I had been wanting my tattoo for the past 10 years before I met Brittney, I've had other tattooists draw up ideas for it that ended up not being the style I had wanted, when my friend overheard me and directed me to Black & Blue and was raving how good Brittney is at watercolor "Shes the best watercolor tattooist in the bay!" Brittney was a friendly personable, feisty and funny. She was soft touch during our session which was great for me seeing it was my first time. It made the 5-6 hours go by quickly. Id definitely go back for my next one, Shes an amazing artist and I absolutely love the work she has and did do. Highly reccomend Black & Blue and Brittany ThortonThanks again for your beautiful work! Read Less

I've been looking for a talented tattoo artist to help cover up 2 very unattractive tattoos I got back when I was a teenager. Luckily, the stars aligned and I found Verb! She is so super talented and worth every penny! I am so pleased with the end result--she works her magic, makes ugly tattoos disappear and beautiful ones emerge! The space is super clean, and the staff is sweet. I had a great experience, and will definitely be coming back for my next piece! Read Less

LOVED my experience with Mariel today. So much of the tattoo experience is about the artist, and she is both talented and lovely to talk to. I felt super supported and comfortable in her presence. This wasn't my first tattoo and it was my best experience yet. Thanks Mariel! Read Less

Got my first tattoo here! My artist Mariel was absolutely wonderful and walked me through the whole process which helped set my mind at ease. Everyone was really helpful and Verb talked me through the different placements I had in mind and helped me choose the perfect spot (mid thigh). Highly recommend coming here! Read Less

Told me to come in at 6. Got there and front desk person was surprised I actually came in. They let someone else in but they could've just made me an appt for me. I came up from the peninsula as I mentioned to the receptionist. When I got there she felt really bad and gave me her personal number to text. But honestly, if you cant properly coordinate times or appts or customer needs, how can I trust you with perm ink on my body. Read Less

I highly recommend Maggie for your next (or first!) tattoo. She has a wide range of tattoo styles that she excels in. Her black and grey and line work is amazing! She has done two of my six tattoos and not only have they healed flawlessly, but they are also my two personal favorite and most complimented pieces. Maggie is super personable and easy to work with. She takes time to listen to her client's concepts/ideas and creates a true masterpiece that you will wear proudly and find yourself admiring day after day. I am beyond impressed by her skills and so happy with the work I've had done by her. I will be back for third tattoo from her very soon. Thank you Maggie! You're the best! Read Less

WHO is the best!!! But before I go into this story, I just want to say that the customer service/hospitality at this shop is the reason why I get tattooed. I loved that the owner, Idexa, took the time to welcome and talk to every customer that went through the door. When she spoke to me, she was fully informed about what I was getting and with WHO. You can really feel her genuine she and confident she was. Every tattoo artist there was so nice and friendly. I wanted the Puerto Rico flag tattooed because I am a long way from home and I finally understand why people do it. I was born and raised in PR. My husband, wanting to be supportive, bought me a gift certificate and...YES!!!...Black & Blue has a native Puerto Rican  artist on staff. WHO is an amazing and gifted artist. I will cherish my vejigante colored with the flag tattoo forever. It is two days old and I have already gotten so many compliments. You are right, Robin egg is a great color. Read Less

Man a perfect day, what can I say. From the start, Tattoo Artist Maggie was incredible. I emailed her, she got back to me in a timely manner and threw around design and placement ideas with me, I left a deposit and confirmed my appointment. It was raining, I decided to park at the 16th and Hoff garage so the session wouldn't be interupted, the rates are good, $6 for two hours. When I got in, the staff (gal with two tone hair and guy with beard) were super welcoming. We got started and Maggie crushed it. Its like she read my mind. The skill &  artwork is amazing, music was super chill, staff even asked if I wanted anything from the store to eat. I felt like a celebrity. I will be working with her again. The most pleasant tattoo parlor experience I have ever had!!!!!!! Read Less

This is by far the best tattoo parlor in San Francisco. Not only is every single artist professional and skilled, but the overall atmosphere is really fantastic and positive. I had originally intended to do my piece with Brücius, and although he declined, he did graciously refund my deposit and kindly recommended Millie, who absolutely nailed my design. Read Less

Everything with Black and Blue and my artist, Who, was so smooth and easily coordinated. Beautiful, large space and friendly personnel. Who, specifically, was amazing. They took the time to really listen to what I had to say and my overall vision for the tattoo, and they absolutely knocked it out of the park, creating something that perfectly reflected what I wanted. My overall experience with Who was one I won't forget and I will be recommending B & B and Who to anyone I can. Read Less

I have several script tattoos with song lyrics and Michael D at Black and Blue matched them perfectly. He had 4 options made up for me to choose from (I had sent him the lyrics and pics of my other ones) and I loved them. Overall a great experience and I strongly recommend it for anyone that is thinking about getting tattooed. Read Less

Sid is an amazing artist! He did a full sleeve for me and it was more amazing than I could've ever thought. I get compliments every day from strangers! If you are looking for detailed line work, Sid is your guy. He listens to you and discusses placement and makes sure that everything is perfect before he even starts. The rest of the shop was clean and neat, very comfortable and the other artists who came by were all very nice and professional. I will be returning again for more soon! Read Less

I have had 2 pieces done here. One done by Michael a few years ago and one done yesterday by Brittany. Black and blue is a well known and trusted parlor and has been voted best shop in SF. I wanted to get a watercolor style tattoo and I knew I wanted to return to this shop and I was so happy to find BRITTANY'S work! I was blown away by her online portfolio and her Instagram account. Her watercolor work is absolutely stunning. Her style was exactly what I was looking for. The finished product is more than I could have ever asked for or even imagined. I was moved to tears when I looked at the finished product. I will 100% be going back to her get another piece... and another. Read Less

