How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%98+53.5Reliability 24%97+23.5Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%57+4Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 95Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.95SCORESideshow Tattoo and Piercing
San Diego, CA · Grade ALetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20. · #19Position by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. of 49 piercing studios · 5.0★ from 3,046 Google reviews
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Percentile vs other piercing studios (100 = best)Each factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: value and momentum; weakest: replies to reviews.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing for 8 kinds of job.
Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing for tattoo design
Clear ✕All 371 Google reviews tagged “Tattoo design” · showing 260
Great experience my wife and I got the exact tattoos we wanted and had a great conversation with the fellas taking care of us. Will definitely come back when in San Diego👍🏽
Amir was fantastic!! He was very attentive and during the consult and the tattoo came out even better than expected. It is my second one, first one with color, and I absolutely love it!! Highly recommend. 💪🦊
I don't think I'll go to another shop in San Diego. Jedi was the most professional tattoo artist I've come across. You had better believe ill be coming back 🤘🤘
my new favorite shop for sure! recently got a tattoo by Jedi, awesome dude! super chill, got my idea perfectly. i love the amount of detail he went into, he did a great job! cant wait to come back
Very gentle handed and respectful and reassuring. Will be coming back :)
Absolutely love Jedi’s work, favorite artist’s work that I have gotten! He was super cool and easy to talk to and got the vision for what I wanted right away! Highly recommend, he’d be my new artist if I lived locally!! Fairly priced and very nice.
Came in wanting a tattoo for sure and maybe ear piercings. Got paired with Matt and the tattoo and experience was great. Right after that, Isaac came in and was available for my ear lobe piercings. Also a really nice experience even though that was what I was more nervous about. Both of those guys were super quick…
Jedi was so awesome I love my tattoo so much! It was done so quickly and professionally!!
I had such a great experience with Jedi! The whole process was smooth from beginning to end, and I absolutely love how my tattoo turned out. I’m so happy with the final result and would definitely recommend Jedi to anyone looking for a great tattoo experience!
Great Response Time and loved the work done! Walked in and got exactly what we wanted😎
Jedi was amazing. This was my first tattoo and he was stellar at calming my nerves and talking to me throughout the entire process. My piece came out great as his attention to detail is unmatched. He was also super patient with all of my questions and helped me understand post care as well. Would def recommend Jedi for beginners or experienced folks!
Kip did an awesome job with my tattoo!
It was a great experience, the guy that did my tattoo did an amazing job. He was very professional and kind. Would definitely recommend!!!
The best tattoo experience I have ever had. Damon was easy going and did great work! I am so happy with how it turned out.
I had a great experience and I will be back for more ink!
Beautiful work by Nick, I love the way my tattoo turned out, it was exactly what I wanted!
The artist who did my tattoo got the entire design perfect and was a true professional I love how my new ink came out shout out Jedi
Great staff- thanks to Jedi and the rest of the team for making my first tattoo fast, easy, and as pain-free as possible. Especially impressed considering I was only a walk-in.
A little bit of a wait to get my daughter’s industrial piercing, but worth it! While waiting, I decided to add on to my right shoulder tattoo (spontaneously), and Matthew and I worked together to design the add-on. He obviously did most of the design 😄 but it’s perfect! When my daughter was called in for her…
Phenomenal artists especially David he took so much time and effort to put together my tat and was amazing during and after putting it on.
The place was really cool and the artist there were really nice and understanding. Jedi was a great artist and person all around would recommend him to others. 😁👍
Jedi had an incredible eye for detail and was very patient with my son and I. He really made my son's first tattoo a great experience!
David was great to work with, he helped me narrow down what I really wanted and it turned out so good! His line work is phenomenal, would recommend him to anyone.
Sideshow is awesome. I didn’t have an appointment but walked in with two tattoo ideas in mind and not exactly sure how I wanted to execute them. Nick helped me immediately, drew up ideas played around with sizing and helped consult with me to figure out exactly what I wanted. Both tattoos turned out amazing and I…
Hey SideShow tattoo and piercing, thanks a bunch for letting us in as walk-ins to get our tattoos! My bestie and I had such a fantastic time, and I just wanted to send a huge thank you to Jedi, the artist, for creating our bestie butterfly tattoos on our wrists. You nailed it! I’m definitely going to recommend your service to everyone.
I had a great experience at Sideshow. They took me as a walk in and I had originally asked for flash, because I didn’t know how much time they would have. The front desk said if I had something specific in mind, that it was better. I met Jedi and showed him some saved photos of the design I wanted. I described the…
Isaac Neece and David Rene were both awesome and if I could give them 10 stars I would!
Jedi is AWESOME! He did a GREAT job with tattoo customization and application. I highly recommend Jedi to anyone looking to have quality ink-work done. I will DEFINITELY be a repeat Customer! 💯
I had my hand tattoo done by Nick and he did an amazing job. The piece came out super detailed and better than I expected. His attention to fine lines and shading really made the tattoo stand out. Not only is he talented, but he was also professional and made the whole experience comfortable. Highly recommend Nick if you’re looking for quality work!
Nicest people with amazing feedback on placement design and pricing! Would 1000% go back!! Nick did an amazing job on my tat!
