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Redemption Tattoo

5 star rating
based on 22 reviews

Category: Tattoo  [Edit]

Neighborhoods: Porter Square, North Cambridge
2094 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 576-0097
  • Hours:
    Mon-Sat 12:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
    Sun 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
  • Parking: Street
  • Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
  • By Appointment Only: No

22 Reviews for Redemption Tattoo

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Photo of Stacey H.

 

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12

Stacey H.

Somerville, MA

5 star rating
04/04/2008

As a resident of Porter square, Redemption is my friendly neighborhood tattoo parlor. They specialize in custom designs, which is why I wandered in there last summer and spoke with one of the guys about my design. They're really helpful and flexible in creating exactly what you want.  When it came time for my appointment it was a breeze - I got it done on upper back which was quick and relatively painless. They even let me lay down on a table instead of sitting in the chair per my request. Nice dudes! I highly recommend them!

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16

Ken P.

Arlington, MA

5 star rating
03/18/2008

Redemption is the best studio in the area. I've shopped around for quite a bit, and these guys have the best work if you're looking for American classic or Japanese traditional. I went there originally to see Grez who did some fantastic work. Eventually, he moved to Long Island to open a studio (http://kingsavenuetatt...), so I started getting work done by Erick, another one of the founders.

Erick has done several pieces for me and I love his style. His line work is straight, color and shading top-notch and he's a very quick artist. I have yet to even go back for a touch-up. At this point, I trust him enough to just give an idea over the phone, come in and get it done. I have yet to be disappointed after several big pieces (including a Japanese traditional sleeve that goes from my wrist and covers half my chest).

I highly, highly recommend Redemption and Erick in particular. You won't be disappointed.

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Photo of Delilah W.

Elite '08

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38

Delilah W.

Somerville, MA

5 star rating
02/12/2008

I received a custom tattoo from Josh at Redemption last week and he did a great job.  The piece was outside the realm of the usual styles in his portfolio and he took the time to accommodate the feel of the piece to how I'd described it.  He was patient with reworking the image a couple times to get it just-right and he was personable and really quite a nice fellow to work with. I highly recommend the shop itself for its professional atmosphere and staff.

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Alison M.

Somerville, MA

5 star rating
02/20/2008

Just had a beautiful piece started by Josh, it's perfect. I will most definitely be going back to get all my ink done by him.I would highly recommend him. Also judging by the work I've seen by all of the guys there it seems you can't go wrong no matter who you choose. GO TO REDEMPTION TATTOO. I promise you will not regret it.

edited to add: work continues...lovin my tattoo more and more each time!

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Photo of Alia H.

 

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Alia H.

Somerville, MA

5 star rating
01/29/2008

I had an appointment with Josh on Thursday night. He was gentle, nice -- and we even had a 20 second laugh break. I got a simple medium sized tattoo on my upper back -- he was VERY comfortable to be with, I just wish I could have talked more...but I definitely spaced out during the tattooing process.

His work came out AWESOME. I had a lot of LONG STRAIGHT LINES in the design I wanted -- and they all came out perfectly straight. I might go bake him some cookies or write him a card.

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Photo of Anna F.

 

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Anna F.

Framingham, MA

2 star rating
04/12/2008

I am not a fan of this parlor. The first time we went, we were laughed at because we wanted to make an appointment for 3 months away. The second time we went(we wanted to give them another shot), we were told it was impossible to create a galaxy themed tattoo.

We went to Fat Ram's instead on both occasions, and we will not be going anywhere else from now on.

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45

Karen K.

Brighton, MA

5 star rating
01/15/2008

I had an 18-month-in-advance appointment scheduled with someone else, but when I saw the work Josh did on a friend of mine, I immediately switched allegiances.

I went in specifically to have a 4-year-old tattoo fixed - it was a good concept, but the original was poorly executed, didn't heal well, and had turned into a mud puddle.  Josh let me email him a number of photos, came up with some really cool ideas, and even worked in a color I really wanted but was difficult to execute.  He had a gentle touch, but worked quickly, and I was out of there in an hour.  It's finally the tattoo I always wanted it to be.  

