- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Laughing Buddha Tattoo
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- By Appointment Only:
- No
48 reviews for Laughing Buddha Tattoo
This business is a Yelp Sponsor
11/10/2007
11/1/2009
11/5/2009
Updated - 10/18/2009
11/5/2009
Updated - 10/22/2009
11/14/2009
8/23/2009
10/12/2009
Updated - 9/27/2009
11/2/2009
5/25/2009
11/5/2009
6/25/2009
8/30/2009
5/26/2009
10/23/2009
1/18/2009
12/27/2008
9/22/2008
8/23/2008
8/17/2008
9/4/2008
1/18/2009
10/23/2009
4/14/2008
4/30/2008
5/4/2009
5/13/2009
10/29/2008
1/18/2009
12/22/2007
9/25/2007
10/31/2006
11/3/2006
12/15/2007
8/15/2007
1/26/2007
4/14/2008
1/2/2008
One of the Business' Favorite Reviews What's This?
best tattoo place in Seattle.
my friends have been coming here for years upon years for touch-ups, tatts, and piercings. i've never heard a complaint or anything.
i had a few "naughty" piercings throughout my High School years. they're all gone now. kind of miss them. lol.
they have an extensive collection of artwork and samples. it's amazing. after visiting here so many times- i got into tattoo artistry, too. well, drawing them- not actually getting it done. =)
Today when I walked into Laughing Buddha to get a piercing I was really impressed with the quick customer service, professionalism and knowledge of the employees. I was excited to see that they had a huge selection of jewelry and a friendly staff to answer ALL of my questions - and believe me, I had a lot!
I wasn't sure what I wanted to get pierced, but I knew that I wanted something. The piercer took some time to consult with me and ask me what I was looking for, gave me an overview of the body jewelry and even showed me his personal portfolio.
After some thought, I made my decision to get my navel pierced. I signed the usual paperwork, and waited only a few minutes while the piercer prepared. He took me back into the piercing room and explained the process to me in detail, including when to take a deep breath in and exhale. Before I knew it, the piercing was over, the jewelry was in and it looked great.
He went over the after care with me again and made sure I understood the aftercare and what to expect over the next couple of days.
I must say I was very impressed with the whole service from beginning to end. Getting a piercing is a huge deal, especially when you consider cleanliness, professionalism and knowledge and that the Laughing Buddha met all my expectations. I look forward to planning my next piercing there soon!
JMS
Piercing- Navel
Date: 11/1/2009
Can't remember the name of the guy, skinny, tallish, black hair with studio upstairs, very unfriendly. Waited about 45 minutes for this guy to sketch up a simple five letter name. Couldn't put stencil on straight and had to keep wiping off and reapplying. Seemed annoyed that my partner and I weren't happy with a crooked tattoo. Another artist came upstairs and tried to give the guy suggestions. Still couldn't get tattoo on straight and the skin on the back of my partners neck was red and swollen due to all the rough wiping. After over an hour of back and forth he went downstairs and then came back up saying that we had to leave because he had an appointment. He said we could come back later if we wanted. I was SO shocked! I couldn't believe this lame tattoo artist was treating his paying customers like crap because he was incapable of doing a good job.
We were so angry. We tried to storm out but when we got the door downstairs leading to the lobby it was locked. He came down and was trying to explain to us that he wasn't wrong. HE WOULD NOT LET US OUT! We just wanted to leave and never come back but he had his hand on the door and wouldn't move. It was just so creepy and scary... My partner said, "Are you going to keep us hostage here?" Finally he unlocked the door and we left.
I just had to get this off my chest... This happened about nine months ago and we STILL talk about it. After it happened we called the office to speak to the owner but they were never in. Finally we just gave up and decided to let it go. I'll never forget it though, never.
I just thought this was something that people should know before going to this studio.
I am giving this place one more star because the last time I was here, something really great happened. Someone was nice to me! And she was helpful! Thank you.