Nick was so kind and did an amazing job with my tattoo!
My sister and I came in to get butterfly tattoos for her birthday. Jedi and Damon got us in right away, place was very clean with plenty of seating area. They made us feel at home and did an amazing job with what we were looking for! Will definitely be back when in California!
The staff were super friendly and Matt did a great job, I love my tattoo.
Walked in for a quick tattoo while visiting SD. We were greeted right away. I spoke to Jedi about what I wanted to have done. He put the design together, printed out a few different sizes to see what would work best then got me set up to be tattooed. Got exactly what I asked for. Great and friendly service.
I was in town visiting family and decided to do a walk in tattoo! I saw sideshow had great reviews on yelp and they absolutely lived up to it! I went later in the evening so the shop wasn’t too busy. Environment was great, clean, spacious and best of all I felt comfortable. I’ve gotten quite a few tattoos at many…
I got a fine line script tattoo at Sideshow about 5 days ago. Nick was my artist and he did a fantastic job. I wanted the design on my ribs so I was a little worried going in. But Nick walked me through specific design modifications to make sure I got the best results. The process was quick and surprisingly not very…
Honestly the best place I ever got a tattoo from. Jedi was a great guy and my tattoo turned out exactly the way I hoped it would turn out. Highly recommend coming to this place again in the future.
Very professional, very clean, loved the vibe & the tattoo came out amazing! S/O to Jedi for doing it!
Did a great job on my new tattoo, I will definitely need to come back and get more done.
Going down this street theres a solid 5 tattoo shops, but what sets this one apart from the others is our artist, Jedi. Jedi's amazing! His attention to detail, making sure we were all comfortable, the conversations & his light hand made this experience a 10/10 We/I will definitely be back
I loved the vibe of this place it’s really nice and clean, The people are such a vibe and are all really nice, Nick did my tattoo and I love it he was really nice and made sure I liked the placement. I would definitely recommend Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing!
Super nice people, clean, and professional! Can't wait to come back!
I was on vacation in California and decided to get a tattoo on a whim to remind me of the trip. I googled tattoo shops in san diego and Sideshow was the first one that popped up, tons of reviews and 5 stars so I decided to check it out. I was greeted right away, very friendly..asked if there was anyone available who…
My friends and I went in with a specific idea for a design in mind and the team did a great job bringing it to life. Everyone at Sideshow was really professional and made us feel very comfortable. Sterilizing and providing a safe experience was clearly a priority. I highly recommend Sideshow. I’ve also been in for…
Awesome experience for my first tattoo! And amazing art!
It was my first tattoo and I’m obsessed with the thought of going back for another. I enjoyed the atmosphere it was super welcoming and My artist Matt was extremely welcoming I’d definitely recommend this spot to anyone looking for some good ink
came in on short notice and jedi delivered exactly the tattoo i wanted.
Matt was my artist and he was fantastic! He listened to the details I wanted and executed it perfectly. I truly love this tat and will be back to continuing adding on. Thanks Matt you da man!
The shop was clean and all the staff were so nice and professional I went in with my friend to get matching tattoos and her snake bites. It was her first professional tattoo and both the artist and the piercer talked through everything and made it such a comfortable environment
I had such a great experience here! I came in for a walk-in and ended up getting two very meaningful tattoos - one in remembrance of my grandparents and the other a matching piece with my mom. From the moment I stepped in, the shop had such a welcoming and professional vibe. Jedi took time to really understand the…
10/10 recommend. Decided to walk in & get a forward helix from Isaac & 3 little fine line tattoos from Matt. Both were very welcoming, friendly, & thorough.
Jedi did an amazing job on my tattoo!!! Took me as a walk in. Design what I wanted in a short time. Came out great. Would highly recommend him. Very down to earth and good hearted guy.
I was in town visiting and looked up a few different tattoo spots and found this place, so glad I did! It was a week day but my husband and I walked in and they were able to help us right away. We both got tattoos by Jedi and they look awesome! 10/10 Would definitely recommend this place!!
I was recommended Jedi from a friend and texted him on instagram. He answered really quickly and luckily had availability, my mom, brother, and I wanted to get tattoos. He helped us make the design and had great recommendations. Long story short he made it such a great experience and we’re so happy to have you as part of our memories! 10/10 recommend!!!!
Matt was an excellent tattoo artist. I walked in with my design and he made the experience seamless and very pleasant. I would gladly let him tattoo my skin again!
Jedi was an amazing artist and super friendly. Really enjoyed my experience and Side Show.
Absolutely in love with my new tattoo! Beth was amazing to work with. She took my inspiration ideas and came up with a beautiful piece that was more than I was hoping for. Her design and skill are so evident. I will absolutely be going back for more tattoos with her.
wonderful experience! Beth is super kind and funny! as someone who has high functioning autism i was nervous at first i would have sensory issues with the sounds and get overwhelmed if someone was talking to me. beth and i talked some but mostly let me sit quietly which is something i really appreciated! i love the…
I had a great experience at sideshow tattoo. Nick was amazing especially since it was my first time getting a tattoo and I was nervous. Tattoo on the left
Got three pieces done by Nick - one with clean lines and realist shading and a trad heart with bold blackwork. Definitely came through with what I wanted. Super precise clean and professional. Couldn’t be happier ☺️
Matt was extremely accommodating my bestie and I decide on our birthday tattoos!
