Both my husband and I have gotten tattooed here and we felt right at home. Aidan is our artist and he was absolutely wonderful to work with. Warm, hilarious and unparalleled in artistic talent. I can't say enough good things about this place and about the wonderful people that work here. Read Less

Easily the best shop in Santa Cruz. I personally recommend Aidan. He's super friendly, very efficient with time and is great at working with you to get you the piece you want. Awesome. Worth every penny. Read Less

I've been debating to write this review for awhile but it still makes me angry.I came here about a year ago to try out the shop. I have only black traditional tattoos and they said they had some Russian dude that worked on Sunday's that did good work. So, while my boyfriend received a nice tattoo from Derek... I literally fought with my artist over my design. It was a grim reaper of my own design and would only take up about 2 inches. He reworked my design into his own, I didn't approve, and he told me he wasn't about to spend his whole time re-drawing up a sketch I wouldn't like. Then I rejected the idea altogether, and he offered a traditional tattoo book to choose out of. Like, why do I want something you've probably traced and altered a million times because you can't draw? After redrawing my own design over his and confirming the details I wanted - he said ok. But as he was tattooing me... he changed my whole design, did poor shade work that looked like he just stabbed my skin all shitty to make "dots" for shade, and towards the end he left out the details I wanted - made it into HIS tattoo design. When I asked to have eyelashes (which he agreed to in the design) he said they wouldn't look good, and if I insisted, he wouldn't post it on his Instagram. Now I've looked all over Instagram for this guy and I cannot find him. This was the worst experience and tell my friends to avoid this one. I do not give a F if you want to post my tattoo on your Instagram. This was MY SKIN, and it's PERMANENT. Read Less

Hudge did my arm tattoos back in 2005. They're both complex and colorful, and I'm frankly amazed at how well they've maintained their color and intensity, on top of looking great to start with.Always get recommendations from your friends, that's how I found Hudge. Read Less

If you are looking for a place to have your tattoo done, I highly recommend FU Tattoo in Santa Cruz. Amanda covered a witch on my foot that I didn't like.  She created a beautiful bouquet of flowers that turned out awesome .  She has the best personality, and is very talented. Read Less

I just got my first tattoo ever here with Amanda and it was incredible. She was very personable, saw my design and connected, and spoke me through the process. I changed the placement of the tattoo three times and it was perfect, she was patient and her design is something I will treasure for the rest of my life! I highly recommend her, especially if you want a floral or face piece done! Read Less

This review is long overdue. FU was the place I got my first Tattoo and as being someone with a low pain tolerance I think it's a big deal that I loved the experience (not the pain of course but the people are just great). Shout out to Derek that did an amazing job on my tattoos and calming my nerves, also not minding me digging my nail through his table and bench. I get tons of compliments and double takes I couldn't be happier. Read Less

Something has changed here over the past few years that has led to super sweet folks doing amazing tattoos. Maybe it's just cause they're all super sweet family oriented folks now but it's a great shop. Nick, Derek and Amanda are the rulers. They've always taken the best care of me and my friends I've sent their way. Love this place, don't shy away cause of the name. Read Less

I had some flowers on my left forearm that have been a total eyesore and embarrassment for the past 4 years, but Nick covered it perfectly with a traditional style rose and stem! I am beyond happy with it and will definitely be back. :) Read Less

Heath did my first tattoo. I would have NEVER done it anywhere else. The cleanest shop I have ever walked into. He has done a sleeve on my husband and a foot tat on a friend. Highly recommend his professionalism and most all of all....most importantly... CLEANLINESS!!! My tattoos turned out great and good aftercare instructions. Read Less

I can't say enough about Josh at F U. He did a cover up of an old tattoo that is a cover up of a scar, and it came out absolutely gorgeous. He's quick, he's talented, he's patient, and he really knows his craft. I'm so happy. Read Less

Got a tattoo from Amanda and not only did she draw out exactly what I had envisioned, but her line and color work was absolutely amazing!! Anyone who is looking for a professional, talented artist go visit Amanda! You'll be stoked! Read Less

I normally don't get tattooed because of how trendy and lame most people who do have them are, but every now and then I'll get something. I've known about these guys forever since it's such a small town here, but it's cool to finally get something from them- I have a little tribal from James at the Staircases from back in the day and it's dumb as fuck,so I decided to finally have these guys over it up with something not nearly as gay. Showed up, gave the guy "Hudge" my drawing and told him what the deal was, he redrew my crappy little grand creeper sketch and busted it out in like, an hour or two. It was cool to hangout with the cool biker guys and get buzzed- I had a little bottle of Jameson and just got shitfaced, really. It was a blast! Luckily I still liked the tattoo the next day and there wasn't like, subliminal dicks or something in the robe and stuff- I've heard of tattoo people doing stuff like that, so I was stoked. Healed up great and everything, so def will hit these guys up if I ever get another one again...cuz that shit hurts, man. Read Less

