This is a long overdue review for Ian! Ian was friendly, professional, and communicative throughout our whole tattoo process. My fiancé and I both wanted tattoos of Half Dome done as that is where we got engaged. Neither of us are super artistic, and gave Ian the bare bones of what we wanted and let him run with the artistic design. We did our initial consult through email and Ian was timely and thorough with his responses. He outlined the entire process and was very clear with all payment and policies we would need to know. On the day we received our tattoos Ian had created several different designs for each of our tattoos based on our vague descriptions. They were all beautiful and had varying amounts of detail and shading to give us options from very simple to very detailed. We were able to give our input and mix and match elements from different designs to come up with the perfect design for ourselves. The tattooing process itself was very organized and clearly hygienic and clean. He walked us through all the anger care tips we'd need to know thoroughly. Ian was efficient but meticulous. He was very generous with his time for both the design and the actual tattoo time, and probably didn't charge us as much as he should have for the time we spent there :) Our tattoos both came out better than we ever imagined, and 4 months later we are both still thrilled with them. If you want a tattoo that is truly a piece of art and gives you a fun and stress free experience see Ian at Castro tattoos. I'll definitely be back for my next one! Read Less

This is a long overdue review for Ian! Ian was friendly, professional, and communicative throughout our whole tattoo process. My fiancé and I both wanted tattoos of Half Dome done as that is where we got engaged. Neither of us are super artistic, and gave Ian the bare bones of what we wanted and let him run with the artistic design. We did our initial consult through email and Ian was timely and thorough with his responses. He outlined the entire process and was very clear with all payment and policies we would need to know. On the day we received our tattoos Ian had created several different designs for each of our tattoos based on our vague descriptions. They were all beautiful and had varying amounts of detail and shading to give us options from very simple to very detailed. We were able to give our input and mix and match elements from different designs to come up with the perfect design for ourselves. The tattooing process itself was very organized and clearly hygienic and clean. He walked us through all the anger care tips we'd need to know thoroughly. Ian was efficient but meticulous. He was very generous with his time for both the design and the actual tattoo time, and probably didn't charge us as much as he should have for the time we spent there :) Our tattoos both came out better than we ever imagined, and 4 months later we are both still thrilled with them. If you want a tattoo that is truly a piece of art and gives you a fun and stress free experience see Ian at Castro tattoos. I'll definitely be back for my next one! Read Less

this review is for Ian who made my tattoo experience amazing! Even though the consultation was done through email, Ian was efficient in replying (about 2-3 days) and asked me about my design, placement, types of lines and shading, etc. He was thorough about everything and that put my nerves at ease because this was my first tattoo.I appreciated the fact that he was really focused while tattooing, but he also engaged in conversation with me and my friend. The environment just felt comfortable and a major reason for that is because of Ian's kind and calming presence. He's an easy person to talk to and I almost forgot that he was jabbing a needle into my skin!! But after all was said n done, the piece was really beautiful and something I'll always treasure. I can't recommend him enough and I will definitely go to Ian again. And his Instagram @ianreynold has more of his incredible work so check it out! Read Less

Jess Koala is our favorite person. My friend Angelini and I come here for heart break therapy. The real conversations we have while getting our imaginary somethings is cathartic and lovely in this little place hidden in the Castro. There's just something about supporting this kindred queer and we're always down to help keep things weirder. Jess is an amazing person in addition to being a talented tattoo artist. She has a unique style unlike anything I've come across. I had her tattoo something in memory of my beloved grandpa and it was absolutely perfect. The ink she uses is magical, it has a way of tuning up with the universe. I've seen my grandpa's car everywhere since I got that piece. Angelini can confirm.She takes our ideas, honors them, adds a Jess spin on them, and lets us walk out the door carrying something with us. That's not exactly an easy task, but she brings out her fun colors, tacks our tattoo sketch on the cork board after the sesh, and out the door we are. After listening to Kate Nash or discussing lesbian movies in the back, we always walk out with a new queer scout badge. It always turns out to be exactly as it should be. We'll be back soon and can't wait to see what we'll earn next!PS: Sorry we forgot our Dapper Dog on the couch last time! PPS: Thanks for the Jolly Ranchers!PPPS: We'd like to interview you during our future radio show. :) Read Less

