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Regeneration Tattoo
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton
155 Harvard Ave
(between Brighton Ave & Glenville Ave)
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 782-1313
155 Harvard Ave
(between Brighton Ave & Glenville Ave)
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 782-1313
- Nearest Transit:
-
Harvard Avenue (Green)
- Hours:
Tue-Sun. 1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- No
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26 reviews for Regeneration Tattoo
I have seven tattoos, and this place is probably the best I've been to. The other shops I've been to have been in New Hampshire, and one in Cambridge, but Regen definitely tops my list. The whole staff is really friendly and the atmosphere is really comfortable - way better than some shops I've been to where everyone is cooler than thou.
Dan is working on the pretty large piece I'm having done on my arm. A few weeks ago we met to go over the tattoo I wanted covered up, the ideas I had, and then I told him how big I wanted it and he came up with a great design that's going to almost perfectly cover up my old tattoo.
The outline last night took about four hours - two hours past when the shop closed, but Dan didn't complain a bit and was awesome and thorough and created a great outline. We only took one quick break, and the rest of it was just him doing the outline and us talking about everything from local music to politics to aliens creating the pyramids (we both think this is unlikely). I'm so glad I chose someone who not only is really comfortable with the style of tattoo I want, but is someone I won't mind spending another 6 - 8 hours with over the next few months!
I feel like the prices there are really fair - for the amount of work and the time spent on my outline, I felt what I paid last night, including tip, was more than reasonable. Plus, now I have the beginnings of a badass tattoo.
I used to see Brian when he worked at a different shop in Boston, but when he moved to Regen I was sure to follow! This shop is a lot less rowdy than the other one he worked at which is a plus when youre being drilled at with a needle. Everyone who works with him at Regen is really down to earth and friendly, a nice change from some of the elitist shops in Boston. I've seen Brian for over 4 years and over a thousand dollars worth of tattoo work. He's a bit quiet, but it's because he is very focused on his work- always. A true genius at his craft and a fellow art school grad- I can't say enough good things about him. He's even done some tattoos for me in sensitive areas on my female body and handled it like a total professional and I was comfortable the entire time (neccessary in situations like these!) HIGHLY RECCOMMENDED!!
*My boyfriend has been going to Cathy @ Regen for new work and a cover-up as well, and loves her! Everyone there rocks! So if you can't get in with Brian try Cathy or anyone else there.
This is the third place I've been tattooed at in Boston and needless to say, I got the fourth here as well. It started with two lilies and has since turned into three and someday soon might be a whole garden, complete with birds and trees. But SERIOUSLY - Cathi is super nice and didn't mock my desire to have flowers on my ribs. She is also amazingly good about scheduling - I was on my way to the flu on the Wednesday I planned on getting the third lily so she fit me into the next week when I wasn't dying. The art itself looks great and is EXACTLY what I wanted.
The interior design of the shop is cool too- love the reds and yellows and the zen-ness of it all. And instead of being pretenious hipster lovers, the staff is laid back and friendly.
Good People, Good Tattoos, Good Times.
I had a very good experience here, and my tattoo is exactly how I wanted it to be. I suppose that's a good thing and a bad thing-It was my first tattoo, and now I just want more. Dan was responsive throughout the process and helped me iron out a few details with my design. I would recommend this place to anyone.
So..I got a west coast tattoo in L.A...and I got an east coast tattoo here at Regeneration Tattoo. The tattoo is on my ankle, and I live close by, so getting home wasn't as painful as, say going to Fat Ram's in JP...god, that would have been an awful T ride!
Brian designed my tat, and I asked him to make it complementary to my west coast tattoo (designed by the artist in L.A.)...however, he put his own style into it..I love it!!! I think the different artists/styles really echo my views and loves of the two coasts. He was super friendly, and though the damn thing hurt like hell, he made me feel very comfortable.
I think the only part I wasn't too keen on was the fact that I couldn't make an appointment over the phone. Not even for a consultation! You have to make an appointment in person. I didn't like feeling that I was taking my chances with my time (what if they're fully booked for days or weeks? the least they could do is pencil me in for..something...a hug even!) or with their time (wouldn't they want my business??). I guess I understand that you want to go in there and meet the artist...maybe it cuts down on the number of visits you'd have to make there? I don't know...it was just somewhat odd for me.