Hooray!  Thank you, Josh!

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sarah c c.

Saratoga, CA

4 star rating
01/31/2008

I have not gotten a tattoo at Redemption, but I walked in and spoke with them. They were nice, friendly, and professional. The place looked clean, albeit small, and the "lobby" area had nice couches.

They do walk-ins (esp. for smaller tattoos) and also do appointments. The work they do here is amazing!! Def. check them out. My only gripe is that the price they quoted was fairly steep for a small, black design...

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Dorothy H.

Somerville, MA

5 star rating
11/15/2007

Go see Josh! My tattoo is perfect, inhumanly perfect. Hard to believe anyone's hands are this steady. The guy at the front desk (whose name I wish I remembered) was super friendly and helpful. He listened to my rant about another business, set me up with an appointment immediately and got me a quote on my design and another I want done in the future. Josh fit me in earlier than his usual appointment time, was very nice to me and didn't make fun of me for wanting a cat tattoo. Going back.

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Photo of matt o.

Elite '08

22

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matt o.

Belmont, MA

5 star rating
11/20/2007

I havent been tattooed in 5 years but I got the itch and just finished mapping up my arm this sunday with joe, I cant even explain how great he is in helping me with decisions.  I start the outlines on dec 12 and have no worries.  Everyone in the shop convinced me to go with a full sleeve and not the 3/4 I was thinking and now I wait.

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Photo of Joseph T.

 

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33

Joseph T.

Trenton, NJ

5 star rating
11/25/2007

Grez tattooed me when he was working here,and he did a great job..
They have some of the better tattooers in the area..I would definitely recommend this shop.

www.redemptiontattoo.com

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Elite '08

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Jenna C.

Jamaica Plain, MA

5 star rating
06/25/2007

I cannot give this place enough stars.
Josh alone deserves 20!

He devoted his entire day to me and four of my teammates. We were all getting a team tattoo but I had changed my mind the day before asking if it would be possible for me to get something completely different instead. I knew it was a pain in the ass thing to do but by appointment time the next day he had drawn up EXACTLY what I wanted. He was extremely nice and comforting to me for the 2 hours I was sitting in his chair. It is by far my favorite tattoo and I am so grateful that Josh was beyond patient and kind to all of us. This place is highly recommended by me. I'm going back in a few weeks to get another.

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CC S.

Marshfield, MA

5 star rating
08/20/2007

Josh recently inked my fiance in july and I absolutley LOVE the work.  Yes, it's my name, so what?  It would not be as adored if it were done by a hack.  Josh and the rest of the guys were sweet and very unintimidating. (I also appreciated the fact that they did not rag on the tattoo.)  No, "we're too cool" vibe at all.
Thanks, Josh!

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Photo of Timmy W.

 

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Timmy W.

Cambridge, MA

5 star rating
06/13/2007

I just had my first tattoo done by Josh (http://www.joshmcalear...) and I am really happy with how the tattoo came out and the entire experience at Redemption. They were helpful, informative, professional, CLEAN, and most importantly made a newbie like me feel comfortable.

I've been back multiple times now, all with Josh, and the communication has always been great. my sister, my girlfriend and I all have had work done and it's always the same professional yet fun attitude. I'll be back yet again to finish up some previous work and there's no doubt I'll be happy yet again.

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Elite '08

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Etta M.

Cambridge, MA

5 star rating
06/06/2007

had my foot done a few weeks ago and plan on getting the other one in a few more weeks. Josh did a great job drawing out exactly what i wanted. he made sure i was happy with everything before he started (all tattoo artists should do this, but it's appreciated just the same). he made sure i was comfortable, or as comfortable as you can be when you get your foot tattooed. it came out beautiful and i couldn't be happier.

the shop is simple and clean- everything i would want in a tattoo shop. josh has tattooed 4 of my friends and joe did a friends arm. if you are in the market, these guys are worth a visit.