Came here for a quick butt tattoo. Everyone was very friendly and professional. The place was nice and clean and despite having half my a$$ hanging out I felt quite at ease. This app is telling me my review is too short, so I guess I'll give a little back story to my visit so these guys can get their well deserved five stars.I was going to be moving from SF to an off grid site in the Mojave when my friend asked, "So, what regrettable farewell tattoo are you going to get?"I have a lot of ink but none had managed to make it to my bum. My friend and I perused google's collection of stupid tattoos over a few drinks before I settled on the mark of the beast.There. That's a thing you know about a particularly impulsive internet stranger now. Read Less

I got my first tattoo Friday from Ian Reynold. First of all his art is amazing. I had a line illustration from another artist and he did it more than justice! Those small complicated lines were put to shame. It's beautiful and I love it. Ian is very talented and made me feel super comfortable and at ease. Also loved the music playing, that's a plus. Definitely will be back! Read Less

Millie Koh is AMAZE!! If you work with her you will be elated and awed and forever pleased with your keen decision. You are submitting to a marvelous artist, a genius with fine detail, and an aficionado of the ink. Read Less

I am so happy with my tattoo from Ian Reynold! I contacted Ian with a rough idea of the elements I wanted, and could not be more pleased with the artwork he produced. This was my first tattoo, and I was a little nervous about it, but Ian quickly put me at ease. I am so happy with how the tattoo turned out, and I had a great time chatting with him while he was tattooing. Ian is truly an exceptional artist and a super cool dude. A+, highly recommend. Read Less

I am so happy with my tattoo from Ian Reynold! I contacted Ian with a rough idea of the elements I wanted, and could not be more pleased with the artwork he produced. This was my first tattoo, and I was a little nervous about it, but Ian quickly put me at ease. I am so happy with how the tattoo turned out, and I had a great time chatting with him while he was tattooing. Ian is truly an exceptional artist and a super cool dude. A+, highly recommend. Read Less

had an amazing 1st tattoo experience with Ian Reynold at Castro Tattoo. Ian was calm and approachable: he talked me through all the decisions on sizing, placement, and shading, and checked in to see how I was doing during the tattoo. We had lovely conversation. There was no rush. The instructions for after-care were clear and easy to follow. Most of all, I have a beautiful tattoo of a cluster of California poppies, in a wonderful botanical illustration style. I would do it all again, and soon. Read Less

I had such a terrific experience with Jazz Fuller. I wanted to have a more elaborate Ouroboros tattoo. She did a design which was amazing, but not really "me". After we spoke she did this design freehand direct on my arm, capturing exactly what I was looking for. Her price was more than reasonable and I think the results speak for themselves. It's important that your artist gets what you're wanting to achieve and she did that and more. I had to wait a month for her to be available and the wait was totally worth it. Read Less

I had the most amazing experience at Castro Tattoo. The shop was super well-maintained and the individual rooms to each tattoo artist allows for more privacy. I had the honor of being tattooed by Ian Reynold, which was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Ian was so nice and squeezed me into his schedule even though he was pretty booked. He was really thorough in asking about design and placement. During the actual session, he let me play around with different print outs of the sizing and format of the tattoo. He also made sure to give his professional opinion when needed but really made it feel like it was a collaboration between the two of us. I can definitely see myself coming back to get tattooed by Ian in the future. His work is flawless and he's very kind and down to earth. If you're looking to have an amazing tattoo experience, I 100% recommend. Read Less

