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Passage Tattoo
Categories: Beauty and Spas Tattoo Beauty and Spas Piercing Tattoo, Piercing [Edit]
473 Church St2nd Floor
Toronto, ON M4Y 2C5
Neighbourhoods: Church-Wellesley Village, Downtown Core
(416) 929-7330
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 12 pm - 7 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Street
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
9 reviews for Passage Tattoo
9 reviews in English
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Review from Monica F.
Toronto, ON
1/23/2010
i can't believe i've yet to review passage! shame on me! i sing jay's praises all the time, so i can't believe i haven't yelped about it.
jay is f-ing fantastic! he did my first tattoo 10 years ago and i've been to him almost exclusively since (the only time i strayed, it was to see another artist at passage). he is gentle, he plays great music and he whistles while he works (my favourite part of being tattooed - is that weird?). custom pieces are jay's forte, so don't expect to walk in and have some flash tattooed on you the same day. jay is very much in demand and there is definitely a wait for an appointment. he is definitely worth the wait, though! having said that, if you don't want to wait for jay, give one of the other artists at passage a try! if they're working at passage, they're definitely talented!
as for the shop, passage is super clean and uber sterile and the people kick ass - which is exactly what you want in a tattoo shop! -
Review from Kate H.
York, ON
8/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I solicited advice from many friends before booking my consult at Passage; I got several really enthusiastic recommendations for Tyson Ward. I booked my consult and found everyone I dealt with there as sweet as pie. It is honestly like dealing with a retailer or restaurant whose owner has gathered all the staff together and said, "Okay, so, here is the deal. We are going to be known as the nicest god-damn people in the business. That is our number-one mandate."
From the desk staff, to the artists, to Tyson himself - it's completely judgement free. They haven't decided that tattoos are for a "certain type of person," I think they feel tattoos are for everyone, and that everyone deserves to be taken seriously and treated courteously and with respect. They seem to be genuinely pleased people want to put their work on their bodies forever and ever, and act happy to see you and completely grateful. I love that.
They are booked 2-3 weeks out, so think ahead, but it's worth the wait. My actual appointment was great, we tried 2-3 sizes before pushing ahead, and Tyson threw up the right amount of resistance when I started taking the alignment of something in the wrong direction - correct to my eyes from my perspective, crooked to the rest of the world. It was the right call.
He chatted to me through the session which was reassuring, and the result was totally perfect. He seems to subscribe to the LITHA healing method, which worked beautifully for me. But I agree at first it seems like you're not getting much aftercare instruction. A typed single-page sheet on this might be a good idea.
Cost of tattoo came in under the original estimate, which was a nice surprise. -
Review from Dani L.
Toronto, ON
1/6/2011
I'm late to the game in reviewing Passage - I had some work done on my foot at the shop about a year ago. I was tattooed by the infamous Handsome Mike. Yes, he is quite the dreamboat.
The Good Stuff:
Passage is very clean. They explain the equipment sanitation process really clearly. Mike listened to what I wanted and made suggestions on how to improve the image I brought as an example. He has a steady hand and a light touch, which made my extremely painful foot tattooing experience just a bit better.
The Not Great Stuff:
The music selection in the shop for the day was this terrible death metal cranked to 11. I think it amplified the pain of getting tattooed! I was also told to do a 'dry heal' (I've never done this with any of my other tats) and didn't get a ton of detail about aftercare - make sure you ask about this!
On the whole, Passage an awesome spot to get your tattoo. The artists are the best in the city and it's a super friendly atmosphere. Quit stalling, go get tattooed! -
Review from Michelle V.
Toronto, ON
4/7/2009
This is the review from a tattoo n00b! I shall refrain from such terms as "ink" or "tatts". This is something I've learned.
So, I'm someone who was thinking of getting a tattoo for perhaps two years - one and a half on deciding what to get and six months building up the courage to book an appointment. Knowing NOTHING about anything remotely related to tattoos, Passage Tattoo and Body Piercing came recommended from a friend (http://yelp.ca user Andre G.) who has had his fair share of tattoos. He even recommended the artist Liz whose detailed work leans more on the cute side which was perfect for my final tattoo decision (yes, I went with a cupcake and crossbones which also shows their range of artwork there).
Confession session: I was nervous just talking to a tattoo artist. I don't know why, it's just how I inadvertently roll. But when I booked a consultation with Liz, she was so helpful, friendly and just a delight that it put me at complete ease with the whole process.
