Okay, so....this place is freaking amazing! Â Every single person here is cool as hell. Â This was my first time getting inked up here, so I had to come bearing gifts...Brought em a couple Pizzas cuz I was at the italian joint up the street, so figured...why not, everyones gotta eat! Â It's not like it would have mattered though. Â Anthony was my artist and drew up a SICK new cross to add to my back. Â When I was done, he took pics of my other tat's and said he'd work on extensions for them.
They do AMAZING work, and I would advise anybody looking to get some ink done, to come here! Â I was only planning on getting my back sleeve done back in San Diego....but I think I am going to do it here instead. Â I don't always get tattooed....but when I do, I prefer Berkeley Tattoo Parlour. Â :)
I wrote Shawn a three page email about a dream I had that was inspired by a painting on the wall I used to stare at while lying in bed. Shawn took that email and flawlessly projected the image from my head and onto my leg. There's a reason every single one of my friend and I all go to Shawn for work and to the tattoo parlour just to enjoy the amazing vibe , from the zen garden full of banzai to the farmstead outback. This is how it's supposed to feel when you're sitting down discussing artwork that you're going to carry with you the rest of your life. I flaked last appointment so I owe the whole crew cheeseboard but ill be back to scratch peters beard and run Shawn's belly then get to work and finish my leg before we get onto the next mind numbing creation. These guys will take your dreams and turn them into a reality you'll enjoy forever. All the love I have to give - vortex Matt !
Review Source:I was beginning to ditch the idea of getting a tattoo after visiting several shops in the area until I came across this place! As soon as I walked in I felt at ease. Great ambiance, relaxing music, and beautiful paintings. All the artists are wicked talented and super friendly. I was taken care of by Peter who is very possibly the nicest person I've ever met. I felt comfortable and had complete confidence in him.
I brought in my own art and he was more than willing to work with my piece. He took the time to clean up my lines and shrink it down to the size I was looking for. When I came in I was incredibly nervous but Peter was patient and helped me work through it. He gave me water, gum, and a stress ball to help calm me down and before I knew it he had finished. Â I had three friends with me for support and they accommodated, setting up the room so that they were all near me throughout the tattoo.
Peter did such an amazing job. He stayed true to my piece and his lines are impeccable. He was very conscientious and respectful. I'm so glad that I had my first experience here and without a doubt will be coming back to get any future tattoos.
Both my boyfriend and I have had Peter tattoo us. Â My boyfriend got an amazing Celtic knot work partial sleeve (looks like armor) that Peter did a fantastic job on. Â Lines are super clean, straight, evenly spaced. Â Peter suggested putting two lion/dog heads at the back and they added a lot of life to the piece. Â
My tattoo was a very different style - realistic peony flowers done to cover up an older tattoo (lesson learned - don't tattoo anyone's name on your body ;). Â I was very impressed by the research Peter did for my piece - he found a whole book about peonies with a plethora of photos I was able to look through and choose from. Then he transferred the photos I chose to paper as line drawings, and worked with my suggestions to come up with an image I LOVED. Â He spent 4 hours inking the outline and doing the shading (it's a fairly large piece on my lower back). Â Even without color besides the shading my old tattoo is almost completely gone. Â He was very patient and paid attention to how I was feeling through the process. Â When I was struggling with the pain about hour 2, he picked up on it and suggested we take a break. Â All of the guys made me feel very safe and comfortable and respected as a woman and we had some fun and intelligent conversation.
Looking forward to adding color to my peonies. Â All in all the best tattoo shop in Berkeley!
Still pleased!!!
Spur of the moment...was tired of waiting for my friends to get their act together so I just went.
Anthony took care of me. First one in and  the first one out in 1hr (I had to wait for him to set up, they had just opened).
Shawn was out at the moment, but I'll be back before the year is up for him to finish/add on, what we've started already.
i like having Celtic work done by Shawn. his designs are really good, his lines are very clean, he doesn't rush anything, and he really knows what he's doing when it comes to Celtic tattoos. Berkeley tattoo does good quality work, keeps a very clean shop, and fair prices. Â i'm am very happy with this (and every) tattoo experience at Berkeley tattoo.
Review Source:It's going to be hard for me to go anywhere else, because shawn is the best artist I've ever had work on me! Hes the coolest guy, and makes me feel totally comfortable. My quail is my absolute favorite piece hes done on me. I just had him redo some tattoos that I had gotten up in Seattle, and they look amazing!
If you live in Berkeley or just anywhere in the bay this is the place to go! I would go to everyone in the shop, Peter and Anthony's work is amazing as well! I always have a great time whenever i'm there!
Berkely Parlour Is the spot 5 stars hands down...Anthony, Sean, Peter are amazing. Very professional place. I want give a shout out to my tattoo artist Anthony. He is currently working on my Chicano half sleeve tattoo. He is very passionate in what he does, great guy he makes ur tattoos look vivid!!! & he always works with you to make them even better.
