Great staff and artists. Each member of their team will take the time to provide all the information you need. My artist even stayed after closing to finish my tattoo. Chantel was a great conversationalist throughout the process and did a fantastic job. She even reminded me about the military discount even after I had forgotten. If you are going there for a new artist or your first tattoo, I would highly recommend this establishment. Thank you Chantel for a great tattoo and experience. Read Less

I stopped by Primal Instinct because I had worked with a woman with an amazing leg piece. It blew my mind, and was one the most beautiful tattoos I had ever seen. I had an idea of a piece I wanted but just hadn't met an artist who I jived with. She told me Daneille at PI had done her piece and that she was crazy talented. I insta-stalked Dani for a couple months before getting the courage to stop by and set up a consultation. Daniella immediately made me feel welcome, which was important because I was really out of my element. I had no tattoos and I come from a culture where tattoos just don't exist. We discussed designs, placements, pain, healing, etc. She talked with me for an hour and I felt like I was getting coffee with a friend. She knows her stuff and was willing to share her knowledge with me. As a nerd who loves a good lecture, I was happy to listen. At the end of our meeting she gave me an estimate (and the final price was within $20 of this, so no surprise charges). I came back a week or so later to make a deposit and schedule a day. It was about a month and a half out. When the day came I was nervous like a mug. Then she showed me what she had drawn, and I was incredible! It took my anxiety from 9 to a 5 in seconds. She took my idea and made it into this beautiful thing. After approving the design and talking a bit about after care, she went to her station to prep. During my session she was personable and professional. Absolutely the ideal artist for a first timer like me. She gave me some hint for pain like exhaling, she even checked to make sure I was breathing once. The shop is clean and fun. The tattoo healed beautifully. I will gladly suggest Danielle and Primal Instinct to everyone. Read Less

I have had over 35 hours of work done in this shop with a combination of Dani and Brie. I love this shop and it is my home base. My collection is growing and the way they do their consultation with a deaf person like myself is very accommodating. I have never felt left out or misunderstood and my pieces turned out so beautifully. This is a talented shop that does not advertise or appear arrogant. Their pricing is so fair and decent given the talents working under their roof. If you are looking for artists who are professional but also friendly enough to feel comfortable with (hello, you will be spending some time with them in a very close-up position) I really recommend Primal Instinct to anyone who is looking for a decent piece done. They have a bit of everything under one roof: traditional? See Brie. Realism and colors? See Dani. Read Less

I had an awesome Forget-Me-Not done by Austin today, and a love it. He was super cooperative and helpful, and I'm so pleased with my tattoo. I love the environment and atmosphere at Primal Instinct and definitely will be back for more. Thanks guys! Read Less

I had a wonderful first tattoo experience with Laura Craver for an arm piece. The atmosphere was enjoyable and relaxed and everyone there felt like old friends. The line work on the tattoo is great as well so I would 100% recommend this place! Read Less

I've gotten 2 tattoos from Will in 2017; one black, simple symbol on the forearm and one color multi-session February-March on the quad that we just finished tonight and I could not be happier! I am so happy with how both pieces turned out. Will's eye for positioning, overall composition, color scheme, and attention to detail is impressive and I LOVE MY TATTOOS!! I'm planning a third tat and Will's going to be my guy at Primal :) Read Less

Outstanding experience!  Every artist here has outstanding work and it is clear they put the customer's needs first. My tattoo was done by Brie and I couldn't be happier with the outcome!  Can't wait for my next appointment. Come here and you won't be disappointed. Read Less

First session with Brie Brutal. Was a relaxed environment. Lots of jokes between the artists and clients across the studio made it an enjoyable evening sharing stories of travel, early jobs, and creepy salesmen. We learned Carlos is ok, but Danies versions of the story is better. Looking forward to second session to do my colour. And possibly many more to come. Read Less

Just got tattooed today by "kill shot" Carlos and I love it! 7 tats in all and it's my favorite to date. Not only was Carlos talented and professional but the shop is clean and welcoming. Everyone from the owner/artist to the artists are fantastic and it's just a fun environment. FYI foot tattoos are PAINFUL! But done right by these guys worth every second. Looking forward to my next one. Good choice to all who choose primal instinct! And good luck choosing an artist as all who work there are so skilled....... Carlos is amazing but seeing just some of the work being done by Dani and Brie it's hard to settle. P.S. Lovin lil dicky � Read Less