Here's another misnomer squelched: tattoo parlors are not alway the dingey dives you see on sitcoms. This place was ridiculously clean like a doctor's office but displayed on the walls were awesome tattoo designs and artwork. When I finally went for my tattoo, I observed the process of preparing the ink and needles and it was so thorough and clean.
So for all those people looking for their first tattoo be it butterfly tramp-stamp or cupcake and crossbones, this was a wonderful experience made possible by a wonderful place and its wonderful people.
And here's an added bonus from this tattoo n00b to others:
It feels exactly how you think it will feels: like a needle being dragged across your skin. It actually feels more annoying than painful and shortly after, you will feel like getting another one. If you do, you know where to go!Listed in: If You Took Me To These…, Surprise Finds
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Review from Nicole B.
Toronto, ON
10/6/2009
I recently had a tattoo done at Passage. Before Passage, I was considered a loyal New Tribe customer. However, I realized the only thing keeping me there was my fav tattoo artist, Glennie, and when she left, I moved with her. Still, it didn't mean I would get tattooed anywhere simply due to the amazing ability of an artist. So I was a little wary when first stepping into Passage Tattoo.
What struck me first about Passage Tattoo is how amazingly clean it is. The reception area is very nice and neat and the people at reception are friendly and approachable. That put me at ease right away. The price of my tattoo was significanly lower than what I was quoted at New Tribe (and it was an original design). I loved that the receptionist called to remind me of my appointment & that I could call and ask any inane question I wished (which I did). She was pretty patient.
All in all, I was extremely happy with my tattoo and my experience at Passage. I will definitely go back again. -
Review from James F.
Toronto, ON
9/5/2010
I'd like to add myself as one who had the best possible tattoo experience at Passage. Everyone was welcoming, straightforward and REAL. You can't help but relax when everyone you meet there is as clear, bright and genuine as a summer day. Tyson was my artist, and I am sure a fan now. I brought in a black and white image of an optical illusion in the sky with some clouds : after a brief consultation and some really good advice, Tyson created a technicolour 3D version on my arm. The colours are bold and the lines are straight and sure, and they really push the illusion forward. I am definitely searching my psyche for other symbols of personal meaning for future visits to Passage and Tyson.
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Review from Diana K.
Toronto, ON
1/4/2010
This place is amazing, but I can really only vouch for Chris. And vouch I will. For my first tattoo, I decided to get a large chest/shoulder/back piece. I had a short list of places to check out and started at Passage. Flipped through everyone's portfolio and decided to do a consult with Chris. He put into ink what I could only express in words. Amazing colour and lines. I still get compliments everywhere. To top it off, he's a really great guy. The kind of person who makes you wish everyone else you knew would be even half as awesome. If you're thinking of getting a tattoo, go to Passage and talk to Chris. This man can do no wrong.
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Review from Andre G.
Toronto, ON
3/31/2009
Passage is one of the best shops in the city. Jay who owns the place is amazing and runs a tight ship full of great artists. Spotless, professional, very welcoming and comfortable - everything you need in a quality shop. Call ahead and book a consultation first. If you are looking for large, complex, well thought out and cleverly designed pieces - Passage is your place.
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Review from Jacqueline W.
8/7/2009
I took the trek to Toronto in August of 2009 for the Annual American Psychological Association Conference and had absolutely the best and most satisfying experience in getting tattooed! This was my sixth tattoo and most memorable-simply because of the artist, the ambiance, and the entire staff! I literally chose to get another tattoo on a whim, but unconsciously it is an absolutely "yes" whenever I travel outside of the states. Passage Tattoo on Church Street was the third tattoo place I called and right off the bat, the lady who answered the phone was unbelievably sweet and nice. She took a reservation over the phone for my friend and I, was extremely flexible and just plain awesome! The moment we entered Passage Tattoo, all of the artists were in the common lounge area and greeted us with smiles and tons of sweetness. After we greeted our respective artists-Mine was Mike!-they went to draw out our ideas. When Mike appeared and presented to me his creation, I could have cried-it was that ridiculously amazing. The boy can create, that's for sure! It was simple breathtaking, and I am an extremely picky and carry high expectations with my tattoos.
Throughout the process, Mike was constantly attentive and adorable. He was incredibly professional and so very gentle. With every one of my tattoos I have never felt so welcome, comfortable, and taken care of completely. In addition, he was always asking how I was doing and also praising me for "hanging in there."
Lastly, FYI-he is beautiful. In every way. I can't wait to return.