I might have added more stars just from this experience, but unfortunately, another employee was rude to me. There was someone sitting behind the counter and so I began to talk to him, because I had a question. He interrupted me in the middle of my sentence and turned away from me because he didn't know how to answer it. WHAT?!?!?!?!
the end.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
3/23/2009
Sure, they know what they're talking about. Or at least they want you to think they need a PhD to… Read more »
Comment from Michelle H. of
Laughing Buddha Tattoo
10/20/2009
not all the people working at the shop know answers to…
More »
I went in for my first piercing ever, and the folks there were great. They were helpful, but they also treated me like an adult, without excessive handholding.
Price range was pretty standard, and the procedure was quick, professional and clean. I recommend them mightily.
I would like to start by making clear a few key points. First, I am a nerd with tattoos not a tattoo nerd. I assure you there is a huge difference between the two. This applies to my LTR boyfriend too. Second, I have lost track of how many hours and how many dollars I have gladly paid to Alexis Witt over the past five years. My boyfriend, who keeps track of things like this, has spent 90 hours and $10,000 on his one magnificent underwater ocean sleeve. These are two very important facts to remember. We have spent a lot of money and a lot of time at the Buddha.
The front desk service is what you make of it. The boys that work the counter, I believe, are there just to be attractive and cool. Nothing wrong with that. Yeah they goof off and may seem like they Are not receptive to helping you. Just follow this rule:Think of them like leprechauns, capture their attention and your gold. Otherwise just plan on enjoying their physical attributes and have Erin or Courtney help you out. Courtney has ALWAYS been friendly thorough and consistent. She is quick to smile and she knows her stuff. Erin is friendly and helpful and sexy as a cute ice cube in hell.
You are not at Claire's in the mall, you are not at Starbucks. These that do tattoo are not making lattes or serving you food or selling you retail merchandise. They are artists. Their canvass is you and their art will last your entire life.
If you walk in off the street, small image clutched in your palm, just wanting anybody who is available & without looking at their portfolio to exactly replicate your "well thought out" design... Your are a dolt. Artists are not creative on demand. Let them warm up. If that means they need to eat 1st? Let them. Hell, you should have eaten 1st too. If that means it takes them some time to get set up, so be it. They only charge you when that gun is full of ink and turned on.
If you dislike the counter service... if you think the artists are being rude or unprofessional... if you actually still get your tattoo from them... you are a moron. Why get a service from some place that dissatisfies you before you have even pricked your skin with a needle?
I highly recommend laughing Buddha to anyone who is wanting great art & willing to have an interesting experience with unique individuals.
Comment from Michelle H. of
Laughing Buddha Tattoo
6/15/2009
Alexis loves you too.....
More »
Forget re-writing, here's my email to them explaining it all.
"Sorry to bitch but your staff has proved incompetent and inconsiderate.
Despite the friendliness of your staff, my wife and I are really dissapointed with their lack of follow-thru on jewelry orders. This is the third time we have ordered jewelry with you, and the result is that you never contact us. The 2 previous orders apparently never showed up and we never heard from you despite checking in. Against my better judgement, I decided to give it a try again.
This time, I ordered a septum tusk. After about a week of no hear, I stopped in to check and was told someone would call me in the morning. Nobody called. So I called, not once, but maybe 6 times spread out over about a 3 week period. Courtney said 'it should be here thurs' at one point. I called thurs and was told someone would call the following monday. Nobody called. So I called and was told it wasn't in but someone would definitely call when it arrived. Nobody every called. I checked again and was told someone would definitely call. Whatever! This tells us that you really don't give a shit about your customers enough to follow through. To Courtney and the other ladies I spoke with, did it not occur to you to pay special attention to the order, especially considering not only how often I kept checking with you, but that during my calls I expressed that nobody ever calls us back and that I was calling because previous orders were totally neglected.
Now, to top this all off, I have checked into the company you order from, and low and behold, I can have my fucking jewelry in my hands in less than 4 days. Thanks a million for wasting our time. We won't be coming back, and we tell everybody not to go there. Totally inconsiderate!"
I have not had a tat done here, my friend how ever was able to have something done that usually is frowned upon in the tat society.
I did have my own not so good experience here.
I went in with my fiancée, 400 bucks in our pocket, sign says walk in welcome. We stood there 20 mins trying and trying to get someone to talk to us, what we got was "Why don't you go look at those books over there of our tats."
