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New Tribe Piercing & Tattooing
Category: Beauty and Spas Tattoo Tattoo [Edit]
232 Queen St WToronto, ON M5V 1Z6
Neighbourhoods: Entertainment District, Queen Street West, Downtown Core
(416) 977-2786
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 8 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
Sun 12 pm - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
21 reviews for New Tribe Piercing & Tattooing
21 reviews in English
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Review from Chris P.
10/8/2011
My impression of NT is a bit of a mixed bag, as the saying goes.
I've gotten 2 tattoos here spaced about 2 years apart. They are a matching set of black cats on my feet. (When I finally finished the set my best friend saw them and said 'oh so I guess now you've got to pussy-foot around, huh?? Harharharhar.) Each one was done by different artist and there was a difference in price, my 2nd one cost about $60 more than the first. I was a little surprised at this at first, however I chalked this up to different artists having different quotes based on experience, etc. I was/am very happy with the results for both.
Then I contacted them again a few months later to get a quote for a touchup on one of my existing tattoos and the quote was pretty astronomical, about $90 more than anywhere else I've looked. I don't have an issue to pay for quality, however when the artist agrees that what I want done would be quick and minimal I'm not so sure I can justify the price he was asking.
Also I have found some of the front desk staff to be not exactly rude, however not exactly helpful either.Listed in: 1 Review A Day For Every Day…, Ink'd
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Review from Emily H.
2/11/2012
A friendly attitude goes a long way and they sure don't got that at New Tribe. The only thing keeping them from losing another star is their excellent location and clean facilities.
I have been to New Tribe on several occasions - getting one of my piercings on one, consulting about jewelry on several others, and accompanying a friend for a piercing on another. The staff have never struck me as friendly, maybe because I wasn't there to cough up a lot of cash for large ink work? The front desk staff always just gives off an impression of being unenthusiastic, unimpressed, and lazy. They have that classic "I'm-covered-in-tattoos-and-piercings-and-you-don' t-have-any-visible-ones-so-you-probably-are-not-wo rth-my-time" attitude that is found in many of these tattoo/piercing establishments.. It's really too bad because the sour attitude of the staff is what has made me choose their competitor across the street on more than one occasion.
The actual piercing itself was fine (nose), I kept it in for over two years and never had a problem with it. I do enjoy the spacious and bright layout of the store and they are good at what they do. I think if you're one to not care so much about service attitude, you'll like them just fine. -
Review from Amber T.
Toronto, ON
3/27/2012
I can't really judge on their technique recently as I have not gone there in years. I never had anything done here, but a lot of my friends who had work done there had problems with it (eyebrow ring rejected, labrette piercing infection, uneven Tattoo).
Everyone goes there because it's central and trendy, but they are very overpriced compared to other places (because of trendiness and location).
Like I said, I haven't been there in years, so maybe they've improved their standards, but i don't think these Yelp reviews are accurate. A lot of people will create fake accounts and write positive reviews to bump up their business.
I'm getting my navel re-pierced and looking at Exotix and Yonge St. Tattoos... -
Review from Mauricio A.
Toronto, ON
10/5/2011
I got my first (and I hope a second comes sooner than later, if I ever finish designing it) tattoo at New Tribe was after an exhaustive search for a place where I felt I could trust. Also the place is open, friendly and very clean.
This place came by recommended by a a few people. Including my ex's sister who have had numerous piercings and tats done here plus the girl I was dating had gotten two tattoos here.
My tattoo was drawn by me based on a dream I had -however a very simple design over all and my tattoo artist was more than helpful in taking it and adding a few touches which I really thought added to the piece's overall cohesiveness. I was happy with it.
The price for the tattoo might have been a few bucks more than what I would have paid had I gone to other places on Queen's St. However, there is one rule that applies here:
"When the sh*t is going on your body, don't be cheap, spare no expense."
He was professional, understanding if I needed a quick break to move my arms around since they were starting to fall asleep as the tattoo is on my back and in the end the tattoo took about 20 minutes longer than the the quote but who cares, I have a lifetime to enjoy it.
