Loved it! This was my first tattoo, and it could not have gone better. So well organized, super cool and clean facility, and everyone was so nice and welcoming. I worked with Tim, and man, both incredible artist and awesome guy. Had such a blast making my dream tattoo (that’s chalk full of personal symbolism) come true!! Read Less

Just had my first tattoo done here by Harlan Thompson, and I had a fantastic experience. I was a bit nervous about getting my first big piece done, and he couldn't have been more friendly and professional. He took my basic idea and turned it into something way better than I imagined. The shop is very clean, nice, and chill. It's tucked away from the street and feels private and exclusive, which makes the experience so much better in my opinion. I can't imagine going anywhere else in the future. Read Less

David Allen is kind of a wonder and I now have a piece of Magritte on me that looks like Rene sketched it on himself. This is tattoo #6 for me, and each one is always its own unique experience - what the shop is like, what the artist is like, where your conversation goes. All of my tattoo experiences have been varied and positive, but David inspires devotees and his work is of the utmost quality. Wonderful human being, too. I'm feeling very lucky and love carrying this new artwork on me every day. THANK YOU. Read Less

I have been coming to Harlan first at Deluxe, and then here at Pioneer, since roughly 2005/6, and have gotten ten tattoos from him total. I am obviously a very satisfied customer! Before coming to him, I viewed his work online and really liked his style, and he proved to be just as skilled when I met him in person. In addition to that, he's a super nice guy and easy to talk to, which I found to be a rare trait in tattoo artists before I found him. Of course being skilled in your art is the most important trait for a tattooist to have, but I really feel like making the client feel comfortable is a close second. Would (and have) highly recommend. Read Less

Tim is an excellent artist I love the half-sleeve that he drew up - means so much to me that he went out of his way to ask my opinion on design as well as color! Clean and welcoming, loved this studio! Read Less

I had the most amazing experience with David. He designed the most beautiful tattoo to cover my mastectomy scar. He is an amazing person on a path to help as many as he can. I am blessed that I was able to spend time with him. Read Less

I was lucky enough to get an appointment here with David Allen who is not only super talented but genuinely kind. The shop is very clean, professional and has a very laid back feel at the same time. I have quite a few tattoos and this is probably my favorite spot. Read Less

The shop is located in a tucked away area and requires a buzzer to enter. To me, that equates to exclusivity and professionalism. The artists work by appointment only, catering to people who are serious and thoughtful about the art they desire. The privacy also allows each artist to give clients the full and undivided attention they deserve.  The shop is quiet, laid back, professional and personalized. Had an amazing experience with Ryan Flaherty. I asked for some changes and additions to an existing tattoo and his suggestions were beyond what I could have imagined. As long as I'm in Chicago, he's my go to guy. Check out the Pioneer Tattoo website, there are links to view work for each artist. I highly recommend Ryan but they are all very talented. Read Less

Tim was beyond amazing! I was comfortable the whole time and he would remember to ask if I needed a break or anything. He is a very genuine person! I'm glad to have my first arm tattoo by such a fantastic artist! I can't wait for my next tattoo!! Read Less

Fantastic environment! Ryan Flaherty works here now. He is an excellent artist. Seriously, this studio is probably one of the best in the city. Highly recommended. It's quiet, clean, and very professional. I love the fact that you need to get buzzed in to even get into the place. That means there is no extra noise or people from the outside, which can be distracting for the artist and the customer. GREAT PLACE. Tim Biedron and Harlan Thompson are class acts....love this place. Yep. Sure do. Read Less