Ian Reynolds is a multifaceted human being who is also multi-talented not only in the arts and music arena, but also in crushing and sending problems at the local Mission Cliffs. His kind,warm, and personable demeanor easily made our 7 hours together like talking with a friend.What I loved about the process:1) Ian's thorough AF booking info. (prior to consultation/actual apt)(Price, Shop hours, deposit, skin care, answers to frequent Qs)2) Quick response through email/text (2-4 days)3) My in person consult didn't feel rushed and went over the quoted time in the booking information. Ian is very patient and professional!4) Ian quoted me pretty accurately so I was able to just about have enough cash for my session.What I didn't love so much:1) Parking ( I'm an hour south of the city)*I parked close to GGP and hitched a 3$ uber to the shop! Easy Peasy2) I should have brought snacks and food for me and Ian (7 hour session = 7 hours fasting.) Ian did ask me if I wanted breaks and go get food across the street, but I just said, "nah, carry-on!")Basically Ian gets 15/10 for the amount of effort and time he spent prepping and waiting for me to be comfortable with what we were about to permanently ink on my body. I didn't feel rushed or pressured. Every hour I gained more and more confidence in him and his ability to let his passion and love for the arts to create the beautiful and meaningful masterpiece on my arm! Read Less

Donny Newman tattooed me and my sister. I had called in the day before and he answered and let my sister come in after hours on his own time to help draw up and finish a last minute tattoo for me and my sister. He was so accommodating and chill. The artwork turned out perfect and exactly what we wanted. He took care to maintain cleanliness and made sure we got exactly what we wanted. Beautiful work with a phenomenal guy! Thank you Donny Read Less

I had the best experience here! My sister and I came in for our first tattoos, and Ian Reynold made us feel so comfortable. He was so kind and patient, I never felt rushed when making decisions. He had a few different designs prepared, and he let me look at a few different options in different sizes until I found exactly what I wanted. He executed it perfectly and I am so happy with the end result. Not only is he a very skilled artist, but he's a genuinely sweet person and I will definitely be going back to him if I decide to get another tattoo. Read Less

I got my first tattoo here and had a really great experience! I came in close to closing and the guy at the front desk got Donny, who told me he would love to do my tattoo, but not tonight because he's really tired and doesn't want to give me a bad quality tattoo. He also offered me a discount to come back in a few days, so I put a deposit down and came in another day. Donny was very professional, answered all my questions and was a pleasure to talk to while he worked on my arm. It healed beautifully and still looks great! Read Less

Sam has been my artist for over 4 years now and has done both of my sleeves, you'd be hard pressed to find someone more talented than she is! Her combination of professionalism and passion for tattooing is incredible, and she is extremely down to earth and easy to work with. You'll never get a tattoo from her that you don't absolutely love, I can pretty much guarantee that! Read Less

On Monday, I had an appointment with tattoo artist Ian Reynolds at Castro for my very first tattoo. A week prior, I've contacted Ian via their website and received efficient and prompt communication from him. Man, this tattoo was quite the experience. Ian is a very welcoming very friendly person, not afraid to give his honest professional opinion, and makes a point in making what you want in your tattoo his priority. I don't really know what else to say except I am super happy that I chose Ian as the artist for my first tattoo and I will definitely be making more appointments with him. Here is the tattoo that he did on my upper arm. He used a template from an artwork that I sent him but the dot-work shading is his signature style. I couldn't be happier and I can't stop looking at my new tattoo. Thank you Ian!!! Read Less