I would highly recommend Black & Blue Tattoo and especially Sid. That man is a true artist!! My wife and I had been planning to get tattoos that paid homage to our wedding last year (which was in a grove of redwood trees) and we spent a long time looking for an artist we felt could represent our respective visions appropriately (we wanted tattoos that followed a similar nature theme but not matching tattoos). We really needed an artist that was skilled both with black/grey scale as well as colors and experienced with botanical tattoos. Sid fit the bill and so much more. For me, his process is slightly different from my prior tattoo experience in that he asks that clients trust his artistic vision to develop the tattoo design from your idea and he doesn't do a separate consultation prior to the tattoo appointment. However, that was not something I had trouble with after reviewing his portfolio on instagram - his work is simply stunning, and I knew I was in very capable hands.The day of our appointments we were able to check in with ease and the tattoo parlor was clean and airy. We were about 20 minutes early and Sid met us in the waiting area ahead of our appointment so we could get started. The tattoo experience itself was wonderful - Sid has a very calming presence and it's evident the effort he puts into creating something unique and beautiful for each and every client. He really went above and beyond for both of us - in the end, my wife's tattoo will need a second session but only because of how intricately detailed the final product will be. Even with that being said, we're still within the budget range that we gave Sid in our initial proposal, which is very much appreciated. If you're looking for a truly unique work of art - look no further than Sid!!! Read Less

My experience here was so wonderful and memorable, Black & Blue is such a fantastic shop filled with talented and amazing people. I was tattooed by Brittany Thornton a couple months ago and not only was she so kind and helpful, everyone else there was a joy to interact with as well!Brittany made the experience so comfortable and fun, she is an absolutely amazing artist. Her work is so beautiful and unique, I can't imagine getting my tattoo from anyone else! Her colors are vibrant and every time I look at my arm I am amazed that she was able to take my idea and make it so much better than I could have imagined. She even was able to convert my dad, who has always been very against my tattoos! As soon as he saw my arm he told me that it was really beautiful and that he understood why I wanted it. Brittany's work is honestly magical and I can't wait for my next from her  thank you Brittany! And thank you to everyone in the shop for being so kind and welcoming! Read Less

This review is for the insanely talented Sid Cout. This was my first tattoo, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. My husband and I wanted to get a tattoo together, and we have been very picky about who to choose for our tattoos. We have had an idea for over a year but could not find the right artist for it. When we saw Sid's tattoos on Instagram, we knew he was the right artist. From the start, we were welcomed in and met with only kindness. My husband and I were a pretty early (about an hour early) for our tattoo appointment and realized when we got there that the shop wasn't open yet. Idexa noticed that we were standing outside and let us in even though they weren't yet open, which was super kind of her. When we then met with Sid (who did our tattoos), he was extremely friendly and approachable. He really makes you feel like you are in good hands. Everything was very clean and sterile. He tattooed both my husband and me, and our tattoos are simply amazing. The detail he achieved in the tattoos is out of this world. I am so thankful my first tattoo was with him.I would recommend Sid (and the whole experience at Black and Blue Tattoo) 100 times over! Definitely worth any travel into SF even if you don't live here Read Less

Brittany is dope as heck! I had been looking for a very long time to get a tattoo that means a lot to me in a specific style. I had never found anyone that just felt perfect until I found Brittany's art, so I emailed her to schedule it for tiny tuesdays. I gave her the gist of what I wanted and asked her to run free with it because what I'd seen of her, I knew she'd blow it out of the park. She did. I was ~shook~ at how much she did. It was hella awesome, and shes really great to hang with! It was a bit of a wait to get a spot but 100% worth the it. As someone who loves and has a decent amount of colorwork she is absolutely as good as it gets. If you look at her site you will see a high price tag. I wont claim that its a justifiable expense every time for every person, but I can say that you get the quality you are paying for in this case. The shop is clean and the staff is friendly. Also they had starburst and thats always a plus. Overall, great experience there! Read Less

This review is for the amazing Verb!Verb, thank you for your patience, talent and humour!I was pretty nervous about extending my original tattoo and had a very odd concept of traditional architectural ironwork and space.Verbs talent was put on full show when she was able to deliver better than what I had originally envisioned.Her patience came in when I was being fussy, not gonna lie, it was almost all of it, no shame! Verb was so patient and steady and delivered an amazing piece of work despite my best efforts of self sabotage.She was so funny, down to earth and just an altogether awesome and interesting human being, it was an honour to have her be my artist.Much love and thanks for Verb and for all of the staff and B&B. Read Less

Brittany is the best! Her work is amazing and it was just such a great experience overall. It was really fun to hang out for the day.My wife and I had a consultation with her and we walked through our ideas and then just let her go and she killed it. Thanks again Brittany!!! Read Less

After a bunch of online research, I decided to contact Vinh at Black & Blue for my first tattoo. He communicated really well despite how packed his schedule is. The place itself has a very chill & homey vibe which helped make my first tattoo experience so enjoyable. Not to mention the tattoo itself came out so much better than I initially imagined. Incredible black & geometric artist. Also gave plenty of explanation before, during, & after the tattoo to make sure it lasts. Really recommend this place if you're in Bay Area. Read Less

Had my 1st tattoo here after hearing good things about this place from friends  and doing my own personal research. I dig the vibe and what this place stands for. I got very lucky to have found Brittany! Her work is amazing and just meeting her for my consultation was great. She's personable, makes you feel comfortable, listens and asks questions to make sure she gets all the details you want/envisioned.I just had my tattoo done yesterday and I'm just amazed on my new piece of art. Brittany is a true artist and I appreciate that she is willing to do smaller tattoos...Tiny Tuesday!!!! It's hard to find a talented artist willing to do smaller pieces. The whole experience was great. I was nervous because it's been a long time since I've had a tattoo and the thought of getting one inside of my upper arm made me nervous...more nervous about the pain level. The whole session was quick...1 1/2 hours. The whole time Brittany was talking to me to help keep my mind off the pain which helped a lot. I'm definitely coming back, especially for Brittany. She's badass and is very talented! Read Less

I got my second tattoo here on Friday (8/10) by Brittany and I love it. I wanted something that represented me, and who I am in this juncture of my life. Brittany completely delivered! Brittany is understanding, open to change and most importantly she knows her stuff. Especially with dark skin. I've run into a lot of "artists" who either don't tattoo dark skin or claim only black and white looks good.  Fuck Ya'll  Brittany turned my chest piece into a work of art, yeah I said it. Definitely will be going back to her again! Read Less