Overall, though, I would definitely recommend this place!
I like ReGen. Overall, it's a good place, with good artists, and a comfortable friendly atmosphere.
I went here recently to get a piece done on the right side of my ribs. I brought in the artwork I wanted and met up with Dan at ReGen (on recommendation of a friend). I showerd him what I wanted (its an image of 5 skeletons in suits from an album cover). He understood what I wanted and how I wanted it to look immediately (all black, no color, just a little shading), and the drawing he came up with was perfect. He wanted to add a little more shading to some parts to give it a little more depth and I couldn't have agreed more, the improvement was a good one.
As for when I went to get the actual tattoo. Dan was very gentle and explained everything to me. The shop was extremely sterile and Dan took A LOT of care in making sure everything was very clean and safe. We started out with outline on the first session (2 hours) and then I went back about a month later for the fill (3 hours of solid black, ugh). The tattoo came out perfect and I couldn't be more happy. In the end I think I paid a little under $300 for a 5 hours of tattooing a huge ribpiece.
As I can't really speak for the other artists work, but the whole shop is awesome and the vibe is also really great. I will continue to go back to ReGen when I need some ink.
I can't believe I still haven't gotten around to reviewing Regeneration.
In short: I'd have Sue from Regen scar my body any day.
Well, not any day...I'm not one of those people obsessed with tattoos....but, you get it, yah? She's awesome and cool.
A friend and I impulsively decided to act on my nonsensical and out of character desire to be branded with a useless symbol of my freedom to "express" myself "artistically." We popped in to Regeneration on a Sunday night on a fact-finding mission. Essential questions ("what do these things cost?") as well as the more ridiculous ("does it hurt more or less than a brazilian wax?") were asked, and Sue, the shop owner, answered all of them honestly while munching on a veggie hot dog that dripped ketchup on her shirt. She explained her shop only takes appointments/people who have had a consult, and that we shouldn't go through with a tattoo if we weren't sure we wanted it.
She asked our names, made us feel welcome, and sent us on our way with her card and the instructions to call any time we had more questions, or if we wanted to go through with the deed.
A few weeks of internal turmoil later, I took the plunge and scheduled my big day, partly since aforementioned friend said he'd get one too if I did it.
When the time came, I was sweaty and nervous, but made sure to eat well and do the other preparations Sue had gone over with us.
The appointment itself(at which I was still questioning my choice to go for it) was totally relaxing and great. Sue walked me through the procedure step by step and kept me relaxed. We even discovered a common love for Morrissey!
My tattoo didn't come out 100% as I'd pictured it, but that's basically because what I envisioned didn't actually fit on my neck. I took her suggestions and followed her aesthetic vision and ended up with a tattoo that looks great and marks a great night giving myself something awesome and sharing it with a close friend.
Unfortunately I had a bad experience at this tattoo shop about a year ago. I think things have changed a lot since then and they have solidified their staff. If you live in Allston it's probably worth checking them out for conveneince and cool 'punk' vibe.
I had scheduled an appointment with Sue to get some basic lettering done. When I showed up for my appointment she was busy and suggsted another artist could do it. I was OK with that since it really wasn't anything special or elaborate. The problem was, the tattoo artist didn't really feel like doing it! He said he could draw something up and I should come back another day. I was cool about it and said i'd come back another time to schedule it. Needless to say, I didn't and I've been going to Redemption in Cambridge ever since. Basically I thought they treated me like more of annoyance then a customer. And that's the only time I've ever made an appointment for a tattoo (or probably anything) and they said they didn't feel like it doing it today.
On a more positive note, they do have cool stuff in their window display.
I've gotten all of my tattoos here and absolutely adore it. The artists are extremely nice, clean, and know their stuff. The whole place is very at ease, and doesn't judge. I've seen some artists scoff at someone's ideas for tattoos, but that NEVER happens at Regen. The artists are friendly and willing to work with you so that the tattoo you are getting is YOURS, and something you are more than happy to live with for the rest of your life. Two HUGE thumbs up.
