I got this tattoo as a walk in and this place did an amazing job the people that work here are very friendly and patient,I 10/10 recommend this shop.The vibes were also so fun and I loved the music and all the art work displayed read more

Key City Tattoo - Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Frederick, Maryland

My girlfriend and I came in as walk ins, they greeted us kindly, drew up what we wanted with no problems and executed the designs in a timely and skillful manner. Had great music playing, and the energy was good all around. We left with exactly what we asked for, price was fair as well. Will be coming back soon! read more

I'm basically a walking advertisement for Key City Tattoo at this point, and I'm very fine with that! These guys are the best of the best. That's why I keep going back (we're 10+ tattoos in at this point just with Key City!). Cleanly, friendly, and creative. I often have emailed the owner, Gary, a totally random concept to design. He has knocked it out of the park every time. As an art lover, I am just astounded by the level of creativity in this shop. I am often stopped on the street to ask where I got my tattoos done, and I always tell them Key City is worth the drive no matter where you are in the DMV. I have had two memorial ashes tattoos completed here, and I have been impressed with the professionalism, empathy, and dedication to making these special pieces of art. Their tattooing skill is top notch. Many of my oldest tattoos still look like they were done in the past year. Their aftercare instructions have always been clear and easy to follow. Bottom line. This is the shop to go to in Maryland. You won't be sorry! read more

Key City Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Frederick, Maryland

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The best tattoo shop in Frederick,MD. You're safe with any of the tattooers in the shop. It is a clean, friendly and welcoming atmosphere. I've visited this shop about a dozen times over the past few years and it never disappoints. Get a Tim Huck "nice people only" hat while you're there. read more

Disappointed with Kelsi Steffenson's service. Despite not being affiliated with the current establishment during my tattoo session, her lack of professionalism and unresponsiveness has left me frustrated. This review pertains solely to the artist and not to the tattoo shop. She hasn't responded to me whatsoever and it has been 5 years. I have sent emails, dms, and filled out a request form she had posted on social media and I have never heard back. While I do love her work and I think the tattoo is pretty if you want to have a complete tattoo maybe don't go to her. read more

Key City Tattoo - Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Frederick, Maryland

Everyone here is super professional and easy going, which is what you want from a tattoo artist. The shop itself is very clean and laid out nicely with comfortable seating while you wait. The artists work are all top notch and each have their own spin on a lot of interesting designs. read more

Went to see Shea for a 3rd lobe and Helix yesterday 12/12/2023! She did a wonderful job explaining the process, making sure I was aware of everything that was happening in real time. Amazing vibes all around and overall BEST experience getting pierced! I will 100% be going back to see her!!! Thank you Shea :) read more

Key City Tattoo - 3rd lobe - Tattoo Near Me - Frederick, Maryland

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I went in for a nose piercing for me and my daughter and it was a great experience! The location is clean and the staff kind and welcoming.

I love this shop. It's extremely clean and professional. Any artist you decide on is going to do a great job. I've been pierced and tattooed here and can't reccomend them enough. read more

I'm thrilled with my piercings that Liv Estep has done! She's performed three different cartilage piercings for me, and has switched out jewelry for my conch piercing. The jewelry she uses ranges in price, but they're all stunning. They're all incredibly high quality and beautiful. I have a low pain tolerance and am a self described baby about blood and needles. She put me at ease and made the process as pain free as possible. Shoutout to her apprentice, Mae! Mae was so warm and welcoming, I can't wait to come back and be pierced by her as well. If you're looking for a clean, friendly and quality piercer, Key City is the place to go. Thanks again Liv and Mae! read more