When I turned 18, I got my very first tattoo at Black and Blue Tattoo. I literally googled "best tattoo shop in San Francisco" and they came up. While I am actually quite happy with my piece, the experience was less than ideal and I was completely taken advantage of because of my age and lack of experience in the tattoo world. Let me explain.When I called to make the appointment, I was told that I had to place a $150 deposit (the particular artist charged $150 per hour). No problem, I placed the deposit and eagerly looked forward to my appointment. I took a friend along for support, and brought my printed out quote that I was super excited to get on my rib cage. When we got to the shop, the artist told me that the size of the print-out that I had would probably end up costing more than the quote he gave me, so he offered to re-print the design and then fix it exactly how I wanted on my ribcage. This took about 20-30 minutes. The actual tattooing only took about 40 minutes. I was expecting a refund on my deposit since it didn't take a full hour, so my jaw dropped when the artist told me the total was $250!He had the audacity to ask for a tip ( mind you I have tipped every single one of my artists except for him) but I felt that the $250 was more than enough for the job and refused. The person at the counter began to glare at me (I later found out that they were the owner) and stared me down until I left the shop. It completely took out the excitement of getting my first tattoo. I was humiliated and felt like I literally just got robbed.$250 for an 8 inch quote is absurdly high, I came to find out. I have gotten six tattoos since then, and not a single artist has charged me for the time it took to position and/or re-print the design I wanted. As much as I love the idea behind Black and Blue Tattoo (San Francisco, and women-owned), I wouldn't recommend it to a first timer. But if you don't mind being taken advantage of and treated like shit, go for it! Read Less

Artist: Vinh Tattoo: Pet portrait Placement: back of arm, above elbow Vinh is absolutely amazing! What a true artist!!! He was easy to communicate with, and easy going.  This was my second tattoo, 14 years post the first one.  He was light handed and the pain wasn't bad at all.  He is very fast and efficient, captured all the details of my dog's face.   Picture can't do justice, looks even more amazing in person.   If you want an animal portrait done, look no further! Vinh is your guy!!!!!! Tips: book ahead! The wait is worth it! Read Less

After searching for a couple weeks for blackwork artists in SF, I found Neko on Instagram and loved her work. After contacting her via her website, she replied quickly and we scheduled a consultation for that week. I had an old and super dark stick and poke tattoo that I wanted to cover up with two match sticks. I thought that because of the constraints of my tattoo I would have to settle with a design that I liked, but didn't love. However, when Neko sent me her design a week before our tattoo appointment, I was amazed! It was incredibly artistic and well done. After a few tweaks it was even better than I could've imaged and I was incredibly stoked to have Neko tattoo me. During the tattoo, Neko was extremely professional and easy to talk to. She took her time trying different sizes and placements until it was perfect. When we were done I honestly couldn't believe that she took my old tattoo and turned it into something I loved. I couldn't recommend Neko more! She's the best. Read Less

Gabriel really took care of my Girlfriend and I with regard to our First tattoos. I messaged him with my chronological parameters and he *went out of his way* to make it work for us. With is minimum charge not withstanding, I was so pleased with his work that I tipped him $100 more. The man is an artist and really made us feel like he cared about our decision. He asked questions, made time, altered minor details to our specifications, and made us feel comfortable in his space. I would absolutely recommend Gabriel to anyone who wants intricate shadowing and gradient work.I trust this artist with future work. Insta : @_gvbriel Read Less

There's not other place I would get my tattoo to but Black and Blue Tatto! I had my very first tattoo done here by Neko. Not only I felt extremely comfortable with her, but not a single time have I felt pressured. I am extremely happy with the tattoo Neko did for me... it's exactly how I wanted it! I highly highly highly recommend this place! The staff is extremely professional, warm, kind and HUMAN! All the studios are extremely clean and they have a homey feeling. Go for it! :) Read Less

I got my first tattoo with Vinh (check out his insta! It's _ironwave-)--5 stars for a great vibe, accommodating my general nervousness/schedule, and last but definitely not least giving me an amazing piece that I'm very excited to spend the rest of my life with. I'd seriously recommend him to any and everyone. Cannot stress how happy I am with his work. Thanks so much!!! Read Less

I had my best tattoo experience so far at Black & Blue Tattoo. I had an unusual walk-in idea, and Siri drew it for me in a matter of minutes. Everyone who works there was super friendly and welcoming and we all laughed together a lot! The shop is clean and beautiful-- it was just a lovely experience. Thank you Black & Blue! Read Less

I never ever ever usually post a review even if a place is good but I just had to say something about my tattoo artist, Gabriel! I've never gotten a tattoo before and when I initially emailed him for an appointment for a lotus flower I forgot I hadn't emailed him again to ask if I can change it into a rose flower instead since it was a tribute tattoo to my dad. When it was finally my turn for the appointment he was so accommodating and I told him I wanted a rose flower instead. He was REALLY nice and chill about it, he joked around which made me feel comfortable, he even talked to my boyfriend who came with me here and there. During the tattoo, he always asked if I was doing good and conversed with me as well as made sure the tattoo looked the best. I can't imagine getting my tattoo somewhere else or with someone else. I live in Southern California but Gabriel and the tattoo shop he is in are worth flying in to the city! Read Less

I first came to Black & Blue because I wanted to get tattooed on a last minute trip to the bay.  My poor planning paid off big time... Neko created a beautiful custom tattoo that I loved so much that I came back on my next visit to get another.  Black & Blue has semi-private rooms for each artist eliminating the "boys club" feeling many other shops give, aiding in each artist's ability to create as relaxing (within reason) of an environment as possible.  Well organized, clean, and a collective of many talented artists with a wide breadth of styles; give Black & Blue a go- you won't regret it. Read Less

Siri is amazing! She listened to my wants and took into account the references I gave her. She created a beautiful whimsical piece that is better than I could have imagined. She has such a warm personable quality that makes you feel extremely comfortable and not to mention the most gentle hands (I kid you not I thought the session was so soothing I could have taken a nap). I just completed part 1 of my tattoo (part 2 is adding in color - will post photos when that is complete). Read Less

I've been wanted to do something with my first tattoo but kinda don't want to cover it all up. I walked in and got to get my piece done by Sid. The whole process of designing and tattooing was about an hour. I'm sooooooo in love with the design and the result Read Less

Had an awesome experience with Gabriel. Not only did he respond promptly and was super helpful but he also does great work. I spent about about an hour and a half there total with meeting, chatting, and the getting actual work. The dude is a pro and to quote Kanye, he has dragon energy. Can't wait to go back. Read Less