Also, if you're in here, check out the bathroom. ;)
I just moved to the area (6 months ago) and was looking around for a good place to go for tattoos.
I was referred to Edwin or Sue at Regeneration and heard great things about them. When I went in (without an apt on a Saturday) they were both booked, but I talked with Dan who was free to do the work on me.
Firstly, EVERYONE in this shop is very cool and very friendly. There is absolutely NONE of that "punk-rock, Im cooler than you" attitude that you get at most other tattoo shops. At least in my experience.
Dan was super friendly, and listened to me. He did an amazing job, even better than I expected for my design. And while I was in the shop getting the work done, everyone talks freely with each other and includes the clients in the conversation.
It is a relaxing, friendly and welcoming environment. I could have spent all day hanging out there with those guys. The pricing is pretty fair too. Better even than Ive seen in DC and Florida.
I am super happy and will be going back to Dan for more work.
I got a tattoo here when they first opened and didn't like it at all, but that artist left so I decided to go back. My how things have changed! Dan Bythewood did my arm and I LOVE it. He knew exactly what I wanted and was able to offer awesome suggestions.
The whole holier-than-thou vibe has definitely died down from what it used to be a few years back, which is great.
I'll definitely be going back.
Thanks Alli!!!
I have been planning my first tattoo for about 5 or 6 years now because I'm a total perfectionist. I don't really take "for life" too lightly. Alli said have Dan at Regeneration do the work. I could not have been happier!
I walked in. No appointment. Dan was totally happy to accommodate. He drew out a beautiful script (it's a word tattoo). He explained the procedure, was super nice (he was aware it was my first) and was not the least judgmental with my wimpy-ness.
He was super sure I understood all the care I needed to take with it while it heals. He even explained a little about the problems associated with the next planned tattoo (I wanted it to cover some scars, but thanks to Dan, I know it'll look much better if I simply incorporate them instead so that the ink won't look all jakey).
It's now healed and looks fantastic. I'm so happy with my experience there. I probably won't get my next tattoo until after I leave Boston and I'm so sad I won't have Dan doing the work.
I have absolutely no complaints. I do hear they're a little expensive on shop minimum ($80), but I didn't care and was totally willing to pay it to be sure I got quality work. Well worth it.
Sue is my tattoo soul mate. I got my first tat here and I love it. I get so many compliments on it. I was a little intimidated when I arrived, but was immediately put to ease as soon as Sue started sketching the design. She chatted me up, which made me much less nervous. I was surprised at how little it hurt and she kept telling me what a champ I was.
The price was extremely reasonable and the shop is clean, clean, clean, which is THE most important part of a tattoo parlor.
I was stupid.....when I got my second tat, I was antsy and didn't wait for Sue to come back from vacation and I went to the tattoo shop in the Garage in Harvard Square and had a horrible experience.
I wish there was a Regeneration in NYC!!!!!!!!!!!
When this place first opened, I was super-intimidated by all the punks hanging out and was a little afraid to go inside. When I finally did muster up enough courage to walk in, I was so happy I did! I was scared that I wasn't "punk enough" somehow to shop here, but everyone is totally cool (esp. the bulldog!) and not as intimidating as they first seemed to me.
Looking back, I think I was being completely silly, because now I finally have a place to go to when I'm itching for a Fugazi album on vinyl for no apparent reason.
Possibly one of the last record stores specializing in punk/hardcore left in the Boston area. Fortunately it's also one of the best.
Good prices, wide selection and fun place to blow money.
Regeneration is the fourth shop I've been tattooed at. If I end up sticking around the Boston area, I doubt I'll ever be tattooed anywhere else.
Regeneration is clean, which is something that sadly not all tattoo shops are. The staff is incredibly friendly and willing to answer questions. The witty banter that seems to go on almost all the time regarding the current musical choice is entertaining and can be pleasantly distracting during a multi-hour session. Said music is always present in the shop, but it's not ear-splittingly loud. But perhaps my favorite thing about Regeneration is that in order to get in the door I don't have to find my way through a cloud of cigarette smoke. I bet some folks there smoke, but the don't have to take a break to go and do it every five minutes, and if they do, it's never coincided with my visits. Also, you have to appreciate the surreal experience that is their bathroom.