He also offered me a shot from his "celebratory stash" which I declined but was more than thankful for and thought it was a nice touch.
I will be coming back.
FUN FACT: Ladies, want to check an awesome specimen of the work that goes on here? Go to the Bedford Ballroom in Yorkville, look for the hottest , muscular yet most approachable bartender you see on the first floor and asked him to show you his tattoo. It's his entire back, a massive tattoo of an angel done in who knows how many visits. My buddy the bartender was not even finished last time I was there earlier this year, but the tattoo is awesome and he took speaks only praises of the place.Listed in: My Reviews, 30-Day Oct '11 Challenge &…
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Review from Annie C.
Kingston, ON
1/6/2011
Big fan of new tribe. Here's why:
The front desk/reception staff are very nice and not your usual surly tattoo shop employee. Good stuff!
They have some great artists there. From smaller pieces to working on a half sleeve, I'm confident that they will take good care of me. When designing (at least with Kyle, who I've now gone to a few times) they're good at listening and getting a good idea of what you're after and then making it happen. Pretty quickly too.
Free touch ups. So nice.
Although it's more expensive then a lot of other shops in the city, my loyalty sort of lies here as I've found an artist I like and it's a really easily accessible location. Can't speak to their piercings. -
Review from Robbie K.
Toronto, ON
6/21/2010
I would like to start my review by saying that I really did love this place to a fault at one time. I've had many piercings and a tattoo through them, and recommended them to many people over the past ten years. I even had a great experience with a piercing less than a month ago.
Unfortunately tonight that changed quite a bit. I went with my partner to get tattooed, and we decided to go later. Since the main location closes at 6, we ended up at their new second location. I was impressed with how clean it was, just like the first.
Having been told that neither location books appointments on weekends, and its first come first serve, when we arrived at the second one at 5:30pm we were told that the artist already there was booked up until he was to leave at 8:00, but another artist was coming in at 6:30, had no appointments and could take both of us for tattoos. We milled about for an hour and came back.
My partner decided to go first, so he got his tattoo, and the artist was wonderful. She did a great job, and everything was very clean. As he gets up from his tattoo, the artist begins to set up for the next slot, at around 9:45ish and mentions that a girl who has come in while he was being tattooed has an appointment, so could I wait around? At this point I was a little upset, but I asked how long it would be, and was told her tattoo was much smaller than mine, and should be only about 30-45 minutes.
We go for dinner, and come back in 45 minutes, at 10:30/10:45 pm. We wait... We wait some more... Never once was I told that it would be a lot longer than the time suggested, which should have been now.
Finally, at 12:00 midnight, I decided it was time to stop waiting. The tattoo that was put ahead of me was no where near done.
I apologized and said I couldn't wait any longer having been there for 6 hrs, and was offered a small discount... Unfortunately, I'll be booking an appointment somewhere else, and won't be going back to use it. It seemed to me no one really cared that I'd waited for 6 hours and gotten nowhere, while someone's friend who had an "appointment" that wasn't in the book got done...
The worst part is, that two of us went there tonight to get tattooed together, and one person had an amazing experience, while the other left extremely disappointed, sad and angry... Recreating the experience is not exactly something we can just go do next weekend, or some other time.
That's not the experience I expected or wanted to have, but it's what I got. -
Review from Erin S.
Toronto, ON
9/22/2010
I recently got a tattoo at the second location of New Tribe and all I can say is I am so impressed with the result. I had been thinking about the design for a while and finally came up with the perfect fit so I decided to try to get it done without an appointment. The original new tribe was booked for the day but referred me to the newer location. I trekked over there (not far) and was told to come back in an hour. I came back just as she (Tara, I believe her name is) was finishing up on the last client.
Unfortunately their debit machine was down which resulted in me having to head back to the bank at Spadina to get cash for the quote she gave me.
The length of time she had predicted was almost dead on (a little less) and the tattoo turned out exactly as I'd hoped. It's a tad pricey but well worth it. I'd have Tara do it again in a flash.