I cannot speak highly enough about Sam or her tattooing abilities. I have amassed quite a few tattoos over the years, but none compare to the forearm piece that she did for me. I wanted to memorialize my poor sweet kitters in a tattoo after losing him suddenly earlier in the year. I was introduced to Sam's work through a close friend and I was impressed by her unique style. I was particularly drawn to her combination of geometric lines, soft, natural forms, and her water color technique - something I have never seen from anyone else!Sam was absolutely amazing throughout the entire process. We went over some of my favorite pieces of hers and what I liked about them, and she created a super unique design that was not only exactly what I had in mind, but also drawn to fit perfectly on my teensy forearm. She tattooed me in two sittings, recognizing when my skin had reached the point when it needed a rest. I've not had a tattoo artist before that was sensitive to this and I think that this was the reason why this tattoo healed in record time. Sam was professional, compassionate, and fun to talk to - she made my time in the chair fly by!All of this amazingness aside, what I was most impressed with is how the tattoo came out. The picture in this review does not do it justice. Her lines are SO clean, her colors pop like crazy and Smokey's face looks EXACTLY like the picture that she used as a reference for the tattoo. I get complimented on this tattoo everywhere that I go. Seriously, every time that I go out in public, someone asks me about the tattoo. It's just so different from anything else that is out there, and so so beautiful. I can't wait to get back in her chair for some more work. If you are looking for an amazing artist with a super unique style who creates some of the most original and beautiful tattoos on the planet, hit her up! Read Less

Being that this was my first tattoo, I did a lot of research to find a good place with reputable, talented, and most importantly, passionate artists. Ian Reynold was that and even more! After following his work for some time, I concluded that I wanted my first piece to be down by him. His work is so beautiful and he is insanely talented. He quickly responded to my email about booking an appointment and answered many of my anxiety driven questions about getting my first tattoo. Upon meeting him, I was instantly reassured that it was the right decision. His sketches blew me away because they were exactly what I wanted! Although I was being stabbed by hundreds of needles, Ian's calm demeanor definitely made the experience as painless as possible. I enjoyed our conversation, the overall experiences, and cannot wait to book my second piece with Ian! Read Less

Being that this was my first tattoo, I did a lot of research to find a good place with reputable, talented, and most importantly, passionate artists. Ian Reynold was that and even more! After following his work for some time, I concluded that I wanted my first piece to be done by him. His work is so beautiful and he is insanely talented. He quickly responded to my email about booking an appointment and answered many of my anxiety driven questions about getting my first tattoo. Upon meeting him, I was instantly reassured that it was the right decision. His sketches blew me away because they were exactly what I wanted! Although I was being stabbed by hundreds of needles, Ian's calm demeanor definitely made the experience as painless as possible. I enjoyed our conversation, the overall experiences, and cannot wait to book my second piece with Ian! Read Less

Sam has been my artist for the better part of 4 years.  I have trusted her since day one and she has always worked with me to acheive exactly what I am looking for and more.  She is reliable, kind, and remarkably talented.Definitely go to Castro and see Sam! Read Less

Ian is the best-- super amazing tattoo artist who makes you feel super comfortable while he's literally stabbing you with needles full of ink lol. Ian was a consummate professional throughout the entire process: from emailing (his consultations, unless you specifically ask for it in person are through email) about the tattoo I wanted, to scheduling and how he works, to the actual process of tattooing and going through aftercare instructions. He is very affordable and reasonably priced for San Francisco, and is upfront about his costs. Booking an appointment involves a deposit that will end up going towards the last parts of your appointment. Ian draws up your design with a mix of an iPad and also by hand on paper. He's super helpful, very chill and gives you plenty of options and is very quick and thorough. He won't show you your design until the day of, so you've gotta trust him, but he's super easygoing and is great at making you feel at ease. I got a large tattoo on my thigh of a skull with flowers blooming out of it and he has a great range . He can manage to do heavy, medium and light shading and the lines come out crisp and clean. He is great with realistic blackwork, and I would definitely recommend seeing Ian here at Castro Tattoo! I'm definitely coming back to get another piece done with him. Read Less