If you're looking to get some high-end body art, I would suggest you start booking your appointment with any of this shop's great artists right now. I joke that I'm a walking billboard for this shop since I've been a client of three different artists here. Tim Biedron, who I've been following since he was at Deluxe Tattoo, snuck me in last minute once to give me a beautiful happy snowy cardinal. He is very easy to talk to and has a very gentle touch. This guy is very popular for a reason, maybe one day I'll have the chance to book more time with him. Kit Hall and I were matched up at Deluxe Tattoo when no one else there wanted to take on my geometric design. Now she's my go-to artist and we were both so happy when she switched shops. She's done more than half of my ink (5 tattoos) and working with her on my ideas is always exciting. She has a feminine touch and a great understanding of nature and form to create pieces for me that are unique and beautiful. Hurry up getting in with her, she's moving this summer. David Allen really rounds out the shop's diversity in skills. While Tim and Kit are more Neo-Traditional, David's work in much softer and reflects his designer/painterly background. Most of his work I've seen is black and grey, but he was more than excited to take on a very colorful Georgia O'Keeffe flowery piece. When I stand next to the original painting I feel like I'm in camouflage. I booked my appointment with him a whole year in advance, and it was worth the wait. From the street, the only thing to inform you that you're in the right place is a sticker next to the buzzer that you have to get the code for from someone in the shop. When you walk up the stairs the doors open to a very spa-like environment. The walls are covered in wood and the artists have plenty of space to make you feel at ease when you're getting tattooed. Cleanliness is important in any shop and this place takes that to heart. No matter who your appointment is with, everyone there is respectful, friendly and ready to make you a walking masterpiece. Read Less

When paying for something like a tattoo, something that you will carry with you forever, why not choose the best? Pioneer has several top notch artists who cover a broad range of styles.  While it's true that you may have to wait a bit, it's well worth the wait. And isn't that a good sign?  The artists are obviously in demand for a reason.  I've been tattooed by Josh Howard a few times and it's always a pleasure.  He makes you feel comfortable, works with you on composition and design and is honest.  What more can you ask for?  Of course, with work and commitment such as this, the price might be higher than other shops advertise in the city.  However, you wouldn't think twice about spending $100 on a pair of shoes that last 6 months or a meal that is over in an hour.  YOU WILL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL TATTOO that will will last forever. DO THE MATH!   Cleanliness is very important to me in a tattoo shop. I will walk out of a shop immediately, regardless of the artist if the shop is not up to par.  Pioneer is spacious and very clean, it almost has a spa like quality to it.  I've never felt awkward or stupid during a consultation (which happens more often that it should when beginning the tattoo process).  In my very humble opinion, there are only a handful of shops worth getting tattooed at in Chicago and Pioneer is at the top of that list.  Check em out! Read Less

The artists here are the best of the best! They all have different styles and their work is awesome.My first tattoo was done by David Allen back when he was at Insight, so I was excited to visit him here. As always, it was a great experience and my tattoo looks freaking amazing! The best part is that it's based off of one of my photographs. I love having a unique and beautiful piece instead of something that everyone and their mother has. Some girls get tiny silhouettes of flying birds on their wrists or swallows on their hip, but not this chick! A peaceful, dead bird on my side/rib cage is more my style. :)I could go on and on about how great David is, but check out his portfolio to see for yourself! I refuse to have anyone else do a nature piece on me.....or anything, really. As for the studio, I like the rustic yet warm and inviting ambiance. The artists are appointment-only and don't take walk ins, so you don't have to worry about obnoxious people coming in asking for flash or just hanging around. This makes for a more relaxing experience since it's not as hectic as other studios. I'm already planning my fourth piece of ink! Read Less

First off, know that you will wait for an appointment, perhaps many, many months. I waited from April 2013 until December before I finally was able to meet with Tim Biedron for an initial consultation about some cover up work. Once I was able to meet with Tim, however, the wait was only a few weeks to get in for the actual work to be done.Tim is just simply the best and about one of the nicest guys you could meet. Besides the fact the the shop is just a comfortable place from the moment you walk in the door (zero attitude from anyone, even though this place houses some of the most amazing tattoo artists in the city) chill music and fresh flowers on the counter greet you... all helps take the edge off of getting new work. To say I was blown away by Tim's work would be a huge understatement. I had the concept rolling around in my head for a few years and his interpretation of if could not have been better. He was also uber patient with me when I freaked out a bit over the size of the new piece and we worked to get it a bit smaller while still covering the old work. He also took his time to talk out color options and such. His line work and shading just blows me away. Wish the work wasn't on my back so that I could get a better look at it! Time to start throwing $50s in the piggy bank to go see Tim again later this year. Read Less