Side note: She also told me about the company's standards and how the artists have to undergo a lengthy apprenticeship before they can become an official artist, which was reassuring to hear. -
Review from Nicole B.
10/6/2009
I used to be a loyal New Tribe customer and believed I would get all my tattoo and piercing needs done there. However, one experience changed all of that.
I was last tattooed at New Tribe in June 2009. As I was being tattooed, I saw a design on the tattoo artist's bulletin board that I absolutely loved. She let me know that if I was serious about getting it done, that when my current one had fully healed, I could come back and talk to her about it.
Of course, I couldn't get the image out of my head so I eventually went back to New Tribe to talk to the artist. I let the receptionist know why I was there and she seemed a bit impatient to deal with me. Without going to speak to the tattoo artist, she let me know that the tattoo would take around 5 hours and would cost me around $800. I told her that the artist said I could speak to her directly but the receptionist let me know that there was no need as that was the price and it wouldn't change. I said "fine and walked out. I left slightly frustrated because I didn't think it should cost that much at all nor was I "allowed" to talk to the artist.
Now, I truly believe that New Tribe tattooers and piercers are very knowledgeable and inform you of every step of the process. The aftercare cards are very handy, they are very big on hygiene and they definitely know what they're doing.
However, I think these qualities should be said of any establishment you would go to for a tattoo or piercing. I think a tattoo parlour should offer all of that plus a welcoming experience, whether it be your 1st or 50th time there. Aside from the artist I would go to (who has since left) & India, no artist has really been friendly or approachable. There have been many times I've just been waiting at reception, not having been helped; and sadly, that is not the first time that I've gotten a vibe from a person at reception that I'm wasting their time or cutting into their day. Everyone has bad days, that I understand. But if YOU decided to be in customer service, you shouldn't be taking it out on me.
So as decent as I believe New Tribe is, I have experienced better and it's a reason why New Tribe is no longer my first choice.
I ended up getting the same tattoo done somewhere else and it was about $500 cheaper than quoted at New Tribe.
NOTE: For the last tattoo I got with them, I had a gift certificate of $100 that I received for my birthday. They still had me pay the deposit out of my own money and would not take it off the balance of the gift certificate. Apparently, gift certificates cannot be used towards one's deposit.Listed in: Places I would send R**** from…
Comment from Dave W. of New Tribe Piercing & Tattooing 10/14/2009
We are really taking these types of customer complaints… More » -
Review from Sandy W.
Toronto, ON
1/13/2010
I got my ears pierced here almost a year ago. These guys know what they're doing. They're the only tattoo and piercing place that posts up all of their health inspection forms up on their website for all to see. They're a bit pricy, ($60 both earlobes) but I never got an infection. Compare that to my 3 cousins who got their ears done at Claire's with a gun and had their piercings ooze pus like Mt Vesuvius over pompeii.
This place is clean and sterile. Most of my friends who have gotten weird piercings and first time tattoos go here just coz it's been around forever and coz it's SAFE and CLEAN. There are a ton of blood borne diseases and viruses, this is not a service you want to cheap out on.
Highly recommended. -
Review from Magdalena R.
Toronto, ON
3/30/2011
I had my belly button ring done here a while ago. My husband did his eyebrow ring at the same time. The place was clean, and professional. We received good instructions on how to keep the piercings clean and did not have any complications. I am getting ready for another piercing, maybe a tatoo, and will definitely be going back to this place for both.
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Review from Katrina L.
Richmond Hill, ON
5/28/2009
I came here to re-pierce a botched belly piercing and I walked in and was greeted and was instantly asked if I wanted the piercer to take a look and see if I could re do it. I'm not sure whether she was on break or what, it looked like she was doing nothing, but I still had to wait at least 15 minutes for her to 'set up' or to get to me. There clearly was no one else doing a piercing at this time.
But once I was in the room, she was great, I believe her name was Amber. She told me how they were sanitary, which of course always puts anyone at ease and just made some cordial conversations with me, asking me about my holidays and what not.