If you are thinking about getting a tattoo done here, keep scrolling. I had the worst experience at this shop. Everything from start to finish was awful. I'm more than mad at myself for not just leaving; however, I was super excited to get a tattoo on my birthday and a nose piercing so I stayed. First, I showed up about 10 minutes early for my appointment thinking they would be ready to go at my time. When I arrived, there was only 1 person getting tattooed and not by my "artist." John G. showed up about an hour after my scheduled time (maybe he was still at home and they had to call him in). When he came over, there was no "sorry for the wait" or even a "hi." I sent in an email and a pic similar to what I wanted a month before which he clearly didn't look at bc all he said was "what did you want done." He drew up something and came back after a long time. I told him I didn't like part of it. He didn't ask what I didn't like about it or specifically what I wanted or even try to make a new one. Just a lot of blank stares. After so much time, I just wanted to get it done and leave. When he made the stencil he seemed very annoyed that I had him put it on a couple places bc I didn't know specifically where I wanted it. I was wanting to see how it looked in different places on me. I mentioned again I didn't like part of it and he just drew a little bit on my arm which made it look even worse. And then just said "well which one do you want?" So, feeling pressured to pick one I stupidly just chose the first one. The entire time he was tattooing me he didn't say one word. When he had finished he barely let me look at it as he grabbed my arm and smeared the ointment and went to go wrap it. I asked to get a picture which of course annoyed him even more. Then the payment.. he told me that I needed to get money out of the ATM because it was an upcharge to use the debit machine. I asked him if he was going to charge me extra to use my card, and once again it was blank stares. So I used the ATM which then charged me a $5 service fee. I got the money and a tip (which he didn't deserve) and when I turned around, he was gone. He didn't even wait for his money. There was no thank you. He provided no after care tips. He just ghosted me. The lady who did my piercing took the money to give to him. So here I am, out of $245. Super overpriced for such a simple tattoo BTW. I talked to the shop owner who tryed to excuse John G's behavior, attitude, and lack of bedside manor on him "maybe having a bad day." I get that people have bad days but either put a fake smile on your face and come to work or stay home. Maybe I was treated as such because I'm not the typical look at their shop bc my sister and I showed up wearing UGGs, or maybe bc I was just getting a simple tattoo, or maybe it was because John G had to leave whatever he was doing to come in an hour late for my appointment. I'm not sure the reason but clearly John G didn't want to deal with me. On a side note, the owner did send me a couple pics he drew to try to fix the tattoo. I am upset that I don't have the tattoo that I truly wanted but I'm more upset by how the whole time played out. The lack of communication, the disregard of my time, the rudeness, not being prepared... etc, is what makes me so upset. But clearly they don't care about their reputation bc they can't even give me a partial refund bc "they wouldn't have a shop if they gave money back to everybody who regretted a tattoo." Just shows that clearly I'm not the only one that complains. At least have the common decency to give me my tip money plus the $5 ATM feedback. Luckily I found a tattoo artist elsewhere who communicates and is going to do their best to fix this tattoo. Just a fun story to pass along to friends, family, coworkers, and other artists when they ask me about my newest tattoo. read more

Pains me to write this review but cannot recommend this place. I had two tattoos done here and was thrilled with both. Great work, reasonably priced. But I've been trying for a month to get another one done. Submitted the art and request on the website to schedule. But then they told me to call. When I called, they wouldn't give me an appointment, and just said, visit during walk-in hours on a Saturday. Flash forward to today, and before heading down, I called to see what the wait looked like. I was told there was no one waiting and no list, so I got in the car and went down. Arriving, they greeted me, told me they'd had a big AM rush and weren't taking more walk-ins, although there was only one person there. I'll be taking my business someplace else. read more

Got a tattoo from Tim Huck, he was super great to work with and has an awesome personality. Also super talented as an artist. He helped me cover up a small tattoo with a detailed and unique new design. The place is super clean and all the staff is very friendly. I plan to get all my tattoos here from now on!! Also livstep piercing is super nice, she changed out my septum ring at the beginning of April. I couldn't say enough good things about this place! read more

Key City Tattoo - Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Frederick, Maryland

I cannot begin to express how much I love this shop! I have gotten 8 pieces done by several of their artists! And absolutely love each one !! There are times that I just want to go in the shop and sit, these guys are just that friendly and down to earth! You can't go wrong with any artist, there are 2 artists I haven't gotten work done by but I have every intention on getting something done by them! I kid you not, EVERY guy is amazing! Customer service is outstanding, I love the front guys , James and Tim, Such incredible individuals, they will take care of you and answer your questions. I just love this place!! Go there for your first, 10th or 35th tattoo, you won't be disappointed!! read more

Came in for a piercing. Shop manager was super disrespectful while we were waiting. Prices are high, store is basic- glad we left.