I don't usually write reviews, and when I do, it's because I've had a horrible experience and feel a responsibility to warn others.However, FU Tattoo is exceptional and at the very least deserves exceptional feedback. I've been to several tattoo shops all up and down the coast, from Oregon, Nevada, and of course, throughout Northern and Southern California. I was searching for a tattoo shop in the city I just moved to and was reminded of why I love FU and was inspired to finally write this review.Firstly, the staff is friendly. I know that word gets thrown around a lot in reviews, but a lot of shops I've been to are simply not nice. The absence of that whole, "I'm a cool tattoo artist and don't need to be agreeable because your tattoo ideas are lame" vibe was a pleasant change from the other shops on the coast. I'm not saying that tattooers are not artists, and are not entitled to respect regardless of whether or not they return it, but it's nice to not worry about getting turned away for wanting something that doesn't fall into typical tattoo categories (I've had a tattooer tell me they wouldn't tattoo me because they're really into Japanese and Americana right now, and my tattoo idea was neither). Secondly, they are creative geniuses, but are willing to ask each other for help when necessary. I was unfortunate and silly enough to receive a tattoo that was frankly not well thought out, and required a cover up. It took me a long while to decide where to go for the cover up, because I've seen bad tattoos turn into absolutely shitty messy blobs when people attempt to haphazardly cover them. However, the crew really pulled a team effort and literally sat and brainstormed collectively on how to tackle my piece. It is an amazing relief to look down at my body and once more be satisfied with what I see.Lastly, they are honest. I am not an artist at all, and while I appreciate art immensely, I do not have an eye for whether or not something would make an appropriate tattoo, or what it takes to take a painting, for example, and make it jive with a tattoo idea (which is how my need for a cover up began). But these folks will not merely take your half cooked idea, slap it on your body and take your dollahs- they'll actually let you know if it's realistic and if it is not, will not shoo you away, but will work out a few ideas with you. Again, I've had some less than friendly encounters with various tattooers either telling me "no" without explanation or "yes" when they should have told me I'm being impossible. K, that's it. Read Less

I got my first (and thus far only) tattoo here a couple years ago, so I don't have other experiences to compare it with, but it was pretty awesome and I have no complaints. I didn't have to shop around long for an artist because once I looked at Hudge's portfolio I was sold. A lot of the work displayed in the shop is American old school and pin-up styles (which I can appreciate but don't want permanently on my body), so at first I thought I might not find the right person there for the art I wanted. But flipping through Hudge's work, I saw he had done a sleeve of angels and a sleeve of demons on this dude's arms and it looked like friggin Michelangelo himself decided after doing the Sistine Chapel that he'd get into the tattoo business. I thought, "if you can do that you can do anything." And Im pretty sure Hudge can. I may have asked for Hudge at a busy time or maybe he always has a wait, Im not sure, but it took a couple weeks or up to a month to see him. I didn't mind because it gave me time to visualize and commit to the piece and for him to draw up a killer sketch.Hudge knows what he wants as an artist so you might have to compromise with him, but he really knows what he's doing so I'd follow his lead. He wants to do justice to his work so don't ask for a small phoenix like I did at first, haha, because with some subjects you should go big or go home, and he'll pretty much tell you so. After two sessions I had a beautiful, amazingly detailed and shaded (and to my parents' dismay, very BIG) phoenix tat. Hudge would have made it even bigger if I'd let him with lots of clouds for a background but he let me tone it down. It would have been even more epic Im sure but my parents may have disowned me. All in all its a bunch of goofy and fairly friendly dudes who really know what they are doing. It runs $100/hr as I recall but I think thats standard for good artists...a big thumbs up for these guys! Read Less

I really love this shop. The people are great, the place is clean, the artwork is good and the prices are decent. The only thing that has ever bugged me is that they have a limit of 30 min, or $60. So if youre looking for something small, maybe another place would be better. But I do still love the shop to death! Read Less

This was my first tattoo experience & I couldn't be happier with what I believe to be one of the best tattoos I've ever seen ....of course, I know I'm a bit bias....  I searched a lot of portfolios trying to find something I could relate to.  I'm very particular and I'm a girl that knows what she wants.  However, I am not an artist so I knew I had to find someone that I could relate to regarding their work and talent.Hudge's portfolio matched my tastes and I gave him a lot of freedom in the design and placement.  I'm happy with every last bit of it.  Great fit to my body, great art to my concept, great color to my liking.  And best of all, a great experience during the entire process.  I never thought I would get a tattoo, but now I'm thinking about the next one.  I will definitely go back to Hudge. Read Less