My brother got his tattoo done there and never had one complaint so I do believe that this place is pretty top notch. They may be a 'designer' tattoo parlour as they are very well known but they do give me piece of mind with how they handle their sanitization and needles. -
Review from Slayermel L.
Toronto, ON
3/22/2009
I'm a big fan of New Tribe and this will definitely be the place I return to when I want more tattooing done :0)
The artists are professional, patient and very helpful. They took the time to go over my designs with me and made lots of suggestions that helped improve the tattoo's.
I also had a piercing done here which turned out great. The artist again was very patient and helpful when it came to picking the exact spot for the piercing and they are very thorough when it comes to explaining the care of both the tattoo's and piercings. They actually give out little cards to keep in your wallet with step by step care instructions. :0)
The pricing is very competitive, not that I would go cheep when it's something that will stay with me for life ;op
I have been lucky enough to be tattooed without an appointment as well as pierced without an appointment. -
Review from Natalie W.
Toronto, ON
10/27/2009
I've been to New Tribe for several piercings and three tattoos over the past 4 years. I've had good to great service everytime and would definitely recommend it as the place to go in the city.
Although there have been some excessive wait times, mildly terse reception and seemingly gruff artists, the tattoo artists and piercers know their stuff. Not to mention the place is sanitary and needles are fresh and sterile.
From what I can remember, I most recently had an original design created and tattooed by Stuart, who not only did a beautiful job, but worked quickly and accurately. I had my first tattooing experience with India, who aside from being professionally skilled, was able to put my mind at ease. Also, way back I had a female piercer that was really good about going through aftercare and answering my questions.
I do indeed recommend. -
Review from Stephanie C.
Toronto, ON
7/3/2009
I first ventured into the place when I decided to get my tongue pierced. Now, this was a while ago but I have gone back since with friends to act as moral support.
From what I remember of each visit, the staff was very friendly and helpful, and the tattoo artists and piercers were very knowledgeable in their craft, making sure that you treated your new tattoo and piercing with care.
I haven't been tempted to getting anything else pierced (my tongue stud is long gone now) but if I ever get the itch, I might go here again. -
Review from Emily T.
Toronto, ON
11/18/2008
If you're going to get a tattoo it's wise to do some research first on where you want it done and by whom.
There's nothing wrong with being picky, and if need to pick one place in Toronto that offers both appointments and walk-ins, New Tribe is a good choice.
It's clean and the staff are friendly. The artists are talented and experienced. Everyone I know who had been tattooed or pierced here has been satisfied and would go back for more. -
Review from Greg F.
Toronto, ON
2/17/2009
Its been a while since I last got a tattoo, but way back New Tribe was the place to go. Speaking from experience they did a great job as the ink has still remained in good color. The design from my adolescent mind unfortunately has also remained!
Here's a great idea....open a laser tattoo removal shop next door. I can be one of your first satisfied customers.
The shop is clean, and the artist that initially did my tattoo way back still works there. I know this because he went to my high school. That shows that this place is as good as it gets for Tattoo's in the city. -
Review from Kat F.
5/11/2009
Gotta disagree with the other reviews that say the staff is "friendly" - I'm actually going through the list of employees in my head trying to figure out who's being referenced here - some of the artists are cordial but I wouldn't describe anyone as overly friendly or customer service-oriented at New Tribe - certainly no one's looking to make a sale or endear themselves to customers in any way.
In particular I'm talking about the greeting/cashier staff here - you'd think they'd be the ones most likely to be primed on proper customer service but unfortunately they're the ones most likely to turn you off the whole tattoo/piercing experience. But given the type of "walk in" clientele they're likely forced to endure, I can't say I blame them.
Having said that, I've had excellent experiences here, both firsthand and as a 'handholder' and witness to my friend's piercings and tattoos.
