Empire Tattoo

4.4 (111 reviews)

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Empire Tattoo - Background in progress. Everything but the moose and banner has been done by Amanda Abbott - Tattoo Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Empire Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Dee C.

I give a 3 because I only made it as far as the counter but that was a delightful experience. The guy behind the counter is named Sam and he is absolutely charming. He answered all of our questions thoroughly, was laid back, good attitude, its def welcoming. In my opinion who you see first will always be an impression on the establishment and hes represented Empire Tattoos well. They have tons of cool art on the wall. It's nice and clean, spacious, plenty of seating and just a chill environment. Saw some artist portfolios, def good work. Also minimum price is 60$ which beats out any other shop in the area. Also, if you check in using your Yelp app you get 5% off

Chelsey G.

Reilly killed it I am obsessed w my new tat and would def come back for more. Went to the shop for a walk-in, didn't have to wait for that long and it couldn't have turned out any better!

Background in progress. Everything but the moose and banner has been done by Amanda Abbott

D M.

I've been coming in to Empire to see Amanda Abbott since soon after the shop opened. I had seen her work online and we had connected while she was working at another shop further away. I liked her work and all the details and how fine art her tattoos looked based on photos. It also seemed like fate since my other tattoos were done by Russ Abbott, so maybe I'm only meant to be tattooed by an Abbott? Funny coincidence. Anyway, I met with her during the winter, and we're been in the process of adding some really fun pretties to some naked spots on my arm. She came up with some really great custom ideas that fit along with what I wanted and what I already have on my arm, and it looks great so far. I'll be back to get that finished up, and most likely more. I mean, I have a Ruby tattoo, I think I need an Indy one. Amanda is a total delight to work with, and I get a big kick out of her personally, so that makes it really comfortable to go in and get tattooed. Also, she's a crazy dachshund lover, which made me instantly love her. :) The shop is really clean, comfortable, and everyone who works there is really pleasant. Also, right down the street from my house-AMAZING! Love that we have a tattoo parlor so close to the East Somerville and Union Square area. Chris, who is the piercer, is normally at the front desk whenever I go in and he's really nice. The pricing for piercings seem really reasonable, if that's your thing. Hell, custom tattoo work is really reasonable. I think it's right around $100/hr, which is great. It may vary from artist, but that's usually right around what I pay. Also awesome: it rarely seems like there's too much of a wait to get in, and everyone seems pretty flexible and accommodating. Look online-all the artists have a lot of different styles, all are really great. Anyway, I won't go anywhere else for tattoos in Boston, and if you're looking for something new, go here!

Amazing experience as a walk-in with my friend for some smaller pieces! The person at the front desk was incredibly accommodating and helped translate our ideas into sketches perfectly. I had this done by Ramon and it came out better than the photo I showed him as inspiration. Sometimes I can feel intimidated at tattoo shops but this was not the case. My friend had Joe do two small tattoos - a flame and some script - and they also turned out beautifully.

Compass rose tattoo by Claudio Camilucci

Lauryn M.

If you're looking for a professional, reasonably priced tattoo shop with great quality tattoos, look no further. Empire Tattoo is the best. I came here as a walk-in looking to get a tattoo on my foot and was given a consult by Claudio. I gave him a sketch I drew up myself to give him an idea of what I wanted and he came up with a design even better than I had imagined myself. Claudio is super sweet, professional, and really funny; he made my time in the chair fly by. It took 2 sessions to complete the tattoo- 1 for the outline, the 2nd for the color and shading, but it was totally worth two trips. Totally obsessed with my tattoo, I show it off every chance I get. I look forward to coming back to Empire and getting inked again in the near future! Also, if you're looking to get a rose, Claudio is your man, jus' sayin.

My handwritten script tattoo from a birthday card my grandma gave me. This incredible work was done by Ray!!

Marshelle J.

I had such an awesome experience with these guys! They could not have been more patient and understanding. My grandma, who I was very close to, had a massive stroke and passed away last week so I wanted to get something meaningful as a constant reminder that she'll always be with me. When I found out how steadily she was declining, I went in search of tattoo inspiration; I came upon an old birthday card with her signature saying "Love you forever, Grandmommy xxoo." I instantly knew that having this personal handwritten message would be just the symbol I was looking for. I immediately went to Yelp to research tattoo parlors around Boston, and came upon these guys with awesome reviews, so I sent them an email explaining the situation and giving them a general overview of what I was wanting. They emailed me back instantly and were so sympathetic and told me to come in as soon as possible. I went in this past Sunday and they remembered my email and set me up with Ray. We rescaled the image a few times until I was completely happy with the size and spacing and then Ray went to work after thoroughly explaining care instructions and why we had to go with the size we did. I got the script on my wrist, and before Ray would even touch my skin, he traced over the writing to ensure he could do it in one fluid movement. He was so quick, and the end result could not have been more perfect!! I am so happy that I came to these guys and I will definitely be back for my next tattoo, and have already been recommending this place to my friends!! That night, I realized we had forgotten to add a comma. I called in and they told me that Ray was off but to come in anytime and they would fix it for me, no problem. Finding this kind of customer service in Boston is certainly a rarity, and I'm so happy I found Empire! Thanks guys! :)

Erica J.

Neil England is a true "Ink God". I Googled best cover up tattoo artists in New England and his name popped up! I checked out his Web page, followed him on Facebook, and called to snag my appointment. He had a 3 month waiting list which I gladly accepted for quality work. Let's start with what I had. ...I had what is coined as "a nightmare tattoo". It was a dragon which I had done circa 1997/1998 by a now well known tattoo artist. A friend of mine stenciled a dragon on me, and instead of removing it I had to worked over. It was fine and barely visible until touched by then known as "Naton" of Dark wave Dermagraphics located in his loft at Dudley Station in Boston, when tattooing was illegal. I left with a horrible tattoo. A marriage of pain and torment which I lived in. I had tried endless times to have it redone and was always told it couldn't be done, until Neil came along.... About Empire Tattoo....it stepped in to seal the deal, and get a brutal, bloody, long overdue divorce from this tattoo. I sat in an ultra cushiony soft leather sofa which immediately made me sleepy. The studio was clean, spacious, and all employees friendly. About Neil....HE IS THE REAL DEAL. He takes time to analyze your existing tattoo and discusses the options. He is a real artist. His work space was awesome. He calmed me with movies, we watched Push, and Casino Jack. He has outlets to charge your cell phone, art everywhere, and is not only am awesome tattoo artist but a great person. He is a family man and proud of his wife, who is a true artist also. The vibe in the studio is awesome, positive energy and even the owner is very cool! When done, Neil sealed the deal and filed my tattoo nightmare divorce by wrapping me up in Saran wrap. I am sooooo happy, I cried out of happiness and also pain, lol. When done I got a care package of tattoo balm which increased my healing time and a cool t-shirt which I wear often with pride. Go with cash, I had to use an atm across the street, no biggie, but we all know cash is king!! Have cash to tip also, these people are artists and cash tips are necessary! Lastly there is ample parking across the street adjacent to advance auto. Do not park in advances' parking lot, park on the public street or risk being towed!!! I look forward to rebooking with Neil. Follow him on Facebook and instagram to see if he has cancelations. His appointments are COVETED, do not rush him and do not miss your appointment. Empire tattoo is clean, friendly and professional. I have been in a few places and left running...Empire IS THE ONLY PLACE YOU NEED TO GO FOR A TATTOO and I highly recommend Neil. The other artists seemed great too, but it's the work of NEIL ENGLAND, that I wear with pride...thanks Neil....

Maddy V.

Let me tell y'all something about Empire Tattoo, Cori in particular: I could not recommend this place highly enough. I got my first tattoo from Cori a little over a year ago. The booking process was easy peasy, she got back to me as quickly as she could, and calmed my nerves instantly when I went in (she's an absolute sweetheart).Now, I have three tattoos from Cori, and I wholeheartedly intend to get many more in the future. The shop is ultra clean, and the front desk staff is always friendly and cordial. The lobby features some seriously squishy and comfy chairs to relax in while you wait. Cori went above and beyond every single time, going so far as to respond to my messages on her day off, and extensively discuss design ideas so that she could create the best possible tattoo. I have come to completely trust her judgement and skill. I now have three tattoos that I absolutely adore. Total strangers stop me to compliment them, and every time I sing Cori's praises. I definitely recommend Empire Tattoo!!