Alright basically dont be fooled by Hudge's very well put together and advanced looking portfolio.  This guy, who literally takes months to book an appointment with, was by far the most rude tattoo artist I have ever had a session with. I have been tattooed by 6 different people and not one of them had the nerve to literally yell at me moments before starting a tattoo. I asked for some simple, feminine looking, minimal outline, very light black and grey blossoms to fill in some space on the upper section of my sleeve on my shoulder, which was a nightingale bird done with no harsh outlines.His additions look hideous to me. The lines are extremely dark and thick. There are more clumsily-thrown-on leaves than blossoms, and all the blossoms look extremely basic. He put a very dark outline around every part of the tattoo. It no longer has that "soft" feel to it. The lines are so dark now that they are beginning to bleed into each other. He was extremely rude to me throughout the whole appointment. He yelled at me telling me I was being inarticulate, unhelpful, and that I didn't know what I was talking about. He even had the nerve to say something like "Don't question me, haven't you seen my portfolio?" I literally can't believe I let him tattoo me looking back on the whole experience. He made me extremely uncomfortable, and now, I have a large tattoo on my shoulder that I am not proud of, in its current state. Very disappointing after waiting so many months for an appointment Read Less

I would never recommend this place. I guess their name says it all: F U!I went in with a friend to get his first tattoo, all he wanted was a small chinese character of his last name. The "artist", Ron, was would not trace the tattoo from another friend's back and was rude about the design. He told us "don't worry, when I tattoo this, it will look different." Tell me Ron, why the hell would you sketch out an example if you are just going to 'wing it'  on the PERMANENT design??He wanted to add his own style to the design, but its just a chinese name, with his flare, it could end up saying "bung-hole" instead of Chiang. In the end we walked out because you should never get a tattoo from someone with attitude. Read Less

All I have to say is... HUDGE! The man crushes. I was referred to him from a friend who had numerous pieces done by him, all with perfect line work and shading. I've had 2 pieces done by him of 2 of my favorite artists... USUGROW and Mike Giant. I brought in an USUGROW drawing to have done on the top of my fore arm. Because it didn't really look right symmetrically, he added his own take and added a couple additional rose's with vines it make it look perfect on my arm. the line work was as good as it gets and the shading was perfect... You know its a good piece when people that know his work will stop me in the street and tell me... Nice USUGROW piece! Who did that? The second was a Mike Giant piece on the inside fore arm. It was a typical Mike Giant lady with a tattoo of a victorian house on her back. When I showed it to Hudge, he was so pumped to do it. (He's a fan of Mike Giant's work... He has an original piece hanging in his station) The victorian house has so much intricate line work and negative space to deal with, I knew some of the detail would have to be left out... but to my surprise, not one line was left out. It is absolutely amazing how intricate this piece is. I recently was at a Mike Giant function in the city and showed him the piece and he replied... "Fuck! I don't think I could have done a better job!" Now that's some shit! Read Less

Mark is the shit. I don't understand all the bad reviews he's gotten, but he did my art work and it turned out beautifully. I'm lucky my friend got her art done there a little while ago because I got to see the amazing talent of Hudge. When I went there to get my art done, I wasn't too particular about who was going to do it because I've seen all their portfolio and each artist does amazing work. I ended up with Mark, who was totally nice and was able to draw the piece that I wanted to cover up an old tattoo.I was there for about 4 hours, he only charged me for 3. The coloring and shading he did on my newest addition is phenomenal. I AM coming back to him to get my next tattoo. Definitely don't let the name fool you- or just don't be too sensitive. Read Less

Having two bad experiences prior to FU, I was hesitant to ever get tattooed again. the staff at FU tattoo has changed my opinion and in the past two years I have added four tattoos to my collection, all from there. Nick and Mark are amazing artists, and really cater to your needs. Miki is also a fantastic artist (I've never been tattooed by him but I've seen him in action) and everyone in their is genuinely friendly and nice. I would recommend this place to anyone, and I will continue going there myself until I run out of room on my body. Read Less