Um.... no what I said was I know what I want, who is available and how long of a wait. So as my experience was bad, my friends was good hence the stars, I can say I might return there, The one experience did not really turn me off the place. It is rather clean in there.
First off, let me say that I love Alexis. She is an amazing tattoo artist, and as biased as it may seem, she is quite proficient in the style of tat that I like, making her an ideal choice for me.
The artists are in general quite friendly and upon recognition, will say hi. Alexis always has music going during our appointment but it's not so loud that it hinders our conversations - and she is a *great* conversationalist. Any lady who will indulge my obsesion with random topics of conversations from little peckers to great thai, and be able to keep me engaged, I'm a-okay with.
Plus - I continue to get compliments on her work to this day - which she helped me stylize until I felt like it was truly 'perfect'.
My only complaint is the front desk help. More often than not, you will stand waiting to be acknowledged, and then it just feels as if they're dismissive in that 'too cool for school' way. I know I may look like a square, but money is money - and I have had a few folks I know go in and feel dismissed to the point where they walked around the corner to a rival shop simply because they felt as if their presence went unnoticed and unacknowledged.
I keep recommending them anyways - every time someone asks me about my work or when folks ask where they should go for a tat....
All in all, four stars - five if they would work out their front desk kinks.
Normally you'd expect a business might only attempt to contact you in effort to keep you as a customer, or at the very least sincerely apologize for the poor experience. Instead I received an abrasive, antagonistic e-mail yesterday in regard to my review from (presumably) Laughing Buddha's very own John Durante.
While it contained no traces of an apology, nor did it seek to imply that we possibly had reached a misunderstanding, it did pretty much perfectly validate the original complaint.
The e-mail closes with:
"I am proud of that and my clients WORLDWIDE seem to be as well.. Sorry I dont wield a scalpel upon everyone who crys about why I wont... Look elsewhere..."
LB has already permanently lost my business and earned a poor review in the process. Why they think they must make a worse impression is beyond me. If they don't want bad reviews, they shouldn't go so far out of their way to earn them.
My advice - there are plenty of other tatt/piercing shoppes around, avoid this place if you don't want a permanent memento of a bad experience.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/24/2009
Sloppy work, rude, flippantly unprofessional.
I've been here a few times, however this is only the… Read more »
Comment from Michelle H. of
Laughing Buddha Tattoo
9/26/2009
this story is an edited version as to what really happened.…
More »
I went in late, an hour short of closing, so there really wasn't any wait at all. I guess a lot of people have had a different experience but mine was really very good. Rubin, the piercer, was hesitant at first (I was re-piercing a spot I'd had for four years and only taken out a few months ago, quite a bit of scar tissue) but took a look and went ahead. It definitely took a little more force this time but he was quick, knowledgeable and definitely a pleasant dude to do the job. All in all: clean, fast (at least later in the evening) and a knowledgeable piercer. Sweet!
All of my friends how gone to Laughing Buddha to get their piercings and tattoos, so I figured I would too! I just got a VCH piercing yesterday and Kyle was so nice and very professional. I am going to go back for my nipples and navel.
As far as them being rude... I would have to disagree. I have emailed them with questions and they were quick to respond and I was greeted right when I walked in the door. If you are looking for someone to baby you... this would not be the place to go. They are a business.. not a sitter. They helped be learn the information I needed to know... and were nice about it. They had other customers in the store so they tried to give everyone equal amounts of attention.
I cant wait to go back! If youre in the area... go to Laughing Buddha
I'm new to the area and when I needed a place to get my nose pierced everyone said these guys. The place was super clean as well as the nicest people. They explained everything and made the process the best. Thanks Laughing Budda!
I got my ears gauged here and it went well. The staff behind the counter were knowledgeable/helpful and the actual piercer was very professional. The whole experience felt sanitary so I felt safe the whole time. Also, one thing I liked was that he knew that I was nervous and tried to distract me. It worked and I hardly felt any pain.
I didn't give it five stars only because of the above-average price tag.