Review Source:I got my first tattoo from Shawn about a week and a half ago. I was nervous because it was my first tattoo but he helped me feel completely at ease. He and the other guys in the shop created a wonderful atmosphere and eventually I found myself laughing and not being nervous anymore. I had a great time and I can now say that I'd definitely go back there to get another tattoo from Shawn.
He designed the tattoo based on what I told him and I am absolutely thrilled with his work!!! When I saw the tattoo he had designed for me, it was way better than what I'd imagined. Shawn's a very talented artist and the tattoo has received numerous compliments already.
They keep a very clean shop as well. The tattoo healed up beautifully within a few days. Shawn also did a great job on the tattoo as it is completely smooth to the touch. No scarring whatsoever can be felt.
Can I please give this guy six stars or more? Five is just not enough. He deserves the extra stars!
Thanks, Shawn! =) I really love the tattoo!
Got His & Her anchor tattoos to commemorate our marriage (see photo posted) .
Shawn did an awesome job on both versions and took the time to tweak it until we were both  happy. Besides being super talented, he's eager to please and a pleasure to be around. He's funny and insightful. We both thoroughly enjoyed the experience...despite a little pain.
We're both picky when it comes to our ink - mainly cause we've been burned by other artists - but Shawn is top notch. You won't be disappointed - and!!!!!- the price was great! Will definitely return for our next ink-job.
Awesome awesome awesome!
PETER ROCKS!!!!!
All the guys here do but I have to give a special shout out to my artist :-P
The first tattoo I got done by Peter was on my back. He did an awesome job and made me feel very comfortable. He even told me Mitch Hedburg jokes when the music stopped working for a little bit! I also got the top of my foot done. I was a little nervous but he powered through it while making sure I was comfortable and  it looks AMAZING. I can't wait to go back for my next one.
I love the atmosphere in the shop. Everyone is so chill and you can tell they all have such passion for their art.
Shawn is an amazing artist and a super nice guy! He did an incredible job on my husband's sleeve and we had a great time at the shop while he was working. He and Peter created a warm atmosphere while Shawn laid down his fantastic artwork. Not to sound biased, but my husband's tattoo is the best work I've ever seen! :)
Review Source:First found this place because of the logo being celtic, and at the time my boyfriend was looking to get a celtic cross done so it was a perfect fit for him. Then after his second tattoo here my step dad and mom got a few pieces done here. Finally once I knew what I wanted I met with Shawn to talk about a back piece I had in mind. Just got the first session done a week ago and I love it! It has surpassed my expectations and Shawns artistic creativity is really giving this tattoo more life than I had been able to think up. the shop is clean and the guys who work there are all chill and make you feel comfortable both in the chair and right when you walk in.
Review Source:Hey yelpers, look at his response to my review and tell me does that sound like a professional to you? Â Instead of admitting what he did and apologize, he sinks to name calling and avoiding the point that he changed our agreement in midstream. i was willing to pay the $100 but the additional punitive $100 after the fact of our agreement, not going to work. Â He just changed his response as to not sound like an idiot when he realized that Yelpers are reading my review. I would avoid this guy at all cost. There are much more talented artist who have some sense in the Bay Area
Review Source:You cant go wrong here,
Peter and Shawn are as professional and cool as it gets. they actually listen to what you have in mind and deliver some sick tattoos that you will be more than happy too live with.!...You pay for what you get, and you get quality tattoos at this place hands down...I will be coming here for long time to come.
Roll in there with your ideas and you wont be disappointed :)
For Peter who did an awesome job on my first tattoo.
I heard about this place from a coworker of mine. She showed me the art Pete did for her sleeve. Her tattoo was absolutely beautiful. She said that Pete was super chill and made her feel very comfortable. I then looked this place up on yelp and saw every review with all 5 stars. I had to check this place out.
First thing I noticed was that the place was very clean. Pete was listening to some chill playlist on Pandora. We got to talking and I felt comfortable very quickly with this guy. Told him my idea about getting  lyrics tattooed on my arm. He sat down and started writing out the lyrics in the font that we agreed upon. I was satisfied with what he did and the font we chose.
A few minutes later he's setting up the place, laying out plastic everywhere, making sure everything was clean and sterilized. This guy is VERY sanitary! While he was drawing away on my arm, he kept me occupied by talking to me and playing my favorite music on Pandora over the speakers. Truly an unexpected and pleasant first tattoo experience.
To make a long story short, Peter is an awesome guy and a very fine artist. I will be going back for my next tattoo.
