Unfortunately, I came here with my friends who were visiting from Hayward because we were looking for a local and affordable tattoo shop while in Monterey. The older gentleman working there did my tattoo. I brought in a reference photo and asked for very simple tattoos. Instead of using a stencil, he freehand drew the designs directly onto my hand. At first, I actually liked the drawing and thought it looked very close to what I wanted. However, once the tattooing started, the final result looked noticeably different from the drawing he had put on my skin. During the appointment, I noticed that some of the lines on the sparkles weren't done correctly and asked if they could be fixed. He did try to correct them, but one of the lines is still noticeably crooked. What makes this especially upsetting is that the tattoo is on my hand, which is a very visible area. I was too uncomfortable and embarrassed to keep speaking up during the appointment, but I left feeling disappointed with the outcome. It's frustrating because I specifically chose a simple design and provided a reference photo, yet the final result does not match what was originally drawn or what I expected. Now I'm left looking at something every day that I'm unhappy with and will likely have to pay to fix or cover up. read more

The First City Tattoo - The tattoo he did (the big star is what I hate). - Tattoo Near Me - Monterey, California

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I called to request a small hummingbird tattoo and was told to come down... Shop was clean and my artist was friendly.. might've been a small tattoo but it meant the world to me... read more

The First City Tattoo - Almost finished - Tattoo Near Me - Monterey, California

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Alexander is the artist I trust with my work from here on out. I've been to several artists over the years, but he's the one I keep coming back to--his lines are insanely clean, no blowouts, doesn't traumatize the skin, and he knows how to punch color even though he's a black and gray artist by trade. He's done almost my entire leg over the course of a year, and once that's done, we're moving on to my arm. He's the only artist I'll ever recommend. I finally convinced my best friend to get a fun matching tattoo, and obviously we went to Alex. She's super picky, but he took his time, was patient, and made sure she felt totally comfortable. He's personable but quiet and super focused--which I love. Bring your reference pic and ideas, and he'll marry the two to create something unique and cohesive. He's got serious skills, and if he needs to freehand it, he will. You're in good hands. read more

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On vacation my husband was looking for new ink and I needed to get got 2 fixed. Alexander took care of us both professionally at a good price and quality work. If we come back that way again we will definitely be back for more! read more

Alexander is amazing! He penciled me in short notice for a walk-in, for a rose tattoo behind my ear. He exceeded my expectations with the line work and detail for such a small tattoo. Extremely professional and clean tattoo shop. I will be coming back here for all my future tattoos. Can't recommend this place enough! read more

The First City Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Monterey, California

Alexander at First City Tattoo does wonderful work. He is accommodating, skillful, and personable. Very much recommend. read more

The First City Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Monterey, California

Great shop, and great artists! I cannot recommend them enough, hands down the best tattoo experience I've had. I received a coverup by Jr, who spent a considerable amount of time with no complaint talking through my wants and expectations to make sure that what we made was going to make both of us happy. Jr is kind, professional, and very easy to talk to, thank you so much for the beautiful work. Update ---- I have been back for touch ups and now am adding to the piece I will continue to upload photos through the process (still not done!) - Jr is so kind, and listens so my concerns and pays such attention to making sure we are both on the same page. Additionally he is mad skilled! update --- The whole time I have said I didn't want a background, and Jr let me know it really would up the realism anty - he was fine letting me have what I thought I wanted, but he showed me some mock ups of what background shading could do and... it's stunning. See my photos for the results of our last session. read more

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Awesome place -- should be higher rated. They got us in on a Saturday as walk-ins. Very professional and friendly. Sanchez does excellent work. Would highly read more

The First City Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Monterey, California

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David did a phenomenal job on the tattoo I've been wanting for so long! He has an incredibly calming and safe presence. His price was great and his artwork even better! Such a skilled artist - would highly recommend him as your next tattoo artist! read more

David was awesome! He did such a great job, he was accommodating, and very reasonably priced. Highly recommend! read more

The First City Tattoo - Butterfly - Tattoo Near Me - Monterey, California

Me and my girlfriends came here as walk-ins. Alexander Sanchez is amazing. I have a lot of tattoos and he was definitely the best artist I've had. Tattoos hurt, but I barely felt this one. He really took his time to make sure it was perfect. read more

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My sister and I came in today to get matching tattoos, and we were not disappointed. Our tattoo artist was Michael, we came in as walk-ins and he treated us great! The tattoo was a simple semicolon with a fairy/butterfly design. He pays great attention to detail. Our design was flipped and the semicolon was facing the wrong way and he pointed it out and changed it for us! We both loved the way they turned out! I would definitely recommend Michael as an artist! read more

The First City Tattoo - Matching tattoos of a semicolon with a fairy/ butterfly design! - Tattoo Near Me - Monterey, California

First City Tattoo took money upfront from my friend and refused to refund within the same week saying they have no money. Police got involved and so far no progress. Shady apprentice Omar. You can find him on Instagram under malandro_ink read more

MUMZ Script Is 2nd To None!... I'll be going back next month 4 other work needed. Hand is light & it's a Koo ass shop. No interruptions when he was getting down. read more

Me and my girlfriends came here to get a small tattoo for my friends birthday. David got us in and stayed late for us and we all love our tattoo and the way they all turned out! Fair pricing and professional staff. Thank you David! read more

Best tattoo shop ive ever been in. Alexander is dope as hell and does great work. Fast and has a very light hand. I've gotten a chest piece from him and I had very little tattoo care afterwards. Little to no peeling or scabbing. 10/10 would tattoo again. read more

They were amazing, felt super comfortable for my first tattoo. JR did an amazing job, love my flamingo!

Great Place, very professional, answered all my questions and gave me great suggestions. Ink looks great

I do not recommend this place. Mumz did just fine following the design and sketch I already had made prior to making the appointment and he was perfectly fine setting up an appointment to take my money but when it healed and I needed him to touch it up he was no where to be found. He wasn't professional nor was he even kind to me. He ignored messages, took days, even weeks to respond, would make an appointment then cancel and not reschedule. I tried to call and someone else (Alexander) said he would help me out but then closed the shop up before I even got there. He told me he would stay until 7pm and when I got there around 6:40pm he had already locked the doors and left. I finally came in randomly and explained my situation. The guy tried to call Mumz to ask him what to do as if I hadn't already explained that and tried to tell me he might have to charge me after all the trouble I went through to do get a touch up through Mumz. The touch up was worse than the actually tattoo. They guy was heavy handed and I started to bleed almost instantly. I didn't bleed the entire time I got the tattoo but there was blood everywhere during the 10 min touch up. All in all, the customer service, the amount I paid for the tattoo and my experience was not worth it and I wish I had gone somewhere else. I do not recommend wasting your time or money at this place. read more

Nick at First City Tattoo was great! His shop is clean and comfortable to be in for a tattoo. He did a custom tribal lion face on my chest and worked with me on the details that I wanted. He is very skilled at his craft, he was patient, and understood my physical limitations that resulted in a great piece of skin art! He is currently working on my next custom piece. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a custom skin art. His colors are awesome. read more

Beware this place will steal your money without doing a service the workers are rude and very unprofessional

Will never go here again and get a tattoo because the guy who did mine and my fiancé's crowns on your wedding fingers was too heavy handed and didn't tell us he was an apprentice. He was also drinking while working and didn't even wrap up my fiancé's finger afterwards read more