Thank you Tyler for making my first tattoo experience unreal. Your blunt honesty during our consultation was so appreciated and the final piece is spot on to what I wanted! For this being my only tattoo I will ever get I couldn't be more happy. All employees are super helpful and friendly as well! Read Less

Went to get a really simply tattoo with my friend for Project Semicolon. Staff was very relaxed and friendly, not overly friendly to the point where you're thinking they're being fake with you but also not standoff-ish. Tina was our artist for the day and my friend, who suffers from severe anxiety (to the point where she can't even speak to strangers without going over it dozens of times), was able to laugh and joke lightly with her after I both mentioned her condition as well as Tina clearly saw how nervous/anxious my friend was just standing by me while I filled out the forms. As simple as a semi-colon is, not knowing Tina's work at all and being a high-functioning perfectionist (at times), she took some print outs of the exact semi-colons we wanted (we have slightly varying ones and wanted to test out sizing). We were in an out in under an hour.Absolutely pleasant, clean atmosphere at this shop (despite what I'd stereotypically consider to be a somewhat "dive-y" neighborhood).Would recommend for simple and complex! I see this ridiculous review of the guy with the "bar" on his wrist - this either seems like a joke, that they didn't talk to their artist enough to express what they want, or they simply were fidgeting during the process. Could not recommend this place more highly. Read Less

My tattoo looks amazing and bright! I wasn't sure what to expect from the reference picture I gave, but it came out better than I had hoped! Cory did an amazing job! My best friend and I had an awesome conversation while getting the work done which helped ease some of the pain from the shading part. I would totally recommend anyone wanting any type of work to come here. The staff is accommodating and friendly. It was a great experience Read Less

Got my first tattoo here yesterday from Cory. I showed him three pictures and asked if he could combine the elements of each, and he came back with a sketch 30 min later that was spot on. I ended up getting tattooed right then and it took about 1 1/2 hours. Reasonable pricing, great place, and everyone was very friendly. Would definitely recommend Cory or any of the talented artists there for your tattoo. Read Less

A few weeks ago I went in for a consultation with Katie. I wanted a cover up on my arm for over 10 years. We spoke about what I wanted. When I came back to get started and I saw what she had created for me, it brought me to tears lol I was over joyed. Katie is an amazing artist, I'm sticking with her as my tattoo artist. Kenington tattoo is definitely my new home tattoo place. All the stuff and artist make you feel welcome. Tyler is also another amazing tattoo artist that is working on my boyfriends cover up. I definitely recommend everyone to check them out!!Read Less

I've been getting tattoos and piercings for 12 years now. Im new to the area and have tried out a few shops they weren't bad but nothing that I could consider my new home shop. I tried out Kensington Tattoo today I found them on the web. Tina did my work. She not only had a great personality she put a lot of care and heart into my work. Loved her. The shop is pretty cool looking too. Her price was very reasonable. I have found my home shop I will definately be going back! Read Less

I took my daughter to see Katie for matching mother and daughter tattoos. Let me say this was by far the best experience I have ever had receiving a tattoo. This makes my fifth tattoo and I'm so happy my daughter's first tattoo experience was nothing like my first four. Katie was extremely professional from the consultation to the maintenance instruction when the tattoos were complete. Not to mention the tattoos are absolutely gorgeous and exceeded our expectations. A million thank you's to Katie and Kensington Tattoos. Read Less

Wanted everyone to know how much I adore my art done by Katie, and how I can't wait for warmer weather so that I can really show it off. Luckily Katie shares my love of sloths and designed a super cute little guy to live forever on my back!! The entire process was great, from the idea to "refresh" an existing tattoo to all the new additions surrounding it. I will be going back to add more!!! Read Less

I've been to several tattoo places and as soon as I walked in I got such a great vibe. The people there are very polite and professional. The place is very clean. I got my tattoo done by Cory and let me say I couldn't be any happier. I got exactly what I want. I will be back! So shout out to Cory for doing such an amazing job!! Read Less

I only write reviews if something is terrible or amazing. I went to Kensington tattoo around 7 (keep in mind they closed at 8) I showed Tyler my tattoo idea and either wanted him or Tina to do it. Even though Tina was working with someone at the time, Tyler suggested that this was more of Tina's style and that she would do a better job. That right there, I thought that was really cool. They know each other's work and wanted what would be best for an individual's tattoo. Showed a lot of respect for their co workers and for the customers needs. Tina was able to take me in that night as a walk in around 7:20, even knowing that they closed at 8 and the tattoo would be about 1hr/half. She was super nice and accommodating, helped me with placement and what would look best. Very thorough about how the tattoo looked. She also took her time and was in no way rushing.Great music and atmosphere. Around 8:45 the tattoo was finished and it was even better than I imagined. Tina's line work is phenomenal and crisp. I think it looks better than the picture I showed her tbh. Seriously could not be happier. I am in love with my tattoo. Thank you so much Tina!!! I am suggesting this place to anyone I know who wants to get a tattoo. Amazing tattoo artists, reasonable pricing, 10 stars if I could. Read Less