I had the honor to be inked by Claire the other day. She did fantastic job. I am very proud and pleased to wear her work.When I had my consultation with her she listened and gave her suggestions and Incorporated her ideas, and mine into one of my existing tattoos. I could not be more pleased.Claire has a very light touch and has great knowledge about her craft. Thanks Again Read Less

Vinh is a very kind soul! He tattooed by late husband just 2 days before he passed and took really beautiful photography of the result that I cherish to this day. Not only that but he was patient and accommodating given our schedule and limitations. He was in hospice at the time but really wanted this last tattoo - he'd booked it with Vinh 6 months before and didn't want to miss it :) Vinh later got me on his schedule immediately so that 6 months from his passing I could get my own tattoo of his hand writing on my inner arm and a tiny heart on my breast bone. He was so precise and quick and really respected the whole process. He's now doing my late husband's handwriting for my in-laws later this week. He was so kind to accomodate them on short notice and really has a heart. Not only that I have a few tattoos and he's the most talented I've seen. Great line work and attention to detail. Read Less

5.7.18I came for my second tattoo ever yesterday with Katie/Neko, and had an excellent experience!I was looking to get a fine & crisp scripted word on my upper back and found Neko on Black & Blue's IG. I emailed Neko through her business email on her IG bio and got a quick response. I emailed with her for about two weeks before setting a date. She was very informative in answering all my questions and helped finalize my scripted work by creating a hybrid of two fonts that I wanted - which turned out perfect! Her current minimum is $200 which is a decent price compared to the other tattoo artist at B&B. Touch ups are free within 1 yr of your tattoo. She requires a $100 deposited to secure an appointment with her either through Paypal or Venmo. On the day of arrival she was all prepared with my design printed out in different sizes to finalize my placement. She was extremely friendly, accommodating and caring. After, I picked a size and finalized the placement, we went into the back room which was shared with another tattoo appointment, but did not deter my privacy. I was expecting the tattooing to hurt, since it was so close to the shoulder blade & based on my first tattoo experience, but I didn't even so much as flinch when Neko started tattooing my piece. I was super comfortable. I also appreciate that she went in with a really light hand, knowing that my skin is sensitive to pooling. So far the tattoo looks perfect, hopefully it stays that way! I definitely recommend Neko and would get my third one with her! Read Less

If you are looking for etching style black and white tattoo, you are looking at the right place, because Bruicus is the best in this. His works are high quality, because he knows it's all about the details. He listen to your needs and give you very good advice from his experience. I had a great time when I was tattooing in his cozy, good vibe, friendly shop. Don't let the wait time to stop you, its totally worth the wait. Definitely recommend to all my friends. Read Less

Omg I can't describe how gorg my tat is! Just got it done today and I am so stoked! This tattoo holds a very special meaning to me and I sure did find a right person to execute my vision intricately.Thank you, Sid! Read Less

Trust me, you won't regret it. Brücius and Black Serum made my first tattoo such an amazing experience. His care and attention to detail are amazing and the quality of care I got in all aspects of the tattoo was incredible. There aren't many artists of this caliber out there and I cannot express enough how lucky I feel to have his art on my body. Read Less

Black and Blue's work speaks for itself in aesthetics and quality. Idexa was intuitive and creative in listening to my concept and designing a piece that was perfect for my body shape, in her original timeless style. I appreciated how down to earth and nurturing yet professional she was. It's also very apparent that she loves tattooing, and cares about all her clients and the artists in her shop.I'm still in love with my tattoo. I remember during the tattooing, seeing Idexa as an angel building a shield for my body. Thank you dear Idexa. Read Less

Tattoo/Design: 5/5 I'm over the moon about my tattoo. Claire did a beautiful job with a very meaningful concept, and her detail work is stunning. The tattoo has healed well and looks awesome!Service: 5/5 The artists and staff are so friendly and attentive. I initially emailed Siri, Gabriel and Claire, and they were all very responsive. I was nervous for my first tattoo, and Claire and a number of artists who popped in during my session helped put me at ease. Claire answered my many, many questions during and after the appointment.Ambience: 4.5/5 The studio is clean and also in a convenient location close to the 16th & Mission Bart station. It's nice having portfolios to review in the waiting area, and the stations appeared to be well kept. Value: 4.5/5 I did a decent amount of window shopping prior, and compared to other studios I think B&B is fairly priced. Claire was amazingly quick, and her work is well worth it! Note that new artists accept cash only, and for anyone looking to get a new tattoo in general I recommend looking at artist Instagram pages beforehand. 4.75 - I'm already planning my next tattoo here! Read Less

I had the most wonderful experience getting tattooed by Chris! In our design consultation he really embraced my ideas and brought everything together incredibly well. During the tattoo appointment he was patient, receptive to questions and changes and made me feel at ease through out the whole process. Not to mention the entire staff is incredibly friendly! Read Less