The artists are uniformly awesome as far as I can tell. They're knowledgeable about their art and willing to sit a client down and talk to him/her. If you wander into the shop randomly, do yourself a favor and look at their portfolios in the lobby. The range is impressive, but every time I'm there and have a few minutes, I browse through them and always manage to find something I didn't notice before.
paid another visit to regeneration, only this time i wasn't the ding-dong laying there asking to be drilled with a needle for 3 hours -- it was my husband.
edwin did a beautiful job for him. he'll talk you through, give you kind advice ["that might look like shit"] but also listen to what you think. he takes his time and does a thorough job.
it took 3 hours to finish the very large tattoo. during this time i played games on my iphone, read an entire economist, and watched as some saccharine girl got a butterfly tattooed on her neck. i tried to signal her with my eyes:
that butterflie's not doin it for you. i know there are cool butterfly tattoos in the world, but your weird cartoony one isn't cutting it. turn back now. you'll be laughed at. ridiculed. save yourself. get a unicorn instead, a shooting star -- anything. just not that bug-eyed, cartoon butterfly
nothing got through.
my fella's tattoo looked amazing -- again, i highly recommend.
5 strong ones.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/31/2008
yes, would you mind burning my flesh with a huge needle for a bit while i sit in this chair and… Read more »
I just had Brian fill in the color on a tattoo I had done somewhere else back in February. He did a great job and I love the way it turned out, I've never had color before so I didn't know exactly what to do but he suggested a few things and colored it beautifully. Really clean shop, more detailed paperwork than I've done anywhere else (a good thing), reasonable prices and really awesome staff. Brian is relatively new so it was really easy to get an appointment with him, we'll see how long that lasts but I will definitely go back here for more work.
Cathy did my tattoo and did an amazing job. I came in with a half concrete, half very vague idea, and she drew the design which was exactly what I wanted, in the exact style I wanted. I love her use of shading and the whole experience was great this being my first tattoo. I will be going back to her if I decided to get another one. (We've already talked about an idea.) The whole place is professional and friendly.
For artist portfolios and tattoo photos check out: http://www.myspace.com...
UPDATE: Re:Gen is strictly tattoos now but I, personally, couldn't be happier. They are one of the only places in the area to offer the option of vegan ink--and my friend Dan is the one of their artists (you can see some of the sailor jerry flash he's done for me in my profile pics).
Definitely a place worth checking out.
PS: shop minimum: $85.
------
When it was time for me to "put up or shut up," that is, stop talking about the new tattoos I wanted and just go get started, I came to Re:Generation. The reason? Well, mostly b/c they were close to my friends' apartment and I didn't want to go alone. haha...
Anyway, they were really great here. Bob, the artist who did my tattoo is a really nice guy, and has a light hand with the needle--you won't be uncomfortable at all. He helped me with my custom design and squeezed me in the same day.
The tattoo I have on my wrist is color and about 2.5 by 2.5 inches big..the total cost was 125. It seemed like a lot, but judging from the hack job done on my first tattoo at a less reputable place years ago, I was willing to pay anything. The studio is really sanitary, and they're great with keeping you informed on after care.
Sadly Bob's moving to Vegas, but the shop will stay open--I think it's definetly worth it for a good tattoo. The record and cd selection is pretty good as well.
I'm changing my review not for the quality of work, but for a lack of communication. Granted, I don't expect to be hunted down to talk about the next installment of a tattoo project, but I expect to do more than play a little phone tag and then cease communication.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/4/2008
I took a few pictures and drawings to Cathy and she created something awesome. What was once a… Read more »
I am a newcomer to Regeneration. I came over to get my back piece finished by Brian, who recently moved there from Pino Bros. Ink. Nothing against Pino, the staff there was fantastically friendly and helpful and made me quite comfortable, but my future work will be with Brian so I'm putting this review under Regeneration, as that is where he is now. Brian made a beautiful work of art out of a couple of pictures of a specific type of penguin and a Chinese checkerboard. (Who a friend of mine who works at the Aquarium knew right off the bat when she saw my ink that they were indeed little blue fairy penguins)..