Awesome work, Friendly people, Great prices......Well I know that kinda says it all and I am obviously not the only one who feels this way but thought I would leave my opinion as well :) When you walk in you instantly feel relaxed and at home....good people, good conversation. Peter is amazing! Friendly, smart, caring and very talented! He really listened to what we wanted and everybody left very happy. We highly recommend going in and talking to them if you want something done....we will be back soon :)
Review Source:Recently I got a small (but mighty!) band of roses on my wrist and am so happy with it! Peter was great, totally professional. A real craftsman! I appreciated his attention to the little details, and how him and Sean made me feel comfortable. Will definitely be back! Amazing artists they are!
Review Source:Great job on the tattoo! My artist was Peter, one of Sean's apprentices and he really put forth a great effort from the sketch to the shading. Â Turned out even better than I expected. The price was good also (you get what you pay for) and I will definitely be coming back. Great friendly staff and very professional! Â Peter was awesome and had some cool stories to tell during the 4 or 5 hours I was there. Â He always made sure to sterilize the needles and did everything according to standard procedures. Â Altogether, it was a great experience and I'm very happy I stumbled upon their shop.
Review Source:Love this place. Â If you are visiting the Bay area and want some ink done- you must drop in! Â It's everything you want in a tattoo parlor. Â Cool art on the wall, great music playing, relaxed environment, and professional artists at work. Â My artist, Peter, Â was super sweet and patient with me since I don't think I was the easiest client. Â Pretty sure I kicked and screamed through the whole experience. Â My best friend R. and I got matching tattoos circa 1995 on a whim and regretted them since about 1998. Â We finally decided to cover those up with a new kick ass design that Peter hooked up. Â We told him what we wanted and he drew up a beautiful version of what we described. Â Even though I must have looked at 100 lotus flower designs- none that I was sure about, one look at the one he drew and we were sold! Â
Peter was extremely conscientious about hygiene and was meticulous about his needles and sterilized work station. Â His precise hand and careful technique covered our past random mistake, and gave us a piece we can actually be proud of. Â The flower is vibrant with fuchsia and pink and holds a perfect black ohm in its center. Â We love love love it!! Â Amazing cover up work. Â He works under the owner, Shawn whose tattoo photo book boasts some of the most beautiful skin art I've ever seen... and pretty sure I watch LA Ink every week! Â It was a lot of fun spending the afternoon in the shop. Â My lotus/ohm design is so pretty and feminine! Â Thanks Peter!! Â You totally rocked it! Â Best of luck to you and the crew at Berkley Tattoo Parlour. Â
**Bonus**
The meaning of my tattoo:
The flower: The lotus flower is one of the most ancient and deepest symbols of our planet. The lotus flower grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty. At night the flower closes and sinks underwater, at dawn it rises and opens again. Untouched by the impurity, lotus symbolizes the purity of heart and mind.
The roots of a lotus are in the mud, the stem grows up through the water, and the heavily scented flower lies pristinely above the water, basking in the sunlight. This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.
The symbol:  Om, Aum, Ohm is a holy meditation symbol of Hinduism & Buddhism.  The word is Sanskrit.  It is said  "Whoever knows this syllable obtains whatever he wishes."  This is because all words are said to be but various forms of the one sound, "om".  It represents the divine and the power of God.  It is the sound-symbol for the ultimate reality. Â
The three "mantras" of A, U, M also represent the outer, the inner and the superconscient states of consciousness and the waking, dream and deep sleep states respectively. Â Beyond these is the modeless fourth state (a-matra), which is the Self. Â Another way of saying this is that Om is immortal and inexhaustible. Â It is the symbolic expression of the creative spirit, the Word (with reference to the three component sounds), the three human conditions (waking, dreaming, and deep sleep), the three times of day (morning, midday, evening), and the three faculties (action, cognition, volition).
The Om is also often referred to as the sound of the Earth...creation...the heart of existence.  To become one with the sound of the Om, through visual meditation and sounding of the vibration, allows one to become one with the source of all... to become "realized"... a  "master". Â
Thanks for reading my review. Â Happy realizations!
xo,
Dre
So, today I got my first tattoo done here at Berkeley tattoo parlour. From the first moment I walked through the door I felt pretty comfortable with the place. The staff there were very friendly and made me feel really comfortable. I showed my design, a music drawing that I made, and I was recommended to Josh. He was very nice and took my idea and said he would make a sketch. I came back a week later and the sketch was exactly what I had envisioned in my head for my tattoo. It was so cool! They were really concerned to make me most comfortable for my first tattoo. They even made me leave to go get food because they said it hurts more when your hungry. I was very impressed with how concerned they were. When I came back, Josh sat me down and went to work. He worked fast but at the same time never missed a detail. He was a cool guy and made me feel comfortable. My tattoo came out great and my first experience was wonderful. Josh was the man! I would recommend him anytime. So if you have a cool design you want to get done, slide through Berkeley tattoo parlor and schedule an appointment with Josh.
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