Faith B.

Empire tattoo is the go to tattoo parlor is Boston. . My friend and I were on a girls trip and decided to be spontaneous and get tattoos. After reading plenty of Yelp reviews I decided to come here. When you walk into Empire, it gives you that typical tattoo parlor feel, very laid back. Once we told our tattoo artist what we wanted they went to get the sketches ready, which they did very quickly & I appreciated that. Ray was my tattoo artist and he was great, he is also a New Yorker like me which gives him some extra brownie points lol. Ray did a great job making sure I was happy and was very patient with me as I was being indecisive about part of my tattoo. Ray also tattooed my very quickly, which was great! I was in and out within 20 minutes. Fast & easy just how I like it :) THE ONLY reason I am giving this place a 4 is because I didn't like that there was food laying around in the back not too far from where you are tattooed. This place needs a designated break room or to be covered by a curtain or something. I also would have liked some written after care instructions for the tattoo. I wish I could give like a 4.8 because these things were so minor. BUT overall if you are in Boston and want to get a quality tattoo this is the place to go!

Taylor S.

I had a bad tattoo from when I was younger and desperately needed a cover up. I had been following coralynn for quite awhile and finally made the trip in. I showed what I was thinking about doing and booked the appointment. Two weeks later I went in to see what she drew up and I was FLOORED. Sure - I knew it would be a great piece but I had no idea how incredible it actually would be. I did one sitting for about 3 1/2 hours. I am IN LOVE with my new piece. She truly is an exceptional artist. As far as the atmosphere goes - it's chill, funny and she played a killer playlist. This place really cares about the customer and I think that is rare. For sure my absolute go to for tattoos now.

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Kerry D.

11 years ago

Rick did my tat a month ago. Medium size Cape Cod piece. Rick a great job. Came out just as I wanted it to. I was nervous to get it b/c I am prone to keloids and Rick came across as a little rough around the edges if you will. He ended up changing his tune and became more comforting, I'm sure he noticed my anxiety. He suggested I leave, with the stencil, and come back tomorrow once I sat with it. Artists never do that for a variety of reasons. I went home, sat with the tattoo, went back the next day and got it. Painless and looked great. I realized that Rick isn't much of a talker but will talk to you. That is the way some people just are. He is kind, and I very much appreciated him, so much so I tipped him double! I will go back to Empire tattoo and request Rick. Color was off a bit b/c of the healing process so he touched up the tattoo, basically went over the entire piece again. First touch up is free but I tipped him $10. PS- I LOVE the store manager, Sarah. She is so friendly and chill. She even remembered me over the phone when I told her my name and my piece. She's awesome and I'm a big Sarah fan. read more

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Tammy T.

366

11 years ago

When I first came here for the first time last year, My best friend and I had an appointment with Amanda. We intended to get matching tattoos. My friend went first, then I. After a week of really looking deep into our tattoos, I realized she minimized mine as my friends was bigger. Also, she missed a small detail of mine in which I was extremely upset about as I paid $160. I'm glad she's not there anymore. I went back recently to get it shaded, and added with Rey. I loved my results! Except one little thing, when he said he would go over everything, he didn't go over my kite. Other than that, a great guy! It cost me a total of $170. Basically wasted my money on letting Amanda do my tattoo, a crappy job she did and nearly costing the same as Rey did everything for me again. read more

Empire Tattoo - (Before) as you can see at the very top, Amanda missed a leaf. - Tattoo Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Empire Tattoo - (After) - Tattoo Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Herb L.

12 years ago

Great experience, brought in a drawing, and they did it on the spot. Tattoo is awesome and definitely plan on using them again if and when I get another tattoo. Matt was my tattoo artist. read more

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Kev H.

186

11 years ago

Came in today for a walk in tattoo, didn't have to wait long. Cora came out and greeted me, she walked me through the entirety of the script and made sure it was exactly what I wanted it to look like. She was meticulous yet laid back at the same time and it put me at ease during the process. When all was said and done it was cheaper than what I was quoted as well! Needless to say it was a very good first experience with my tattoo and I will be back for all my future inkage. read more

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Colby G.

251

9 years ago

Very easy and professional experience, Drew did a great job. Affordable as far as tattoos go, and an overall excellent experience. Thanks a lot Drew. read more

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Laura B.

Elite 21

376

12 years ago

FYI, the amazing Amanda now works at Brilliance Tattoo and the brilliant Neil England continues to work at Empire. Proceed accordingly.

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Grecia P.

10 years ago

Chris Reilly was FANTASTIC. Really helpful, warm and efficient. Also, hilarious! It's my third tattoo and he really helped me tie them all together. Ask for Chris! read more

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Ch O.

195

13 years ago

Okay so Empire Tattoo tried to get Yelp to remove my review before because I didn't contain a "substantive consumer experience'. Well here it goes. I got a fairly large tattoo from Amanda. Its across my my mid back and it is scarred. Why do I know that it's her fault and not just because of my dark skin? Because half of it is scarred and the other half is more smooth which means that she tattooed way too deep on one side of my tattoo. Just stating facts. Then come to find out that somebody else I know who is also black got a tattoo from Amanda and the ink that Amanda applied to her tattoo straight up exploded in her skin leaving a permanent blob of ink surrounding her tattoo. I have heard of no complaints from anyone who is white that got a tattoo from Amanda. But based on me and my friend's experience it's in your best interest to avoid Amanda like the plague if you are black or ethnic. She doesn't know how to tattoo that type of skin. This is serious stuff. Ink is permanent. This is my review. This is my warning. read more

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Heather M.

14 years ago

I was recently tattooed by a young lady at Empire and I couldn't be happier. The studio was very clean and the environment was friendly. The artist was very thorough with making sure everything was sterilized. Everyone there was super nice and made me feel at home. I am terrible with pain and needles and stuff and the girl that tattooed me did everything she could to make me feel at ease. I couldn't be happier. The piece is so beautiful. The lines and shading were so clean. After speaking to the artist, I found out that she had only been tattooing for a few years. She is incredibly talented and her portfolio is really amazing. All of the artists at this studio have amazing portfolios. I cannot wait to go back. I would highly recommend this shop to anyone looking for an amazing tattoo done in a safe and friendly environment. Two thumbs up! read more

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Grant G.

247

10 years ago

It took me almost a year to write this review but I got my tattoo here and its awesome. It was my first tattoo and Coralynn did a phenominal job. I got a quote on my shoulder and she talked me through it and gave me her professional opinion and it turned out absolutely amazing. The process was totally painless and they are very reasonably priced. I got the consultation one night and came in the next morning for the tattoo. Thank you Coralynn and the Empire team! read more

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Pratik B.

10 years ago

Got a roman numeral tattoo done by Ray a couple of months ago. Was a great experience overall. Couple of emails back and forth to lock down design. I was unsure about fonts, but when I arrived for my appointment Ramon had somehow already printed out the design in the exact font I wanted. Ramon was quick and professional. This was a great first tattoo experience, i'll be back to get another tattoo, and i'll be recommending Empire/Ray to my friends as well read more

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Brianna G.

7 years ago

This has to be my favorite tattoo shop. I've gone here for multiple pieces and have never been disappointed. the staff works efficiently and they get along like family. I'm sure every artist is amazing but I personally recommend kc (who now works in the Quincy shop) and drew from the Somerville shop their work is unbeatable!!! read more

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Kevin W.

7 years ago

Went twice to get tattooed, they set me up with Ray for consultation. Meet with him sent email with pics never heard back from anyone. Very disappointing. read more

Business owner information

Stephen K.

Hi Kevin ! I think there were some wires crossed somewhere ? Ray has…

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Rocky R.

12 years ago

Neil England did my 2 family crest tattoos several years ago and the came out perfect and still look great! Neil was the consummate professional, kept a VERY clean work space and made me feel at ease. I had to think about what tattoos to get for 2 years before I committed to doing them and it took me just as long to find an artist I liked and trusted with my skin. I would HIGHLY recommend Neil and even though I'm now an 8 hour drive from his shop, when I'm ready for my next tattoo, I will only go to one man and it'll be worth the drive. read more

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Amy E J.