The tattoo itself is something that is extremely personal and important to me and I definitely feel that Brian took this into consideration while designing it. He was so pleasant to work with and paid attention to every detail that I wanted. (And then some! Penguins playing Chinese checkers is not an every day request, which seemed to fuel his motivation even more on the piece...He definitely enjoyed creating it and tattooing it on me just as much as I enjoyed having it permanently etched into my body!) The outcome was even better than I anticipated. Seriously, it came out so beautiful that certain people I showed it to were moved to tears and I can't walk anywhere without someone pulling me aside and commenting on it. Even people who don't care for tattoos have had nothing but great things to say. The piece took only 4 sessions of 1 to 2 hours each. The price was more than reasonable and as I stated, the attention to detail and Brian's willingness to really listen to what it was I wanted, while at the same time incorporating his own creative touches was SUPERB. Even the checkerboard itself has the exact number of pieces as a real Chinese checkerboard! I would and have already recommended him to anyone I know who is looking for some new ink. I had two tattoos from other places previously but this was by far the biggest and most important piece I could have ever gotten, so naturally I did some checking around before I happened upon him at Pino Bros. And I am soooo glad that I did. I will definitely go back to him for any future work that I want done. He did a brilliant job and was very thorough as far as after-care instructions and follow-ups to see how it healed and everything.
I just got two tattoos done here earlier today by Sue. I could not be happier with how they came out, and with my experience in the shop.
Sue was so awesome in designing my small shoulder tattoo (about 3in by 2in, my sister's name, year of birth and death, no color) It took her (probably) 45 minutes on top of the half hour she sent me to get some food in my system, to design it so that she felt it was perfect and I was 100% happy with it. (Same with my smaller 1x1in shamrock behind my ear, some color.)
The entire process, I felt so comfortable, I was confident that Sue wouldn't let my tattoos come out shitty looking, and she explained exactly what was going on while tattooing me. (It was my first tattoo.) All while keeping great conversation.
I really have nothing bad at all to say about Re:Gen.
(The total cost of my two tattoos was $90, which isn't too bad, considering some of the minimums around the Boston area...)
i really like their record collection! I bought a great reissue of Bad Brains on vinyl and they have a cheap ass section of vinyl where one can indulge in guilty pleasures such as Fleetwood Mac, Olivia Newton-John and Bruce Springsteen. I like the decor (kind of a clean punked out intererior where the vinyl and t-shirts on the wall take center stage). I like their small little book/zines section as well. Bought a great social justice daily planner and a book on Critical Mass. Their DVD section ain't shabby and bought that psuedo punk guilty pleasure Suburbia for like 5 bucks here. The staff is pretty friendly and they take credit card and check. I have heard only good things about their piercing and tattoos from friends in the body modification know. Stop by after New England Comics!
edwin did my half sleeve here, and i can't even tell you how many compliments i am constantly getting on it. i couldn't be happier with how it turned out.
after wasting my time (and available skin) at other tattoo places i finally made my way here (while reasonably priced, it was still more than i'd paid for a tattoo before) but it was completely worth it.
i highly recommend any of the artists here, just check their books, all extremely talented. great vibe, well decorated, everyone is totally great.
I love the looks of the shop itself, very clean, nice design, and of course, easy to get to.
I walked in without an appointment, and was immediately seen to.
My tattooist was Edwin. He was really nice, laid back and friendly.
I was getting some text on my shoulder, and the process was very smooth and timely. I wrote what I wanted, picked a font, he drew up the blueprint, and I was under the needle in no time.
However, there is one thing I wasn't completely happy with.
I had an idea for a future tattoo, and I brought him the print out of the best image I could find online. He told me that he couldn't do it unless I came up with another, clearer image. I can understand that part, but I was hoping that he could draw it up for me, since they do advertise that they do personally designed tattoos.
Any who, I got the impression that he just wanted to go home after a long day and not have to do anything complicated. And I don't blame him!!
But I would have been happier if he had at least offered to draw it up for me, because now I have to take my business elsewhere. (And I am willing to pay what it takes for a good work of art.)
Nevertheless, the tattoo turned out beautifully, the price was reasonable, and I would go back for something simple!