Please refer to the attached image. A picture says a thousand words, but the only thing this should be communicating is: COMPLETE SHIT. STAY AWAY FROM BLACK & BLUE. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.I've waited almost three years to post this review of my experience at Black and Blue. I thought I could learn to live with the piece, but every time I catch sight of it in the mirror, I still can't believe a "professional" artist would do something like this. I wrote this immediately after completing my piece here, so the claims I make are completely accurate and factual.I chose my artist, Michael, based on his beautiful color work.  I had a pre-existing tattoo I wanted covered up with something really colorful, and thought he would be perfect.I had no issues contacting him directly.  I did not schedule through the shop as I had problems getting a return call. I know some people have left reviews saying the same, so maybe if you're struggling to reach them try emailing an artist directly.I sent him a photo of some tattoos that I loved. You can see these images in my uploaded pic. The "original reference" is the first thing I sent him. In my email I talked about exactly what aspects of it I liked, and what I wanted changed. I don't think he read my email beyond a quick skim, otherwise he would have taken a second look at the attached pics and noticed the animals and other little details worked in around the piece.He said he would start working on a sketch and we set up a date. I offered to pay a deposit several times, but he declined each offer and said I could pay the day of.When I arrived for my apt, he took a measurement of my leg and then came out about 5 mins later with a basic design, obviously taken from a flash book.  I was floored.  He had obviously just printed this out.  None of my personalized details or specifics we discussed were there. I hated my existing piece so much, I decided I would just get the mandala done that day, and I would go somewhere else to add the animals and other details.He did the line work that day and sent me home. I will say he did a great job on the linework, and you couldn't even tell it was a coverup.Fast forward and I'm ready to do the color. I email Michael and leave a voicemail. I didn't hear from him within a week, so I repeat - three times. I finally call the shop, and was told Michael had changed his email address and had forgotten to notify me of his new one. I set up an appointment with the shop directly.I show up for my next appointment, and we discuss colors. I brought my iPad with me and showed him other tattoos with colors and patterns that I liked. I pick out the pinks and blues that I want, and let him choose a couple of the complimentary/filler colors. I leave my iPad open and in his view, with the pics open so he could see them at all times.There are three tiny dots where he used my turquoise and six thin lines where he used my pink. Everything clashed. I left zero room for confusion - he literally colored it 12" from the reference images. As the artist, it was his job to select a good color scheme around my choices, and to decide on a good layout where colors complimented each other.  He knew exactly what I wanted and he did the exact opposite. I hate it more than the original piece. If I didn't know any better, I would say Michael did this on purpose. Michael was cold, stand-offish, and unfriendly. He seemed to want nothing to do with me, and I tipped him quite well my first visit (almost $100 for 90mins of work), and tipped $200 my second visit (despite being completely furious). At the very least, he could have read my emails, looked at my reference art, and listened to what I was saying. You know - the things I paid him $800 to do.Please find another shop.  Please use a different artist.  Read the reviews which were 'filtered' by Yelp.  I am not the first person with these complaints, nor will I be the last.  No other shop in SF has this number of negative reviews, which I didn't notice until after my second visit. Read Less

I have mixed feelings about my experience at Black & Blue. The shop itself is lovely and welcoming. It seems like most of the artists there are extremely talented and professional. Unfortunately my experience with my tattoo artist Verb did not go as well as I would have liked. I came in and made an appointment for a tattoo of a short Latin phrase in script. She asked me to email her the phrase with some references of how I'd like the script to look, so I did. On the day of my appointment she showed me what she came up with, and I was disappointed to see that not only was the script nothing like the references I sent her, but the phrase was actually spelled wrong, despite my sending her the specific phrase. She became very irritated when I politely expressed my concerns to her, like it was a real inconvenience for her, and that made me really uncomfortable. After taking some time to continue talking and figuring out what could work better, we ultimately settled on something that I feel mostly satisfied with. But I felt like I was walking on eggshells the whole time as to not further upset her.  So... I guess all's well that ends well, right? I would definitely come back to Black & Blue for another tattoo, but I would not go back to that artist, nor would I recommend her to anyone else. Read Less

I was searching around for a tattoo artist and Vinh's work really caught my attention. I emailed him, he responded in a few days. I booked a consultation where we discussed ideas and he also scheduled my tattoo session (which was 3 months later.) The night before my appointment, Vinh emailed me the design. I was sooo excited! On the day of the appointment, you sign in and fill out a form. The rest of the staff at Black and Blue were just extremely nice and made me feel welcome. Of course getting a tattoo is not fun. But Vinh works fast! I couldn't believe it took an hour. I am so in love with the outcome. The details on the tiny birds and the dot work on the flower. He is so talented and I highly recommend him!! Read Less

it takes a lot for me to write anything on Yelp but this place is a JOKE!  i've always heard not such great things from this shop. but i like to see things for myself and not listen to idle gossip.  i also like to support women owned businesses.  so.....i walked in today to see about getting a tattoo on my ear.  the receptionist said "we don't tattoo ears". i said "oh really, why". she could not give me an answer why. i said "ok, then i'll get it on my lower neck below the hairline".  she set me up an appointment for later in the day.  i get a call 30 minutes later and the message said they wouldn't be able to tattoo me at all! i called back being a little confused and inquired about it.  she then preceded to tell me that they don't tattoo ears, necks, and heads.  ok, i've been getting tattooed for 30 years now and i've been to many tattoo shops and i've never had any of them say they don't tattoo necks or heads.  the worst part is, the receptionist they have doesn't have a clue about anything that happens there. this is the person your supposed to talk to about the shop and tattoos.  she couldn't answer one question about the reason for refusing the work.  when i got home i decided to look at their website.  guess what i saw...head tattoos and tattoos going up the neck.  WTF??? Read Less

This review is for Vinh. I got my first tattoo with him today: -he was great at communicating when we discussed design and scheduling via email -he gets booked! Expect months wait. I waited 6 months, which wasn't a problem. - he nailed every single detail that I was hoping for in my tattoo. His monochromatic linework/dotwork is beautiful, clean, and intricate. -we are both fans of Princess Mononoke (character on my arm), so that was a major bonus -he is fast, accommodating, light handed, and easygoing. Overall, if you like his artistic style, consider speaking to him! I'm obsessed with mine :) Read Less

There is good and then there is great. More importantly there is great ... but also artistic. More importantly there is great and artistic ... but also inspired. More importantly there is great and artistic and inspired ... but also being an all around bad ass person. That. Is. Idexa. Period. End of sentence. No questions asked. Good night. Tuck your children in. Adios. Could not be happier with the work ... or the person I am doing the work with. Read Less