Bestie and I went in to get matching tattoos while vacationing in SD! They got us in same day and everything went smooth. Price was right and tattoo came out perfect!
Will definitely come back for more tattoos.
This place was the best shop that I’ve been to, the staff was amazing very professional and made it work for 3 of us as walk ins. Beth did an amazing job on my piece with very little info that I gave her to go on. Great price for the quality of work we received, I would seriously fly back to San Diego from NH just…
Bethany did SUCH A GREAT JOB! She was friendly, light handed & accommodating. I loved the space she held for me and allowed space for breaks during our 5 hour session. I recommend her totally! 10/10
I was in SD for a mini vacation and my friend and I decided to get tattoos! This was my first tattoo ever and I have always wanted to get something to honor my brother that passed away. Bethany did such an amazing job. I was very nervous but she made me feel at ease. Came up with a beautiful design that I fell in…
I was a walk in at Sideshow on Easter Sunday and my friend and I were still accommodated swiftly and kindly. It was my first tattoo and they walked me through everything. Jedi was very attentive to my feedback on my design inspiration and preference for fine lines. The whole process in the chair took maybe 30min but…
Great place, clean place and friendly workers! Matt was my artist and did a great job!
After a spontaneous decision to get a new small tattoo, I walked in and Matthew was happy to help. He quickly drew up my design and it looks great. It’s only been 5 days, but the healing is flawless so far. If the opportunity arises, I would return for another piece.
Very friendly and efficient! Was able to walk right in and get a tattoo
I got my first tattoo from Damon and he made it an excellent experience! He was professional and friendly and brought my tattoo to life!
I was only in town for a week, but I already knew I wanted something meaningful: a sunflower, my favorite flower and a daily reminder to stay positive and look on the bright side. I gave the shop a call to see if they took walk-ins, and sure enough—they did! They welcomed me and my friend with open arms and told us…
Nick was super dope…gave me a clean tat in a small amount of time. Would definitely recommend and go back.
I had a great time getting tatted up by Jedi, the man knows his craft! Can’t wait to go back for more!!
Experienced my first tattoo here :) Bethany was great and made me feel very comfortable and did an amazing job!
Great service and line work. Walked in and was super efficient. Art was amazing.
Walked in for tattoos and brought reference photos! They were very accommodating and drew up designs for us. Overall great experience and amazing artists!
Beautiful work
Nick is a fantastic tattoo artist! He did great work on my tattoo and provided excellent service. Highly recommend!
I walked in and ask to get a tattoo, and they got me in super quickly! Mat was my tattoo artist and he was super accommodating and was able to do exactly what I wanted! Super happy with my tattoo and would definitely recommend!
Everyone we spoke to was so nice! My sister and I made a spontaneous decision to get new tats together (it’s become something of a tradition with us since we’re so far away from each other geographically) and to get my nose pierced! My tattoo is AMAZING it is a tribute to one of my three grandchildren! And it looks…
They are super quick but super talented! I got my first tattoo here and they made sure I knew everything about how it would feel and how to take care of it! They made sure everything was set and the placement was perfect and to my liking! I had Nick as my tattoo artist and he was great! Will definitely be coming back!
Nick does absolutely amazing work, he’s fair and leaves you with a spectacular piece!
I wanted just a small piece from SD while working here locally. Matt showed me his previously drawn sketches and we ended up here. I’m extremely pleased. Matt was very friendly and a pleasure to talk with. So much so that I’ve asked him to draw up a much larger leg piece. Highly recommended
Matt was super kind and quick! Great spot for a family tattoo outing.
Super friendly staff. Jedi did a great job on my tattoo!
Cool guys, awesome vibes and atmosphere :)
Very friendly and clean shop would highly recommend
Beth is an amazing artist! Captured exactly what I wanted. Will definitely be returning for more tattoos.
We were walk ins from North Dakota hoping to get a tattoo. We were promptly greeted and booked and in and out within an hour. Jedi was a great listener and brought my vision to life with his talent and I am so happy with the service and price. Highly recommend Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing!
I had an amazing experience here. The tattoo artist Matt Manroe gave me a raccoon on a tree branch on the side of my stomach and ribs. The lines were extremely even and I am super happy with how it turned out. I would recommend this place and Matt to everyone
This was my first time seeing Jedi and his tattoo work is amazing. He also just seems like a good person in general. Fair price, and quality work! Overall, very happy with the shop, the artist and my experience
Great location, friendly staff and wonderful work done. 10/10 would recommend.
The guy was nice but the tattoo did not turn out the way I had thought it should've. For as simple the tattoo was didn't turn out.
Omg this place is absolutely amazing I’ve been looking for an epic shop to get my nightwing tat at and I sure found it. I’m strongly considering planning another trip to San Diego when I’m ready for my next tat. Chance did my tat and I highly recommend him. I normally don’t leave reviews but this shop definitely…
Chance was professional and efficient. He took my design idea and crafted a beautiful tattoo. 10/10 would recommend his services.
