I've been going here since they opened for my full-bod tattoo. Bryan, the owner, is experienced, professional, extremely talented and a stickler for detail and realism in his work. And he always listens to you and works with you to the best of his ability. The shop itself is always clean, open-feeling, and well decorated that resembles an ancient temple. His cost is below average for Seattle today (I've checked) and he's known for being light-handed when he tattoos. If you're looking to have something done on you that's beautiful and will last, this is your place! Read Less

We stopped by last night to get a couple of tattoos. Zack (aka daddy wigger) was the artist. At first he seemed cool, but inexperienced. Nice enough guy, so we thought we would give him a chance. Unfortunately, he just couldn't get the drawing right for one of the people we were with. So, our friend decided not to have him do her tattoo. Then, I asked him to do mine. He struggled to "trace" a simple glyph, but I decided to still give him a chance. I mean, it's just a simple design, so he can't get it wrong...right? Wrong! He screwed it up. Completely got the shape wrong and messed up the spacing. As the saying goes, "you get what you pay for". Well, it was only an $80 tattoo and it shows. I wanted to be kind though because I knew he was a new artist, so I didn't complain about his work. I gave him $100 and thanked him for his time. As we were leaving, he stopped us and said..."hey, I don't want to be a dick, but I don't draw for free". I apologized that my friend didn't choose to use his design, but reminded him that he couldn't meet his customer's expectations. He then became belligerent and demand I give him something. I reminded him that I gave him a $20 tip for my tattoo that only took him 10 mins. As I walked out of the tattoo shop, he decided to sit and flip me off while mouthing F-you. I turned around and went into the shop to remind him about his inability to give the customer what she wanted and that's why he didn't use his service. I don't work for free either Jake, but I also work hard to deliver what my customers want! I normally wouldn't write this post, but I don't want the owner of this shop to loose business because he has the wrong people working for him. Read Less

Johnny... super personable and relatable. Looks at every tattoo with a critical eye and wants to make sure you're comfortable with every tattoo. Very professional and understands the craft behind the tattoo. Read Less

Social Skins is awesome! I've been coming here for a few years now and wouldn't want to go anywhere else. I'm currently working on my second large custom piece with Bryan and have never left unhappy. I have a lot of trust for Bryan. He's super chill and the shop is always clean. Seriously an amazing shop if you're looking for custom work! Read Less

Social Skins is a great place to get work done. It's clean. Johnny and Bryan are petty rad. The bathroom is a calming blue color, you'll hit your knees on the wall while using the toilet. They have wifi if you're unable to be social. I've had 3 tattoos done by Johnny. I'll probably keep going. The people watching at the end of Broadway is hilarious. One guy told me I was no Britney Spears but wouldn't even listen to my version of womanizer. Johnny is reasonably priced for the area and one of the coolest dudes around. Go to Social Skins or get hep c your choice. Read Less

Johnny Robinson did my tattoo. We discussed it for sometime, I work in the area. Never once did I feel pressured, only supported that when I was ready to do it, there would be someone there willing to take good care of me. That he did. I brought in my idea, and we discussed it, I made a date to do it about a week later. This was my fourth tattoo, and I can say in all honesty, I have never had a more pleasant experience getting a tattoo. Johnny was professional all the way..., and I could tell being there at that everyone else was as well. This tattoo was on the top of my foot, so it was very painful. He offered to pause so I could take a breath, (nope!) and I was offered a bottle of water which was really nice. But back to the tattoo, it was precise and exactly what I wanted, ( we discussed his ideas about it as well as mine, and I was pleased with our conclusion) It was done quickly. I really appreciated how skilled he was, along with how he was able to complete the little masterpiece I asked for. I highly recommend Social Skins. Oh, one last thing. Johnny also put a little topper on another tattoo I had done elsewhere, I wish I had known about him when I got that one done. It probably would be much more beautiful. See More Read Less

I have had a lot of work done by Johnny at Social Skins, and his artwork is amazing! The first time I met with him, I want really sure what I wanted. I tried to explain the vibe I was looking for, he asked me a few questions and told me to come back in an hour. When I came back , he had drawn up an piece that was exactly what I was looking for.  After my first experience, I knew Johnny would be my tattoo artist moving forward.  He is almost done with my half sleeve and we have started planning my next one. On a side note, when your in his chair...time flies. He is super personal, funny and has a bunch of great stories!If you are looking for a great tattoo artist on Capitol Hill , Check out Johnny at Social Skins Read Less