10 years ago

Just had a back piece cover-up done with Moge. He is talented, profession, and a really nice guy. I enjoyed my experience working with him and he did a beautiful job. I also had him do another small tattoo on my arm. I would definitely recommend Moge to anyone. read more

Empire Tattoo - Back piece cover-up by Moge - Tattoo Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Ivis C.

416

10 years ago

I kid you not, this place was WELL WORTH EVERY LITTLE SECOND I SPENT RESEARCHING FOR THE PERFECT PLACE! I looked so hard for the perfect tattoo place for my very first piece. As soon as I walked in to make an appointment (which you don't have to) I felt a great vibe. The people are so kind, which threw me off because they all seem so mean and serious. I got Drew and let me say that he is PHENOMENAL! Super patient guy who worked with me and how I was a bit complicated with the placement of my first tattoo. It was only two simple elephants but he made it real and made me incredibly ecstatic! Of course I was already excited because it's my first tattoo!!!! But even more because I picked a fabulous location and had an amazing artist do it for me. I highly recommend this location and I will be coming back in the future ! (P.S. Drew got bonus points for playing The Weeknd while working on my piece) read more

Empire Tattoo - An hour after it was done ! - Tattoo Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Empire Tattoo - As soon as it was completed by Drew - Tattoo Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Adin V.

289

10 years ago

This review is specifically for Coralynn Rowell, or Cory. Cory is, quite simply, the best tattoo artist I've ever had the pleasure of working with. I shopped around Somerville, Cambridge, Boston and Everett looking through tattoo artists' portfolios before I decided that Cory was the only artist I wanted doing my custom piece. I had actually started working on the piece with an artist at another shop in Cambridge, but that artist decided they were not experienced enough to create the piece I wanted. Cory, on the other hand, immediately jumped at my idea and offered incredibly thoughtful feedback. She tells it like it is and will not tattoo you just to get your money; she's a true artist who wants to do the best work possible, and it really shows. She helped me refine and whittle down my idea until we ended up with something that I absolutely love, and that is so much better than the idea I originally approached her with. Not only that, but scheduling with her was so easy, and she was both flexible and responsive to all of my needs/wants. As mentioned in some other reviews, Cory also plays great music during the tattoo session, and the general vibe of the studio is relaxed, down-to-earth and very comfortable. On top of all of that, Cory is an amazing person who I feel very luck to have gotten to know during the course of my 3+ hour appointment. In short, if you want a tattoo, and especially if you want a truly beautiful, artistic, thoughtful and love-filled tattoo, come to Empire and see Cory!!! read more

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Judi B.

8 years ago

I went there Sunday and my tattoo came out amazing! I highly recommend this place. Very very clean and my artist was awesome...

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Rayna M.

14 years ago

I had my 1st tattoo done by Stephen. The Parlor is clean and nicely decorated. Stephen who is also the owner was very nice and personable. I get many compliments on how clean the lines are and how nice it is. I'll definitely be going back! The prices are reasonable and people are great! :) read more

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Johanna D.

14 years ago

So I remember when I was like 18 and this place was Mongo's but I never went because they sucked, hence why they closed up shop. So, I went to the other tattoo spot in Somerville, The Painted Bird. I had a hideous tattoo, no need to mention what it was, but that's where I met Steve. Embarrassing as it was, I needed a coverup and Steve helped me out. From that day on, I vowed that he would be my go-to tattoo artist because he was unjudgemental and a lot of artists can be snobby and downright rude. He took the care and time to make sure that I was happy with his work all the while making me feel comfortable and at ease. When I caught wind that he was going to be opening up his own spot after a hiatus from the Boston area I was ecstatic! I've gotten 4 tats from Steve over the years and they were all big pieces of which I am super happy with! The new shop exceeds expectations and the crew is top notch. I promise you, you won't be disappointed. I've been tattooed at other places in Mass but let me tell you, Empire Tattoo far surpasses the rest and you'll leave with beautiful artwork that you'll be proud to show off... read more

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Stenio P.

13 years ago

I'm visiting from San Diego and wanted to take my son for his first tattoo yesterday. We had no appointment, but were promptly greeted and welcomed. Steve did my son's work and Amanda did mine. Steve was super patient and explained everything. Great job! I'll be going back next time I'm in Boston. Thanks gang! read more

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Dave B.

14 years ago

After looking around Boston for a Place " Tattoo Shop " to do some work " Nice Work " I walked into Empire thinking it would be like all of the 14 other Tattoo shops I have been in all over the Boston , Somerville, Allston and Cambridge !! But Totally Shocked by the way the staff acted !!!! Very Very nice and Top Notch service like NO OTHER Shop I have ever been in !! It was a walk in for a Small Tattoo " A Tree of Life " That met alot to be because of my birthday and how much my life has changed for the better and after talking to Amanda about what I needed done , She was Amazing taking only a hour an half with Work that would have taking 2 or more hours any place other than there !!! On top of a price of $150 , Not only was the price right , Again Her "Amanda " Work was Fucking Amazing !!! So many places told me that my Tattoo would take 3 to 5 hours and cost up to $600 !! For something only 10" long and 4 " wide they are totally out of there minds... People if you want to go to a Place, That does not give you the Run around than " Empire Tattoo " in Somerville is the place , But Neil and Amanda were great to talk to very very down to earth people.. I did not feel out of place there !! I will 100 Million % be going back to a place were the price is right and the work is Amazing !!! Fuck Those shops were everyone thinks they are the Cats meow , It not even worth stepping in a shop with guys who think they are better than you !!!!!!!!!!! Thank you very very much Amanda for my Tree of life , It will truthfully grow on me an with me )O( Dave read more

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Maeghan B.

13 years ago

I have been going to Stephen Krol for years now, started going to him when he worked at a different location in Somerville. He instantly made me feel extremely comfortable, made me laugh & the experience was awesome, which is why I continued to go back to him. I have followed him from the original shop in Somerville, to the second shop in Medford and now that he is back in Massachusetts - I go to him on a regular basis to his shop, Empire Tattoo. I look forward to my appointments every time I go (which are a few times a month) because not only does his amazing work speak for itself & I can't wait to get tattooed by him, but I am treated as a close friend & not just a customer, by not only him but by everyone else in the shop. He has done six tattoos on me & is currently working on a full black & grey sleeve on my right arm. I started this sleeve with another tattoo shop, and was so upset & disappointed by the outcome, that as soon as I found out Stephen was back in the area, I set up an appointment & he has been working on my sleeve ever since. He has a gentle hand, listens to exactly what I want, sees my vision & has done above & beyond to make idea come to life. Not only has he exceeded my expectations of what I thought it could look like, he completely transformed the horrible work the first "artist" did. I am nothing but extremely pleased with his work & refer as many people as I can to Empire Tattoo. The other artists are so talented as well. When you walk in the shop, you are greeted so warmly by everyone; you will feel like you have known them for all your life. They are like a close tight knit family & it makes the experience that much more inviting & pleasant. Everyone is treated so well, between the customers, staff & even guests of the people getting tattooed, that alone will make you want to come back & refer Empire to everyone you know. One of the first things you will notice when you walk in Empire Tattoo is how immaculately clean it is. From the framed art work on the walls, to the individual portfolios that line the tables, you get a great feel for each artist's individual style. If you're looking for amazing work, astounding tattoo artists, great prices & a shop that you will want to stick with for life, you have found your home with Empire Tattoo! Best shop around by far!!!! read more

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J. P.

9 years ago

Good luck finding parking. Over priced and the artist aren't welcoming. Good pieces have come out of this shop but after the last min effort / reminder of appointments & $50 lost I will not waste my time or money here. read more

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Allison N.

13 years ago

I had a really great experience at Empire. I went for a tragus piercing and my piercer was amazing-- (of course I don't remember his name because I was so nervous...). Really friendly and attentive. I would definitely go back for more piercings! read more

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Yogi B.