Right to the point, knew exactly what he was doing, good vibes and felt comfortable with him. Also the work was perfect.
Beth is a fantastic artist! I was a walk in with just a glimmer of a simple idea and she created something that I was so happy with! The shop has such a great vibe, super clean and spacious, too!
Chance was awesome! I was super comfortable the whole time and he did exactly what I wanted and super fast, definitely recommend.
Absolutely phenomenal job Matt did I can’t wait get more work done my new favorite artist I’m going for him for every thing coming thanks so much matt
Such a good experience, my friend and I did a walk in and got immediately quoted a price and set up with an artist. Damon did a great job on the tattoo and I would definitely recommend coming back here!
Damon was amazing! Takes his time in creating his art at your own pace. Was my first time getting a tattoo and I will definitely be back !
Jedi did a fantastic job bringing my ideas to life to create something I truly love. It was the best Tattoo I have gotten and somehow the fastest one I’ve ever gotten. I will be returning to sideshow and having Jedi bring more of my ideas to life!
Matt did an awesome job of taking an idea I had to final first tattoo! I really appreciate the comfort and cleanliness at Sideshow. I'll definitely be back!
Damon was very friendly and took the time to understand and give feedback with the tattoo idea my best friend and I envisioned. He did great work, fine lines and detail.
My tattoo artist was Matthew! It was my first time getting a tattoo and he did an amazing job! Very quick and not painful at all! Overall a great experience, I will be coming back!
Matthew is amazing. We came as a walk in. Highly recommend him. He is personable and does a great job. We were visiting Sd but would come back just to get a tattoo from Matt.
LOVE LOVE LOVE my new tattoo! Me and my daughter came in as walk ins and we were both SO happy with the experience. Matt gave me EXACTLY what I wanted. I couldn’t be happier.
Damon was great! He was very patient and helpful in the decision process of where to put my tattoo and the sizing as well. He worked very efficiently and was friendly the entire time! He made sure I was happy with the design before beginning and had me double check everything. I went in for a walk in appointment and had an overall great experience.
It was a great experience! If I go back to SD, I’ll definitely be hitting up this tattoo shop again.
Came here for my first tattoo. Beth was friendly, professional, and took great care to make sure I was comfortable. The space is very clean too.
I’m usually a guy that just wakes up in the morning and decides to get new ink that day. I was lucky enough to stumble upon Sideshow. They were very courteous, gave great guidance, and Beth did a perfect job of executing my vision. It was quick too ! Big fan
My husband and I wanted to do a quick walk in, and we were so pleased! We had Jedi and Chance as our tattoo artists, not only were they so warm and welcoming to our ideas, our finished tattoos exceed beyond expectation. Especially as a walk in, you never know what may occur. We never felt rushed, and they were so…
I came in, and got seated quickly. My tattoo artist Chance did an excellent job. He was very thorough and very detailed oriented! Definitely will be going back.
Chance did great work, good price, the arts spectacular. Can’t even put into words how happy I am with this tat
Damon was solid with sketching out a design for my tattoos and ensuring every detail was to my liking. He was friendly and informative and made the process easy. Would highly recommend Damon for fine line tattoos/lettering. Will be going back for me at a later date.
I was in San Diego for the 3 day 60mile Breast Cancer walk, from Florida. I decided upon a tattoo that a survivor drew for me. Jedi got me right in last minute. Adjusted it and helped decide where I should put it! I also added my 18yo nephews ashes to the tattoo and loved how Jedi knew what to do! I LOVE IT!! He…
Beth Z was awesome she is beyond talented!! I felt very comfortable while she was doing my tattoo the shop was clean and everyone was very welcoming. Beth explained the aftercare very well, it was a great experience. I love my tattoo and will be back. Heather
Chance was great and quick l love my new tatt. Definitely coming back to Diego for another.
Got my first tattoo here with Chance! 10/10 Job, Loved it here.
Beth was amazing! I love my tattoo and had a great experience at this shop.
CHANCE IS AMAZING. He did a small tattoo for me on my arm and made the process quick and efficient, but welcoming and fun. We talked about a lot and before I knew it, we were done. Time flew! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TATTOO SHOP 💜
Chance was great
I had a wonderful experience getting a tattoo at Sideshow! I want to give a huge shout out to my tattoo artist, Bethany, for the amazing job she did and for making me feel so comfortable!!!! I will be back!!!!
This was my first tattoo and she was so sweet in making sure I was comfortable. The detail on the tattoo is incredible and didn’t take as long as I thought it would’ve.
Went to Sideshow a couple of days ago with a friend as a walk in. The atmosphere and the customer service we received was incredible. Matthew Monroe was the one to assist me - My tattoo is beautiful! Highly recommend.
It was amazing! My very first tattoo, and it was an amazing experience. I was very nervous, but Matt made me feel very comfortable. And good conversation. And he made sure it was what I wanted and was in the place I wanted it.
I walked in without an appointment and left with my new favorite tattoo by Beth. Love!
A group of 5 of gals walked in on a Friday afternoon and Sideshow was happy to take us all. We were able to get exactly what we wanted and out the door in an hour. Chance was my artist and was the nicest guy, making sure I was happy with the sketch and placement before pulling out the needle. All the artists were super friendly and reasonably priced.