PIERCINGS:
* I always have my piercings done by Amber. She's done various cartilage (ear) piercings for me and they were all professionally pierced, healed well and didn't give me any trouble. Amber takes the time to talk you through the piercing process (none of the piercers skip any of the important details - you can tell they follow the rules and it's a good thing!) and is a perfectionist when it comes to aligning your piercing and making sure it'll turn out right. It's basically a no nonsense operation.
* I also tagged along for a friend's first time ear piercing (like, the standard ear piercing) and while she was a bit freaked out, she handled it like a champ and there was no better person to do the piercing than Amber.
* Finally, I was unfortunately forced to tag along for my (male) friend's genital piercing and while I can't say it was an enjoyable experience to begin with, the guy who did the piercing was quite terse almost to the point of being annoyed. I can't really say I blame him as this friend is particularly annoying as well.
TATTOOS:
* Don't bother trying to make an appointment over the phone, even if you know exactly what you want, where you want it and have an idea of how much you want to spend. They absolutely will not book your tattoo appointment over the phone - you have to go in and show them what you want. Sometimes the tattoo artists are there and can quickly take a look and give you an estimate, if not they'll make an appointment for you.
* I had a small tattoo done by Stuart and he's a truly "no nonsense" guy. No small talk or chit-chat, and you almost get the idea that he doesn't like you while he's working on you. But really I think that's just his personality. My tattoo faded quite a bit within a few months and Stuart retouched it for free (as per the boutique's policy of one year) without any trouble. I would not recommend him for a first time tattoo as it might scare you off getting another one.
* A friend of mine had his first tattoo done by India and she was super easygoing and sympathetic. I sat with him in the tattoo space and she talked to us both while she prepped him and basically set him at complete ease. I would highly recommend going to her for a first time tattoo as she has the friendliest disposition of all the artists at New Tribe, from what I've seen! -
Review from D R.
Scarborough, ON
4/6/2011
Went here to get my third tat done this week. I had a great experience. The front desk staff were really helpful booking my appointment and talking about design ideas for what I wanted.
My tat artist was Mike. Extremely friendly guy. He patiently marked my tat 5 times on my forearm. I kept moving slightly which made the tat go off center. Instead of getting frustrated he re-assured me that we were going get it right no matter what! I'd highly recommend him. I was quoted $150+ hst for my tat but we were done in about 35 mins and said he'd only charge me $100. VERY cool and honest of him. I paid him $140 anyway for just being cool and up front with me.
I already know the drill for after care but he gave me the run down again. This place is sterile as sterile gets. I was really impressed with all the scrub downs he did before and after my tat. Free touch ups for 3 months, awesome! Would not hesitate to go back. -
Review from Susanne J.
Hope, BC
2/23/2009
Got a couple piercings at New Tribe. Was an interesting experience but my belly piercing came out crooked (think the guy was hung over) and the ball in my tongue started receeding into my tongue (yeah, gross). Think maybe we could've discussed better options so this didn't happen? A few years later the only solution was really just to take them both out.
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Review from Annaliese R.
8/10/2010
Well, I'm not a spur of the moment person. I'm a planner. However, while standing in the rain I decided I wanted a new nose ring. I sort of stumbled upon this place. I walk in drenched to the bone, looking quite pitiful I'm sure and I ask the receptionist about changing my ring. She calls the piercer over and we decide what monstrous size nose ring to use (darn cartilage placement in my nose!) and before I know it, I'm making plans to get my nose ring changed. Mind you I left my friends without telling them where I was going in a city none of them knew. My bad. I did make note of that to the piercer and stress my severe nickle allergy. The piercer was so understanding and was overall just awesome! The place was spotless and everyone there was amazing!! The staff was knowledgeable and very helpful! If I'm ever in Toronto and wanting a piercing or tattoo, I'm going there!!
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Review from Kathryn S.
11/8/2008
got my favorite tattoo here. seek the truth. seek glennie. she did a wonderful job on my script. another lovely fellow here whose name currently escapes me touched up my sailor jerry clipper ship, with minimal discomfort. semi-expensive-ish, but tattoo shopping is not the time to bargain hunt. unless you're really brave.