**** This review is for VINH HUYHN a.k.a @_ironwave_ on IG *****If you check out his art he has a certain style which is dotwork, patterns, geometrical shapes, and realism portraits. This dude is booked most of the time from either months to a year ahead because of how intricate and clean his work is. With that being said let me explain why Vinh needs another 5 stars. I just got my tattoo done yesterday by him and I have no regrets whatsoever. Back tracking a few days I made an inquiry with him on July 10th. What I wanted was the GG bridge with a scenery around it within a band - an arm band tattoo. I gave him an example I've seen years ago and I told him that was a great example of what it was, but obviously I didn't want it exactly like that. I was super interested in his dotwork style because it's something he is an expert at and I trusted him full on. His communication with his clients is spot on. I inquired on July 10th, got a response the next day. Following up with my vision of the tattoo I got SO LUCKY because I was supposed to be booked for the end of the 2017 year, but he asked if I wanted to get it on July 21st which was two weeks away - without hesitation I took it. Every single day after that we exchanged communication via email because I was so skeptical about not giving him enough information about my tattoo. Did not have a regular consultation nor did I have to pay a deposit fee because of how close the date was. So the way Vinh worked with me was I gave him the ideas, he responded with what he can do, and he always makes a stencil either the day before (which was for me) or even if so a few days before for others. When he provided me with the stencil it was so spot on. I did have a few questions to tweak or even add - but in all honesty I thought it was too late to make changes. Being a dope ass guy Vinh accepted to make changes if I wanted which was a day before my session by the way. However, I changed back to my original plan because my idea to make the change I wanted didn't make sense visually (my own opinion). - But the fact that Vinh was willing to accept quick changes a day before tells me that he cares about the customer and is willing to make art changes. If he did that for me I'm sure he's done it for others (hoping they're not heavily changing ideas lol). DAY OF SESSION **Came in finally met Vinh and after paperwork which only took 10min it was time to head to the back and put the stencil on. His original stencil was too small for my arm so he had to reprint a couple which was fine. I could tell once he made the placement for the tattoo he was unsure about it, but of course I wasn't because he has a better perspective than I do. Vinh is a perfectionist, he made sure that the tattoo of my arm band perfectly wrapped around my arm. So he did a couple of more tries, I checked it out and every time it was better than the last placement. So session begins - I did my best to not look because I was really trusting about Vinh's vision in the tattoo. BTW, my stencil of course did not look nothing like my tattoo. It was blown out of the f/ckin water. His attention to detail is insane. I did not look at my tattoo once until the session was done which was about 2h30~ min. Like I said I was trusting his work and damn it was over my expectation. He detailed every part of my tattoo and made some white highlights since it was a starry night type of scenery. I appreciate this so much Vinh props to you dude!As for a side note guys make sure to look for the pricing on Black and Blue's website!!!! Artist will talk about pricing with you IF YOU ASK - but most likely it won't be talked about if you don't do the research yourself or just wonder how much it will be day of. Keep in mind - these tattoos are made with really damn good artists who carry their own style of work. You're not paying for quantity, but for QUALITY work. So pricing may scare you a tad bit, but IT IS SO WORTH IT. Hope this review made you less skeptical about this shop and or the work Vinh does. If you read the other reviews about him, they are all or even most 5 star reviews. Speaking just the truth to y'all. Thanks for reading! Read Less

Best tattoo experience! He is not just an outstanding artist but an excellent person. Unlike many artists, he has the patience and dedication to work with you to get exactly what you are looking for in a very sweet and human way, and not just him but the atmosphere at the studio is brilliant too, felt like I was chilling with lifetime friends. 1year wait?? TOTALLY WORTH IT! Read Less

I just received a tattoo from Ian and I'm so happy with my decision to choose him. His aseptic technique was great and his demeanor calm. He's a great artist and took my friend's and I idea for matching tattoos and made a beautiful realistic version. He takes input well and is full of ideas and so accommodating. The place is clean and has a funky vibe with great music and the staff is friendly. I highly recommend this place, but I must recommend Ian if you're into fine lines and lovely artwork. Read Less

I just got my first tattoo today with Kristy!  I can't tell you enough how I love this place and Kristy's work.  She did an awesome job on my tattoo.  From the receptionist (sorry I don't know your name) to the tattoo artist I choose, Kristy, to the salon itself..all was professional and friendly.  I felt comfortable and at home.  I came in for a consultation, she was matter of fact, confident and told me she's love to tattoo me on the choice of tattoo I wanted done.  I showed her a picture of a sea turtle and she assured me she could tattoo me just like to photo and she did!  She listened to what I wanted and totally complied.  I had to wait a month for may actual tattoo appointment but it was worth the wait!!  The size, placement, colors, everything is or was just perfect.   It took me several years to get up the nerve to get a tat and to choose the right art and artist.  I am super happy.  Thank you Black and Blue and Kristy!!!! Read Less

Kasha, you Wild Bird, you. Your mandala-loving, dot-working, geometric savvy has more than upheld B+B's reputation as one of The City's finest ink joints. The Future is Female and this shop stamps a hard (#ladytattooer) in gracious script and detail off the Mission/16th BART stop.Quote me on this **I Never with a capital 'N' liked hashtags**; but when you're looking for something specific on an aesthetically vain app like Instagram, the things work wonders. I liked, marked and compiled a mandalaTAT category on my account and sent a couple of ideas to Vinh initially by email.The auto-response said it all: "Due to my schedule and demand I am currently accepting cleints that allow me to have creative freedom on design. I am booking about 6 months for tattoo appointments, ..." At the least, Vinh's that busy but since I was on the fence about adding color to the more common black & white scales seen on IG, he referred me to Kasha and Millie.About two and a half account-swipings later, I was pulled into Kasha's work and decided to shoot her the same piling ideas I did Vinh. Ideas soo piled (yet specific), that I had to be penciled for an in-person consult the day she was already willing to hold an inking appointment. Whoaa I say, don't you wanna see what I had in mind first? =) The consult couldn't have been more than 10 mins but to me it felt like I was bombarding her after tanking half of a Four Barrel Cold Brew. BUT! she was very Patient, very Open and All Ears for the details I could clutter that assessment page with. Three weeks later I was set to be branded. Yet again. 4 LyFe!!!Forward to her lair Friday, May 26th: I'm brought back to a cooly-energized, indigo/violet of a room. Anyone close enough knows I have an affinity for purple shades; what with its complexities in JIMI, Barney the Dinosaur and it being one of My Mom's favorite colors---I knew I was in the right place.The draft itself took a lot of details into account: an open center, black koi scales and a signature touch of dotwork throughout. Honestly, I expected some more roundness to contrast a lot of the jutting sharps; a lot of "masculine" cues that weren't all that necessary given that's not really my personality or reason I chose this shop. However, I was exceedingly more than satisfied with the execution and turn out of the 'Man'dala at the end. Can't complain that it's one of a kind and flourished very ME when all was said and done.The 'Wildbird' kept me at ease throughout the four-hour session. It's my second tattoo but the first of anything that scale. "How we doin' there, Jason? ... You have a really high pain tolerance". Even with some of the end-details not quite hashed out, she was so Game with the suggestions I came up with, "Yeah. Fuck Yeah! Let's do it". That's the result of the singed ember petals on the outer layer (and) *All the more reason to believe our Energies were on the same page/wavelength/lightning bottle--whatever--the chemistry was perfect-O. Kasha couldn't have been any more psyched as she's exclaimed over and over that "This was a fun tattoo to do".We snapped some photos for 'for tha gram' against their infamous backyard wall, I dropped some Ca$ha for Kasha and split after a friendly hug. A Beautiful Experience to say in modesty. I've had the privilege to be marked by two talented {female} tattooers so far and have enough Gall n' B*lls to say that Girl Tattooists, scratch it--ARTISTS: Rock. So mind my now (ahem) 3x-ROTD writin' ass: You will not be disappointed in their meticulousness and creative sense at Black & Blue. Respect each others' time and effort for a guarantee you'll leave this parlor happy.....#taxreturntattoo #springtimeofyouth #femaletattooartist #kashawildbird #ladytattooers #sf #BlackAndBlueTattoo ;) Read Less