I had the best time at Laughing Buddha. I saw some work on a guy and liked it so I asked where he got his particularly interesting tats done and he said at Laughing Buddha by John. OK, I've been wanting to get a few tats for a while but this one was especially needing to be done. I didn't have a picture of it, just photographs of around what I wanted. I made an appointment, came in, looked at the books, didn't find something close to what I wanted but hey he's an artist and I don't want to copy someone else's anyway. He was able to draw up something for me. I cam back the next day to give him time, don't want to rush a beautiful thing. Also my friend didn't want to wait the 2 hours to do. PS she had her first tat done here a couple of years ago and really likes it.
When I came back the next day, he had found some more pictures and a drawing I liked and was able to arrange it on my body to look just right. The colors are bright and it is nice work. Very easy to work with, took his time to do it right and a great listener to what I wanted which very important since it's on your body and is going to stay there. The price was just right too. I'll be back for sure without a doubt!
I just went into Laughing Buddha to get my first ever piercing. I got my nipples done by Kyle and Zach. They were so nice, and made me feel so comfortable. I was nervous to be shirtless in front of some strange dudes, but they really made me feel comfortable. They didn't pressure me, and let me take my time.
I got lucky because Zach had just come into town and I wanted them done at the same time, so if Zach wasn't there I would have had to get them done separately. When I was done, they gave me good instructions: Don't touch them, don't trust your friend's info, and don't put sh*t in it. And then do a sea salt soak once to twice a day. Plus they gave me the sea salt for free. Pretty awesome.
Anyway, I love this place, and I will definitely come back for all my piercings.
I was in Seattle for the weekend with some coworkers and decided that I needed some new jewelry for my nose piercings (an ex boyfriend had pierced me a year ago, with super cheap jewelry with the intention of switching it out to hoops once healed, problem was that the crappy jewelry was making that impossible). I don't remember the piercer's name, even though he did introduce himself (I'm terrible) but as soon as he took a look as it he was horrified that anyone would do this to another human being. He gave me his professional opinion and i opted out of hoops until the piercings fully heal, but he did show me some great jewelry, made from top of the line metal, and showed me how it worked, how to put it in, and take it out. He was super cool, helpful, and funny. And it turns out he is friends with a piercer I've been to out here in Berkeley! My nose looks amazing now, not only is the jewelry nicer and way more sparkly, but my nose itself looks so much better! Thanks dude! Next time I'm in Seattle I will definitely come by for a new piercing!
Comment from Michelle H. of
Laughing Buddha Tattoo
10/29/2009
hello, glad you had a positive expereince at Laughing…
More »
Staffed by very rude "know it alls" who actually know nothing! Can't even operate the register or count. Guess they had a late night last night.
AVOID. IT DOESN'T GET WORSE.
This review is for George
he did my Partners first tattoo came out very good I am totally pleased with it and so is he, so after George got done I talked to him about getting my first Tattoo I ever got recolored its about 20 yrs old so kinda faded
he gave it a look and he said i can fix that up so we set a date for me to come back in, I am so happy I came to George when I came in he was like do you just want it colored or do you want me to fix that up some also, the guy who originally did the work did poor work, I was young and didn't know crap from a artist then, anyways so its a tiger head so I said sure your the artist do your magic.
so he pulls out a couple books and looks at some pictures of tigers then he gets to working on me, oh yeah it came out flawless it looks better than the original did you can't even tell were the origin started and George left off
I am so Pleased with this work
thank you again George
Based on reading some of the previous reviews, it seems pretty clear that there have been some employees that have left this place and have launched some sort of slander campaign to gain customers. I must say that my experience was fantastic in comparison.
I made an Appt with Laughing Buddha based on a personal recommendation and also based on George Long's portfolio. This was my first Tattoo and I searched and searched for a shop that wasn't just plastered with books of "point and ink me" tats. I wanted something intricate and custom; something that would require the artist to have a complete understanding and vision on the anatomy of a rare species of fish. George took my pictures and asked a multitude of questions to ensure my vision was accomplished.
He did his research and took his time to come up with something beyond imagination. Not only was George gentle and accommodating, but the entire process was done in a private room. The outcome was better than I could have ever hoped for. I will be back, and I will recommend it with gusto. There's a reason it took a month to get in with George; he is that good.