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Elite '08

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Daniel M.

Somerville, MA

5 star rating
04/12/2007

It had been a few years since my last tattoo and after looking around at the other shops in the area, I chose Redemption based on it's reputation and it was a great experience.

All the artists are talented but I had Mike Shea add on to a pre-existing piece and it came out beautifully. I've gotten a ton of compliments on it.

If you want some high-quality work done, check these guys out.

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Laura P.

Roxbury, MA

5 star rating
04/27/2007

After wanting a tattoo for several years, I recently decided to take the plunge and get my first one at Redemption.  I chose Redemption after reading the other reviews on Yelp.  Upon visiting the shop, my first impression was great because the place was very clean and I liked the decor.  The person working at the desk was extremely helpful as well.  When I went to get my actual tattoo, Sean was very professional and he did an excellent job!  I would highly recommend this place to anyone getting a tattoo.  The conditions were ultra clean and my tattoo came out fabulous!

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Katherine J.

Somerville, MA

5 star rating
11/07/2006

So I had shady (not shaded) tattoo of a star on my forearm. Seriously, it needed some work. I made an appointment at Redemption, they got me in that evening. Joe Bastek did the touch ups.  First, he had me lie down, which was WAY easier than sitting with my forearm out.  Second, the dude is just super cool! Third, and most important, he did a great job of fixing up the previous work!!!  This shop is great, clean, nice!
Seriously, being repeatedly stabbed with a needle never rocked so much!

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Elite '08

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Richard F.

Malden, MA

5 star rating
05/23/2006

I've been here twice and I'm craving another tattoo since the last time I've been was like a year and a half ago.
The layout, the atmosphere, and the coloring (ok yea, i'm wicked gay and obsessive compulsive) are all really cool and make me enjoy this place even more.
Mike Shea is a great guy and he did a custom graffitti piece tattoo of mine and a circular face logo of mine.
they are decent for prices, but I mean, come on, it's Boston/Cambridge, it's not gonna be as good as some places like in New Hampshire.
I love this place, and when I save up enough, I'm going back here to get more ink.... it's been a long year and half without any tattoos :(

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Photo of Laurie C.

 

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Laurie C.

Roxbury Crossing, MA

5 star rating
07/16/2006

Redemption gets my five stars.  I've checked out a lot of places in the area, along with their portfolios and artist history.  Redemption is by far superior to anyplace else.  I had a large traditional backpiece done by Mike Shea, and it is amazing.  He was so talented and friendly.  HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended.  I can't wait to get back in there!

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Photo of Celeste K.

 

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Celeste K.

Boston, MA

5 star rating
09/24/2007

I decided on getting my first tattoo at Redemption after seeing the rave reviews here on Yelp and from scoping out the place in person. I agree wholeheartedly with the 5 star streak it's having so far! I was really nervous but definitely ready and willing for the tattoo and Redemption seemed like a perfect fit. The store is really clean, the atmosphere is comfortable, the artists are professional and friendly. My design was pretty simple so I wasn't worried that they wouldn't be able to handle it,nonetheless i was incredibly impressed by their portfolios and wouldn't hesitate to recommend a friend interested in a more extensive tattoo to go there. I got a triangle of stars done on the back of my right shoulder by Joe. He made me feel comfortable and at ease. The process was quick, simple, and surprisingly very painless! My only problem with the place is that it is very expensive - an $80 shop minimum, which i found a little ridiculous considering the simplicity of my design. But if i had a more intricate design i wouldn't be complaining, their work is true art!

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Jennifer V.

Brighton, MA

5 star rating
12/17/2006

i was looking to get a tattoo.  everyone told me the same thing.. joey bastek.  he's at redemption tattoo.  i told him the idea that i wanted.. he drew up a great sketch and my tat is amazing.  i get so many compliments on it.  the best part about seeing him is that he is honest.  some of my ideas didn't flow right and together we came up with a idea.  i am itching for a new one.  i will definitely go see him again.

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