Matt did amazing with my tattoo! He was very helpful, kind, and took me quickly for a walk in! Definitely coming back next year.
I went on vacation to SD for my birthday and randomly decided to get a tattoo and i was extremely happy that I went to Sideshow. I was a walk in which wasn’t a problem at all. Chance was my tattoo artist and i ended up getting 2 small tattoos. He made my experience very smooth and comfortable. He did amazing and I…
Great job, quick and very clean.
Found this place through a friend, and i absolutely loved it! Great and friendly environment, jedi took me in and created my piece. I love my new tat, its everything i wanted it to be and more! Def coming back soon. 10/10 recommend
Walked in on a Tuesday afternoon with the wife both got tattoos were super pleased with. professional all around and a great experience! Great place!
Got my first tattoo here and i absolutely LOVE it!!! Made me feel super welcome and comfortable. Huge $b fan and they made my first tattoo look stunning!! Thank you so much to the artist Damon who did my tattoo and thank you Kipper who did my brothers arm🙌
Jedi did an awesome job. He makes you feel very comfortable as did the whole staff Tnxs guys. I highly recommend this place
It was a nice placr and Beth was really nice! She did a great job, she said the tattoo would bleed a lot but it didn’t suprisngly!
Very nice and welcoming helped me with coming up with a design, and was very patient with me. Very supportive and talkative, very pleasant experience.
Great environment, and Kip is a cool dude!
Matt was an amazing tattoo artist! He was super charismatic and the tattoo process took no time at all.
Great tattoo artist, super cool and laid back. Perfect…
Kipper was amazing and very patient, it was my first tattoo and I could not ask for a better experience.
I got my first tattoo here with a walk-in. It was very quick and fast. I love the outcome of it!
I walked in on a Saturday when they first opened and they were able to tattoo my roommate and I. Matthew did my tattoo and he was fantastic. Some tattoo shops and artists can be intimidating and that is not how this place is at all. They're welcoming they are so friendly and will answer any questions you have. This…
It was great! The tattoo came out very clean and the artist was friendly.
4 friends and I walked in for matching tattoos while on an annual girls trip and had the BEST experience…the shop was clean, the artists were professional, friendly and did great work! Beth was very sweet and did great I would definitely recommend!!
Service was great! Worked with damon who was very professional and precise with his lines and work with the tattoo. Definitely will be returning
Very efficient tattooing with amazing results. Best tattoo experience Ive had by far. Shoutout to Matt!
Kipp was really nice and he did a good job. I would like to get tattooed by him in the future.
Great place, it was clean, and all of the artists were amazing and professional!
Chance is the best! His line work is incredible and i feel I will only let HIM tattoo me. He’s 400 miles away and worth the trip.
Had a great experience at Sideshow. Kip was my Artist. He took my thoughts and put it to paper, then skin. The tatto turned out great. It is a tribute to my son who was just deployed in the Air Force. Kip had a great bedside manner and answered all my questions. If I ever get another tattoo and I'll return to see Kip.
me and my sister got a matching tattoo and i was nervous at first but after she got done it looked so good and i was excited to get mine and it turned out so good and the detail was so good as well!
Beth was phenomenal from start to finish. Had 3 tattoo ideas in mind and settled on one which she brought to life for me. She was patient and not pushy at all with me getting it done and that’s why I ultimately decided to move forward with her. Best decision I made
My fiancé and I decided to do a walk in tattoo and Damon and the rest of the artists in the shop were amazing. We celebrated our bachelor/ette weekend at blink 182 and got a tat to commemorate it. His line work was great and I honestly didn’t even feel it it being done until he started the coloring. 10/10 and would…
My sister and I came here without an appointment for matching tattoos. We had an idea but no drawing. Chance talked us through what we were looking for and took the time to draw it out. He came over with different size options and made sure we loved it. The whole process took maybe 1.5 from start to finish without…
Thank you so much Beth for the amazing tattoo! It was so nice talking and working with you! I absolutely LOVE my new tattoo! ❤️
I got a tattoo by Matthew from this tattoo parlor with my sister. They were able to help us walk-ins right away, I was discussing my tattoo with my sister and others, and they were very honest about their professional opinion about the placement and size of my tattoo. Matthew was very chill and patient while I…
Everyone was super nice and friendly. Damon did a great job on my tattoo
Got my first tattoos here. Great experience. Matt was very friendly and easy to work with.
While in the area with some girlfriends, I randomly wanted to get a tattoo and one recommended Sideshow! The process was super easy and chance was able to help me right away. He made sure I loved my tattoo and placement, and was very patient when I kept changing the placement and size. Fairly priced tat as well.…
This was my first tattoo and I am incredibly happy with it. Beth was kind and knowledgeable and used exactly the design I wanted. Will absolutely visit again.
I came here to get my tattoos. Jedi worked on them. I had one done on my left arm and one on my right wrist. Jessi did an awesome job! He was fast and so gentle. He’s great!
Jedi was absolutely amazing. I got exactly what I wanted and had no issues going in for a walk-in
Matt at Sideshow Tattoo listened to what I wanted and was so easy to work with to get just the right sketch for my tattoo! He made sure I was comfortable. The whole process took 45 minutes, from sketch to finished tattoo, and the final product makes me so happy!