Ok, so to be fair this review is based on an experience at the Ave location, which is no longer, but it still reflects on the store as a whole.
It started off with a literal slap on the hand while browsing jewelry in the case while playing with an earring in my ear. Sanitation I get it, I'm sorry. But seriously woman if you slap me again I'm going to poke this handi-wipe you just shoved at me into your eye ball. ok?
Anyway so I go into my tattoo appointment, first one, it hurt, liked it, bought the goo he recommended, went home.
The next day after all the blood is gone and I can finally see the thing, My pretty black flower has a not so pretty black aura around it that looks suspiciously similar to an ink smear. Being new and clueless to tattoos I go back into the shop to find my tattoo guy sitting in the waiting area with the other artists and a few friends sharing some tasty lunch. No one looks up. ok. So I lift up my shirt (to reveal the tattoo on my stomach, not just for kicks) and ask if this black cloud is normal?
From all six of them I get the- errrrr, I'm going to pull my cheeks back and only reveal my bottom teeth while slowly inhaling- try it, yeah, that look.
"No, that's not normal" then returns to food and looks embarrassed.
...ok...and.....
"The ink must have bled. If you REALLY want I can ink around it in skin color, like white or something"
First of all: DUH it bled, but for some reason I expected you to use the big-kid-ink that wouldn't bleed, and isn't that what a needle is for? To stab the ink far enough into my skin so it stays, forever?
And second: WHAT? Is there a "skin color" ink you would recommend, Peach perhaps? Yeah, you're probably right, white is the best option. Good call.
Point being, don't do it. There are so many great tattoo places in Seattle, it sucks to make an appointment and wait, but there's probably good reason this place has such an open availablity. So as I sit hear four years later with my smeary tattoo, which I did not allow him to come at me with a needle full of white ink, I say TAKE THAT Laughing Buddah. I'm glad you're closed.
So, I've come in a couple of times. Mostly because I go to school in the area, and its convenient. The first time was to replace a ball bearing that had fallen off. The shop was closing in 30 minutes: I understand letting people know that you are going to close soon, but the man behind the counter barked, "we cant help you, we're about to close". I told him was i needed, and asked how much it would be... 15 bucks for a ball for the back of my stud. 15 DOLLARS!!! Seriously, I know internally threaded stuff is of higher quality, but a ball for the back end of my earring is not worth 15 bucks. I got it, because i needed it, and waited for the piercer to put it in. She/he (couldnt tell if they were female or male) was okay and seemed a little miffed that i wasnt willing or able to put it in myself; but other than that they checked the tightness on both my industrial piercings for me too.
The second time, I came in looking to gauge my ears from a 16 to a 12. The piercer didn't stop typing on her laptop, and let the desk guy (same one who yelled at me the first time) to deal with me. He didn't explain what kind of selection they had, just pulled it out and told me to decide; no explanation to the differences in materials, prices, or even how they were kept in the ear. Then he barked at me for leaning in to look at them, saying that my breath had germs. I left, and got my ears stretched elsewhere for cheaper.
i called them a couple of times get a price quote on my first industrial; they wanted 115 for piercing fee and basic jewelery, which i comparison to the 75 to 85 dollar estimates I got from the four other shops I called,lead me to not want to go there. I dont want people who are be poking holes in me with needles to have that kind of attitude.
This place gets 4 stars because of
1) The huge jewelry selection
2) The piercer who stretched my lobes was totally cool
3) Aaron ROCKS who did my tattoos.
I can't give this place 5 stars because
1) The service could be a bit better. There have been plenty of times when I have walked in and standed at the counter while being completely ignored while the employees chit chat. I realize though that this is common in tattoo/piercing shops.
2) When I first went in to get my tattoo with one of the girls there I thought she was completely rude and unproffessional. Thank god Aaron was there!! Or I would of never walked back into that place.
When you actually do get service here the people are fairly friendly and cool. Its just a matter of breaking through to them that you are actually cool enough to get service.
Oh wow, I guess I visited Laughing Buddha about nine years ago now - so bear in mind, people and service may have changed!