11 years ago

Neil England at this shop is one of the best tattoo artists. In my younger days i got both of my shoudlers tattooed with some bad ink. I was young and didn't know any better. After looking around for a good artist to fix my old ink for a couple of years I finally came across Neil's website and I was amazed with his work. He's even in better in person, he's not your typical D-bag tattoo artist. He listens to you and makes the whole experince very smooth. I am not sure why all the other tattoo artists I have come across are so angry and frustrated. Neil covered up my old ink over 3 sittings and new tattoo is amazing. read more

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P M.

11 years ago

I can only add to the high praise that everyone else has shared thus far. This was my first time getting a tattoo and I am so glad that I chose Empire Tattoo for the experience. From the moment I walked in the door until the time I left I was surrounded by happy and helpful people. The woman at the counter (Sarah, I believe) was incredibly friendly and kept me posted on my wait time (I was a walk in.) I felt very lucky to have Cory as my tattoo artist. She walked me through the process step by step and explained everything along the way. There was very little pain and she was done so quickly. Plus - her work was PERFECT. Finally, the cost came in at $30 less than I was originally quoted. I can't say enough good things about Empire Tattoo. I absolutely recommend them to anyone. read more

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Roxy H.

10 years ago

Awesome shop and very clean. Went for a walk in and Moge introduced himself and was very personable, took the time to listen to what I had to say and made me feel comfortable, even when I had to take off my shirt for my rib piece. After making him move the design half a millimeter...twice... he never seemed annoyed. He was very sweet and was able to talk to me to distract me from the needle in my side. Both my sister and I have gotten very well done tattoos from Moge. AWESOME SHOP AND LOVE MOGE! read more

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Danyelle M.

14 years ago

Had another amazing tattoing experience today at Empire Tattoo! Amanda Abbott is fabulous! And Steve thanks for my wifes cover up you did an incredible job!!!! I will NEVER get ink ANYWHERE BUT EMPIRE TATTOO!!!!!! LOVE YOU GUYS!!! read more

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Jeremy P.

9 years ago

I had a pretty bad experience here. I called on a Monday, asking if I could setup a consultation. I explained to them what tattoo I wanted, and they said because the tattoo I wanted was pretty simple, that a consultation wasn't necessary. I asked if Friday was a good time for a walk-in, and they said sure, just come in at noon. I showed up at noon, and they seemed flustered that I hadn't called ahead, giving me attitude for doing so. They set me up with this guy named Ramon. He sketched out my tattoo: three lines going around my forearm. He argued with me about the weight of each line, continuously urging me to go bigger. He was intolerant and seemed unwilling to make what I wanted -- he was more concerned about making the job easy for himself. Finally we got to him sketching the tattoo on me, which took a while, which is understandable. After that he took a smoke break. Then he did my tattoo, and took personal calls throughout it! Apparently his friend was having car trouble, which made this okay? Then half way through my tattoo he took another smoke break. I made conversation throughout the tattoo, and he made it apparent that he didn't like his job, and how customers had made his job so stressful. We finally finish around 2:45, I give Ramon a healthy tip, and when I go to check out, I present the cashier a gift card on my phone: a $25 gift certificate found on their website. The cashier explained that because I did not print it out, they couldn't not honor it -- ridiculous. My friend had offered me $25 gift card before I went too , and I said I probably didn't need it, as the tattoo needs to be over $200 to use the $25. I was wrong. I was charged by the hour, including all of Ramon's personal calls and smoke breaks, and the price went well over $200. I asked if they could honor it since it was my birthday, but they still declined, even after I gave him such a good tip. I will say the quality of the tattoo is pretty good, and has held up well, but I am still upset about my experience there almost a year later. I am sure that there are other great artists at Empire, and that other customers have really good experiences -- I am very jealous of that. read more

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Arielle M.

10 years ago

I recently had a very unpleasant experience here. My friend recommended Coralynn to me, as she had done a really special tattoo for her. I came in for a consultation and described my ideas to her with some images. A week and a half before, I sent her a brief email describing my connection to this tattoo. The shop responded but Coralynn confessed she hadn't even bothered to read it, even though it was addressed specifically to her. It felt as if my ideas and I had been written off almost immediately. She spoke to me in what I felt was a condescending "awww how cute" tone, as if I was a little girl. I'm well into my twenties... Yes, the theme was based around an animated film, but I had been following her work on instagram for months. She had done plenty of pieces that were youthful in nature. I got the impression she thought I was unfamiliar with her style and that her work wasn't what I was looking for. In reality, I had done plenty of research and hoped she could put her own creative spin on what I brought to the table but she gave up on my ideas pretty quickly. I completely understand if she felt she couldn't meet my needs, but calling the images I brought "derpy" and my ideas "unusual" while several people looked on was unnecessary. More than anything, I felt incredibly disappointed. 2 stars b/c the shop itself seemed like a cool place. read more

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More info about Empire Tattoo

151 Washington St
Somerville, MA 02143
Directions
(617) 764-3085
Call Now
Visit Website
http://empiretattooinc.com

Services

Hours

What time does Empire Tattoo open?

Empire Tattoo opens at 12:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Empire Tattoo close?

Empire Tattoo closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Empire Tattoo is closed on Sunday.

Mon-Sat 12:00 PM - 9:00 PMSun Closed

Payment methods

Does Empire Tattoo take Bitcoin?

No, Empire Tattoo does not take Bitcoin.

Does Empire Tattoo take credit cards?

Yes, Empire Tattoo takes credit cards.

Services

Is Empire Tattoo by appointment only?

No, Empire Tattoo is not by appointment only.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Empire Tattoo have bike parking?

Yes, Empire Tattoo has bike parking.

Does Empire Tattoo have parking?

Yes, Empire Tattoo has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Does Empire Tattoo have free WiFi?

Yes, Empire Tattoo has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

From award winning custom artwork to the simplest, small hidden tattoo we've got you covered !

History

Established in 2011.

Empire Tattoo is Boston's best and newest custom tattoo shop with award winning artists capable of executing all styles of tattooing. We have many years of experience in Japanese, photorealistic, traditional, biomechanical, newschool, portraits, color bomb, black and gray, custom lettering and grafitti. We also have artists who specialize in coverups and redoing your older, faded tattoos or tattoos of lesser quality. Walk-ins are always welcome or appointments can be made as well. We have both male and female tattoo artists to accommodate every tattoo. If you have a specific artist in mind its always advised to call ahead for availability. Consultations are always free and you can view all of our artists portfolios on our website.

Ask the Community - Empire Tattoo

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Redemption Tattoo

I had a great experience at Redemption getting my very first tattoo. I really like that you book…read moreappointments by reaching out to the artist you specifically want to work with. They have portfolios of the artsists' work on the website. Based on Yelp reviews, I chose Andy Reach and he was great. In order to reserve your timeslot, you send a deposit to your artist (I chose to do so via Venmo), for me it was $60. After you receive the tattoo you pay the remaining amount, $40 for me. [Note: $100 is the minimum fee at Redemption, even for a small tattoo like mine. I was happy to pay that knowing I'm working with a great artist at a reputable shop, but you can probably find cheaper for small, single-color tattoos elsewhere.] Don't forget to tip too! Andy did a great job on my tattoo. I had a really specific design (the 3 stars from the corner of the page in the Harry Potter books) and he copied it exactly. He was very honest and upfront with me about what size and location would last well instead of promising something that would never work long term. I left with a slightly bigger tattoo than I'd anticipated, but I feel confident that it won't fade or blur like the smaller size I'd initially planned on. All in, I was probably under the needle for 20 minutes tops. It felt like someone digging their fingernail into your skin. Sure, it hurts, but no biggie. A month and a half later, my tattoo has healed really nicely and looks great. It bled a little bit the first night but other than that healing was fairly quick and easy. I will absolutely come back to Redemption and Andy specifically if/when I decide to get my next tattoo.