Got my first tattoo here w Damon, I just walked in and they were able to set everything up for me pretty quick, good experience! He was really nice and made sure I was comfortable the whole time. Definitely check this place out 🙏
Damon was amazing! My tattoo is exactly what I wanted!!!
Excellent, clean and friendly! Beth did an amazing job with my tattoo!
Jedi was incredibly kind and personable. His work was great and would recommend anyone to get work done by him.
Really enjoy coming here. Everyone always seems down to earth and chill. Good place for piercings and tattoos. Would definitely recommend.
Believe all the great reviews! I came in was in and out in about an hour and half. Got two tattoos and a nostril piercing. Everyone was professional and kind. I’m originally from the south but it’s honestly worth flying here to get more work done.
My husband and I came here as a walk in and had the best experience! everyone was friendly, Matt our artist made it a super easy and great experience!! we told him an idea and he executed it perfectly. :) thank you for being apart of that memory for our first time in San Diego!! highly recommend!!
Went in for a walk-in. Immediately was helped. Quick and simple quote. Matt was awesome. Very efficient. One of the best tats I’ve gotten.
i recently went for a medium sized forearm tattoo and my artist was Jedi, he was very calm and reassuring which was very helpful for my first tattoo, he dedicated a lot of time from just doing his own spin on the art and making it better than the picture i sent him and it came out great! great place to come.
Jedi is the man. Super patient with my requests, as well as helpful and collaborative throughout the process. Finished product came out better than I could have imagined
My daughter and I dropped in for matching tattoos and Beth did not disappoint. We love the result and hope to come back again!
I love the tattoo, has a true connection with my family and the lines and colors that Chance used was perfect. 1 week has gone by and there is no fading. Chance has helped me with the process as well because it was my first one!
For myself and my tattoo-less friends who were determined to cap off our weekend with a lifelong memory, we deferred to google reviews. In this case, the reviews don't lie! Jedi was amazing and although my friends were often embarrassing, he was a total pro and took so much time making sure their experience was…
Went in for a walk in, after Friday the 13th, upon arrival was greeted and assisted right away with a tattoo artist. It is my first time getting tattoo, and Jedi was the one who consulted me regarding my tattoo, and drafted a beautiful piece. After filing our some paperwork and figuring the placement, he tattooed…
Beth was a straight queen! She designed an awesome design just for me and tatted it beautifully. The tat healed perfectly too!
Jadd is rad. Love his work- he’s very versatile, talented and easy to sit with🤙He came highly recommended and I’m so glad he was able to do my mermaid tattoo!
fantastic :))
My go to tattoo shop. Clean and professional work.
Jadd was awesome. It was my first tattoo and he was super friendly and talked me through the whole process. Definitely going to come back for my next one
Jedi was so nice and does great work. I was a walk in and he worked with me on what I wanted and gave great feedback on location. The tattoo looks great and if I’m back in SD I’ll definitely visit again!
Great tattoo shop, I had Jedi as my artist and he did an amazing job on mine and my lady’s tattoos. They healed great after. The shop had a lot of walk ins being close to the beach so if you don’t mind waiting that works but I made an appointment so I didn’t have to wait. Definitely recommend if you’re in PB and want to get a tattoo.
Very welcoming and helpful, they did a great job!
The staff was friendly and fair priced ink.
This shop has a great atmosphere and has some great artists and chill people that work there. I had a tattoo done by Jedi. It was a very special piece for me. He took his time and put everything into it knowing how much it meant to me. You should absolutely get work done here and by Jedi!!
Great prices and great people!
Sideshow is my one and only. Jedi has done all of my tattoos and has always done exactly what I wanted and never disappointed. Everyone is kind, professional, responsive, and have great energy. Also love everyones flash sheets on the walls, every time I come I leave knowing what I want next. Would recommend this…
Great atmosphere, talented artist, all around cool experience.
At first I was kind of annoyed about the wait time being over an hour to get my tattoo but I realize that walk in tattoos may take longer to get to. My annoyance quickly lessened by the amazing customer service I received by my tattooist and also the front desk who kept me updated on how long it would be and was…
It was a fantastic experience at sideshow tattoo. I got the tattoo done by Jadd, he was great guy and I'm glad to know him now. It's definitely the most incredible looking tattoo I've ever gotten. They gave me a fantastic price on it as well, and it was a joy getting it. I would definitely recommend this place, and…
My friend and I were in San Diego this last weekend for a girls weekend. We decided to get tattoos done while there. We found Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing on Google and saw they had good reviews, so we decided to go for it! We were walk-ins and they were willing to help us out right away, knowing we didn’t have…
My friend and I were in town for a girls trip and decided to get a small tattoo. We walked into Sideshow without an appointment, and Beth was able to help us right away, no wait. She did an amazing job on both our tattoos. I showed her three different photos of what I wanted (mine is the bird tattoo), and her first…
Really nice artists, and made my first tattoo experience great!! Came here with my friends to get “matching tattoos” and they all came out amazing.