At the time I was hanging out with two wonderful girlfriends, and we decided to hit Capitol Hill. We walked by Laughing Buddha, and I got the sudden urge to be spontaneous and run in for my first piercing. I told my friends to wait for me, and went inside. The studio was bright, with a great selection of jewelry in a good range of sizes. I remember enjoying all of the different colored nostril studs.
Someone was getting a tattoo of a giant butterfly on her back in the main area. It was really gorgeous.
I was seen quickly for my impromptu piercing appointment, even though there was a small crowd, and led to the back where a woman had me sit down while she prepared everything. The piercing itself was also quick and painless. My eye teared *just as she said it would*, and I ran back outside to show my friends who couldn't believe that's what I'd been up to.
Good memories, wonderful atmosphere, I hope this place is still the same!
just recently i went in for the third time to get a piercing done. previously i had my nose pierced on two occasions, about a year or so ago. i had a great experience each time i had gone there, so when i decided i wanted to get 2 microdermal/anchor piercings on my face, that was the place i wanted to go. to me, it's a fairly invasive piercing, so i wanted to make sure that i went somewhere i felt knew what they were doing. the girl at the front desk was kick ass and talked to me a lot about the procedure since she had the same piercing i was going to get. rueben was my piercer, and he made me feel very welcomed! he explained to me the down sides of the piercing i was getting, and what could possibly go wrong down the road with it rejecting and what not. he said to me that he wanted to be upfront about everything before he pierced me, which i thought was great. rueben picked out the perfect spots to place my piercings. he was very sanitary too. the piercing procedure went extremely smooth and nearly painless. i am so incredibly pleased with the results! my piercing turned out even better than i had expected. i would definitely recommend rueben at laughing buddha for any piercings...and i will definitely be going back to him for any more of mine!
My biggest beef with this place is that a couple of the guys are f#$@ing morons. I inadvertently touched my nose stud while I was describing what I came for, and I thought they were going to jump out of their skivvies, they jumped/yelled at me so suddenly.
Something about spreading germs from my nose to their counter and then people with new piercings getting an infection...
First and foremost, I'm a nurse, so I don't need someone lecturing ME on asepsis. I've never once seen them disinfect the counter in between customers, wash their hands after handling money or wipe down the doorknob or stairway banister. THAT is where the MRSA will come from my friends, not my uninfected nose that's been pierced for almost 10 years. When I told them as much, they told me I should know better than that, being a nurse. I swear to all things that are holy, I almost bludgeoned them with my little girly red cell phone. If there is one thing I can't handle, it's cocky little misinformed idiots spreading their stupid like a nasty ass bacterial infection.
I'm fine with adhering to their no touchy-touchy policy because I'm aware of the potential for a germ source, but I'm not fine with them "educating" me (or anyone else) with their ridiculous logic, and implying that their shop is germ free and I'm the one contaminating it by touching my nose stud. Please. Swab and culture your doorknob, see how Shasta McNasty it is, clean it constantly, and then we'll talk about preventing infections.
Oh, and if someone touches their new piercing without washing their hands first, they deserve an infection because they're too dumb to be putting extra holes in their bodies.
Mr. Invisible Hour kicks serious ass!
Go and see him and he will kick yours too!
Just make sure you bring him pictures of kitty cats and then he will soften the blows.
The first time I had been to Laughing Buddha was with a friend to get his eyebrow pierced. John D. the piercer was extremely rude and didn't let my friend say a single word. I went back a couple years later to get my septum pierced and got John D. myself. He was very rude to me as well and didn't put in jewelry that could accommodate any swelling and my septum swelled and the jewelry squeezed my skin leaving me with a pretty gross looking infection. The only reason I give this place 2 stars is because the counter staff is friendly and I've heard good things about the tattoo artists. As far as piercings I would not suggest Laughing Buddha.
I have had nothing but good experiences at Laughing Buddha. In fact, my experience today was not just great, but stellar! Both John D. and Chris were nice, and professional. They helped me pick a nose ring that I could wear during a CT scan, and they were so knowledgeable, without being "holier than thou." I read someone on here complaining that "if you don't have a bunch of tattoos and piercings they're rude" or something, and that simply isn't true. I have one nose ring, and a few discreet and small tattoos, and yet, the employees treated me with respect. I feel like maybe some people are projecting their own fears/preconceived notions into their visits to LB.
