means theyre the real deal and do continuing ed on their practices. The shop is always super clean, with sterile jewelry and technique. Brian has also happily done jewelry changes on piercings he didnt even do on me. Really gorgeous and classy-but-still-alternative jewelry selection, too. This is the spot if you want any kind of piercing - accept nothing less!

JAKE is amazing!! I havent gotten a tatt in years. I was a bit nervous. He made me feel comfortable kept checking on me to make sure I was good. Got a forearm tatt and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. He added some of his ideas which i loved. The store is clean, everyone is professional and welcoming. Im very happy with his work and will be going back for more in the coming weeks.

Dee has been tattooing me for a little over a year and a half now. Every time I go see her, I give her an idea and she turns it into an absolute dream.She’s speedy with amazing line quality and I’m always stoked about the final product. She’s always super professional about her work and she’s such a delight to talk with. I’d give more than five stars if I could, I love being her regular.

Went to the Somerville shop for the first time today to get a new stud for my nose. Staff was super friendly when I went in and set me up with the piercer to better help me find what I needed. Joe, the piercer, was super sweet and personable. He helped me find what I wanted and offered to take a look at one of my other piercings that had recently started bleeding. He was SO informative and helpful, I learned so many new things about the negative effects of the jewelry I was wearing and the damage it could do in the long run. He swapped out my nose jewelry and gave me advice on how to heal my other piercing. The jewelry wasnt too expensive either which was a huge plus. Also, it was super convenient that they offer Venmo for tips because I never have cash on me. Ill definitely be back for future piercings and such!

The last time I went for a consult here, Deanna spent five minutes with me. I went ahead and got the tattoo, which was mediocre. I had to wait 20 minutes for her to finally come get me. Today, I was seven minutes late because I could not figure out the parking machine. She refused to see me. I had already sent her photos, so it wouldn’t have taken but a few minutes. I had traveled 40 minutes and taken a day off work. How entitled is that?

Alicia Thomas rocks. Amazing artist. Patient, caring communicator. Great listener. What more can you ask for?I recently had my first tattoo done -the whole experience was great. I already have my next appointment booked.

I went and got my septum pierced by piercer Dustin. Hes such a nice guy and did an amazing job. My septum came out perfect. Next time I go there I will definitely want to get pierced by him. Hes amazing and the boston tattoo company is also amazing. Everyone is so nice and the jewelry is top notch. Dustin is such a great great piercer and hes so amazing. I definitely will go there again and would love to get pierced by him again.

*for piercing only*I went to this place to reopen my piercing holes. While they did reopen my holes and everything went fine from a service perspective, there are 3 things I really didnt appreciate here:- the lady at the front desk was not sympathetic or helpful at all. I really felt like I was bothering her, and the place wasnt even that busy when I came in.- there is no clarity on what you pay - she made me pick a jewelry piece, and then blurted out a (high) price. Once she clarified that I had picked one of the most expensive piece, she showed me to the cheaper ones. It would be nice to know in advance how much the actualy piercing costs, etc.- while they claim that for piercings, its first come, first serve, I was the FIRST customer in and got took care of LAST. In fact, the last people to arrive got their piercings first, then they served the woman that came right after me, and then finally myself. I waited over 40 minutes!!I do NOT recommend this place for piercings.

I got my second tattoo at Boston Tattoo Company yesterday, and I couldnt be happier. I ended up having an appointment with Johnny Jinx. I was lucky to have walked in on the day that he was there. I previously had an appointment with Roz, who did awesome, and I trusted that whoever did my next tattoo would do great too. Jinx did an awesome job! I came in with a really simple picture (basically clip art) of what I wanted, and he hit his sketch pad drawing something up. I was told that he had been doing a lot of bigger pieces, and was eager to do a smaller piece for me. Regardless of how big the tattoo is, this guy nailed it. The end result was more than I could have ever imagined on my own, there is so much more detail in the small tattoo than I thought could be. I am very happy that I had the chance to work with him, and if he guest spots in the shop again, I would encourage anyone to try booking with him, hes a great artist. I wont be going to any other shop in the city from now on.