OMG GUYS I cannot recommend Johnny more. He's fast, and did the most beautiful tattoos on me. Not to mention that he's a hoot - great conversation the whole time. I love Johnny and the shop. I won't be going anywhere else in the future. Read Less

Bryan did an amazing piece of work on my ribs and side. My first tattoo and I absolutely love it! He was easy to talk to during the 8 hours of work (3 sessions) and the end result is unique, colorful, and vibrant. Highly recommend this shop and Bryan as an artist. He's also done work for 3 of my friends, who recommended him to me in the first place. Read Less

LOVE THIS PLACE. I decided to visit this shop cause I wanted to get a portrait done. I looked through Bryan's portfolio and decided to just do it. His work was very nice and they're located almost around the corner from my apartment, so why the hell not? Bryan gave me a price and an estimated time of how long it would take and we made an appointment. I emailed him the picture beforehand and a few days before the actual appointment, I stopped by to make sure he received it. This was actually a good thing, because it gave him the chance to see how big it could be and prepare the stencil beforehand. Awesome! After 3 weeks, I went back because it wasn't quite finished yet and he put the finishing touches on it including some amazing highlights and details. My forearm looks awesome and the shading and detail is just amazing. I can't say enough good things about his art. The people that work here are friendly and funny and just awesome to hang out with for a few hours while sitting/laying in a chair a bit uncomfortable because needles are poking you. So if you're looking to get a portrait done, make an appointment with Bryan. He's a treasure on the hill! Read Less

Absolutely loved it. Got two pieces in two days. I'll definitely be going back for alot more ink. I got a piece by Johnny and Bryan. Best shop I've ever been too. I can't wait to return for my next piece. Read Less

Bryan is a pretty amazing tattoo artist. If you happen to be on Capitol Hill, check out his portfolio. His portraits are amazing, and he really defines what it means to be a "realistic style" tattoo artist. He and his mates are all super friendly, welcoming, and talkative about a wide range of topics and make you feel pretty comfortable about the whole experience. Read Less

Been meaning to write this for a while - I had a great experience here with Bryan. The tattoo I wanted was (I thought) relatively simple - a side-view of a Japanese bullet train made with simple black lines - and although I came in with some images printed from the web, Bryan really took the time to work with me, find more images online, and making it work beautifully. He was patient and calm, and very interested in getting it right. The tattoo came out great, exactly like I wanted. He was a true pro, and was very easy to work with. Highly recommended. Read Less

Great place. Cabug is talented n very patient! Took all the time to figure out what I wanted, and ensured I'm happy with the process. Plus, also retouched my old tattoos, which was more difficult, because of the script. But he ensured that he doesn't go wrong... Read Less

Bryan is the man! Left my whole back in his hands and he knocked it out of the park. Definitely the most comfortable shop I have ever walked into and the artists are very cool, willing to listen, and will leave you happy with your new tattoo. Highly recommended! Read Less

My friend and I decided on a whim to get the tattoos we had talked about for a while. We called around and Brian answered the phone, incredibly polite and accommodating. We went in a little nervous, but the guys here were easy going and chill, and talked us through everything. The place is clean and organized, and they take special care to make sure everything is sterile before you begin. Kaboo (whose name I hope I'm not butchering) did my friend first, and after making sure her replacement and size were completely right, did her tattoo in less than 20 minutes. With mine, he was also meticulous and made sure that everything was straight and aligned. He took his time but went at a decent pace, filling the time with hilarious conversation. I wouldn't hesitate to come back here for my next one! Read Less

I can't rate Bryan highly enough. I have travelled from the UK just to have him tattoo me. Exceedingly professional, clean and good company. He will work with you to get the best design possible. Well worth a visit Read Less

My husband and I got tattoos today and had an awesome experience. Ben was super friendly with a great personality. The shop is clean (even the bathroom ) and we will definitely go back! I highly recommend this shop. Read Less