I always feel like Laughing Buddha's employees really know what they are doing.
When Kyle pierced my nose he was so great about explaining everything step by step as he was doing it. Everything was done in a sterile and safe manner, and I had no problems whatsoever. The same can be said for John C. who did a couple of my tattoos. Any time I have needed my nose ring adjusted or changed, they have done so, with a smile on their face. The folks at LB know their shiz.
I cannot say the same for other tattoo parlors in Seattle. I honestly cannot even say the same for Slave to the Needle.
I only have one small complaint about Laughing Buddha;
I wish that tattoo artists would give written aftercare instructions. I know each artist has slightly different as to how aftercare should go, but I am a visual person, and reading instructions always stick better than hearing them.
That being said, I look forward to returning to Laughing Buddha for future tattoos. I honestly feel they are the best shop in Seattle.
Comment from Michelle H. of
Laughing Buddha Tattoo
5/17/2009
thanks for your positive message. if you want a free t-shirt…
More »
I have gotten my tongue pierced here as well as my first tattoo, and I have mixed feelings about the place. LB seems to have a good word-of-mouth reputation, and that's why I went there.I love my tattoo that I got done there, but it was simply a design that I brought in that he copied and resized, no original artwork was done. I don't think i'll get another tattoo done there basically because I didn't feel the atmosphere was very professional, some of the guys that work there seem to be a lil too into themselves, and I like people to make me feel comfortable when I'm paying them to cause me pain. Also, my tat was done in an upstairs loft and I sat in an uncomfortable wooden chair for the entire thing. Didn't seem very sanitary, thank god my tongue piercing wasn't done in the same area.
I'm sure they know their stuff, but the staff are not doing the art of piercing any favors with their holier than thou attitude. Every time I walk in there I feel like I'm in the principal's office, where they know what's right and best, and I'm just a lowly customer. Nobody volunteers to show me their products, my friends and I get lectured, and the three other people who are sitting around doing nothing get involved only to tell me what they can't do for me. Frankly, I'd rather go somewhere full of nice people who want to educate and inspire rather than show off their knowledge.
Nina just gave me my first tattoo. From her I got a fantastic tattoo, minimal pain, absolutely ZERO attitude, and the sense that she has found her bliss.
Right on, Nina, right on.
It's always nice to meet someone and have their finger up your nose 5 minutes later. Well, not always, but when you'd like to have a little bling-bling on your face, it is.
I'd wanted to get my nose pierced for a year and finally bit the bullet, and I decided (after hearing good things) to head over to Laughing Buddha. They were super nice and helpful, there was no wait, and my piercer (I can't remember who, it was way too long ago) was very soothing. I'm terrified of needles and he and his breathing exercises made me quite calm.
I went back twice after getting pierced, and each time they were helpful, honest, and willing to give me what I wanted even if they didn't think it was the best for me (for example, tightening my jewelry). I took their advice and had no problems with my piercing, and I know I'll be back there for any future holes I need in my body.
I had always wanted to get some ink done here, and it didn't dissapoint when I visited a few months back.
My choice? A nice multi-colored rose tattoo on the left side of my neck, in memory of my child. The artist? Cain. Who is simply amazing. He didn't hesitate to let me know that a neck tattoo is a lot more obvious than other areas of the body. Then, seeing that I have my knuckles done already, he realized that I wasn't someone who really cared about "visibility" or "hiding" my tattoos. I gave him time to draw up my idea, and when I got back together with him to view the piece, it was perfect.
I got tattooed to The Beatles and Ben Harper. He was methodical, yet quite un-painful. As far as the healing process, I was worried that the neck might be difficult to heal, with all the movement that it goest through. I've never had a tattoo heal better than his. Absolutely bare-minimal scabbing, and most of the tattoo just flaked off. The color pops incredibly, the detail is consistent, and he was genuinely excited to do it, as well as to see it months later. I'm going to have him finish up my neck in the next few months, and I'm sure he will do another fine job.
The next piece? A pair of haircutting shears with ninja blades, cutting into my hairline. Stay tuned....