Ian Reynold is the BEST! He's an amazingly talented artist and it really shows in his clean lines and attention to detail. I asked him to do a portrait of my cat based off of a picture I took of him and I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out! Ian worked with me on a few different options and was careful to make sure it was exactly what I wanted before starting the tattoo. His calm demeanor and professionalism makes the entire experience really enjoyable, plus he's just a cool dude to spend some time with in general.Also, Castro Tattoo is a really great shop with a chill atmosphere which definitely adds to the experience. I guarantee you won't be disappointed if you get a tattoo from Ian, I'm thrilled to have a piece of his art! Check out his other work and you'll see what I mean, Ian is the shit! (Instagram: @ianreynold) Read Less

Ian is the best! We did a consultation via email to explain what I wanted and when I came in to get tattooed, he showed me a few different sketches. It was pretty incredible that he was able to create exactly what I had in mind and we didn't even have to meet in person beforehand. He's an incredibly talented artist but so humble and the nicest guy. I'd recommend him to anyone. So happy to have a piece of his art! Read Less

Donny Newman has been working with me for the last year creating an amazing work of art. At our last session, he finished up the original piece and brought a faded Tattoo back to life. He is an amazing artist who truly takes the time to get to know his clients and what they want. My interactions with the other staff members has shown that this is a common practice for all of the artists. I highly recommend Castro Tattoo (and especially Donny but I am prejudiced) if you are considering body art. Read Less

I just got a tattoo of a lighthouse scene done on my forearm from Ian Reynold, and I love it so much. I made an appointment with him before he moved to Castro Tattoo, but I'm so glad that I got to have my appointment here -- the space is cozy with an interesting variety of decorations and the various tattoo artists seem to have a great camaraderie. A couple of people came in to chat and say hi as Ian was tattooing me, which created a very comfortable atmosphere.Ian himself is an incredible artist; my tattoo involves line work and some dots/shading, and he checked in with me a few times beforehand and throughout the process of tattooing me to ask if I wanted more of certain elements. His manner is chill, calming, and friendly, and it's clear how much he loves his work. I had a wonderful experience at Castro Tattoo and with Ian specifically, and I definitely hope to be back to get more tattoos done in the future. Read Less

Just had my first tattoo done here by Ian Reynold (@ianreynold) and it was a lovely experience start to finish! He responded quickly to my inquiry and was very detailed and informative throughout the planning stages. The piece he created is more beautiful than I could have even imagined! I will definitely be returning for future pieces :) THANK YOU IAN!!! YOU ARE AWESOME! Read Less

I GOT TATTOOED BY IAN REYNOLD AND ITS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WORK OF ART EVER. So on a whim, I decided I wanted a new tattoo and I had a design in mind. I chose Ian because I saw a drawing of a statue he did and I wanted to get a statue tattoo so I figured this is the guy!!! I emailed Ian about it and he was super quick to reply and give me all the details and bam in a week I was booked to get tattooed by him. It was all a whirlwind and honestly I was a little nervous going in since I hadn't seen the design yet. But I was immediately at ease once I met Ian and saw the design. He had drawn up a couple of variations and we tweaked it a little bit when I got there but he helped me create exactly what I wanted down to the tiniest little details. He's a super chill guy and really friendly! He's not intimidating at all so it was easy to talk to him and tell him exactly what I wanted with my tattoo. He was also very helpful in helping me decide on placement/sizes/etc. His prices are pretty standard for SF tattoo artists. It was great being tattooed by him because it was sorta just like laying there chatting with a friend while he pokes you with needles repeatedly for two hours, bc that's what friends to do each other right? LOL JK. But for real though, Ian's work is amazing and he will help you make your tattoo dreams come true! The tattoo didn't even hurt because he had such a light hand. It's definitely the easiest tattoo session I've had and probably one of the most enjoyable since Ian was so chill and easy to talk to!   The tattoo came out better than I could've even imagined and he was able to create exactly what I wanted. I got the statue of David on the back of my upper arm. The lines were crisp and fresh as heck and all the dot work was impeccable. SO HAPPY WITH HOW IT TURNED OUT! I'm glad that I trusted Ian with this tattoo because the man is a true artist!  I'll definitely be going back to Ian for more tattoos in the future. Peep his instagram for his work (@ianreynold), ITS DOPE. I SWEAR. Read Less