As my 18th birthday was a while ago, my first to-do item on the list of stuff to do for the big…read moreoccasion was getting my first tattoo! Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, I had to wait a little while longer to visit the shop for the first time! After booking the consultation, and meeting my artist, I put down my deposit and waited one painstakingly long week before the official appointment arrived. Of course I was nervous as heck because I had job idea how much the tattoo cost, or how painful it was gonna be, plus doing anywhere during all this madness is a challenge within itself. However, all the safety precautions were being taken, all artists and customers (including myself) had masks and gloves on, and the procedure went great! Jebb, (my artist) did a phenomenal job of making me feel comfortable and calm during the whole thing, and I will definitely be coming back here for my next tattoo! p.s, my art is healing really nicely, and the pain afterwards was little to none!

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Obsessed with the end result. Work done by Adam LoRusso.

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This is it quite fresh, it's of course not so red now. He did a flawless job.

Chameleon Tattoo

So I saw a coupon for ten percent off at this restaurant in Somerville. And my daughter wanted to…read moreget a tattoo today.So remembering it was here, I just popped in. They do accept walk ins, the space is huge nicely decorated.I'm pretty private even though the booths are open. Shout out to Paul, his kindness was everything. Super chill dude, real good work. He said that one of the artist was trained in Japanese tattooing. So for those of you who are looking for that, check out their Instagram. She wanted our family motto tattooed on her arm, and we were gonna write it on paper.But Paul let us just write it on her arm, and then he traced it. Shop minimum is $100, and waiver needs to be signed.

Had the joy of being a walk-in at Chameleon Tattoo today. I had a clear idea of what I wanted, and…read moremy artist Midori went above and beyond my expectations. I will definitely be back and will be telling all my friends to come too!

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Hourglass Tattoo Studio

I had a fantastic experience getting tattooed here a while back! Sanjay is no longer with the shop…read morebut his service was incredible and I would imagine that that is reflected with the other artists. They were very flexible with timing and they brought something so special for me to life -- the price was awesome too, and I keep recommending this shop!

Andrew was awesome. I came as a walk-in and got exactly what I was hoping for!…read more Cash only.

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Lucky's Tattoo and Piercing

I got two conch piercings here a few months ago; originally I had planned on getting one conch…read morepiercing per ear, but my piercer, Lars, recommended against it, and was very accommodating to how I wanted to proceed. I was also recommended against piercing with hoops by the people working in the jewelry cases, for which I am also grateful for. Overall, the piercing was a very pleasant experience. Everyone was so nice and patient, which put me at ease as I was very nervous. I cannot recommend Lars enough; they were very kind with me

Clifton was the absolute best piercer! It was my first and I was nervous and he was so amazing…read morewalking me through every step and answering all my questions.

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Kaleidoscope Tattoo & Art Gallery

I don't think I can say enough good things about this place and the artist I worked with. I emailed…read morethe parlor and pretty much immediately got a response from Fred who was super excited about my design. I was kind of nervous as this was my first tattoo in awhile and way more detailed than any of my previous tattoos, but I swear to god it's like Fred took exactly what I wanted out of my brain and tattooed it on my arm. Not only is he incredibly talented with his fine line work and details to really make the piece pop, but he was genuinely so nice! I've had a few tattoo artists who were pretty condescending about my tattoo and design choices and just their general manner (none from here), and Fred was the complete opposite. He was also extremely thorough and made sure I knew all the possibilities that could potentially happen based on the placement I chose, which I'd never had an artist tell me before. So once again I was beyond impressed and thankful. He and all the other artists were also just generally very friendly, and it very much felt like a tattoo community as they discussed different techniques and showed them as they did it in different clients which was fun! The parlor itself too was clean and all that good stuff! I've already recommended Fred to like all of my friends, so I imagine he's going to have a huge waitlist soon, so get in while you can!!

Saw Danny who was very friendly and welcoming. Professional atmosphere but laid back enough where…read moreit didn't make you more nervous. Very clean and contentious of being sanitary (frequent glove changes, everything covered in a protectant, etc.) Danny drew the design right on my skin rather than using transfer paper etc. I feel like It came out really well. He really "slammed the ink in" since fingers are one of those places that don't take in the ink easily. Looks great on the 2nd day. I'll update once it's fully healed. Thank you danny! Click on the image to see and also a special surprise!

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Dia Moeller

I've been in Dia's hot seat 4 times, and consequently have learned a tremendous lot about her…read more 5 reasons I love Dia Moeller: 5.) If you are going to be in pain for an undetermined amount of time, she will not only show sympathy, but will also give you fantastic things to look up on your smart phone to distract you from the agony. 4.) She introduced me to Insanity Wolf. 3.) She has a curious passion for mustachioed men like her burly tattooed husband and Freddie Mercury. 2.) She won't judge you for what you want tattooed or try to talk you out of something you really love. She will counsel, give your advise on placement or size, but in the end, it's your fuck!ng tattoo. 1.) She is a spectacular artist! Her designs are fun, fresh, and timeless. Every time I bring something in, she makes it magical, and then makes it permanent. Get a tattoo!

I'd been "shopping" for a tattoo artist for a couple of years. And though I'd not really decided…read moreon a tattoo design, I wanted to find a real ARTIST whose work was cutting edge - definitely not ordinary. I'm not a cookie-cutter person, and I don't want a cookie-cutter, pulled-from-a-book design. I wanted a "creation" by someone who might be interested in who I am and could guide me in my creative pursuit. I was directed to Dia by Carl Grace at the Boston Tattoo Convention 2013. Since then, in the last 4 months, Dia's created (2) totally unique works of art on my body. I couldn't be happier with them! The first, a large, abstract watercolor shoulder piece, was a truly creative experience. Neither Dia nor I knew what it would look like until it was done. It gradually evolved as she began to add color in dramatic, broad strokes and in interesting, dripping "moments" running down my arm, back, and chest. Healing was quick and easy only a little scabbing. The second is a hand-sized realistic-looking botanical peach on my hip. My first tattoo, done just before my 20th high school reunion, was a quarter-sized traditional (black-outlined) peach. Dia's larger, brighter cover-up was beautifully executed and is completely healed - only 3 weeks 4 weeks later. I can't WAIT for my next Dia-tattoo! Dia's talent is incredible, and her reputation is growing locally, nationally and even internationally. If you want a truly beautiful and unique work of body art, make your appointment now. Currently, she is booking 2-3 months in advance.

Pino Bros Ink

Certified professionals

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UPDATE: I got a tattoo here. Dave Norton is a very talented dude. I actually followed him on…read moreInstagram before I realized he was at this shop. Loved him for the cubist work he does and now I love him even more for how original my tattoo is. I came in with an idea of what I wanted and when it came time for me to actually tattoo, Dave exceeded my expectations in design. It was so dope. During the session, we watched two movies on the huge projectors in the shop. We were in a temp space, I think, as they were renovating the main place. Either way, everyone I interacted with was super kind, really funny, and just all around great people. I left kind of sad as we had spent 4 hours pretty much kickin it while I got my tat. Looking forward to get more work done here with Dave! --------------------- Don't really know about the tattoos, but my piercing experience was great! I felt the need to get a nose piercing and found Pino Bros through Yelp. I walked in and it was pretty busy, but I immediately was greeted by someone at the front and was taken care of (already impressed). The guy that greeted me told me that it would only be a few minutes because someone was ahead of me which was fine. I didn't mind. I only waited maybe 8 minutes until Aaron walked up to me and introduced himself. He immediately made me feel comfortable and I knew it was going to be a great experience. Aaron walked me through everything and made me feel at ease. Super sweet guy. Everyone there is pretty nice and I would highly recommend!

I've always had such an amazing experience at pino bros, I've been going to gonzalo for a few years…read morenow and he always does awesome work. everyone is so friendly, the vibes are great and there are some amazing artists here. 1000% reccommend

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The Boston Tattoo Company

boston tattoo company has expanded: the tattoo building is where it's always been, and the piercing…read moresection is right across the plaza to the right. i missed his name but the gentleman in the tattoo reception walked us over to the piercing section, was kind + hospitable. i needed help with a naval piercing i got about a month ago from another studio, and i was easily able to find an appointment online for the next day with marina. i came in a bit late and didn't mind waiting, i just really wanted a piercer to check the status since there was some bleeding and uncomfortable healing. Marina was running the shop herself and took care of 3 clients in a short period of time without rushing. she was super kind and helpful even though i didn't get my piercing here. she let me know my options and i chose to replace the bottom disc of a floating naval with a ball since the disc was digging into me. after she replaced the disc, i nearly immediately started feeling better. the disc had swollen the area around my naval, but the ball nearly immediately settled it. the bar already seems much longer due to the swelling going down after about 14 hours. she was patient, helpful and caring. i appreciate that she cared about my healing more than the place i got the piercing done from! and i love her pink gloves and matching supplies. comfortable waiting room, piercing room, good vibes. i love that they separated the piercing and tattoo sections. wonderful customer service. thank you for not treating clients like a burden.