I got my first tattoos there during the fall of 2009. Very friendly staff. Great customer service. I was in town for a short time and they were able to work around my schedule. All tattoos turned out great. Just what I wanted and very pleasant first tattoo experience. I will be going back for more, not much more needs to be said. John was my tattoo artist. Update: It is now 2012 and I have gotten 4 more tattoos from Primal Instinct Tattoos. Each time has been a very good customer experience and all tattoos have turned out great. I recommend Primal Instinct to everyone that asks for my recommendation. Update: 2016 I have since received numerous tattoos from Carlos, Danielle, Brie, and Will. All do great work and there is always great atmosphere. Highly recommended. Read Less

I had Carlos as my tattoo artist, he did an incredible job. I gave him my rough sketch of a design and he just ran with it! Wonderful artist and a great person all around. Would recommend Primal Instinct to anyone looking for a quality tattoo from fun people! Read Less

They day before I got my tattoo I called around and this place gave me a good vibe immediately. The man I spoke to on the phone really took the time to talk to me about the shop and making sure I was happy before I even mentioned what I wanted or asking about an appointment. He told me to swing by and check them out before I committed. You can really tell even over the phone these people put customer happiness above all else.The next day I came in as a walk in for the small tattoo I wanted. The receptionist got me a same day appointment and was super friendly and bubbly! When I came back for my appointment I met Will, my artist, who was very friendly, professional and intelligent and whom I would recommend to anyone. He was really a very cool guy and he and another artist there made the whole experience a blast. It was my first tattoo and I was understandably nervous but Will made sure to calm my nerves and told me to as picky as possible so I would be happy in the end. He walked me through every step and started slow so I could get the swing of things. While he was working I had a very pleasant convo with another artist and together they made the whole thing pain free! Overall the shop is a lot of fun and the people there are extremely talented and friendly and I will definitely be going there for future tattoos. Couldn't be happier! Read Less

I've gotten 2 tattoos at Primal Instinct and love them both! The first one Danielles brother, (sorry man, I can't remember your name!), and he did first rate super quality work! Love it! The second tattoo was done by Danielle and I love it too! My good friend Tom and his daughter Emily came to Anchorage summer of 2014 and to celebrate we each got a tattoo, Danielle did mine and Carlos did Tom and Em's tattoo. I'll always remember the great time we had during their visit each time I look at my tattoo. This shop is run and staffed by great friendly folks and the work they do is just great. It ain't cheap but quality is what you pay for and is what you get! I recommend Primal Instinct to everyone who asks for a great tattoo. Read Less

I totally just made a yelp account to share how good my experience was here! I just received my first tattoo from Will, and I couldn't be happier. My only regret is that the location of my tattoo makes it hard for me to see, and I wish I could see it all the time!Will was very kind, patient and talented, and he was super nice when I was a weenie with the pain. He was really cool about working with the design I brought in, and he tweaked some things to make it look even better than I could have thought. The shop was super clean and professional and not intimidating. 10/10, highly recommend! Read Less

Great shop! I've been skeptical about getting a tattoo away from my normal artist, but Danielle was AWESOME! Very clean atmosphere and great artists all around.A buddy and I just walked in and they happened to have an opening, but schedule an appointment if you want to get in with these awesome artists! Read Less

This shop, and its artists are amazing! Not only are they incredibly talented artists, they're great people. This shop makes you feel like family, and the work is simply gorgeous. Their prices are absolutely commensurate with other shops, and the offer a military discount. Besides that, they are scrupulously fair. You will not be charged for time you are not being inked. Remember, this is Alaska...the cost of living here is 26% higher than the average American city, so if you got ink in Dallas (which is 24% lower coli than the average city), this will be more...just like food and housing are more. If you want an appointment though, they're booked about eight weeks out...because yes, they are that good. Read Less