Went in to change my conch jewelry and add a hoop to my lobe. The studio was immaculate, and Brian was professional, helpful and very kind. I felt welcome and will definitely be going back for upcoming piercings!

I traveled all the way from Nantucket having made my appointment months in advance for a tattoo with Dave- i waited for about 30 minutes until another staff member notified me that dave “would not be coming in that day”. i am extremely dissatisfied with this experience and encourage others to take their business elsewhere.

I was a little nervous getting my first cartilage piercing, and received a recommendation to go to BTC by a friend (who recommended Brian). Brian wasnt in, so Joe Juliano did my piercing, and it couldnt have been a more positive experience. Thank you Joe! The business is incredibly professional and well run and clean, and everyone was able to immediately answer any and all questions above and beyond. Joe was no exception and was also amazing at keeping me calm, amused and distracted so I couldnt worry too much. He did a phenomenal job, and I have had zero problems with it. Cant recommend Boston Tattoo Company or Joe enough!

For our recent trip to Boston, my wife and I were looking to get a tattoo done. After research and a referral, we came across Boston Tattoo Co. Our trip was about a month out and after seeing Alicias work online, I was completely blown away. She was unfortunately booked out for a few months.My wife wanted something small, so she opted to do a walk in and I was hoping to chat with Alicia to set up a future tattoo someday. She completely made my day when she offered to come in the next day before the shop opened...on her day off!! She sent me drawings that same night and the next morning I received an incredible and original tattoo.The shop was great but Alicia made it stand out. I absolutely cannot wait to get my next tattoo from her.

Really take care and make sure your piercing is perfect! piercing itself is around ~40 but the jewelry is pretty expensive. I paid $85 to get my septum done.

Came to BTC for a septum and cartilage piercing. Marina was so efficient, knowledgeable, and kind! 10/10 as always.

Short wait for a cartilage piercing with Brian. This is my second piercing with him, and I have had good experiences both times. He tends to leave a bit before they close, so its good to call and double check that hell be there. They take walk-ins only for piercings.

Ive had a total of 5 cartilage piercings done here in two visits by each of the piercers. My inner helix piercings are not symmetrical. I only have three because they only do three piercings at a time I believe, and I’ve decided not to get the fourth as there is not enough room under the lone one. Its basically in the middle of where the other two are.My last qualm is that they didn’t tell me that I should take precautions with my outer helix piercings to not put any pressure on them when I’m sleeping, otherwise I could develop hypertrophic scarring. Thus, I am left with two unsightly lumps at the sites of the piercings. I had to remove one of the piercings entirely as the lump had grown to a point that I could not wear the earring anymore. My mistake for not doing researching? You tell me. But I feel like I should’ve been warned. Waste of time and money. I came here as it was one of the cheaper options. Huge mistake. I’m going to have surgery to remove the two scars. I just wanted to have nice piercings and I was left with a hot mess that I’ll have to spend even more time and money fixing. Just do your research and don’t go for the cheap options unless you expect nothing. Maybe for a lobe piercing.

Been here twice, and was tattooed by Mike each time. Overall an awesome experience, everyone is very friendly. In terms of the tattoo quality, Mike did an amazing job. The only downside is that the place is a little pricey, but I’d rather get a quality piece that I pay more for than a cheaper one that’s bad. I definitely recommend this place though, I’m for sure going to go back for a 3rd time in the future.

Absolutely love this place! Desk people are super nice. Youre never rushed. I get stuff done by Nick and he is an amazing artist. Takes his time to make sure its what you want and that it comes out perfectly. Definitely would recommend (and have).

I went in to get my Industrial pierced by Brian at the Somerville location and was blown away with the service. Brian was so polite and so funny and it made me feel a lot better because I was so nervous at first! He explained everything through and though and gave me a pamphlet for aftercare and everything. It was definitely expensive but for the amazing service and how fantastic the final product is I say theyre worth every penny.