It goes without saying that Pioneer houses the best artists in the city, and likely top ranking in the country. I get tattooed by Harlan by recommendation from my cousin. He is absolutely amazing. He is incredibly talented, kind, and gentle. The few times I've seen the other guys that work there, they have been nothing but courteous and welcoming as well. Recently, getting work done on my sleeve, I had reached my limit after 4 hours in the chair. I was so embarrassed to admit it, but I couldn't take anymore that day. Harlan was so nice about it, no one there teased me (why did I seriously think they would tease me? Who knows.) Read Less

Found Josh Howard by reading reviews on Yelp and after checking out his website he seemed like a great match for my Chicago flag tattoo before I move. Wanted something that wasn't just a rectangle on my leg and when I showed up after just a couple of email exchanges he had ready a sketch of exactly what I had envisioned.  Didn't need to make any changes to his drawing. It was a small piece so I was out of there in almost  an hour. The work looks very very clean and the gradations are smooth, best quality I've had done on myself and I would recommend him to any friend. Friendly guy too! The shop was classy and clean, unpretentious, felt very comfortable.  Though a little hard to find, remember when you visit that you need to be buzzed in so look out for the address number on the door cause you won't see any signs on the street. Read Less

A clean and chillaxed space in the lakeview roscoe area with some free side street parking Pioneer is home to some incredible artists.Not your throw a dart on the wall and pick out a generic image tattoo place, but more of a skink shoppe dedicated to chiseleing away layers of flesh to reveal the characters and images which reflect the inner person.Find their website, find an artist and begin the journey as it is appointment only.Bring lots of cash too! Read Less

A clean and chillaxed space in the lakeview roscoe area with some free side street parking Pioneer is home to some incredible artists.Not your throw a dart on the wall and pick out a generic image tattoo place, but more of a skink shoppe dedicated to chiseleing away layers of flesh to reveal the characters and images which reflect the inner person.Find their website, find an artist and begin the journey as it is appointment only.Bring lots of cash too! Read Less

I've driven over three hours to go see David Allen here multiple times. His work is beyond excellent, and he is the nicest tattoo artist I've ever met. The atmosphere is so comforting that I'm never nervous to get another tattoo. I'd never go anywhere else! Read Less

If you don't watch carefully as you're cruising down Lincoln, you just might miss Pioneer Tattoo. Don't expect a big, obnoxious sign or a host of flash art and/or pithy pictures slapped haphazardly on the windows. You'll need to be buzzed in. Once you hit the steps & open the door leading to Pioneer, you'll be far beyond impressed. The shop itself is pristine without being clinical; the environment is warm and welcoming. It gives off a really relaxing vibe. A previous reviewer used the term "spa-like" and I get that. It's really unique. Having been tattooed at three other locations before Pioneer, I can honestly say it ranks high above the rest.I followed David Allen from Insight Studios to Pioneer Tattoo and, of course, love my new (freshly completed!) tattoo. You will wait if you want to get an appointment with David, but let me tell you this...your patience will pay off in spades. I went in with a general idea of what I wanted, and David set to work his magic. The end result is better than I could've ever imagined. David is amazingly talented, of course (if you haven't checked out his work, you NEED to do so), but also one of the most authentic human beings you will ever meet. During the most painful parts--even as I was gritting my teeth and declaring my disdain for, well, pretty much everything at that point (sometimes under my breath, but mostly not :)--David was both incredibly kind and patient. He works quickly but never rushes through a session. He stopped several times so I could see how the piece was progressing. He takes great pride in his work and is also a fantastic conversationalist (and has always been very, very patient with my incessant hours of rambling). In short, it was a great experience and I left the shop with a gorgeous tattoo. If you've been on the fence about getting a tattoo and are worried about finding the perfect artist for the job, your search is absolutely over. Pioneer does not accept walk ins, so you will need an appointment and, as I mentioned previously, David books up quickly so you should expect a wait of some sort. Not that it matters, though. Once you get tattooed by David, you'll wait as long as necessary and will do so quite happily. I have no intentions of ever getting tattooed by anyone else than David; I  honestly can't say enough about his work. If you've been waiting for a sign that the time is right, here it is, my friend. You can thank me later. :) Read Less