Just got my first tattoo in my 60's . Found Social Skins on Yelp and all the reviews are right on! The studio is very clean and Bryan was welcoming , supportive and very professional. It felt more like a relaxing spa type atmosphere than some of the other places I visited which were pretty edgy. I definitely recommend this for a great tattoo experience. I don't think it will be my last tattoo... Read Less

I had recently went to Korea with my sister and fell in love with Korean/Japanese art.  My favorite flower is the peony and I loved how artists portrayed clouds, wind and waves.  I've always wanted a half sleeve and my ideas and dreams were realized when Ben drew up some sketches.  It took 4 sessions over a year to finish, but it's done and healed and gorgeous.  The shop is immaculate, the artists are phenomenal and I would definitely recommend them for all your tattoo needs! Read Less

I walked in with an idea and drawing. Everyone at the shop was super welcoming and we all had some laughs together. I have other tattoos but none that could potentially be so visible. Ben was very accommodating to my needs and concerns; he measured the work space on my petite body and was very cognizant of the size that I wanted. His flexibility and open personality was comforting and made me confident that I had made the right choice for an artist -- Ben quickly won my trust. I also had questions about the instruments used and he happily explained everything to me. I appreciate that this shops use one-time-use needles and cartridges (I"m not sure if this is the right word...) and Ben set up his station with meticulous expertise. This shop is cash only and reasonably priced. My tattoo looks great and I'm very happy! I highly recommend them. Read Less

I like this place a lot. It is super professional, clean, friendly, open, etc. I find a lot of tattoo places in Seattle to be a "scene" and totally too cool for school, booked out months in advance, and some of the artists are frankly, jerks. At Social Skins, the work speaks for itself, and everyone is great.Bryan did a great job on my arm: listened to me, followed the photo, patiently waited for me to make my final decision in terms of size and placement, and did NOT pressure me to go bigger (ugh, is this a rookie tattoo artist thing?)I'll definitely be going back for another tattoo and maybe to salvage some of my 18 year old impulses. Read Less

I went in for my first tattoo this past Saturday.  Ben was the person who did the work, and it came out better than I ever would have imagined.  The guys at Social Skins are amazing and I highly recommend them. Read Less

When looking for an artist to paint your skin permanently i have learned that though its important that he be a great artist the most important quality he should have is listening and understanding. Knowing who is customer is. That's how you get what you want. I got that at Social Skins with Ben who i asked to repair some work on my back that was so poorly done from some other place I had been to in the past. He sat patiently and took his time working with me for hours to find the best way to fix what i previously had. I am so happy with what he did. It looks amazing! Read Less

Social Skins Tattoo was just what I was looking for in a tattoo shop. I had been looking for a tattoo artist that had a eclectic ability when it came to their art work. Brian has exactly that he dose custom work only and can do a variety of styles. Which enables him to meet your needs and desires. The shop is located at the north end of Broadway in the hart of Seattle in the Capital Hill neighborhood. It is always clean and has a great atmosphere. You never know what music will be playing but it is always good. Brian just finished up my back piece and it is absolutely incredible. It is more then I ever expected and was exactly what I was looking for. I will be back for my next piece for sure. Thanks a ton Brian you rock dude!!!!Read Less

I will be going back to Brian at Social Skins tattoo, without a doubt. I had a several sessions with Brian, we were working on a quarter sleeve on my arm. I showed up at his shop with an abstract idea that I wanted translated into art. He did an awesome job working with me, translating my ideas, and incorporating his own ideas. I went to Brian because after looking at his portfolios I was 100% confident in his artistic ability. I wound up getting portraits in my tattoo which I originally had not been sure about. It was his portraits that really moved me, and I will recommend him to my friends or anyone else who is interested in getting portraits.Brian and I did have slight issues around communication regarding cost of services, so I would recommend coming up with an agreement ahead of time and just making sure both parties are clear on that. I do think that what I paid for the tattoo was fair and was definitely worth it. At the time, his prices were less expensive than most Seattle tattoo artists.I also felt that Brian took great care of his shop, I felt safe in terms of sterilization and cleanliness. Brian was also great to talk with and the whole experience was good. Read Less