I had a very disappointing experience with Zach Young. The tattoo I received looks nothing like the…read moredesign we discussed and agreed upon beforehand. I came in with clear ideas and references, but very little of what I asked for was actually incorporated into the final piece. What's most frustrating is the apparent lack of effort. When I compare my tattoo to other work he has done, the difference in quality and attention to detail is hard to ignore. My piece feels rushed and poorly executed, with minimal care taken to match the concept we had planned. Getting a tattoo is a permanent and personal decision, so it's important to feel heard and confident in your artist. Unfortunately, that wasn't my experience here. I would strongly recommend that others carefully review his work and ensure clear communication before committing. Also, he admitted to me that he has been drunk while doing other clients work in the past and had alcohol at his station in the shop. That begs the question if he was drunk while doing mine.

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Ink About It

5.0

(5 reviews)

3.6 mi

I had a tattoo done by them (I think Egor) at the Boston tattoo convention. It came out sooo clean,…read moremore than I could've asked for (name script) I personally appreciated how he didn't talk during the tattoo LOL, it really speeds the process up. I loved their vibe & their work I would 100% get a tattoo from them again!

I got my first tattoo done by Dani and it was pretty easygoing. I had sent a dm to make an…read moreappointment and I got in relatively soon after. I showed her my design and said she can tweak it to her style. There wasn't much interaction really just kind of mining our own business. We got straight to the point and made sure that it was a design that I really liked. It's a very clean studio with modern calm music.

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Boston Barber & Tattoo Co.

Available by appointment

Locally owned & operated

Got a haircut from Sara and she was amazing! She was extremely professional, truly cares about her…read morecraft and was very gentle with the cut. I highly recommend getting a haircut from her because she understood exactly what I wanted and executed it with precision.

kind of a hack job to be honest...I won't be going back (and I tipped 37%)...the barber had no…read moreskills

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Elegant Nails & Spa

Elegant nails never fails me! I go to Amy for dip and she does an incredible job every time. They…read moreare fast, reasonably priced, and do a great job.

Both manicure and pedicure were excellent, and done by two different nail techs. The place isn't…read morefancy, but the prices are reasonable, and I was pleased with the results!

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Nail Spa Excel

Great selection of colors, wonderful nail artists and really good pricing. Highly recommend, thank…read moreyou!

Did hard gel with a french tip design. The overall spa was tidy and organized, though a bit on the…read moresmaller side. My nails were done by Michael, he was nice and it was a pleasant experience. I do think that there could have been more time and care put into prepping the nail before going in with the builder gel. My french tips did start to chip a bit within a week. Overall, it was nearly identical to the inspo pic I had and the price was fair 7/10

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I showed a photo and the techs did a great job recreating!

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Polished Nail Boutique

Shannon is a connector, a lover of people, a go-getter, and a do-gooder. Not only will you leave…read morewith perfect nails, but you will have a wonderful human connection, and feel like you made a sincere new friend. So many times I go into a nail salon, nails a mess (hello! that's why I'm there!) and the person makes me feel ashamed of them telling me I need to take better care of my nails. Shannon, instead, sympathized with the stress of a busy life and told me she'd take care of me. It was a great experience all around. Also, if all that is not enough, consider supporting this nail boutique because she shuts down her shop every Thursday (and foregoes all her profits for an entire business day) to do the nails for the Ronald McDonald house patients and families. When you go here you get a fair-priced, amazing manicure, a new sweet friend, AND an opportunity to support a charity! An easy sell if you ask me.

This is a cute and clean boutique nail salon with only a few chairs. While I really want to rate…read morethis salon higher, the quality is just not there. I went in for a gel mani and regular pedi. The attention to detail for manicure is minimal, very little cuticle work and nail shaping, color not applied on the entire nail, and my gel started to lift and pill off in less than a week. My pedi was completely ruined after putting on shoes 3hrs after my appointment as there is no drying device; the owner did offer to fix it a day later but that was my wedding day which I had told her the day before, so clearly wouldn't have been possible. Having both mani/pedi done in 1hr is great, but that shouldn't come at the expense of quality.

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Helen Nails

Helen's is my go to pedicure spot. I don't usually get manicures, but I was going on a cruise and…read moreasked for a manicure that would last 10 days and here is a photo of my beautiful gel manicure on day 15 still intact. It's a really basic place--it's always quiet and calm and I keep going back.

This salon was just what I needed right before a wedding. They took me as a last minute appointment…read moreand did a dip manicure with tips and a regular pedicure. They took their time on the dip nails shaping and smoothing them so they were the right thickness and shape. Everyone who works there was very nice, and there was nice relaxing music playing the whole time.

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Dazzling Nail Care

I got acrylic nails and a pedicure for $122 this past October 29th. My middle finger and ring…read morefinger nails on my right hand broke within 10 days - they fixed them for free since it was within their 10 day policy. Over the next few days after that, my nails on my index finger on my right hand and my nails on my middle finger, index finger and thumb on my left hand broke so I couldn't get them fixed for free since it was past their 10 day policy. Acrylic nails are supposed to last at least 2 weeks so it was frustrating that a lot of my nails broke within less than 2 weeks especially since I paid a lot of money for them

Super relaxing great service! A very calming environment. There's a new owner Cindy she is super…read moresweet and nice! Would love to go again!

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Left hand

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Broken nails on left hand

Jessica Nails Spa & Skin Care

4.9

(10 reviews)

1.8 mi

Excellent pedicure. Appt was made last minute and owner/manicurist was very kind! Fair price as…read morewell compared to many shops in the area. Small shop near Porter Sq.

Stopped in based on convenience. The mani pedi was fine…read more Nothing to write home about.

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Monday 5/20/2022, Purple Gel Polish Manicure $30 (photo of other hand).

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Monday 5/20/2022, Purple Gel Polish Manicure $30.

Mozi Foot Spa

I always like to check out groupon when I'm in a new area and found myself wanting some pampering…read moreafter my first week here in the Boston area and the 90 minute groupon seemed to be the right service for the right price. A recurring theme in my leisure time is difficulty finding parking and this was no exception. I had treated myself to steak and left my car in the parking lot there and walked down the block to my appointment, but have no idea where I would have parked otherwise. I arrived at my appointment an hour early and had seen that walk ins were welcome so I wasn't worried. I was greeted like a welcome friend by the lady at check in and was taken to a private area for my massage. I was instructed to take off my shirt and lay face down on the table. It appeared to be a normal massage table covered in towels and blankets, with a paper towel covering the area where you lay your face. After a moment or two, the gentleman performing the massage came in and got to work. He covered me with a sheet and performed the bodywork over the sheet, not using any lotions or creams. The massage was quite pleasant to be honest. I get regular massages and wasn't really expecting much, so it was a surprise. After the half hour massage, I was told to put my shirt back on and then escorted to a chair. My feet were placed in a warm bucket of water. While they were soaking, the massage room was turned over for the next guest. The half hour massage was very nice too. It was a nice moderate pressure and very relaxing. The steam wasn't my favorite. The position of the steam chamber became uncomfortable after about 10 minutes and 10 more after that, the steam was just too hot and I ended up taking my legs and feet out. I'd like to go back and try the hour accupressure foot massage. But, I need to do a little more research on the parking situation first.