Ive gotten both of my tattoos done here, one with Matt (who had left by the time I came back for my second) and Mitch. Both times I got walk-in appointments, and both times I came with a black and white design. I even had the second one done the same day I came in.I went with Mitch for my second after browsing through the artist portfolios and liking Mitchs portraits and greyscale shading. I had a specific design in mind and references with me, and Mitch was very patient with me tweaking little things here to match what I was looking for. One of the references had to be scanned and resized, and it still came out in high resolution. He never got impatient with me and my suggestions, which I think helped the final product come out so well.Mitch was also great with the tattooing itself. My design had a lot of shading and fine, irregular detail, and he nailed it. I never expected it to come out as well as it did. We also had a good time talking about all kinds of stuff while he was laying down the ink.Im no tattoo expert but Im a fan of this shop and will be back if/when its time for the next one.

Alicia did my very first was tattoo yesterday. She was very patient, thorough, and wicked talented. Every time I thought that she was finished, she added another detail that made my tatt really come to life! I cannot recommend Alicia Thomas highly enough. Shes the best!

My husband and I had our ears pierced today by Brian at the Somerville location and the experience was A+. He was very helpful and professional and eased our tensions about getting several piercings in one sitting. I barely felt a thing. Thanks Brian!

Very friendly & gentle when changing my peirceings that were still soar bc I had my first eyebrow peirceing & left nose done @ Saugus mall then I went to Boston Tattoo Company & had the 2 eyebrow peirceing done 3 months ago & I finally had all 4 changed @ once. Ill show a before pic after having all done & how bruised I was from the mall & todays! What a difference! Thanks for the awesome job ❤💯

Honestly, I’m pretty disappointed that I’m even having to write this. I thought I finally found an artist that I would dedicate myself to. I had seen the same artist twice, and during the second time I felt weird, like the work I wanted done wasn’t good enough for him… I shrugged it off because I do really love his work. When I booked my next appt, I made the $100 deposit as requested. I emailed a few weeks before asking for a consult appt beforehand, as well as the date and time again. I never got a reply. So I get a reminder 24 hours in advance to when the appt was. When I called to reschedule because I didn’t have a consult and didn’t feel ready, I lost the deposit… even though they didn’t reply.Guess I have to start looking elsewhere.While I could have called for the consult and appt time, and I did no show to the consult appt they scheduled after I lost my deposit, I just can’t spend the time and money with someone who will make me feel like my work is worth it to them, and a business who will actually respond when you inquire about your appt.

I was tattooed by Joe and it was a great experience. It was my first tattoo, but he calmed my nerves a ton. I also had a very specific idea of what I wanted, it was a specific picture of that a friend had drawn, and he wouldnt stop re-sketching and positioning it until it was perfect. Thanks so much for the amazing tattoo!!

Pretty disappointed. Came from out-of town this weekend and did some research on the place ahead of time. Sent multiple emails and had to call to ask if they even received it. Since my boyfriend and I were coming from out of state we gave more than a months notice about getting in. We arrived extremely early today and upon arrival we were notified one of the artists we scheduled with was not tattooing due to an injury and instead we were seeing their relative, I understand things like this can happen however a phone call would have been appropriate as we had no clue as to what his work looked like. My artist was not even there and I too was thrown to this artist. Since we sent images ahead of time we were hoping to see something prepared. Again this was not the case and had to wait for something to be drawn up. The artist drew both tattoos up and were ok but could have been a lot better. Once my tattoo was finished I regret having it done, and my boyfriend was ok with his. His tattoo took only 40 minutes (I timed it) and we were still charged the entire hour rate and I was charged additionally for what I had done on top of the deposit I had already put down.Unfortunately we left with a bad taste in our mouths and do not plan to return again. Its possible I may get mine removed or covered up and it hasnt even been 24 hours.

