Update #1:
Second tattoo I get done here. Usually my skin looks like I'm about to go into anaphylactic shock after getting ink done, especially on medium to larger areas. Day 3 of healing and it's 60 percent there, no redness (how can this be?!), clean scabbing and minimal discomfort. I was tattooed by Graham Beech, who apparently does tattoos that are licked on by kittens. Eric is no longer there, but I recommend Graham. need more stimulus? he is also devastatingly handsome.
I've gotten 2 tattoos done here. Â Both came out exactly how I wanted them done. Â Almost all of my friends go here and have been here for multiple tattoos as well. Â You really can't go wrong with any of the artists. Â The last time I was in for a tattoo a friend came with me to get her ear cartilage pierced. Â The customer service and professionalism are great. Â They explain exactly what to do in order to care for your tattoo/piercing. Â Everything is clean and with the amount of people I know who go to Trueblue, no one has ever had an complaints or issues. Â I recommended them to a friend who ended up coming in from out of state in order to visit them to have a tattoo done. Â If I decide on any more tattoos in the future, I would only come here to have it/them done.
Review Source:I've always heard nothing but great things about how great this place used to be...
the two times I went, the girls working the front couldn't be less interested in providing any help and basically waited for me to tell them exactly what I wanted.
Whatever...
The reason that I'm taking the time to write this review is b/c my friend and I were talking and realized that they did the same thing to us. They took $20 to hold a reservation and then waited until the night before to call us to say that there was "a screw up with the reservation and that they would have to reschedule me for later". Â
I felt annoyed about it, but 5hit happens. However, when my friend told me that they did the same thing to him, I knew something was up.
I think it would be very helpful if anyone else that this has happened to, could chime in on this. Being that this place is so difficult to get to, I didn't go back for my $20, but they must be hoping for this.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool all of us once - screw you guys.
I have been tattooed by Benny, Kelly and two other tattooers at TrueBlue and consider them to be "my shop." I've also been pierced by Vinnie, the owner. All around excellent customer service, wonderful artistry, and professionalism. Super clean! I recommend them to all of my friends so much so that both my boyfriend (first tattoo - half sleeve - by Kelly) and my brother (fifth, sixth, and seventh tattoos - by Benny) were tattooed here. Fair pricing, plenty of DVDs to watch while waiting, and a fun horror movie themed bathroom. If I could only get tattoos from one place for the rest of my life it would be TrueBlue.
Review Source:It was a hot ass early evening on June round 6pm or so....as I stumbled down Collins in South Beach; henny/redbull in one hand, Nuvo strait up in the other (in water bottles of course) the urge that sparked new change, was destined to present itself along my broken path.
Low and behold a bus trip later, more henny, and convincing words from my fellow comrade AND, JUST AND* a deal where I won half my purchase payed for, I again stumbled (this time down Washington) with a tiny bling in the side of my eye.
Yes, I Â at that point had just wasted $80-- $40 of my own & $40 of my comrade's (which I won) on a microdermal piercing that I would have in my face for less than 72 hours. Â Sounds almost like the Kardashian-Humphries wedding only soooooooooo much less glamorous.
First day back in NY ....
I'm in PAIN. I'm in love with my new facial piercing, but I'm freaking out because I know now that this piercing will be almost as permanent as a  tattoo, and if you know Sonny you know Sonny don't do no tattoos!
Once I actually found out just HOW permanent this work of art was --in a more sober state-- I then realized I was in DIRE need of removal!! This wasn't the type of piercing you just pop out. This required professional skills and patience.
I thought Who else but to call....Casper, the piercer at True Blue. Â
4 stars you ask? Minus one for the pill-ed up girl who they allowed to stumble around the shop as I nervously wait to have my piercing removed, and then as I layed to actually have it removed.
Casper took me into the piercing room, and layed me down; made me feel like he was about to perform surgery. He wasn't too reassuring that everything would be ok, but I was very fortunate to be able to even have a piercer remove the microdermal piercing as opposed to a surgeon, yes i said surgeon. Once the piercing heals the tissues grow around the metal, making it almost permanent**. Â The only LEGAL way to have it removed would be by a licensed M.D., someone who can perform surgery. Think of it as an abortion...its not legal to have anyone perform the action unless they are a doctor, but unfortunately we still see unlicensed practices who are willing to go up there with a hanger and rip it out; either which way you look at it NOT GOOD.
True blue has been around for AWHILE, and I have always  came here for all my piercing needs. While I don't have any tattoos I no Eric and Benni can work wonders their his hands and that tattoo gun. The owner is hilarious. My first time in here was when I was like 16, and my friend Jazz was getting a new piercing and he had this adorable dog which didn't even look a dog. So when I asked what kind of dog it was he told me it was a spider monkey, and for like two years I believed him! Silly me!!!
Moral of the story, don't make open ended bets while drinking henny, redbull, and nuvo while being in south beach!
