Area 51 Tattoo & Body Piercing

Area 51 is, in my opinion, the best tattoo shop that I have ever been to. The staff and artists are professional and very good at what they do. They have a wide range of tattoo flash and body jewelery to choose from, or if your interested in custom work the artists can draw up what you are picturing. Everyone that I run into that has recieved ink from Area 51, including myself , have been very pleased with the outcome. When ever I want to get some ink done, I will always go to Area 51 first before any other shop. more

Area 51 is the best tattoo shop I have been to. I have had tattoos in a few other shops and none can match the quality of work, professionalism, and helpfulness of the artists. The shop is bright and clean, and makes you feel welcome right away. I have referred friends and family to go there, and I'm heading back soon for another. Pros: just too many to list more

So, I have 5 tattoos, and well, 3 of them are from A51, 2 are not.\r 3 I LOVE, 2 I do not.\r 1 of them I got somewhere else, and lets just say that it had to be redone twice, when it turned out very patchy yet again, i took my money elsewhere, thus ending up at A51 where Des made me look like a million bucks!\r The other one just turned out plain backwards, because it was "" custom drawn "" when really it was pulled off the cover of the magazine that i showed them saying "" I dont not want it like this"" so they drew their own thing up, and ended up going with the magazine cover. Also, the person that was supposed to do it ended up saying "" I dont do flower tattoos, and I dont tattoo necks either"" so I had to wait 5 hours. Thanks sideshow!\r Then I headed back to A51 and was one of Joes first clients, and it still looks really great, that was almost 3 years ago!\r I tell eveyone about it.\r Its a great shop. Keep it up guys, you have what it takes and I wouldn't be happy if I was anywhere else! Tha Pros: not over priced, clean, fun, comfortable atmosphere Cons: the lack of parking more

Whenever I go out I always get compliments on my tattoo work that was done (by Joe) at Area51. I have been going there a few years now and whenever anyone asks for a recommendation of where to go Area51 is the only place that I recommend (and the only place I will go to now)... and anyone that I've sent there is happy with their work.\r \r When I have gone into other tattoo/peircing shops in the past the people that work there were never friendly and always had some kind of attitude. But when I go in to Area everyone is always kind, polite, professional and very helpful. The artists there create amazing and beautiful work. Whenever I brought in an idea, what I got in the end was even better than I could have possibly imagined!\r \r Area 51 has always been good to me and I recommend anyone goes there if you are looking for cleanliness, QUALITY, and amazing art that you will be proud of having for the rest of your life!\r -Tessa Pros: professional, clean, fair pricing, amazing artists... everything!! Cons: NONE! more

I got my first ever tattoo at A51. It turned out perfect. Joe helped me pick a font, placement (which we spent about 45 minutes on just to make sure it would look perfect after being inked) and inked it quickly and professionally. On top of doing an excellent job, he also keep me entertained with good conversations and some well deserved smoke breaks. Tattoos are more than just ink; it has a whole community behind it, and the artists at A51, I feel, really give you that feeling like you're being let into something special. There have been times I've spent hours talking to Khlaid about our Jeeps, or Joe about music, or Desirea about what I want to do next. In my own stupidity I took a referral from my old employer and tried getting some work done at his friend's shop. Not only was the environment not as welcoming and comfortable, but the work was incredibly sub-par, took entirely way too long for how much was accomplished, and was outrageously priced. ($500 for what is not a half finished ""shoulder piece"", instead of a half sleeve.) Now, I'm in talks with Joe and Khalid to finish my sleeve and redeem the work that was previously done. To wrap things up, I recommend A51 to anyone planning on getting a tattoo, who already has a tattoo, and to anyone with work that they don't feel is good enough that was done by somebody else. (Go in and look at the photo album of touch-ups/cover-ups.) Pros: CLEAN, HELPFUL, HONEST, FAIR, PROFESSIONAL. Cons: THERE'S NO SHOP DOG. more

I have two large pieces that Khalid did for me and today I am going in so he can begin my third. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE who sees my tattoos goes on and on about how great they are! This includes my art school friends and working artist teachers, and people who I don't even know who come up to me on the street to tell me how beautiful my body art is! All three of my pieces are custom, and Khalid was great to work with in developing the concepts and coming up with the final design. The prices are VERY reasonable. The atmosphere is calm yet exciting, with a fun and friendly group. The tattooing area is so clean it reminds me of a doctor's office! Very professional. I would never go anywhere else EVER!!! Pros: artistic ability, cleanliness, friendliness, professionalism, quality more