I drove 7 hours to have my tattoo done here because I was so impressed by some of the pictures I saw online but I have to say I was not pleased with the result. The artist I saw was named Kayleigh and she was very slow to respond and non-communicative over email. Then when I arrived she seemed very disinterested in me, the design and the tattoo. She seemed to rush through the tattoo itself and didnt have much consideration for what I requested. The resulting tattoo wasnt terrible by any means but it really wasnt what I was looking for because she didnt communicate and was somewhat sloppy. Im sure she is a very talented artist but when it comes down to it artists need to put their full effort into each and every tattoo because they are incredibly meaningful to the people that are receiving them even if its no big deal to the artist. Ultimately I had my tattoo overhauled at a different tattoo parlor that was willing to listen to me.

All the staff are friendly and helpful. Got a tattoo from Arran, he was reasonably priced and took his time to make sure that the tattoo looked the way I wanted. Highly recommend him and Boston Tattoo for your next tattoo appointment.

Easy online appointment setup. brian did a great job putting in my new jewelry. this is my go to piercer, always a quick, easy visit. thanks!

I was tattooed yesterday at the BTC and the experience was amazing. After finding Elizes portfolio online (the shop itself doesnt have a site up yet--still very new) I drove up three hours to be tattooed.Elize is an amazing artist--not only was the piece she put on me beautiful, but was very sympathetic to any pain I had (it was my first tattoo), made sure I was happy with every step of the process, and loaded me up with lollypops to keep my blood sugar high and me very happy. The space was clean and spacious, everyone there was polite and professional, and theres a Starbucks next door. Ill be going back for sure!

Rude, rude and did I mention RUDE!? I came in to look at their nose rings and possibly purchase one as mine fell down the drain. Left work on my break because they are right down the street. I walk in and ask to see their nose rings in which I was informed their piercer is not in the building. I said ok, well my nose is already pierced Im looking for a hoop. Again, told he is not around. I repeatedly asked to just Take a look at their selection and they continuously denied my request to even look, stating their piercer isnt there. I asked if it was store policy to refuse customers the ability to look at their body jewelry when the piercer isnt around and was told no! I have picked out MANY NOSE RINGS WITHOUT A PIERCER available...I have one question, why was a customer shunned away when asking to see your nose ring selection!? Unbelievable!

Alicia was my artist and did a lovely job on my little tattoo. She gave me explicit and written care instructions and her contact information if I had other questions. It was a very good experience.

Dani is an amazing artist! Give her creative freedom and she will not disappoint you! (I also hear shes rearing to do more color work 😉) Great atmosphere, fair prices, and amazing people!

A bunch of really friendly people. Very relaxed atmosphere but very professional when it was time to get down to business. Price was very reasonable and Nick Bratkon did an amazing job on a megaman piece. Will definitely be back to get more work done with Nick in the near future. Great experience overall.

I have used Boston Tattoo for all my tattoos 16 and counting. Jason is a great artist and owner and had me see Jake LiCausi for the last piece. He did an amazing job and exceeded my expectations for a cover up.

I went in for a consultation and immediately felt a lack of customer service. There were two workers in the lobby and they just directed me to the iPad to browse portfolios. When I talked with them about what I wanted and mentioned I wanted to get an opinion on placement (it’s on the wrist so I want to make sure the artwork would not be too distorted they simply replied “if you don’t know what you want you shouldn’t get a tattoo”. Needless to say I left.

My go-to spot for quality piercings & jewelry. Superb staff and helpful with any issues you have. Also got two of my tattoos done here. A+ job from the artist and I always recommend people to this establishment. 👍

Went in to have the piercer look at what I (correctly) thought was an infected piercing to see if I could do anything about it (I figured it was rejecting so I wanted to know if/when I should remove the jewelry or whatever). the website said he had several years experience so I figured hed know better than I did, especially since I couldnt self-diagnose based on my readings what was wrong with my piercing. he said it wasnt infected and that it was just mad at me even though I had pretty telltale signs of infection (pus, granules, redness, some migration), prescribed hot compresses for two weeks, and sold me some witch hazel solution for the compresses. talked to a doctor a week later when the hot compresses were doing absolutely nothing and she was very surprised that the piercer had told me it wasnt infected. also said the solution he sold me would only make things worse. either the guys incompetent or intentionally misleading but I wont be going back here for sure

Friendly service, accommodating to walk in appointments, super clean studio.Most of all, the work was amazing!