I'd seen all the positive Yelp reviews beforehand, but I just couldn't get passed the name (which I got a a cool explanation for). But I came here by recommendation, and the rest is history. All I have to say about that is effin' get past it because the people here are awesome.It is so great to walk into a shop where everyone is like family. The vibe was so chill and there is definitely a lot to look at. Their portfolios are amazing in attention to detail and color.When I walked in, Nick was the one to first help me with my second tattoo. Hudge and Miki were busy tattooing away, and I loved all of their work, so I had no problem working with Nick. He is such a gentleman (besides cracking jokes about how old I looked, haha) and helpful. He gave me a price range and I sped to the ATM to get it (which made me realize I don't know East Side SC like I thought I did), while he worked on my sketch.When I got back he wasn't finished yet (due to my enthusiastic fast driving), so I chilled on the chairs, listening to a crazy random iPod playing (good stuff) and the familiar buzz of a tattoo parlour, while playing Tetris on my phone.When the sketch was ready, it was everything I had imagined placed on paper, defined and refined. I was really excited now to see it all coming together. As we worked on the placement of the piece, I was getting more nervous as I know that I'm in for a rough spot.And boy, my knowing is an understatement. This would have been a quick job, but man, I have a crap pain threshold. I was rather audible at some parts. Seriously, for the people who want ribcage tattoos, expect some sensitive spots and loads of vibrating. It felt like my whole body was vibrating, which my internal organs were not happy with. Also, tiny lines feel like a mile long. Okay, I'm over exaggerating a bit, but it definitely feels a lot longer than it really is. It's an intense experience.Key: Remember to BREATHE.I've always had an issue with that (this was my mantra in high school). Don't worry about messing them up, they will tell you when you do move too much (which I didn't, HA!).It also really helped to focus on one thing. I was looking all over the place and the one thing I found to oddly alleviate my brain paying attention to the needle being dragged through my skin was this painting of a man's head that was all red, and there was a quote on top that read "We are all lost" (or something to do with being lost). Whenever I looked at it, the pain was significantly more tolerable. I toughed it out at the end after realized I kept taking breaks, and thus his time (sorry, Nick! Thanks for putting up with my chicken butt).At the end of it, actually seeing it in the mirror, finished (which actually didn't take that long after I took it like a champ). I was half waiting for that feeling of elation that I got after my first tattoo, but I think it was curtailed by my being lightheaded (sat up kind of fast after lying down for a good hour or so), my hip being stiff, my leg falling asleep, and the slight need to vomit (which didn't happen). My body was hating me for what I put it through.The final piece was breathtaking. It's always amazing to see something go from your brain, to paper, to reality. Upon first glance at it in the mirror, I was overwhelmed with a sense of happiness and relief.I got bandaged up and was on my way. Blood leaking through my tank top freaked me out a bit, but after the initial wash, I realized it wasn't so bad. I took a nap before taking off the bandage. The experience, though so accomplished, was draining as eff. When washing, the soap didn't sting one bit. It was the friggin' lotion. The pain caused the vomit feeling to come back (still didn't, just lied down 'til the feeling passed).All in all, this was a great experience. Friendly and helpful staff. Talented artists. Typically they work by appointments, but if they have a cancellation or what not, they are cool with walk-ins (like me!). I was for sure in that mood where if I didn't get it right then, I wouldn't get it at all (at least for a long time, which is what happened in the summer when I first conjured up this baby).Since I got through this tattoo, I know that I will be fine for my back piece I've been saving up for, as this was the ultimate. I can't wait for the thing to completely heal. Pictures when it is! Read Less

I am from Ireland and got tattooed by nick he did a great job and i would recommend this place to anyone its real chilled atmosphere and good music playing along with the humor in the shop is a real asset i i for one am going back when im am there agin Read Less

So three of us girls/women went to FU on a Saturday to have a tattoo fixed, a tattoo added and some writing done. We were fully amused at our entire experience! From the moment we walked in, everyone at the front of the shop was friendly, cool and had good ideas about our tattoos. Mark ended up doing all three of us (our tattoos), and each one turned out better than we had even imagined. He is SO SO talented and knew what he was talking about as he helped us size and shape the pictures and words that we wanted - a truly great artist and such a nice guy! Pretty serious guy, but we got him to laugh! The shop is clean, loud, fun, busy and we had a GREAT time and again LOVE LOVE LOVE our new art! Will definitely go back and would recommend the shop and Mark to anyone! Oh - for the other poor review, take it as a warning ...... you come in with a picture or idea that is not going to work or will look dumb, yeah, they are not going to do it!!!!! Read Less

Miki, the owner, did an amazing job on my tattoo. I cant wait to go back to have him fix a previous tat I got somewhere else. The shop seems clean and is deffinately a friendly, chill environment. I also feel that they are priced well, but I guess that depends on opinon and on the job at hand. Go there and talk to someone, you wont be sorry. Read Less

I've heard a few good things about F-U, but the majority have been bad. I don't know about the rest of the crew, but definitely avoid Mark at F-U. He was quite incompetent, telling me that the tattoo I wanted was impossible and wouldn't answer my questions as to why. He wasted a lot of my time on two separate occassions and had me go in for a second appointment, only to tell me that he wouldn't even bother to try. He also wouldn't return my $40 deposit. ""F-U"" seems to be his attitude. Read Less