THE BEST TATTOO EXPERIENCE!  Katie and her staff at Kensington Tattoo are the most friendly and approachable tattoo artist I have ever met.  I had a tribal band on my leg from about 20 years ago that I absolutely  hated.  I wanted to cover the tattoo and had some specific ideas on the route I wanted to go.  I had previously visited several tattoo studios and unfortunately was met with some of the most pretentious and arrogant tattoo artists that did not listen to what I wanted. I wasn't comfortable having someone who didn't listen to my desires put ink on my body.  I had almost given up on the tattoo idea.......until I went to Kensington Tattoo and spoke with Katie.  Hands down the best experience I could have asked for.  Katie took the time to listen to what I wanted. She took the time to understand what I wanted. Not only did she do a great job with the tattoo design she also was truthful, up-front,  and forthcoming with challenges the cover up was going to present.   Being a coverup tattoo our options were a little limited but Katie did an amazing job making my tattoo perfect.  After two in-person consultations and multiple emails I felt comfortable that Katie was going do a great job.  If you look at my tattoo you would have never know it was a coverup and if you couldn't tell already......I LOVE IT!I was most impressed with Katie's understanding of depth, perspective, dimensions, lines and shading.  She is a natural artist but one thing that gives her the tools to make her better than most other artists is her education and art training.  Katie knows what she is talking about!  She look at the pictures of my ideas and pulled out the highlights of what I wanted to create my custom and unique piece of art.  If you are new to this........tattoos hurt.  Some hurt more than others and the portion of my leg being tattooed was especially sensitive.  I'm not complaining, because the tattoo was voluntary and I paid for it.  Katie did a great job keeping the conversation going and exchanging stories about anything and everything.  Sometimes to the point where I didn't even notice the pain.  The whole crew at Kensignton Tattoo are friendly and welcoming, which for me is what set them apart as one of the best studios in the DMV.  Tina, Tyler, Cory and Terrance who are also very talented artists are masters in their craft.  Tina even bought me a milk shake back when she made a food run!  Seriously very nice people at Kensignton Tattoo. I continually have people approach me about my tattoo and they marvel over the detail and the design.  I would gladly recommend Katie to my friends and family and if I decide to get more ink it will be Katie that does it. Read Less

I looooove Kensington Tattoos! I have such a fun experience when I go and the artists truly take their time to make sure they deliver fantastic artwork. It's upbeat and professional. Katie and Seven are my favorite artists there, they've done multiple pieces on me. They also have prints and pillows and other cool things for sale, I just bought a pillow for my living room yesterday that Katie designed. If you're looking for a tattoo in the DMV I say go to Kensington Tattoos!! Reasonably priced and the talent in there is impeccable! Read Less

Katie did an AMAZING job on my tattoo. It was an original piece she created that I fell in love with. The shop itself and the staff there were great and I highly recommend anyone looking for their next tattoo or piercing to check this place out. I'm definitely going here from now on for any future tattoos! Read Less

Great tattoo experience by Tina. First appointment on a weekday. She was ready for me when I came in, the working area was clean, and the colors are vibrant. I would love to get more work done by Tina - she drew up my tattoo based on a vague description I gave her two weeks ago and blew me away with the result. I recommend! Read Less

Absolutely amazing experience here. They just moved upstairs to a huge bright space and the staff couldn't be nicer. My mom, sister, and I all got tattoos from Tina and she was extremely nice and professional. I will definitely be coming back for more work in the future, thank you so much! Read Less

Everyone is so relaxed and friendly. Tina was awesome and I couldn't be happier with my tattoo. Will definitely be coming back for more! Telling as many of my friends as possible, too. Just an awesome, fun experience. Read Less

Amazing shop. Went to have Adam do a piece for me, and it was seriously the best tattoo experience I've ever had. I've had 6 tattoos at 6 different shops and this was by far the best, and adam is by far the best artist I've ever met. Highly recommended!!!!! Read Less

As I was recommended by afriend to go here, I had scheduled an appointment on a Sunday. Thus, thepreceding Friday, I called to confirm the time. At that time, I was informedthat nothing had been confirmed. If it wasn't for my call, I would have showedup and no one to do my tattoo. As this is not my first tattoo, I’ve dealt withvarious artists. Initially, I was slightly disappointed of their customerservice, especially since I paid a deposit and spoke directly with the ownerwhen I had visited to schedule the session. I must insist that I was completelycalm during the call, albeit disappointed as I had moved some other pertinentitems related to my upcoming wedding planning, to accommodate the time I wasgiven. The owner tried to explain to me there mistake on their end, howeverafter informing them that I would not get my tattoo done and would be coming toretrieve the initial drawing, the OWNER (Kate) disconnected the line. I haveNEVER encountered an establishment with such horrid, abysmal customer service. Thisimpersonation of a real tattoo shop is a completely unprofessional, classless façadewith an incompetent owner. In addition to hanging up on me, members of thisratchet storefront of a tattoo shop even took to social media in an attempt toinsult me by posting my drawing with obscenities and calling me vile, obscenenames which I won’t repeat here so as not to empower them. I most certainly donot recommend this place lack of customer service and respect to potential clients,and RECOMMEND anyone who might be interested in getting a tattoo to AVOID thishole AT ALL COSTS.**AS YOU WILL SEE ABOVE I POSTED THE INSULTS FOR PHOTO PROOF ON HOW THEY LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM** Read Less