I have gotten body piercings from this locationOnline appointment systemGreat location near the TWell kept, neat shopGreat waiting area, appropriate for social distancingFriendly staffPiercing was done great!Definitely going back for additional work

My tattoo was done by passing artist and was left a bit crooked but it actually ended up giving it a nicer look! The reason why I loved them so much was because the manager/owner ended up being the one to touch it up for me and treated me great!! Im definitely going back for my next tattoo!!!

Artist was great and friendly. 4 stars for price - $150 for 3 letters

Have two tattoos done by Alicia Thomas and will be going back for more. She is extremely talented and honest! I wouldnt let anyone else tattoo me! Trust me she is worth any drive or wait you have to go through.

Place is awesome. Im visiting from the midwest and had no idea what to expect walking in. Jon did my tattoo and he really knocked it out of the park. Couldnt be happier. Already prepared to fly back just for more work. So, give them a look. You wont be disappointed.

Was super scared to get my bridge pierced because i’ve seen so many crooked and uneven bridges done but Joe did mine perfectly! Made my experience as easy and comfortable as possible :)

Went with my friend for a piercing, was super professional and clean! They were also very nice and made the whole experience enjoyable.

In addition to the fantastic quality of work that Joe Gettler provided, and the staffs patience and ability to provide information for someone getting their first tattoo, the decor and vibe of the place was really quite cool. This was easily a 5 star experience!

I’ve come here for 5 piercings so far, and it’s worth it! Great spot. Very clean and the piercers are all super knowledgeable and friendly!

Amazing experience everytime. Got piercing by Joe, not only was he very kind & patient towards all the questions I had, but you can feel he truly loves what he does. 10/10

The place is nice. However they were not very professional in how they treated the clients. I went twice to try to retouch my tattoo and the artist wasnt there, even though I scheduled an appointment! Plus the other person in the shop was extremely rude about it. I know we dont pay for retouch, but I would rather pay and be treated better.

Amazing artists. Was very comfortable through my whole visit, albeit I was vaccinated and had isolated beforehand. Work done by Dani, super professional and great at what she does.

Nice staff, super knowledgeable, quick, clean & fun! We had Brian do some ear piercings and we will definitely be back!

Alicia did HORRIBLE LINE WORK. It is beyond ametuer and looks like a child did my tattoo. I had to go to NYC and spend $500 to get it touched up. I do not recommend Alicia. The lines are crooked and she blew out a couple of the lines and they couldnt be fixed bc of where they were. I called the shop to inform them and they had me send a pic and never responded. Horrible

U guys were the best love my tattoo an hubby does too.. the art wk was perfect we will be back .. if u go make sure u call first an wear a mask ... thanks nick😄🥰u get my 5 stars.....

Went in expecting to have to make an appointment and they did my tattoo right then and there. With their care instructions my tattoo healed perfectly in two weeks ! Highly recommend

I went in with a nervous young lady for a piercing. The girl was wonderful to her. So very patient.

Walked in for new septum and nose rings & they helped me right away & were very nice.

Wow my experience at the Boston tattoo company was excellent Sarah is an absolute genius and come to find out LOL hahaha were family thats right people were related :-) ... Once again sis great job :-)

Just had an addition made to a preexisting piece and I couldnt be happier with the results. Jared Scott was professional, considerate of my time, accommodating and, most importantly, an excellent artist. I will certainly be going back. Thanks again!

Extremely clean and friendly shop, came in for a walk-in by Nick and could not be more pleased the tattoo came out great. Would recommend the shop for anyone looking for some new ink.

Brian is an excellent piercer and profession. Great bed side manner. High quality service and care.

The piercers were so friendly and helpful! They made the experience as painless and stress free as possible.

I was treated with professionalism and felt that I was in experienced hands. I will definitely be back

Very uncomfortable setting. The artists didnt seem really interested in helping me. Second time I went there hoping itd be a different experience and both times I left disappointed and untatted.