I had extra credits on classpass that i needed to use so i used it for a 45 minute session - 15…read moreshoulder and 30 foot. I booked the reservation through classpass for 1:30 and i came 15 minutes early. I could tell the lady wasn't expecting me until she asked if it was classpass. She overlooked the reservation and asked if I can come later around 2:30. I was able to coordinate with her and came back at 2 for the massage, so tip is if you book through classpass i would call to confirm. The interior is small and there is no privacy for foot massages, only shoulder massages. That didn't bother me though, just something to consider. It was my first time getting a foot massage and i thought i would laugh cuz my foot is ticklish but it was very nice and she was very good at it. The shoulder massage was also good as well. I did leave a tip as should everyone, and she did apologize for not seeing the reservation but she was really sweet and definitely a small business to check out!

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Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

87 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Julia C.

6 years ago

I am giving the shop one star because the shop owner and other artists have indulged Reilly for years now, and he is a total asshole. He verbally abused me multiple times. The first time it happened, I had an appointment with him and needed to reschedule. I called the shop and gave two weeks notice and explained there was a medical reason why I wasn't going to be able to have the work done at that time. My partner had an appointment with someone else and I went in with him. While I was there, I saw Reilly in the shop and apologized for having to cancel and he actually snapped at me, yelling, and said, "What the fuck I am supposed to do with that?" I was totally shocked and had no idea what to say. I was tempted to cancel the appointment with him entirely, but due to my own internalized issues with shame, I ultimately ended up deciding to go through with it despite my anxiety around it. He was scheduled to do a tattoo on my ankle and he complained that I hadn't "washed my feet" good enough and that I should be more considerate of the artist. I guess he thought my feet didn't smell good or something? It was just awkward. He was extremely rude, cold, and unhelpful during the entire appointment, and he made me feel horrible about myself and the experience in general. One other time, something that I witnessed was when I was in the shop to meet with another artist and while I was in the waiting area, Reilly started literally screaming at the guy working the front desk and he threw a crumpled up paper or towel at him. It was so insanely unprofessional and strange. This guy has serious anger issues. He's the type of artist that gives all artists a bad name. I have dozens of tattoos and have been to a total of eight artists. He is *by far* the single worst I have ever experienced. I hate seeing his work on my body because of my PTSD, and I fully intend to pay to have his work removed. *That's* how much I hate this guy. I wouldn't recommend him at all. He totally should not be working in a job where he interacts with the public, and I really wish the owners or other artists would work to hold him accountable. read more

San H.

8 years ago

I have only stopped people on the street to ask about their tattoos Three times in my life. Each time I was stopped dead in my tracks.....And one of them turned out to be a friggen cover-up! Turns out the common denominator in each case was Neil England. When it came time to get my own body worked on, I looked this Neil guy up. "Empire Tattoo Boston" it said. That was a problem..... It was a problem because like the tattooed folks I stopped on the street, I live in Hawaii!! Turns out Neil got his start way back in the early Nineties, busting his ass working out of a closet in Kaimuki Oahu. For years this self taught kid rocked the most diverse tattoo community in the world! When he had mastered his trade he returned home to share his skills and experiences with New England. I couldn't give up on the dream. I knew that at least once a year, I would be flying out to the East coast for work. And when that time came, I contacted Empire. What blew my mind is that I actually got to speak directly to Neil! When I explained my circumstances regarding the rental car and Three hour drive he replied "No worries Bro, just get here when ya can. I'll work ya in." And that's exactly what he did. We knew that we wouldn't be able to get everything done that first visit, but Neil stayed late (even though his lady was callin telling him to "get his ass home." This Summer I will be making my Third and last visit to finish up my back and both sleeves. Which, kinda sucks because visiting empire has become a sort of highlight each year for me. I have seen so many disasters and just outright tacky work on people. So, I consider myself blessed to have found my way to such a squared away establishment. Even though they talk funny.... Thank You Empire! Thanks Neil for just being a solid human being. read more

Kasie R.

12 years ago

This place is amazing :) I live in Fall River and I drive all the way up to boston just to go to this shop. I made an appointment with Neil having heard that he was a good artist (and to be honest I was a little skeptical because I've heard the same thing over and over about other artists and still got less than mediocre artwork done). So I made my way through Boston and got lost...I ended up calling Neil and he gave me perfect directions to get there (thank god, he's such a sweetheart). Long story short I was there for 4 hours and laughed the whole time and at the end of it I got two beautiful tattoos (many more sessions of laughs and ink to come for my half sleeve). I can't express enough how much I loved my experience at the shop and especially with Neil. I almost cried when I saw what he had done. The tattoo was gorgeous and the way he did it (I have a cardinal and a hummingbird) they seemed to have some life to them, some soul, and being a memorial tattoo that meant the world to me. So basically all I can say is if you want to have an amazing tattoo experience with a phenomenal artist then this is the place you need to be and Neil is the artist you need to make an appointment with. Love you Neil! read more

Henry B.

10 years ago

I was a walk in on a Friday night a little more than an hour before close. I had a small tattoo I wanted, a few words in a style already all written out and what not, but still expected (though didn't want to have to) make an appointment for the next day. But nope. Maybe half an hour later (all the artists were currently busy, which I took as I good sign) I was in the chair with Reilly, a nice and positive dude who was very professional when it came business time. He'd made a couple of suggestions to the stencil, so that the tattoo would stay and letters not get jumbled in my already jumbled handwriting, and the end result was exactly what I wanted, another half hour later. Compared to the other place I've been to get a tattoo, on the opposite side of Somerville, it was an easy, comfortable, welcoming experience, and totally totally worth the very reasonable price. A couple weeks later in the mail I got an offer for a discount on a tattoo of more than I-now-forget-the-amount, so now I've gotta come up with something else for Reilly to do for me. I'm working on it. As long as I want a tattoo and am in Somerville this is where I'll go to get it. read more

Victoria N.

10 years ago

I had a great experience with Empire Tattoo from when I first called them last week to ask about making an appointment to when my sister and I went in earlier today to get our simple black line tattoos done. Whoever I spoke with on the phone was very friendly and helpful. With that person's advice, my sister and I decided to walk in today (a Monday) around 4pm. We were lucky enough to be paired with Coralynn (for my sister) and Chris Reilly (for me) and were seen right away after a brief and very helpful consultation about our ideas. Chris was very professional and did a great job--he took great care to make the lines just right, and I am so happy with the finished product. Coralynn was so friendly and welcoming to my sister, who was getting her FIRST tattoo and was nervous! My sister came out saying she really enjoyed the experience and said that Coralynn made her feel very comfortable. On top of the great service, the price was extremely reasonable. We chose Empire because of the 5-star reviews and now I'm happy to add my own! read more

Derek T.

8 years ago

Four tattoo artist have tattooed me, but this will be the only shop/artist I will go to from now on. This shop is great! My tattoo artist was Neil England. He did an amazing portrait of my grandfather on my forearm. People always stop me and ask if they can see my tattoo. "Wow, that's incredible" is the response I get. They'll ask me what tattoo shop did I go to and who was my artist. His assistant Joe was so helpful. Neil is an incredible tattoo artist and because of that he is extremely busy. My appointment was booked a few months out but Joe was in constant contact with me and would offer me appointments if Neil had any openings/cancellations. Joe took great care of my grandfathers picture which is the only copy I have. He even offered to buy me a breakfast burrito when I was there! I have already reached out to Joe to get another tattoo done by Neil. Everyone there is super friendly and the shop itself is spotless. I highly recommend Neil, his assistant Joe and the rest of the great staff at Empire Tattoo in Boston! read more

Izzy T.

10 years ago

I got my first tattoo ever a little over a year ago at Empire Tattoo and love it more and more every time I see it. After looking through their instagram I decided Coralynn was the artist I liked the most. I went in with an image and spoke about changing things and minimizing things to bring the prize down, she let me know how long the sketch would take her but I let her know I would be leaving for school soon and would like to get it earlier. Instead of saying she could not do it she told me that she would have it ready for me when I wanted it which is so amazing!! I went back in and loved the sketch. She was so nice to me the whole time and joked with me and kept me calm, she also plays great music. The tattoo came out amazing and I get compliments on it all the time. Coralynn is going to be the only artist I go to for future tattoos. The tattoo was also a very good price and looks like I paid much more than I really did for it because of all the beautiful detail and dot work read more

Cody S.