Love, love, love this studio and the artists that work there. They ARE artists. If you want custom, this is the place to go.I have multiple pieces by Brie (half sleeve, cupcake on the back of my neck, original design behind my ears, and were working on a full arm sleeve) and love every one of them. She has also done multiple tattoos for my husband. She's a great tattoo artist and friend. Her specialty is color, american traditional and neo traditional. Danielle is awesome, I have a few pieces were working on for the future. Her portraits, realism, color, black and gray is fantastic! Her husband Carlos is just as talented! Portraits, black and gray, realism, floral pieces... Just awesome. Will does great realism and watercolor. Chantel's floral, new school and color tattoos are top notch. I have the up most respect for the artist here. Johnny has a stellar crew. You will pay good money for a great piece of art you can be proud of and want to show off! Read Less

The shop was clean and the artists were friendly.. However the tattoos my husband and I both recieved are awful. This was a few years ago. We were offered a free touch up by the artist who did them, only to find he had left and opened his new shop by the time we were ready for touch ups. The receptionist at Primal told me to call him at his new studio and he basically blew us off. Bummed that the people at Primal werent more helpful considering the work was done in their place. I dont mean to bad mouth or bash. Just disappointed was all. Read Less

My wife and I have been coming to Primal for over a year now. I have received over 20 hours Of work from Danielle. Everyone in the shop is friendly and professional. You won't be disappointed with any of the work you get done here. Read Less

Let's start with the shop itself; Clean, organized, lively atmosphere. The music playing was upbeat and family friendly (for those of you bringing your toddlers with you to your tattoo appointment...). There was a TV available for those waiting, and comfortable, clean couches. I had never stepped foot in a tattoo parlor before coming to Primal and I felt instantly at ease and welcomed. The people;The receptionist and artists are warm and welcoming, good humored and over all wonderful people. I initially called in to have an appointment with Brie but she was booked nearly 4 months in advance so at the recommendation of the receptionist I scheduled for Will. I will just say, I have never been more impressed with an artist as I was with Will's portfolio. He was friendly, understanding (my first ink), and overall fantastic. The equipment/tattoo;The cleanliness of the parlor impressed me right off the bat. Everything was sterile. The tattoo I received myself was PERFECTION. No smudging/out of lines, brilliant color and exactly to my specifications. Now, nearly a year later, I am still absolutely proud of my ink. For my colored, 4-5 inch ink, on my back (upper spine) it cost $260 which I consider perfectly reasonable for the quality tattoo I received. I would, and have, recommend this tattoo parlor to anyone who asks. Read Less

It's taken me over a year to write this review but better now than never!My husband and I were getting ready to celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary and we had been talking about getting something tattooed on our ring fingers. So I went in and explained to them that we were looking at getting an infinity symbol on our ring fingers. They quoted me $100 per tattoo. Being new to tattoos, I didn't think much of it and went ahead and scheduled the appointment. When I surprised my husband and told him I had an appointment to get the tattoos and told him how much it was, he said that it was overpriced but at that point, it was too late because they already had a deposit. So we went in and my husband wanted a black band with the infinity symbol in the middle (it would be his skin showing through the black band that made the infinity symbol). HORRIBLE. If you look at his finger, you can't even tell what the hell it is. They completely ruined his band and his tattoo is a hot mess. There is no fixing it other than to just black it out completely. SO disappointed but once it's done, what can you do!? So I am on here to warn the rest of you. Be careful. Not only do they overprice but some of their artists take on tattoos they are obviously not qualified to do. This guy was hispanic and has long hair, I don't remember his name.Oh, and mine is not perfect either but definitely turned out better than my husband's. At least we have our actual wedding rings to cover them! Read Less

I received two tattoos from Primal Instinct, and after a year I am very satisfied with both of them.  The first was done by Carlos, who covered up a horrible tat from years ago.  I was very hesitant about doing this, considering how bad (and permanent) the original was.  He was clear about his idea of what to do, and did it just as he said -- and the quality was solid.With that success, I went back with an idea for a tattoo of my own design that I knew would be difficult, but didn't know exactly how difficult: perfect circles and micro-lettering.  Carlos referred me to Will who took my poor quality sketch and made it into a high quality design, and then put ink to skin with confidence and quality.When people ask about my tattoos, they are impressed, as they should be, and I refer them here. Read Less