Thank you so so SO much Regina! I had my first tattoo here and it couldn't have gone by better. She made sure I was comfortable with the tattoo while giving me advice on sizing as well! She is a great conversationalist and made my experience here seamless. The tattoo itself is amazing. I couldn't have dreamt of something for beautiful and the detailing is outstanding. Check out her Instagram page @inkbypush because her stuff is beautiful! I can't recommend this girl enough, she's seriously the best. Read Less

Really enjoyed my experience :) I got my forearm piece done by Regina Push and it turned out brilliant with their vision and influence, which I love since I came all the way from San Jose just to get a piece done by them! I was very pleased and comforted by how they made me feel during my session, this was my first large piece and they made sure to explain why certain areas hurt more, how to get through those painful parts, and how to manage aftercare. I left feeling confident in my ability to heal up and happy about my new piece! Highly recommend for a clean, safe experience. Thanks Push!!Just something to prepare for before hand: They only accept cash! Although, if you're in a rush there are multiple atms a few doors down Read Less

Donny was awesome! He was honest that what I wanted was gonna take more time than I had! But ever prepared I had an alternate ready! The front desk guy was superbly helpful!!! I just wish I pull take them w me to London in the Fall!!! Thx fellas!Read Less

My 20+ year-old cat, Pete, died in May and I wanted to tattoo his paw-prints on my forearm. But it's a small job and I was afraid to ask someone to do something that meant a lot to me (Petey Pete was my buddy for 17 years!), but would be so little work. I waited on it until I could wait no more. My job is near the shop, so I looked it up online and their website is fantastic, with nice showcases of work and artist bios. I chose to contact Donny (@donnynewmantattoos) because of his description of artwork he has done and likes to do. He responded within 24 hours, with sympathy and enthusiasm for the task, and we set up an appointment to discuss design the next day. Within a week, he had made a beautiful template of Pete's paws and also, per my request, designed several lovely script/font ideas from which to choose for the name "Pete". Donny's art is amazing (his detail is superb) and makes me smile. He's personable and creative; I will be a return client and recommend him to friends. When it heals, I will post a picture.Lastly, it deserves to said: the shop is *immaculate* and the bathroom is very nice and well-maintained. I wasn't looking for that, but it's a helluva plus note. Read Less

Genevieve is absolutely amazing - she was so patient with my lengthy e-mails and questions and made this such an easy process for my first tattoo. She also knew exactly what direction I wanted to go in regarding how things flowed with size and style. She specializes in Polynesian tattoos, but I also 100% recommend her if you're looking into floral or botanical tattoos (especially if you like clean, fine lines and dot work). Can't wait to go back to finish up the rest of my arm! Definitely check her out on Instagram: @huahine_tattoo! Read Less

I had a tattoo done by Regina (@InkbyPush) a few weeks ago. A friend first recommended her to me about a year ago, saying Regina did gorgeous work and was very easy to work with, easygoing and not intimidating. I started following her on instagram and kinda just fell in love with her work. I finally got up the nerve to contact her about an idea that had been floating around in my head for like two years... She emailed me back quickly, asked for more details and gave me an estimate of about how long it might take. Booking the appointment through her website was really simple (I also had to reschedule once and it was super simple to do that, too). On the day of, we spent about 40 minutes hashing out the design because I was being indecisive... Regina was very patient with my waffling, and made a point to not pressure me into anything I wasn't sure of. I knew the general shape I wanted but was having trouble with the pattern to fill it with and she helped me go through several options until we found one I loved. The actual tattoo took only about an hour to do, she is super impressive in how quickly she works (but precise and delicate, not sloppy).  I am super happy with it, and have gotten many compliments on my beautiful piece. Read Less