First timers are treated just as equally as returning customers. No idea is treated unfairly.\r They just don't tattoo you because you say you want one, they will help compare and contrast different ideas with you to help you make your tattoo unique and amazing and just the way you want it.\r The environment is the most outgoing and sterile place I have been in as compared to other shops in the area.\r The pricing is reasonable, as Khalid says 'you will get what you pay for' which means QUALITY TATTOOS.\r Every artist is great. Love you guys! Pros: Sterile, conversational, friendly, QUALITY INK. Cons: there are absolutely none more

I get stopped at least 3-5 times a week when people see my tattoos and I always get the same comment, I have never seen a tatto that looked so good, well if you want one its as easy as going to A51 enough said! more

I got a tat from Khalid a couple of years back and absolutely love it. I refer everyone there and ALL are satisfied. Every other place that I've seen around here does average to below average work and if you're looking for quality along with a friendly atmosphere then look no further! Pros: Friendly,Easy To Work With,Creative,Great Custom Designs! Cons: None that I have seen more

I got one of my many tattoos done there and this is by far my favorite and I get compliments on it all the time. Even though it was a trace off of one of the sheets, Khalid spiced it up to just what I wanted and I love it. I would defintely recommend him for your a tattoo, not only friendly but he is just plain good at what he does and loves it. The shop is clean, the atmosphere is totally friendly and they make you feel good about your decision in choosing their shop over the other places around. Trust your body with the best and go to Area 51! Pros: too many to even name Cons: Cant think of one, sorry! more

I have been a long time customer to my fellow friends at Area 51, and I would never think of going anywhere else, I have been nothing but 100% satisfied with the work that they do and the atmoshpere as a tattoo shop is clean, organized, and yet still has that rockin' tattoo shop appeal! In comparison to other tattoo shops, the prices are exactly what I would expect for the quality of work that they do, and have never felt like I was being ""ripped off"". I will forever be a loyal customer to this fantastic group of people and I highly reccomend that you stop in and check them out!!!! Pros: Not enough room to list in this tiny space :-) Cons: ZERO! more

My expierence with Area 51 has been a great one. Desi is the person that has done all my tattoos from there. I couldnt be happier. I have no reason to go anywhere else. The shop is clean and very friendly. They make you feel welcome and comfortable. I can only speak for Desiera in saying she took her time and really cares about her work. She likes to follow up and fix anything that might possibly be wrong. Not that there is but she seems invested in the tattoo as much as you are. I will be going again very soon!! Area 51 rocks!! Pros: same in comment Cons: i havent found any more

I am quite expierenced at being tattooed and pierced. I went to Area 51 for one and only one tattoo. The ink has already faded and it is less than 2 years old, the lines were not neatly drawn and the public atmosphere was very cold and distant. Seemingly unwilling to express their creativity when designing a tattoo. Don't ask them to help put ideas together. THEY ARE NOT ARTISTS THEY ARE TRACERS! Pros: Newer looking shop Cons: Everything else more

I had never been to Area 51 and went there for my Monroe piercing. The first thing I noticed was how clean it was, and the music was loud but not obnoxious, it was truly background music. I was really nervous because I tend to get queasy with piercings, but Desi was amazing, I cannot recommend her enough, she was very nice to me when I felt a bit ill, explained the process beforehand, told me how to alert her if I felt faint, and thoroughly described the aftercare of the piercing. She was sure to tighten the labret, which was great becaause I always worry about piercings falling out. She also helped me figure out what gauge my belly button ring was. I am so pleased with this piercing, and I would never go to anyone but Desi for a piercing if I had the choice. This place is friendly, calm, clean, and has an exceptionally precise piercer. Thanks again, Desi! more

If your in the Chicago Area and thinking of getting a tattoo then hed up to Area 51 and see Khalid and the staff. They do great work and are really friendly it's the only place I go now. I do alot of traveling and there is no one i trust more then Area 51 to do my work they rock. Pros: All round great place more

Area 51 has done 3 tattoos for me and have always been very professional and friendly. They run a clean shop and are good at explaining aftercare and will retouch for free any of their work that might fade, etc., after healing. They do great custom work and also have a wide variety of flash art to choose from. My first time there they were happy to show me around the whole shop and let me inspect their sterilization procedures and explained how they prevent contamination, which was very important to me. I'm very happy with the work they did for me and would definitely go back again and have recommended them to friends. Pros: Great designs, clean shop, friendly service Cons: none come to mind more

Oh my god.....This shop is INCREDIBLE! Everyone was so nice and friendly.My friend and I went in the the shop on refrences just to look around, They took the time to go through everything with us and made us feel right at home. I had a prevous tattoo done at another area shop because I just wanted something and I hate it now! The lines are shotty and I cant wait for my next tattoo at AREA 51 for my cover up from the other place. I cant belive the night and day difference in the treatment, proffessional, and cleanliness of shops. I Will NEVER go anywhere else! K H A L I D rocks....and is cute too! Pros: Amazing artistists and custmer service skills more