Vinh is seriously the man! I couldn't be happier with the end result. He was super quick to get back to me and was even able to squeeze me in last minute (score! I def lucked out!) His attention to detail is unheard of. Seriously it's like he magically transposed this portrait on to my arm. Did I mention that this tattoo is only 3 inches? The detail is crazy! I will definitely be back! Read Less

I've been wanting to get a tattoo for a very long time and came across Vinh's work and followed him for a year or two. I really enjoyed the work he has done in his portfolio due to his amazing line work and attention to detail. I booked him about 8 months in advanced as his schedule is extremely busy, but that wait was well worth it. I came in to do a consultation and I told him my idea and gave him the freedom to do whatever.The night before my session he sent me a sketch and I was very impressed. Vinh is a pleasant guy. I enjoyed his company, and wish I spoke more to him but was too busy being in pain for 6 hours. I didn't know how painful it was, but sh*It hurts. But it was very well worth it. I was surprised how fast he did my piece as it seemed very complicated (which I think it was) but that just shows how skillful he is in his work. If you are looking for shapes, patterns, or crazy ass shading, Vinh is your guy. If I ever decide to get another tattoo I'd definitely come back. Read Less

I had the most wonderful experience with Sid Cout, a guess artist at Black and Blue. I was visiting SF from out of town but really wanted to get a tattoo while I was in SF. All the other artists were booked but Sid was able to fit me in. The shop had me email Sid some images so he could have a sketch ready when I arrived for my appointment. When I arrived, the staff was friendly and helpful and I didn't have to wait long for Sid. He made some very helpful suggestions on placement before we began.The tattoo he gave me is a true work of art. I am in awe of the detail and precision he used in such a small tattoo. I highly suggest that anyone who wants a tattoo, especially if you are a fan of black and white tattoos with fine lines and etchings, come and see Sid while he is at Black and Blue. Read Less

Came here for my first tattoo, and I wasn't disappointed by the craftsmanship of Michael, who was recommended to me by Vinh for armbands.I actually came here a few months ago to have a short talk with Michael about placement and pricing, and finally came back just under last month to book an official consultation. The talk was quick, and a week later I was able to make an appointment with Michael the same week!When I came in I was pretty nervous, with it being my first tattoo and all and around my whole arm, which made me feel extra scared. Michael's calm attitude made me feel more calm about the whole situation. I was relieved that he redid the stencil putting on multiple times to get it just right, which is difficult for tattoos that go around the circumference of the arm.The place is super clean, inviting, and amazingly decorated. I love the windows inside each room that let you peek at other work being done sometimes! Michael graciously let two of my close friends sit and watch me get tattooed, which I was pretty surprised about. As I am someone who is pretty talkative, I was a little saddened by the fact that Michael wasn't super talkative and not that into having some small conversations with me. At the same time, I understand that tattooing takes concentration and extra care to be careful and concentrated. Maybe I hear around that many individuals have conversations throughout the time they're getting tattooed, I was a little caught up in that idea and was disappointed when I just sat there for 2 hours and was pretty quiet and used my phone for the most part.Even though it wasn't an experience I expected, I still loved my time here. I'll definitely be coming back for more pieces. It was clean, quiet, and inviting. Read Less

It felt like I was hanging out with an old friend while he worked on his craft. The collaborative creation of my piece was something I did not expect but quickly learned I needed and deeply appreciated. He is detail-oriented with your artwork and overall human experience. Find him! Read Less

I can not thank Ian enough for his amazing work. I'm honored to have his art on my body forever. I had been looking for an artist for my tattoo for quite some time and I had a good feeling about him after I looked through his work. His skill when it comes to intricacy and pointillism is exactly what I was looking for. I emailed him and he responded within a day or two. He was super on board and great with communication overall. What really made this experience what I see as an ideal tattoo experience (aside from his fucking amazing talent - have you seen his surrealist oil paintings?) was his genuine care, respect and his overall personality. He reprinted and redrew little details over and over again until the tattoo was just what I wanted. He was so enthusiastic about the tattoo on top of it. It was his first cicada and it turned out flawless. I'm super stoked about and it's healing up perfectly already. Ian is an incredible artist and an awesome guy overall. My favorite tattoo experience yet for sure. Thank you so much ! Read Less

tl;drUnpretentious but professional team and an excellent experience with Kasha.I called for a consultation and got in same day with Kasha, who just moved back to the Bay Area after living and tattoing for some years in NYC and Hawaii. My tattoo idea was some black text in my own handwritten calligraphy, and on the consult day, Kasha gave me some good pointers on my samples for how to make the writing hold up over time. She said, "I would tell you if your art wasn't good, but it's very good!"I went home and practiced and finally got the perfect copy down. My inking was booked for 6 days later. The location feels like a house that people live in. It's very comfortable, but clean and together. It felt friendlier than other places I've been, but also very professional. Even in observing artists interact with other clients (both in consultations and during inking), no one gave an air of arrogance the way I've seen and heard other artists in their shops.Kasha was very meticulous, detail focused, and was not rushed or hurried. Even though this was my second tattoo, she told me what to expect each step ("next I'm going to do this, you might feel this/that way," etc.) which was reassuring. She was very calm and has a very open, positive energy about her. My tattoo has feminist significance, and it was important to me that my artist be a woman. She noted and appreciated the significance of my message, and was excited for me, supportive, and easy to talk to.Highly recommend and will be back for my next one! Read Less