I assumed that because they had some of the higher prices and good reviews elsewhere that I would be safe to do a walk in. The receptionist was helpful but the tattooist wouldn't say a word to me almost the entire time. I could tell he didn't like me or he didn't want to be there. Maybe both. When I tried speaking to him he would only say "I can't do that" or "I don't know, it's your tattoo". Worst collaboration ever. The tattoo itself is OK but I'm getting it adjusted elsewhere. Read Less

I assumed that because they had some of the higher prices and good reviews elsewhere that I would be safe to do a walk in. The receptionist was helpful but the tattooist wouldn't say a word to me almost the entire time. I could tell he didn't like me or he didn't want to be there. Maybe both. When I tried speaking to him he would only say "I can't do that" or "I don't know, it's your tattoo". Worst collaboration ever. The tattoo itself is OK but I'm getting it adjusted elsewhere Read Less

Went in for my 2nd tattoo session with Donny Newman today. (instagram.com/donnynewma…) I have over 20 tattoos so You know already that if I'm returning to an artist they're doin something right. Very professional and comfortable with communication. He'll chime in Respectfully when something isn't going to work aesthetically as it translates to the nature of art on skin, but he's also equally as willing to play with something new when he's confident that it's within his realm of doing and doing well whether or not it's one of his more experienced styles. Talented, accommodating, and easy to work with Read Less

Went to Donald for an absolutely beautiful tattoo. I gave him a few idea I had for a triceratops with birds of paradise with bright and sharp colors and he delivered past my expectations. I will only go to him for future tattoos. Loved his shading and attention to details Read Less

I went to Regina (@inkbypush on Instagram) for my very first tattoo. I've always wanted to get one but I wanted to find the perfect person to do it and Regina did not disappoint. I'm so happy with my tattoo and I always get so many compliments on it! I sent her a photo of my dog and everything was on the spot. She made me feel so comfortable. I'm definitely coming back for more ;-) Read Less

Push, aka Regina is basically the most detailed, fun, and talented artist I've worked with; she did my most recent piece, my first from her and certainly not my last. Ive had work done by other artists before but have never met someone as open to suggestion, comforting and straight up enjoyable to work with. She was super flexible with my narrow schedule, she was open to my suggestions and even took a little extra time to make some artistic choices that totally took my original idea to the next level.I could be happier with it! I highly recommend. Read Less

I had my first tattoo experience with Regina Push & it couldn't have gone any better! I found her on Instagram and instantly fell in love with her work. She's very talented & does really clean line work. The whole entire process went very smooth. I emailed her with some general ideas and she was able to create exactly what I was hoping for. I'm really looking forward to going in for a second tattoo with her. I highly recommend Push! Read Less

I no longer remember who referred me to Hannah Wolf, but I wish I could, so I could take that person out to dinner. Everything I experienced with Hannah, and the rest of the staff at Castro Tattoo, could not have been better.I have been pondering a tattoo for quite a long time but I am not artistic IN THE LEAST. However, I had been looking at Hannah's portfolio (and pics on instagram: instagram.com/tattoosbyh…)  enough that I felt like her pieces were both deeply meaningful for the people who received them as well as incredibly artistic, and I loved her style. Originally, I had been planning on meeting up with her when she was in Hawaii later this summer while I was there visiting my own family, but she (thankfully) pointed out that I wouldn't be able to do much on the trip if I had just been freshly tattooed :) So, I went to visit her in the shop for a consult.During the consult, I told her some of the imagery I had in mind: two koi, one to represent each of my children, and koi specifically as I had grown up in a house with koi ponds and they figured prominently in my childhood memories. Since she knew I had Hawaiian family, she asked me what different flowers I like, and showed me a couple of pieces she had done in the past to see what aspects I liked of each. She sent me home with the homework of looking at koi patterning and Hawaiian flowers, and we set up our next appointment, which was to be an all-day affair. :)Yesterday, I arrived an hour before the shop opened and she showed me the sketch she had done, which was really beyond my expectations. Then, she showed me some flowers and fish based on the conversations we had had, and we decided on the designs. We fitted the sketch to my arm (it was a half sleeve) and she told me some of the design considerations she had made, in terms of placement and overall design. Then, we got to work!It was really amazing to watch the sleeve develop. Looking down at my arm, and then actually seeing it in the mirror, was like being surprised every time -- I could only see small portions of what she was doing because of my vantage point and then I'd get up and see a fantastic wave that I had no idea was being created. I was at the shop from 11am-8:30pm, and we worked from 12:30-8:30 nearly straight. Hannah is a superhero in that she apparently doesn't eat ;) She was incredibly friendly and thoughtful throughout the process and I learned a lot about the shop while walking to her.My overall impression of everyone was great -- they are a collaborative team that were, to a person, friendly and approachable. I was able to see some of the work other people had done and was impressed by their skill, as well. There is no doubt that when it's time for my next tattoo, I absolutely want Hannah to work on it, and I would recommend her and Castro Tattoo without hesitation. Read Less