This is the best place you can go for any type of tattoo that you need very friendly people all the tattoo artists are amazing so it doesn't really matter who you get very clean and very beautiful store read more

In my opinion, the most important aspects for a solid tattoo shop are genuine customer service, clean work and a clean shop: Key City nailed it on all fronts. I felt welcome the moment I stepped in the door. They had a well decorated lobby and I was greeted by a genuinely engaged staff. Once a sat down to begin getting my work, rapport came easy. It was like I was talking with old friends rather than a group of artists I was meeting for the first time. Antonio Roque did a beautiful American Traditional piece on an awkward forearm spot and made sure I was comfortable throughout. Be sure to tip these guys when they work well with you! ATM is in the shop as this can be cash only depending on the artist. read more

Key City Tattoo - Lobby - Tattoo Near Me - Frederick, Maryland

Travelling on a girls trip recently and decided to get tattoos. We found this place through the reviews, and are so happy we did. We did not have appointments, but they worked all three of us in. The staff is amazing, and the atmosphere was perfect. Very clean and unique. We were there for hours, but it didn't feel like it. They offered us beverages, and just made the whole experience perfect. Highly recommend!!! read more

I love this new shop!!! It's spacious, clean, and filled with actual talent; definitely the best tattoo shop in Frederick County (maybe even all of Maryland). My sister and I both have been tattooed by Gary Gerhardt and he's done the best tattoos I've ever seen! I'm so honored to get such beautiful art permanently placed on my body- dangerously cheesy, I know. I could go on and on but I'll let my work speak for itself (see pictures). read more

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Really enjoyed this shop and the staff that worked there. I knew I wanted a tattoo for a while and decided to check out Key City after visiting a couple other shops in Frederick. As soon as I walked in I was welcomed and received helpful insight towards what I was actually looking for, as I was completely new to the experience and needed some help. They didn't "coddle" me as a first-timer, but also didn't act like it was a chore to explain the process and what it was that I was really looking for (which had been my experience at some other shops). I pulled up a picture and Matt Torres drew it up in a heartbeat, threw it on my arm, and I couldn't be happier with the result. I wasn't sure what my experience would be like as a walk-in first-time customer, but I can tell you my experience far exceeded my expectations. Love my first ink, pumped to add more, and I know the one place that I'll be going to get it done. Thanks to Matt and the rest of yas. - One Fat Tomato read more

Submitted an online booking request on their website and was contacted promptly by James to make an appointment. From start to finish everything was clear, friendly and professional. I've bounced around to different shops the last ten years but I think I've finally found one place I will continue using. John Glessner did a fantastic job! Go see this man! He was receptive to what I was looking for and had some great ideas he contributed on his own. Not to mention extremely talented artist. I'd recommend pulling him up on Instagram. Thanks KCT! read more

This is the only place in Maryland I trust to tattoo me! I've gotten work from Gary and Matt here and love every piece (not to mention the compliments I get from people every day) I really can't say enough good things about this place. Clean, friendly staff, great art, I've never had a bad experience! read more

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So...... let me just start off by saying key city is an amazing shop and does some of the best tattoos period ! Last night I had a dream about James who is the general handyman at key city tattoo and it wasn't pleasant . In this dream James got a restraining order so I couldn't see my own daughter , not really sure what James motive was in my dream but I didn't like it ! I'm leaving a 1 STAR review for just James , the rest of the amazing staff are always super professional in my dreams so they get 5 stars ! read more

I received my first tattoo at this shop and it was done by Tim. He was super thorough and listened to my questions and was willing to adjust anything I asked for on the tattoo. A great bunch of people, you should really consider checking them out. read more

Excellent experiences every time with this shop. I've been tattooed by Nate and Gary. I have had awesome experience's with both "artist" during the ease of setting up an appointment or just walking in. The entire shop is lined with an excellent staff. No pressure,judgements or bad tattoos at this shop. Price isn't something I care about with tattoos but if that's your thang then they are priced well under their talent. read more

Just left the shop with a fantastic new tattoo by Gary G. Amazing service...welcoming, friendly, conscientious and professional!! I highly recommend this shop...and their art is inspiring. read more

Key City is great! Got a small tattoo on my lower back/hip and they were professional, clean and redid the sizing and placement several times until I liked it ! Fair price and cool staff! Very talented. I only have a couple tattoos and I am not very experienced in finding artists/salons but Key City Gave me exactly what I wanted and got me in very quickly! Highly recommend! read more

Great shop. Everyone is super friendly and talented. My girlfriend both have been tattooed at Key City and we both had a great experience and even better tattoos. read more