356

10 years ago

Absolutely incredible experience all around. I came in with my wife on our anniversary and we were both going to get tattoos. We had set up an appointment a couple days before, and Sarah at the front desk was AWESOME about helping us out with scheduling and finding an artist we were comfortable with. This was both of our first tattoos, so we were a bit anxious to see how the experience would turn out. We were with Chris Reilly (aka DC), and we absolutely could not have asked for a better first experience. He was patient, super friendly, made us comfortable, and really made us feel that our tattoos were very important to him and because they were permanent that any questions or concerns were welcome. I know a lot of people that have horror stories about their first tattoo experience, but if you want friendly, talented artists that will put you first and make the experience a blast, Empire is definitely your place! Thanks Reilly for the awesome tattoos!! read more

Andrew V.

8 years ago

I have been getting tattoos in the Boston area for over a decade and I can say with certainty that the tattoo artist I go back to time and time again is Dice Lyon. Dice is down to earth, funny and a most importantly a talented and considerate artist that has made some of the most difficult spots to get tattooed a pleasant experience (they have tattooed my sternum, elbow and shin to name a few). I can't even count the number of tattoos Dice has done for me and I have taken three friends to get tattoos by Dice and my girlfriend got her first tattoo from Dice as well - all of them happy customers. Whether you're going for something that Dice has pre-drawn and posted on Instagram as up for grabs or you appreciate their work and want something custom, I can promise you that you won't be disappointed. Thanks homie for the good times, great art and making my skin look so damn cool. read more

Joe F.

14 years ago

Rarely do i find a tattoo artist that blows me away with his work, and that man is Neil England. I came here after seeing a sleeve he did on my friend and he came highly recommended to me. I scheduled a consultation with Neil and he was able to schedule me for an appointment soon after hearing my crazy and somewhat disorganized ideas for the piece. He had my drawing ready when i got there and it was a million times better than i expected. hes also fast which i was surprised about due to the quality of his work. his hourly rate is extremely fair (125/hour) for the outstanding quality. everyone there is f*ing hysterical and there is no ego or attitude...which is a huge bonus. if you are looking for someone who is off the chain with color go see Neil. read more

Savannah H.

12 years ago

Neil England is by far the best tattoo artist I've been to. He was coming to NC for a convention and was friends with my boyfriend's tattoo artist. He set me up with Neil via email, I told him simply that I wanted a "flowy peacock feather." When we met up at the convention he drew it on me with with a pen...and I couldn't have been happier with the results. 3 years later, it's still super bright, and I constantly receive compliments. It also doesn't hurt that Neil is super down to earth and an all around cool guy. My ribs took about 3 hours and the last 30 minutes were horrible. It didn't seem to bother him that towards the end I kept asking for little breaks. He kept telling me "almost done!" Awesome guy, spectacular art. read more

Rachel B.

8 years ago

Dice Lyon is an amazing tattoo artist! They did my first tattoo for me. I wanted to get a tattoo of my dog, and they did an amazing sketch from the photo I showed them. So many people tell me how cute my tattoo is and what a good job the artist did! Dice was also very kind and patient with me. It was my first tattoo so I wasn't really sure what to expect or how painful it would be. I felt very comfortable with them tattooing me. I truly love my tattoo, and I am so grateful that Dice was able to really capture how beautiful and special my dog was. If I end up getting another tattoo, I would definitely go back! Also, Dice did at least ten tattoos on my boyfriend, and they're really beautifully done and fun to look at! read more

Brittany A.

129

8 years ago

I have known one of the artists that works here, Neil England, for almost 10 years. You will not find a better artist out there. He has a great personality/sense of humor and for those who are brave enough to sit for a long period of time you know how crucial that can be. Aside from being an all around great guy his work speaks for itself. There are pieces he has done that are awe inspiring but every piece he's done is amazing quality that is well worth the rate. He is a genius when it comes to covering up tattoos as well. He can take a tattoo you regret and transform it into your favorite tattoo. He is truly creative and talented and if you have the chance to get an original Neil England piece do not pass it up. read more

Joey R.

14 years ago

I got a tattoo as a walk-in a few weeks ago. I didn't have to wait long and the desk person was very nice. I was disappointed with the tattoo however. The tatto is a good drawing but it doesn't look like the photo I brought in. On the bright side, the tattoo is fading SUPER quickly. In fact, I can already see a few streaks of bare skin running through it. That's good news for me since I don't much like my tattoo, but it would be bad news for someone who did. I wouldn't say don't go here because their portfolios are great and the tattoo I got is well-drawn. But I would be really careful to make sure you get exactly what you want (because I didn't) and that the color is properly saturated (because mine wasn't). read more

Eric F.

12 years ago

I've never been to the studio but have gotten tattooed twice by Neil England and amazing doesn't even begin to describe his work. I get stopped constantly on the street by random people asking to take pictures of the work he's done on me. He has also tattooed my girlfriend a couple times and they're flawless. Both tattoos he's done on me were cover ups and not small ones either. The last piece he did on me 2 weeks ago covered 4 medium sized tattoos on my lower arm and you would never know they were there. He didn't hesitate or have a problem at all. To top it off, he works crazy fast and is incredibly reasonably priced. If your in his area or at a convention, check him out! You won't be disappointed! read more

Sonia M.

11 years ago

I wasn't planning on going here.. But I looked up reviews and decided to walk in. I don't regret it one bit. The receptionist was super nice - directed me where I could get parking and all. Didn't really wait long before and artist was assigned to me which is great. I ended up getting something small - a bee on my forearm and was paired up with Chris Reilly. Turns out he actually loves tattooing bees - it was meant to be! :) He was super attentive, meticulous, and made sure I was happy with what he drew up. The tattoo itself took about ten minutes.. Not painful at all and it looks perfect. Chris did amazing - I definitely recommend. Can't wait to go back and get something else done! read more

Doug S.

12 years ago

I had an idea i wanted for a long time and was looking for a place to finally get one. I looked around and found Empire Tattoo online and called them up on Monday, by Tuesday i had the tattoo I was looking for. The shop was very clean and the staff was wicked nice. I had Drew as an artist and he was the awesome. I set up an appointment for 5 and when i got there at 4:45 drew already had the piece drawn up with 3 different sizes that would work. He was very efficient and really cool to talk with throughout. Only my second tattoo but I'm defiantly going back to him when I get my next one. I strongly recommend this shop and this artist if your looking to get anything done. read more

Suzanne F.

13 years ago

Made a last minute appt for a tattoo when out for a girls weekend and was able to get in to see Stephen Krol. We were very impressed the communication in making the appointments as well as the professionalism of all employees we encountered. The studio was immaculate and we felt at ease from the minute we walked in the door. Stephen was very professional and friendly and we thoroughly enjoyed not only working with him, but conversing with him as he did our tattoos. We only had small tattoos due to time constraints on our part, however, we will not look around for another tattoo venue. We will be back to Empire Tattoo and Stephen. We highly recommend this studio. read more

Elisa L.

12 years ago

I just got some other tattoos touched up today. I was a walk-in and they had me in a chair within a half hour. I needed my palm tattoos touched up. A lot of artists are afraid to do palms because its tricky to get the ink to stay, but my artist went right in. I am very happy with the results. He assured me if it doesn't heal to my satisfaction, I can go back and get it touched up for free. The staff members were all very polite and professional and all the work areas and equipment were well maintained. If I have anything bad to say about Empire, it would only be about its location: the area where the shop is located seems sketchy and parking was a small issue. read more

Paul D.

12 years ago

After going to many color artist in the area for a cover up and being turned down by all. Neil England tackled it without any hesitation and the results are outstanding. And this was a very large area for a cover up and the results are outstanding. Friends couldn't believe it was a cover up and thought I got lasered. In my opinion he's the best cover up artist in MA and one of the best color artist in MA and there's a lot of tough competition. The studio is also very clean and Neil is always on time and let's you watch or play your own movies and music and he's one crazy funny S.O.B. All around a great experience !! read more

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87 Empire Tattoo reviews that are not currently recommended

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

87 reviews that are not currently recommended

Empire Tattoo - tattoo - Updated July 2026

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