I had just about the best tattoo experience at Castro tattoo. The shop is tucked away on 17th and Castro, and has a super good vibe. Stepping inside feels like stepping back in time to a much cooler San Francisco. It also smells like cookies thanks to Hot Cookie being next door ;)Staff is awesome and all the artists in the shop have their own unique styles. Genevieve worked on my tattoo and was totally great! She specializes in traditional Polynesian tattoos, but was more than happy to work with me on my own design. We collaborated on the drawing and she made all the final tweaks. We then experimented with different placements of the piece until we found the perfect spot. I really appreciated this attention to detail and her understanding of how the tattoo can change as the body moves. The result was exactly what I wanted and she checked in with me throughout the process to ensure that I was happy with the piece. It goes without saying that everything in the studio is super clean and hygienic. These guys are pros and know what they're doing. Thanks so much, Genevieve! Read Less

This review is many months overdue. I had my first tattoo ever done by Frank on my birthday in January, a lavender carnation, and couldn't have had a better experience. I was visiting from out of town for a weekend, so no time to meet in person ahead of time. I sent him pictures via email last minute ahead of my trip and when I came in for my appointment he had it all drafted up, and it was perfect. He was great through the whole process, and I couldn't be happier with what he made. I can't go anywhere without someone complimenting this thing, and I am so overwhelmingly happy that I get to wear this flower forever. Hope to be back soon for another! Thank you Frank!! Read Less

Regina was amazing! I walked in one time and spontaneously did one of her 'Up for Grabs' tattoos and fell in love. She is so kind and makes you feel completely comfortable. I loved her so much that I scheduled another appointment with her within three months of the other one. I seriously recommend her to anyone and everyone. She is a good mixture of both old school and new school and can pretty much do anything. I only have good things to say about her! Read Less

My friend and I walked in to get small matching Pokemon tattoos and Donny was the one to help us. He was only able to take me which was fine as my friend was in a time crunch anyways. The tattoo turned out AMAZING!!! He even fixed my fucked up triangle I got at another place. But now I have a little nidoran on my wrist :) Read Less

Hannah Wolf is an AMAZING artist. I went to her to have a tattoo reworked and she completely transformed just a plain ordinary tattoo into a work of art with depth and dimension. She really listened to what I wanted and now it's perfect. It's something I definitely want to show off. I absolutely cannot wait to work with her again. And she is one cool chick too - love that girl! Read Less

I've been getting tattooed by Victor Trujillo for over 2 years and although he's been at Cicatrix for only 6 months, I have gotten to know the artists at the shop and they are all amazing talented artist who will go out of there way to make as comfortable as possible in a completly clean environment. As for Victor Trujillo, i've chose him as my tattoo artist because I love his passion for tattooing and he will not quit until he and client are satisfied. Having the same tattoo artist for over 2 years nonstop says something too. Read Less