Bethesda Tattoo Company

I paid a chunk of good American dollars for my teen to have her ear cartilage pierced -- that middle of the outside ear edge thing people do now -- and I could not get a copy of their hold harmless waiver which we signed. The manager and front desk staff refused my request. .
That's plain disrepectful and deceitful.
Their message is "we take your money, and we insult you."
This will be taken to the Montgomery County Dept of Consumer Affairs.
Parents, take your minors' business elsewhere.

My experience with Bethesda Tattoo has been enormously positive. My first piercing was done here, my first microdermals, my nose piercing, and 3 of my tattoos. I've been coming here since I was 18 and my most recent experience was positive enough for me to finally compile my thoughts to a review.

My most recent visit was with Vanessa, the piercer. I needed to have my jewelry changed out of my cartilage piercing, since the original jewelry was too short of a post and was impeding my healing. I picked my jewelry and went back with Vanessa to the piercing room. She was friendly and engaging, the kind of gal I'd love to be friends with, and when she saw that the jewelry I'd picked was too small she immediately offered me a better alternative at no cost. The process was quick, she was helpful and friendly, and it was just entirely pleasant.

The staff is always friendly. And, somehow or other, the regulars recognize me. I have no idea how, but it makes me feel good about going there. Like I'm an important client. And I love the ambiance of the place. It's welcoming without being snooty, and it even just looks clean due to the light interior color scheme. It doesn't look alienating to anybody. There's no pounding rock music or skulls on the walls, you know, the stereotype of a tattoo shop. Heavily tattooed and the soon-to-be tattooed will both feel equally welcome.

Highly recommended! Though I also suggest taking the Metro, since the shop is only about half a block from the station. The parking situation is pretty grim. You have to park at a lot or in a garage and the walk is equal to, if not longer than, the walk from the metro. And you have to pay for all parking. Unless you'll be in and out in under an hour, for a quick piercing or jewelry change, I suggest the Metro to save you some quarters.

I went in today for some ink. I called ahead and I was told that they were taking walkins today,so I headed on in. The very friendly woman at the front desk helped me out and I saw James. he very quickly drew out the tattoo I'd been thinking of and was very helpful in talking me through what I wanted. I had some qualms at first but he was clear about how the lettering would look compressed in my original idea. It was quick and easy and probably the best tattooing experience I've had (out of many). Because I was taken care of right away I was not required to put down a deposit, and it was a small enough tattoo that I was only charged $50 (so although the website says a deposit of $100 is required that was not the case for me).

I want to try a female tattooist for my next piece, but if they have one I will really try it. They have a great shop, clean and nice, without the really sexist attitude you often find in tattoo shops.