At age 38, I got my first tattoo.  I had a custom image and wanted someone who could execute my vision.   Via Yelp, I found David Allen at Pioneer.   Formerly at Insight, David had great reviews at Insight on not only on his artistic abilities but his attitude and customer service. Like many of the top artists, David was booked a while out, but I got lucky and benefited from a cancellation.  The experience was amazing.  David was very cool and down to earth.  He made me feel totally comfortable and we walked through placement, size and color.  The piece turned out unbelievable and exceeded expectations.  David's price was more than reasonable.  The atmosphere was very chill.   Because it's appointment only, there isn't alot of traffic coming in and out.   Based on the outcome, I'm so glad I was patient and waited for David.  It was well worth it.   Don't be offended if it takes a bit for David to respond to your email, most of the top guys have a backlog. Read Less

The atmosphere is spa-like.  Very, very clean with art by local artists hanging in a gallery area.  Very small and intimate.Tim truly has a gift. He was able to draw what I wanted in an amazing way.  I really couldn't describe accurately what I wanted.  I was unable to find a good representative picture on-line, but Tim was able to draw it exactly by first asking me several specific questions. He was very patient and knowledgeable.The tattoo he did is vibrant and beautiful.  I get many compliments. It's truly a work of art.  Tim is a personable guy but not pushy-chatty.  We talked about a range of topics interspersed with periods of amiable silence. His music playlist was top notch and contributed to the great experience. He is a class act.  I had to book out my appointment by several months and it is well worth it. Read Less

I got a swallow tattoo from Harlan a few years ago.  It is clean, bright, detailed and gets numerous complements every time it is seen to this day!  If you want an idea to come to life and ART on your body, this is where you should go! much thanks! Read Less

I'd heard about the legend of Biedron for years but like the elusive Mo Mo Missouri Monster, I was hesitant to believe he was real. After seeing the amazing art he created on a good friend I quickly became a believer but not in a creepy Davy Jones sort of way. After getting up the nerve to make an appointment - for some reason the thought of meeting someone so talented was a little intimidating but that passed after my consultation - I was ready. To say Tim's nice is an understatement. He is also patient. Which is helpful when you're dealing with me (I didn't have all the details of my ideas ironed out but Tim was as cool as a cucumber in a bowl of hot sauce and helped me figure out what I wanted.) After that initial meeting I left in what can only be summed up in one word - giddy. A week later I was back at Pioneer but before I get into that I have to mentioned how clean, neat, elegant and unpretentious the shop is. From the wood paneled walls to the tin detail on the front desk to the amazing "Pioneer" wood carving to the vintage books - all of it is simply charming. And then, if I'm not mistaken, My Morning Jacket permeated the air, filling my tympanic membranes whilst calming my nerves. Well played sir. Well played.  Once the paperwork was complete (with a new yes/no medical question donated by moi - I misread "Are you prone to heavy bleeding?" as "Are you prone to heavy breathing?" which is always a resounding yes) we got settled and the next thing I knew, I had two new amazingly simple yet beautiful pieces of art on my arm. Mr. Biedron created exactly what was stuck in my head and I couldn't be happier. A true gentleman amongst bandits, Tim's gentle touch and eye for detail made this gal a fan for life.Now if you'll pardon me, I need to go find an excuse to get my skin suit back to Pioneer. Read Less

I am proud to be the first to write a review for this beautiful new shop. Firstly:I had seen Jason Vaughn's work around town and online and I knew right away he was my man. This decision was made and my appointment was set up while Vaughn was still at Deluxe. I was informed later that he was moving to Pioneer. My appt. stayed the same and they kept up with me during the two months before the work was done. It was lax, yet professional and it eased any sort of anxiety that was attached to the process. Secondly:I used to think that a tattoo shop is only as good as it's artists, but the atmosphere of this shop proved my theory wrong. When I walked in, I knew I was in the right place to get this very important piece. The loft was built to house those who appreciate the tattoo as an art form. There is a pronounced sense of artistry and a lovely zen-like quality to the space. Ultimately, the artist is the one who will either satisfy you or not, and that has to come with good communication and trust. But once the planning is over, the placement is decided and the needle hits the skin, the experience changes and suddenly the chair, the paint on the walls, the temperature, the music all become very important. And Pioneer hits it on the head.Oh! And they  accept cards, which is really fantastic. Read Less