My experience was lovely ! Very grateful to be surrounded by a bunch of carding artists ! I started feeling warm while getting tattooed (my own fault, I had on a giant Jean jacket) and the moment I voiced any discomfort, everyone SPRANG into action and really took care of me! Excellent tattoos, and excellent…
Very professional and was able to create his own artistic design from a picture I had saved on my phone. Very friendly staff and clean facility. Will be back!
I got my first tattoo here with Jadd and it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. He was so attentive to detail and offered incredible insight. I am beyond grateful for this work and Sideshow!!
Walked in with an idea for a Tattoo and Matt drew it up so quickly and his design was so beautiful and even better than what I had pictured in my head. The fine line work is gorgeous and I’m so pleased
Amazing service, great personality, felt so comfortable, so happy with my tattoo. Beautiful work, Jadd. I love it. Thank you.
I’ve been coming to Jadd for my tattoos! In love with all of them! He is extremely talented and always does amazing work. I’m thankful to have been introduced by him from a friend who also has gotten every single one of her tattoos from him. Thank you Jadd! So if you ever stop by here make sure to ask for him! 10 out of 10 recommend.
Came to Sideshow because of my usual tattoo shop being renovated, now I’m officially switching! Matt was awesome and hit the nail on the head with the design first try. Super clean linework, quick, and great pricing. Already planning my next piece to get here! Thanks Matt :)
Matt understood what image I had in my head and made it a reality, now my baby’s heart birthmark is on me too ♥️
Sideshow tattoo and piercing is amazing. While in San Diego we had a tire issue and I decided to get a tattoo while we waited. Matt got the design I wanted on his first try, the placement correct, and did not force conversation while he completed my tattoo. It was a half hour process with little pain and I was very…
My husband and I got our first tattoos with Matt and he was so great!! We were walk ins but he took the time to hear us out on what we wanted and matched it perfectly! He answered all of our questions and made us feel super comfortable. We would definitely come back for future tattoos.
I have been going to side show for 4 years now! I love it and go to Jadd everytime! He always does such a great job and I feel very comfortable!
My artist, Matt, was very kind and did a great job at communicating with me throughout the process and adjusting my tattoo design to my liking. This was my first tattoo and I will 100% be back for my next one. Right now I am still waiting to take off the second skin that’s covering my tattoo since I just got it two days ago, but I love it!
Nice people, walked in, gave Jedi an idea of what I wanted and he made it happen, looks awesome! Will go back for my next one!
I had a wonderful experience at this shop. I have a 1/4 sleeve, maybe 1/2 depending on how it is counted. I count it as the only one I have. It is a memorial tattoo celebrating my late wife's and my lives together for 31 years. I miss her dearly. Bethany is my go to artist. She started this work about 5 years ago…
I went to sideshow to get my first tattoo ever after losing my dog, I wanted something to remember my 16 year old friend and I found the perfect place. Everyone was super nice, the tattoo was exactly what I wanted and was not as painful as I thought. Definitely coming back if i decide to get another tattoo. Ask for Damon.
They were incredibly nice and provided all the help I needed to maintain my first tattoo!
I had the pleasure of getting my tattoo done by Jedi at Sideshow Tattoo. He did an amazing job and was super helpful in making sure everything was exactly how I wanted. He’s extremely talented & a super personable guy. Will definitely be coming back!
Jadd was great! Very comforting personality and great at fine line work 👌🏽
My artist Jedi did a great job with my tattoo. Very professional and nice location
I had the first part of my collarbone/shoulder tattoo done here with Jadd and I LOVE IT. Jadd was attentive and patient and made sure I absolutely loved my design before starting to ink and I could not appreciate it more, I can’t wait to book in for the second piece❤️
Bethany was awesome! She was patient and did exactly what I asked for. She is very talented and will travel back to SD just so she can do more!
Beth was super nice , very professional and gave me the best art I have on me. Definitely going back. Thank you Beth..
My wife and I stopped by for a walk in appointment for tattoos. Staff was super friendly, and Matt did an awesome job putting together our designs and doing our tats. We’d go back here in a heartbeat, AWESOME shop!!!
We had a FABULOUS experience! Jadd is an amazing artist. We are so very happy with our couple tattoo and will definitely return for more!
Very professional and quick to assist and tattoo us. Walk in service 😎 Thank you
Love the tattoo and the artist did such an amazing job
Loved it!! Good people, good art, good vibes! Definitely recommend:)
Jedi took me for a walk-in tattoo and was very accommodating!! He made me feel safe and welcome and adjusted my tattoo design whenever I asked. He also was very communicative afterwards when I DMd him on Instagram with some aftercare questions. Next time I am in SD i will definitely go to him again!!!
Damon was great, love the tattoo and design he made !
Matt did a great job with my piece and was very specific. His attention to detail was phenomenal and we had great conversation throughout. Will definitely be going back!
Thinking about my 1st tattoo made me nervous to begin with for several weeks. I was recommended to Jedi by couple of my fitness sisters & my Fitness Coach TK, he had used Jedi’s services already. I am from the East Coast (NJ) & Jedi made it easy to make the appointment. And when I got there, he was friendly & showed…
Jadd was absolutely amazing! Gave my friend an I exactly what we wanted, tattoo was quick and perfect! Thank you again!