I think it's a little strange reviewing a tattoo/piercing shop when your experience almost always depends on the artist you work with, who more than likely won't spend their entire career at that shop. Case in point, I had an excellent piercing experience with Robert when he was at Laughing Buddha but he's moved over to Apocalypse now... were I to get pierced again I'd probably have him do it as opposed to choosing somebody else at Laughing Buddha.
That said, I have returned there to have jewelry replaced, and watch friends get tattood, and always had a good experience. They are clean, safe and professional. I've seen Dag tattoo, he's patient and skilled. I wouldn't talk a friend out of going there if they found an aritst they liked.
One star because there's no zero. I don't accept businesses with attitudes to paying customers.
Place seems fine, but when I went in for some jewelery I got treated like I was a dumb-fuck. They hadn't heard of my type of jewelry, which was nothing out of the ordinary, so I assume at least the piercing staff lives in their own bubble and isn't into learning much new.
Also, I got attitude as if I didn't know anything & that I was in there as a novelty or something. If I ever need to go in there again, I'll be sure to wear clothing that shows off all my past work so they'll think I'm cool. What a joke!
Oh, and $120 is a bit ridiculous for what I saw in their books. I'm not cheap... I'm used to paying around $150-$300/hr for actual artists, but if I want apprentice quality work, I'll pay apprentice prices. The girls on their site's portfolio seem to have potential... if they escape now.
I went to Laughing Buddha to get my ears pierced. Just plain earlobe piercing, nothing special. I've had my ears pierced twice before but I've had to let both of them close up because they got infected before (from different piercing places) so I wanted to go somewhere that knew what they were doing and could handle the scar tissue. Given I felt a little silly getting my ears pierced at 23, but whatever.
John did my piercing in the end. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Nobody made me feel out of place for getting such a simple thing. The piercing was pretty much painless, just a tiny pinch. My ears have healed great and I don't really have any problems with them this time around. Right after the piercing my ears weren't even that red or sore. The only time anything really hurt was when I'd catch my earring on a shirt or in my hair or something.
I would highly recommend this place for any piercing you want done. They are clean, willing to work with you, and incredibly professional about what they do.
First I give myself props for not squirming around the table while the guy tried to pierce my ear. I'm a wuss and it usually takes a long time for anyone to get close to me with a needle.
The stars aren't so much for Laughing Buddha. I mean they're clean, professional and know what they're talking about and all. But my stars are for Jason who pierced my ear without making me cry. He did a good job making it easy and quick for me. Breath in, breath out, then next thing I know, all done! I guess he was new from out of town. His coworkers were talking behind his back after he left with another client, saying they like him better than the old guy, that to me says a lot. He shared a story about his wife's hair getting caught on to one of his...piercings...and got up in the middle of the night...ouch!
My original plan was just to have my earring that was stucked in a butterfly clasp for the past 2 years taken out. LB was going to do it for me, without charging. So I do have to thank them for that. The guys were nice. But when it comes down to it, like Brian S. said, it depends on who you're working with.
This is the place I got my tongue pierced back in 2005. I got excellent service here from a blonde haired woman. (can't remember her name because of how far back it is). Unfortunately she got fired shortly after, and the management claimed it was her 'attitude'. (They lose 1 star for this, because she ALWAYS had a positive attitude anytime I saw her.)
Very clean. The prices were affordable. They usually have a coupon in the local freebie paper. Had no problems with my piercings whatsoever from this place.
Would definitely go back if I still lived in Seattle.
Good shop with a huge selection. Some really good piercers but have never had work done myself only taken my GF to get her ears pierced. John B walked her through it like the pro he is and made her very comfortable and quickly.
I enjoy browsing the jewelry for my own ears and have found some of my fav earrings there. The prices are nothing to shy away from and the bargain bin/sale case can contain some treasures if you look long enough. I just picked up another pair of 7/16 bone plugs for only $15!! Even at $40 for most jewelry that size I can afford to grow my collection and still have money left in my pocket.
Staff is always friendly and has been helpful when I had questions about stepping up to my current size. Saved me some time and trouble and I like that! I don't see a reason to not shop there.
Tip: check the Stranger for 20% off coupons for jewelry!