Wow, I get it, 8 oclock and you close at 9....... But Jesus, we came here all the way from California on recommendation from a friend, and you couldnt even show us jewelry?? Never would I give these folks my money, pretentious and literally couldnt be bothered with us. Anything else I would just sound bitter, hope you figure it out.

I got a beautiful tattoo from Deanna Johnson here! Highly recommend, a little pricy, but worth it in my opinion.

Love working with Boston Tattoo, its a great spot in Davis sq and my jewelry andtattoos always get compliments.

I was visiting Boston from NYC and needed to change out the jewelry from my new piercings because I had a bad reaction. They really helped me out and took care of me ❤️❤️

Ask for Brendan—very talented artist who answered all my questions and made me feel very comfortable getting my first tattoo.

The experience was awesome... I felt so comfortable with the piercer Dustin..... The place was easy to find and get to as well.... Definitely recommend to ppl to come here

10/10. Good pricing, fantastic artists, quality work.

Pure theft. The employees doesnt even know the policies. Took out just $100 like that in the daylight. I have no issues with anyone there but with the company policies.

Got my septum pierced by Leslie and it was a fantastic experience!

Staff are often surly and condescending when asked basic questions by folks new to body art, and the artists vary wildly in quality. There are lots of better options in the area.

Got my first tattoo here. The artists were having a lot of fun but when they are working they are very serious.

Not sterile enough a week later at the doctors with infected piercings had to remove my piercings and go on antibiotics a waste of my money and a painful time ohh and I did all my after care instructions to the t

Nice people, clearly knowledgeable about their professions who are more than happy to help with your next tattoo or piercing!

Awesome spotlessly clean!! I credibility talented. Best place to go whether your a newbie or just looking to add to your collection!!! ❤☘❤

Im so Happy with my tattoo!!! Adriana is the best i will going back to see her again!!

Always so pleased with the work I get done here. Been going here for years both piercing and tattoos.

Great place. Clean, staff are always nice and their artists are super talented

Aaliyah was the best very helpful and great at what she does Ill recommend everyone to go see her

Arran was absolutely wonderful!! Super kind, welcoming, and super professional!! Will definitely be coming back again!!

No complaints here. Totally professionally. My artist did an exceptional job.

Got my first tattoo from here. Friendly staff and great service. Would come again.

Awesome place...super professional and all the tattoo artists are fun and leave you feeling comfortable

First tattoo. Dani did a great job. Very pleased with the result.

Owen is amazing and the whole staff were super nice and a very clean facility.

Brian was very nice and did a great job. The owner is also very nice and welcoming

Super nice, super clean, super awesome. I got tattooed by Jonathan on a walk-in and it was perfect!

LOVE Boston Tattoo Company! Great people, great work, great place. (:

This place is incredible. Great jewelry and staff, especially Joe and Brian

Leslie is amazing with kids and adults! Highly recommended

Great time while getting ink done here, good people, clean parlor, loved it.

Great tattoo artists and fantastic collection of piercing stuff.

Very professional. Laid back and helpful employees and artist that listen to their clients

Best tattoo artists who are extremely talented!

Cant beat it, Tricky Nicky for life. Great spot to get a tattoo

Great people doing a great job! They are usually very busy!

Went there for a cover up and saw Manny, was a very good experience

Very professional and clean. Great, quick work by Juliano.

Great service, very talented and caring artists.

Nicholas did my tattoo, and it was exactly what I want!

Very professional -- these guys know what theyre doing!

Awesome art awesome people awesome service it’s that simple

All I need to say is Alicia Thomas is the best!!

Great work but pricing is arbitrary

Gave me a great piercing

👍

Awesome shop clean down to earth people

Good job

Awesome people, sick artists.

Great spot and highly professional.

Friendly service!

Very nice and friendly service

Awesome thanks.

Didn’t have booking

Yes!

Great service and work.

Its the best

Great place.

Nick was neat.

Good company.

Awesome place!

Great people

👎👎👎