*The deal I am referring to included me drinking an unheard of amount of alcohol to win $40. If I wasn't alredy schizzy-schwasted I wouldn't have ever complied with this outlandish, not to mention CHEAP bet!!
**By almost permanent I mean that like a tattoo, getting it removed is ALOT more time consuming, painful, and expensive then getting it initially done; not easily reversed (in the piercing case it can be reversed somewhat with out difficulty as long as it hasn't healed.)
Was here about four months ago for a nose piercing. The staff was very cool, yet professional. He had me fill out some waivers and answered some questions about some other things my friends and I were curious about, then he took us to the back.
The piercing itself was absolutely painless (I still cannot believe how incredibly smooth it went -- my eyes didn't even water which supposedly happens a lot when you get your nose pierced). I was psyching myself out about it beforehand so I had a lot of adrenaline and right after the needle went through, I kind of blacked out. He got sugar into my system quickly and got me to lie down on their couch. Very understanding and didn't make me feel like an idiot about it.
On top of that, the price here is amazing!
All in all, really good experience. Would definitely come back here for more piercings and tattoos.
I got my first tattoo done here. I have to say, being it was my first, I was more than nervous. The guys who work here made me feel at home. Â They are very laid back and actually made the experience alot better. The price was very reasonable. Clean shop. Only downfall is the location, but the long drive was worth it. Im very satisfied with my tattoo. Definetely 5 stars.
Review Source:i like this place a lot. i've gotten both my tattoos here. the prices are reasonable. i think the minimum is $50 which isn't bad at all. one of the guys who works here (i think he's the owner, not sure) is hilarious. he makes you feel comfortable. also one of the guys who did a tattoo for me was really really good looking lol.
i'll def be back for more.
A great place with wonderful people. A highly skilled staff would make anything you need happen. If you are looking for artists with a great rep, this is the spot. I personally know many pepole that got work done here. I'm next!! a perfect place if this is your first time or your hundreth time.The crew is friendly and very personable.
While you wait, make sure to go next door to Sideshow.
Ah True Blue! I've finally found a tattoo shop that I love.
I've only gotten tattooed at three shops, and True Blue is far and away the best of the three.
First, Eric works here, and he is the man. We were introduced about a year ago at the 10th anniversary party for the parlor, and he's been tattooing me exclusively ever since. I know a bunch of people who get tattoos done by Eric and they all agree that he's a very talented artist.
The shop is decorated like no other I've ever been to. All sorts of tchotchkies line the walls, the main theme seeming to be horror, with many Frankenstein action figures and movie posters, along with other statuettes, figurines and memorabilia, all of a somewhat dark nature. The floors are purple. Awesome.
The shop is very clean without having a hospital exam room feel.
In the waiting area, there's a small tv and a bunch if DVDs you can watch, along with a large flash selection. They also sell Tattoo Goo tins with a True Blue Tattoo seal on them. Tattoo Goo is really great for my ultra-sensitive skin, so it's really convenient that I can buy it here.
The area where the tattoos are done is an open area split into two levels. There's room for about four people to be worked on at the same time. I really prefer this open layout to the "exam room" format I've seen in other shops. This way, there's open communication between nearly everyone in the shop. There's never a dull moment. Â
I've never actually seen anyone get a piercing here, and I'm not actually sure who does the piercing, but I know there's a lonely piercing station in the hallway, and the skate shop next door (same owner) sells body jewelry. Â I prefer a shop that is mainly focused on tattoos and not piercings. It's a good way to tell if a shop is into giving awesome tattoos, or if they're just in it to make huge profits hanging metal in flesh.
Basically, I'm going to keep going to True Blue for as long as I can. I'm confident I could get any tattoo I could possibly want (ok, maybe not a hyper-realistic portrait) I could get done beautifully by one of the artists here. I go as often as possible.
I got my nose pierced here about a year ago and it was quick and painless. The dude who pierced my nose was really nice, and had a dry sense of humor that sort of eased any initial apprehension I had about letting someone stab my nostril with a long ass needle.
All in all, a good, inexpensive, clean experience!
If you only want to get one tattoo, make sure you go to TrueBlue! Although it's in-between crappy Maspeth and much nicer Ridgewood, it's worth the trek where ever you're coming from. The owner is down to earth, all of the tattoo artists are amazing. They have a shop next door that caters to the skateboard/Emo crowd. The shop is clean, sterile, professional, and when you're done you just might change your mind about only having one tattoo. BTW, Bennie is a fantastic tattooist.
Review Source:i got my first and second tattoo here, and they had the lowest prices in NY that i could find. apart from that, everyone working in the shop was so friendly and very funny. Â i'm happy with my tattoos from true blue, and am thinking about coming back in the near future to add to my 2nd tattoo.
for my third tattoo i went to a different tattoo place in long island, and it was a horrible experience.. the tattoo came out looking good, but the artist would not listen to me. true blue is the total opposite, and uber uber welcoming.
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