The experience was really amazing, everything was clean and good taken care of
Super easy and for my first tattoo it is something I will do again! Even at 60! Thank you, Matt!
Spur of the moment and walked in hoping to get a fine line tattoo done. Was introduced to Matt, who then took the time to look over ideas that I had and was able to draw up something on the spot. Matt was friendly and walked thru everything before starting the tattoo. Super pleased with the end result. Definitely will be back for another soon!
LOVED the way my tattoo came out! Our tattoo artist took his time designing our tats and they came out amazing!! Will definitely be coming back for another one!
Great service with reasonable prices. Bethany did great work and was very personable.
I loved my experience at sideshow! I worked with Jadd as my artist and he was absolutely incredible. He worked with me to curate the tattoo design that I wanted and was very insightful and knowledgeable. I will absolutely be going back!
Damon did a great job on my tattoo! Efficient and turned out great!
Quick service and friendly artists. We came from out of town but I’d recommend it to anyone. Shoutout to Jedi—he did a great job on my tattoo
Beth was super nice and helped us with design right away! Good vibes and great shop! Tattoo done very well and clean! Highly recommend.
Great first experience for me! It was super healthy after and I had no problems.
Jadd did a small piece on my arm and did an amazing job. His line work and shading were some of the best I have seen. Very happy with his work and overall experience at the shop. Great group of people and will be back soon for more pieces.
Jadd was super chill and did great work, my tattoo turned out perfect!
Sideshow Tattoo is a top shop in San Diego! I personally had Jadd as an artist and would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to get a tattoo in the SD area! I got a Kobe Bryant tattoo on my forearm and I could not be happier with the design, tattoo process, and overall experience!
Bethany helped me redesign my tattoo so it would last longer and helped me through my first tattoo. Highly recommend!!
Jadd took our concept and quickly turned it into a beautiful clean design and showed off his artistic skills. Would definitely go back.
Came here as a walk in, Knew what I wanted and Jedi was there to help me with that. He was very easy going and it was easy for him to understand what I wanted. Definitely coming here again.
Great place with awesome people! We did a walk in with 4 people and 4 different designs while on vacation and all the artists there were great to work with and made the experience super memorable! Jadd was super friendly and great at what he does! He took my ideas and put them together perfectly. Highly recommend…
Got a tatted by Jedi. Super chill guy and a good artist. Would recommend👍
So Beth was my artist! Super chill! She Drew up what I wanted... placement was good. Incredible artist,definitely going back for more work!....
Amazing tattoos! My artist was Damon, he was very sweet and did an amazing job!
Damon is an amazing artist he made my girls first tattoo very fun and comfortable, I’d recommend him for a good tattoo and some fun conversations
Jadd did such a great job fixing up an old faded tattoo. I’m so happy with his work! Will definitely be back for more
Jedi is awesome! He talked me through how we could modify what I was wanting to get my desired result and the line work was immaculate. It has since healed beautifully and I’m looking forward to my next tattoo.
This was my first time coming to this shop and it definitely won’t be my last. Matt created such a welcoming and amazing experience, ensuring that I was comfortable during my session and checking in with me to see how I was doing / if I was in any sort of pain. One of the best services I’ve received in a while!
Jad is an awesome tattooer. He did 2 pieces on my arm and I’m stoked on them. I will be back for more and to finish my arm with him for sure.
Shoutout to this shop in Pacific Beach! My first tattoo was done by Jadd. It was awesome and he made sure to ask me questions while he knew some ASL (American Sign Language). I loved it and it’s beautiful. The next time you decide to stop by in Pacific Beach and get a tattoo, I recommend you visit Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing.
Jadd is a fabulous tattoo artist with a very calming and gentle way. I highly recommend him and the tattoo parlor he works at. But, make an appointment. Saves you time.
Very friendly, fast would definitely would recommend going here and very knowledgeable in the tattoo business
My overall experience great place I love how each one is in their own world but manage to please us, clients at the end of the day…I personally got the luck of Jedi and ngl I was peaking his insta to see his work, honestly Jedi did an amazing job I fell w in love w the tatt before the shading honestly knows his work…
I have 27 tattoos. I came into your shop as a walk-in. Bethany was my artist. She was competent and friendly. Her artwork was awesome. I would definitely come back next time I’m in town. Great tattoo, great shop, great artist, thank you!
Jadd was my artist for 1/13/23, and he’s the best! The shop was very backed up with piercing walk-in’s for Friday the 13th, but the tattoo walk-in’s were taken almost immediately. Jadd has done a tattoo of mine before so I was so excited to see him again and get another set of awesome lines by him! He's a great…
Price
Bar = middle half of what customers paid · gold mark = category median.
Price verdictsGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Jobs customers hired them for
| Job | Reviews | Category typical |
|---|---|---|
| Ear piercing | 482 | $62–$132 |
| Tattoo design | 371 | $119–$290 |
| Nose piercing | 258 | $52–$88 |
| Piercings | 256 | $52–$96 |
| Fine line tattoos | 250 | $108–$170 |
| Tattoos | 229 | $114–$277 |
| Helix piercing | 62 | $61–$132 |
| Tattoo cover-ups & reworkings | 57 | $132–$310 |