Usually don't write reviews but I gotta give props to Vinh! This was my first tattoo so I was pretty nervous. I hit him up through email with my idea of what I wanted and a reference pic of what I was going for. He got back to me within a day and seemed stoked to do this piece for me. He usually has a 6 month waiting period but he had an opening a month after I hit him up so I lucked out! The day of my appointment, Vinh was really chill and very professional. The tattoo turned out even better than I imagined. He made sure that the tattoo was what I wanted and was thorough when explaining how to treat it. If I were to get another tattoo (which I probably will), I am definitely gonna hit him up again. The people working were very friendly and the shop looked even cooler in person. Definitely recommend! Read Less

Four words: Ian is the man. I've been looking for a tattoo shop in SF for a couple of months now and came across Black & Blue on Yelp. Decided to check out their site and stumbled upon Ian's portfolio. It was the impeccable line and dot work that drew my attention to his profile in particular. Sent him an email immediately inquiring about his availability and received a reply within the next day or so. The consultation was super chill-- I immediately realized I was in good (and experienced) hands. The tattoo session was probably the most entertaining yet chill session I've experienced to date. Ian is an excellent conversationalist: funny, engaging, relatable. I never felt uncomfortable or awkward during the three and a half hour session with him. Throughout the entire time, he was professional and accommodating; he had a bunch of starbursts on hand in case I needed that spike in blood sugar. He even gifted me with my first bottle of soylent (!!). As for the tattoo-- I LOVE it. I knew I wanted a bunch of orchids on my shoulder, but didn't have any other specifications for the piece. Ian took the idea and ran with it to produce a beautiful piece of art. My tattoo strikes the perfect balance between femininity and minimalism-- a balance I was looking for in this piece. I recommend B&B for anyone in the bay who is looking for a piece to add to their collection. If you like Ian's style, I 100% recommend getting a piece done by him. I know I'll be back soon! Read Less

I have become addicted to the ink in the past couple years and Kristy Quinones is my go to. She always takes my half baked ideas and makes them full blown masterpieces! What first sold me on Kristy was when she was doing my first big piece (a trio of gardenias) and playin Billie holiday music in the background, not knowing that the piece was sentimental to me because of my mom's and my love of Billie holiday. She is very professional and available to suggestions. I must have changed my mind about 3 times on the full back piece she's doing for me and she's been very understanding and patient. I will definitely be going to her for years to come. Read Less

Vinh...dude. This guy is the absolute man.  I wanted to get my first tattoo for my mom who passed away a while back, so it was very important to me that I find the right artist (took me about seven years).  When I came across Vinh's work, I immediately knew he was the right guy.  I emailed him my idea, and within a couple of weeks I came in for a consultation. ��I had a few photos that I wanted to base the tattoo off of, but they were somewhat incomplete and my ideas were a little fuzzy.  Fast forward four months, and Vinh had created a photoshopped "sketch", basically using the elements I wanted from my photos, but had added more dimension.  I asked him to change a few things, and he was totally willing and happy to work with me. An hour and a half later, I looked at my arm and Vinh had created this amazing piece that I honestly could not have even imagined.  I know he normally doesn't do color, but this guy is the sh*t at everything he does.  His attention to detail is absolutely insane, and he's quick too; people are shocked when I tell them he only took an hour and a half.  Basically, when I decide to get another tattoo, Vinh will be the guy I go to.  I wouldn't even think about looking anywhere else. Read Less

Exceptional experience. Kind, talented, technical, creative, unique, humble, thoughtful. The full package for a world-renowned black-work tattoo artist. Worth the wait (there is a very good reason he is booked so far out!). This was my first tattoo and not being an artist, I went in with a general idea, which he patiently helped me design into an incredible work of art. The piece took on a life of its own and turned out to be more beautiful then I could have imagined. I couldn't have asked for a better first tattoo experience. Read Less

Couldn't be more ecstatic with my experience and my tattoo. Brucius is a true artist and professional. Calm and welcoming environment, enjoyable experience and perfect end result on me for life! It's crazy pants how detail oriented and intricate certain elements are in my back piece that I just haven't seen in other artist's portfolios. Also quite painless (as far as getting tattooed goes). Coming back as soon as I can for sure. Now I just have to get an all new backless wardrobe to show it off!!! Read Less

I've been wanting a tattoo for quite a while, but I finally decided to take the plunge. I found Black & Blue through instagram and was seriously impressed with a lot of the artists. I started emailing with Ian about what I wanted and told him it was going to be my first tattoo. I was pretty nervous, but he answered all of my questions during our consultation and seemed really inspired to work on the design. I was honestly so impressed by the finished sketch because it was exactly what I wanted it to look like. The actual session took 2 hours and the finished result is amazing. Ian was super chill to talk to and I'm just really happy with my overall experience here. I would definitely recommend Ian and Black & Blue to friends! Read Less

My review is for my amazing tattoo artist, Vinh!I came across Vinh about 7 months ago when I was looking for artists in the Bay Area for mandalas. I reached out to him through email and I was very surprised at how quick he replied. He replied to me in less than 24 hours, and we exchanged few emails with some of my questions and made a call to the store to schedule a consultation with him right away. During our consultation, I explained to him what I wanted, and double checked with him about his pricing and how long it would take to finish my piece. He took a picture of my arm, we scheduled an appointment and I put down a deposit. To be honest, I was a bit sad when he told me that his next available date was 6 months from then, but I am so glad I waited!Now fast forwarding 6 months..The night before my appointment, we exchanged more emails and sent me few drawings of my tattoo. On the day of my appointment, I walked in, signed a waiver, and waited in the lounge. It wasn't until about an hour later than my appointment that Vinh called me in to his working area. He showed me different sizes of the tattoo so I can pick one out and we got started on it. He worked on my tattoo so quick, and had phone chargers, starbursts and water by my side to keep me distracted from my pain :)It has only been 6 days since I got my tattoo and I have already been getting so many compliments. I can't express enough how much I love my piece! If I'm ever getting another japanese/mandala tattoos, you all know who I will be coming back to! Read Less

My first tattoo was done by Vinh, and it was November 13 last year! Yup, I won't forget when I first got this done. Love everything about it, still :)Since it was my first, Vinh made me feel so comfortable and relax. The communication before getting the ink down was great -- since getting the sketch. I couldn't ask for more! Read Less