Family Business

I was apprehensive about getting my tattoo... first one was over 25 years ago and it did not go well. I had a specific design in mind, and even spoke to another artist in SoHo, who was not too enthusiastic about my request.

However, after researching numerous tattoo shops around London, I found Family Business Tattoo and met Stuart. Damn, am I ever happy I did! EXACTLY what wanted! No, even better than I hoped for!

Highly recommend this shop and Stuart!

I've been on the fence about a tattoo for years- I finally decided months ago what I wanted but hadn't found I place I felt comfortable with in my hometown of Nashville, TN. On my way into London I decided I was going to go for it and find somewhere to get my first tattoo!

As soon as I walked in I knew that I was in a great, professional, and friendly parlor. I walked in and was able to get a consultation and tattoo all in about an hour!

Stuart did my tattoo. I showed him a picture of a rough sketch I made and he came back with a design even more perfect than I could have imagined!

He was very kind, friendly, and did an AMAZING job with the fine details on my tattoo!

If you are in the London area and need a tattoo- GO HERE! You won't regret it!

For years and years I wanted to get a tattoo, but being unique, just like everybody else; I wanted something that was for me. Not just another warrior tattoo, or something out of a catalogue that hundreds before have had.

Some time ago I narrowed what I wanted down to either a Griffin or a Dragon, both mythical creatures carrying a lot of symbolism for me. Then I sort of did nothing, I wanted a bespoke design, by a good tattooist; and had no idea where to start.

So there I am wondering along Exmouth Market and saw this rather interesting shop front. Turns out to be a Tattoo Parlour. Wonder in and chat with Dave, the retro looking front of house man, about what I am looking for. He invites me to look at some pictures of the work the different artists do to try and choose a style of artist I like. This is tough, they all look really good. Eventually I settle with a Japanese artist called Mie Sato, not because she has loads of Dragons or Griffins in her portfolio, in fact I do not remember seeing any. But, because I like her work.

Have a chat with Mie about the design and make an appointment to come back in about a month to review. Book a series of 3 hour sessions around three months from the date I am in the shop!! That is how busy they are.

Anyway Mie comes up with a wonderful design, her work is brilliant, and now I have an excellent tattoo I love to bits.

A nice relaxed place, that create brilliant bespoke art.

"Meh. I've experienced better" describes exactly what we felt about Family Business this weekend.
My boyfriend and I were visiting my best friend (we are from LA) and we all decided on a whim to get tattoos. Both my boyfriend and I have a bunch of them and so this is nothing new. We've been to places in the US, Europe and Japan and have never felt so unwelcome in any tattoo parlor.

The first experience with the guys at the desk was very cold but we ended up all describing what we wanted and getting each an artist assigned to us (also why are there so many artists with free time on a sunday I wonder?).

The tattoos all came out good but there are two things that I was VERY unhappy about.

1) One of the artists passed in front of me while I was discussing the art with my respective artist and commented out loud as a joke and said "I don't think it's small enough" and both artists laughed. I think this is EXTREMELY RUDE to laugh at a client right in front of their face.

2) For both my boyfriend and I, they told us their minimum was 80£ ($115) which is reasonable and specifically said to me "I will let you know if it's more" - they never did. And we ended up paying 220£ ($315) for two tiny line pieces. We have NEVER payed so much for such small tattoos. They completely took advantage of us because we were foreign.

I am only giving them 2 stars instead of 1 because they didn't mess up the tattoos.

There are plenty of tattoo parlors in London, I highly recommend you going somewhere else.

My first tattoo in London, and I made the right choice!

It took 2 months from my first consultation to the actual inking day (due to the clash of the artist's and my schedules). There was a young guy at the front desk when the first time I got there, he was ok, not the friendliest. But when on the day I reviewed my tattoo design and the actual day, there was a bit more mature guy (I believe his name was Paul or John), who was very friendly and helpful.

I always drew my own tattoos, but this time I decided to let the artist to design for me. I reviewed the tattoo a day before the actual day. It was 60-70% ready, the artist and I discussed a bit more and I was a bit uncertain (cos' I didn't know what was it gonna be like the next day).