I have been getting tattooed by Bryan the owner since I was 19. It will be 10 years this year. I started getting tattooed by him in Tacoma and followed him from Flaming Dragon in one location to another to Apocalypse Tattoo in Seattle to his shop now. There is a reason I have continued getting tattooed by him. He is a genuinely kind person which is not a characteristic I have seen demonstrated by many tattoo artists. He is also extremely talented and skilled. Now there are a lot of talented artists out there that can get whatever you want on your body done; for me getting a tattoo is a very spiritual and intentional experience and I have found that by working with Bryan. I would recommend this shop to my friends, people who are put off by inconsiderate, rude, creepy or culturally insensitive artists. This is the place to go if you want to be respected and treated with compassion. Read Less

Bryan has done several tattoos for me, 2 for my wife. We're currently working on completing my sleeve. The shop is super nice, clean, has a relaxing vibe, lots of cool art work to look at. This is a pure custom shop, no flash on the walls. Bryan is a nice guy, friendly, and very helpful in fine tuning and growing your tattoo idea. He also has lots of funny stories and provides some great conversation while you're trying to ignore the needles going into your skin! His artwork is detailed, clean, original and top notch. Check this shop out! Read Less

Bryan Griffith is truly one of the premiere tattoo artists in Washington state. His shop is warm, clean, and inviting. Whether your looking to get your first tattoo or finish covering your whole body Bryan is the first person I would suggest you go see. A true custom shop, there is no flash, which means your tattoo will be so much more personal and one of a kind. Read Less

Bryan is an exceptionally talented and highly skilled artist, maintaining both a pleasant demeanor and a disciplined, professional attitude.  I have been tattooed exclusively by him for over 7 years working on sleeves of Tibetan artwork on both of my arms.  Bryan gives every tattoo his own personal details while staying true to the original reference material and respect for your ideas.  Social Skins shop is exceedingly clean and well organized. The interior is as custom as the tattoo you will get, with mural walls created by Bryan as well.  The tattoo stations are sterile and physically separated from entry seating but provide a space for friends to visit while you are being worked on. There are several chairs, tables and support hardware options if you need to hold an angle while being tattooed, so that you can maximize your comfort.  I may be biased because I now consider Bryan to be a friend, but I think that's just more testament to what a great experience I've had.  For your custom tattoo you could not do better than to visit Bryan at Social Skins. Read Less

Trevor Shaw is an amazing artist! I have a couple tattoos , and plan to get more work done in the future! He does really good line work, and is extremely articulate. He also gives good advice on cover ups, and will draw you up a beautiful tattoo if you let him. The shop is sophisticated, classy and over all an awesome group of people who work there and truly care about their work, as well as the client. It is also a lot cleaner than most tattoo shops in Seattle. Read Less

im writing more of a review about there new artist trevor shaw hes new in town but the work he does is amazing and he puts his time and best effort into everything he works on treats all his clients great and ensures that everything he does is nothing but quality the japanese art he does is awesome and his traditional only keeps getting better dont feel shy bout asking for work from this guy even with a busy schedule he'll find a way to make time for everyone and his prices are not only good but worth it Read Less

These guys are terrific. After a beyond disappointing experience with another tattoo place (all the personality of a three week old dead dog) I walked into Social Skins and loved it the minute I got there.  We'll get to the level of talent in a moment, but...Great customer service. Friendly, easy going, listen to you, answer your questions, work with you... can't say enough. the other place? like I said, dead dog. I worked with Bryan Griffith and feel a little ashamed that I had wanted something so simple (just a couple words arranged nicely) but you could tell that he loves what he does and puts just as much care into simple little things like I wanted as he does on the bigger, more artistic projects.Trevor was there and joined in with taking a picture of the work so i could send it on.Great guys. Nice establishment. Squeaky clean. highly highly highly recommend them. And if you go in and check them out, look through their books.  WOW!!!! Read Less

Bryan Griffith, who used to work at Apocalypse Tattoo, has opened his own shop and it is amazing! The interior is fantastic and clean. I love how the set up is so open, but boundaries are clearly defined to prevent contamination and/or the encroachment of strangers with a distorted sense of personal space. And, as usual, Bryan is the most talented tattoo artist ever. He does such a phenomenal job of discussing your tattoo ideas with you, creating the perfect image, and transferring that on to your skin for you to have for ever and ever. Read Less