On the actual day, the artist showed me the design of the tattoo. I was please and I knew I could trust him. He did his research on the subject/concept and finalised the design.

The artist asked how was I feeling from time to time, and checked if I needed a break. The cost wasn't cheap, but I think it worth the price.

I went to The Family Business after first moving to London and wanting my latest piece - a nautical style anchor and roses design on my left forearm.

I'd already decided that Francisco Rocha would be my best bet for the style I wanted, and when I first went to the shop I had another quick look at his work before booking my tattoo in. Francisco was incredibly helpful - from my idea, he'd created a great design and was happy to add or tweak any aspects. Luckily, he didn't need to, as I loved it.

The quality of the work is absolutely wonderful - clean lines and vibrant colours. The shop space itself is very hygienic and welcoming, paired with amazing decor throughout. Although, if you're the type who needs your hand held when you're being inked, they don't let companions come back into the main studio area with you.

The only slight downside is that it's very pricey - as a big tattoo fan who has almost ten including large pieces, I'm very aware that paying for quality is important. However, I've had other work done that has the same excellent quality for slightly less, pricewise. Having said that, I love my tattoo from The Family Business and would certainly recommend it as a central London studio that prides itself on great customer service and fantastic artwork.

The reviews don't lie. Ever. This really is one of the best in London! From the moment you walk in the door you can tell that they take great pride in their work and the way they run things. You can feel that everyone loves being there and it's, well, a family business!

This was my very first (and my last) tattoo, which I have been thinking about and planning for about a year now. I lost my Mum about a year & half a go and wanted to get something in her honor, so as you can imagine the design, the artist, the shop and the emotion involved were all very key factors in finding a place. After months of research and visiting a few places around London, I decided to go with this place. It's highly regarded in the tattoo community, but also because they listed State of Grace in San Jose, CA on their site. That's where I would have gotten it done had I waited till Nov when i would have been there visiting - I use to live in the Bay Area!

I walked in one day and met with David, showed him the artwork i had for what i wanted done. He instantly gave me 2 artists who he thought would be most appropriate for the type of work i wanted and gave me their portfolios to look through. After some flicking through, i went with Miles as we had done some work similar to what i wanted and we set up a free consultation. A week later, i was in talking to Miles about the design i had and how i wanted it to be adapted. He was really great! He worked with understanding what I wanted and gave insight about what he thought would make it look better and such.

Today, when I went in for the tattoo to be done, I sat down with Miles to go over the design he had drawn. He was incredibly patient with what i wanted and did some quick edits for me, to ensure i was happy with the design. He was understanding and didn't rush me at all, his overall approach just really helped to calm my nerves.

I honestly couldn't be happier with the finished result! I definitely recommend this place for first timers, as well as those looking for large pieces being done. The talent in that shop is just incredible!

OK, first things first:

**DONT TELL MY MUM ABOUT THIS!!**

Yes, I finally bit the bullet and got myself tattooed.

*gasp*

I'd been meaning to do it for ages but kept sissying out, even on the day as you're walking to the shop, 'maybe it's closed today', 'maybe they forgot to confirm my appointment', 'maybe I dreamed that I paid a 50% deposit yesterday'!

Luckily, I had met my artist the day before and really liked him, so when I'm sitting on the sofa (feels like that wait before a rollercoaster), hearing that buzzing sound and smelling the Dettol, and my hands go cold and legs feel really jittery and energetic, I remember meeting Chris, his friendly and funny demeanor, and decide not to 'flight/fight', but remain.

The experience was good, and some of the work being done was truly amazing there; mine was simple and only took 75mins incl placement test, and applying the dressing after.

Yes, it was painful, no I wasnt in agony, and despite at the time saying I wouldnt ever, I might get another :-O

Everything is very professional and clean; they give you after-care advice and I shall be recommending The Family Business to any of my friends who want some work done.

TIPS: They ONLY accept Cash, so bring some. They don't really do walk-ins unless youre lucky.

Since my review I have been back a number of times and got 2 more done by Ricky.

Have been recommending the place to everyone who will listen. Great team, excellent quality, they take care of their customers! Cannot recommend it highly enougg

Quick, friendly and clean!
Did my first tattoo here and no doubts I'll be back!

LOVE IT!