Sideshow Tattoo

I think I might have been the only person in Austin without ink. I had something in mind and the stars aligned, right time, right artist, right design. A friend had work done by Ray and another friend had a good experience there. I stopped by and spoke to Ray, incredibly friendly, listened to what I had in mind. Then I either had money or time, but not at the same time till yesterday. I had a pretty good idea what I wanted but wanted the artist to have some room to create. He came up with something incredible. It was even better than what I envisioned. I am extremely stoked on what I have on my arm now. I can not recommend this enough. I’m almost tempted to write a other review just to give 5 more stars.

My birthday was coming up and I was itching for a new piercing. However, the awesome piercer at Blindside Tattoo that did my conch piercing is no longer there and I needed to find someone I trusted jabbing a needle through my ear. I decided on Sideshow after much research.
I went on my birthday with a friend and was greeted by the tattoo artists once I walked in. I said I want a piercing and they replied that their piercer, Amanda, had stepped out, but they could call her back to the shop. She came back promptly and we talked over what I wanted done while doing the necessary paperwork. After many happy birthday wishes from everyone in the shop, Amanda went to work and suggested that a simple cartilage piercing would suit my ears better. A careful placed mark and a few seconds later, I had a brand new piece of metal in my ear. It has been a few weeks and even after being sick for an extended period of time, this piercing has been healing better than my previous two and the placement has not caused any issues with my glasses handle. Even though I said I would stop the piercing at this last one, I would gladly get another one if Amanda was piercing me.

My experience from start to finish was more truly more than perfect. Everyone at the shop is super friendly and are great to work with. I was worked on by AJ and he really knows what he’s doing! I’m definitely going back for more work because they’re clean, educated, and really fucking talented! Hope this helps someone in their journey :)

I had an idea for a tattoo. I’m a coffee addict and huge nerd, so a caffeine molecule seemed like a good choice. It took me a while, but I found a tribal design that I thought looked cool. i decided that his would be my first tattoo.
So, over the last few months, I researched the tattoo shops here in Austin. I finally decided on Sideshow last week and fired off an appointment request from their web site. I didn’t specify an artist because they all had impressive portfolios. Jesse Vomhit is the artist that got in touch with me.
After sending the design to Jesse and a little back and forth, my appointment was set for 6:30 pm on a Wednesday. SXSW is just gearing up, so I think that had something to do with me being the only customer. I met Jesse first thing and was immediately put at ease. After some pleasantries, the first thing we talk about is that he has reservations about my chosen tattoo. I’m an open guy and listened to what he had to say. Basically, he said that it really wasn’t recognizable as a caffeine molecule with the tribal design. He definitely had a point.
I showed Jesse the site I got the artwork from (I can’t draw to save my life, btw). The design I had in mind was part of an evolution for someone else’s caffeine tattoo. It went from sci-​fi, to tribal, to abstract, and, finally, to it’s end result that I can’t even describe. Jesse and I agreed to go with the final design.
After a bit of prep on Jesse’s part, we go to the back and get started. I will agree with one other reviewer in that that back area is pretty open, but I find it very hard to believe that they don’t have provisions for those with privacy concerns. I got mine on my shoulder and the shop was empty, so no worries for me.
Jesse explained everything in detail that was going to happen. We also chatted during the process, mainly small talk, but we had a few laughs. It probably took less than 30 minutes to do it once we started. Afterwards, he explained the aftercare for the tattoo in detail.
In a nutshell, Jesse Vomhit is a tattoo artist that not only is dedicated to his craft, he also cares about his customers. If you are getting your first tattoo (like I did) or are looking for a new shop, go see Jesse. You will not regret it.
I have my next 2 or 3 planned and Jesse at Sideshow Tattoo has guaranteed that he’ll be getting my business!
TL;DR: Found a tat, got talked out of it, got a much cooler tat by a cool dude! Jesse and Sideshow are freakin’ awesome!
EDIT: Added a pic of the tattoo in my profile!

Gotta say I’m not exactly sure where all the love is coming from for this place.
I lost one of my plugs the other day while I was out and naturally needed to replace it ASAP, so I asked Unilocal to help me find a suitable place to find a replacement. This search led me to Sideshow because of its 5 star rating.
First off, their hours suck! It was a Tuesday night at like 7:30 and they were already closing. What the fuck? I thought you were a Tattoo/​Piercing shop. At least keep ‘er open till 9, damn. Anyway, so I walked in just a few minutes before closing and the guy mopping the floor straight STARED me down as if to say ‘what the fuck do you think you’re doing coming in here right before close’. Not even a hello. Whatever.
Then someone nicer came along, but alas he was completely hapless. He didn’t know what he was doing and it was evident. He also didn’t know whether they took American Express or not (they do). I asked him for a 6 and he gave me a 4. I don’t even… Whatever.
And to top it all off, he didn’t even offer to put it in for me. Rude.
I won’t be back.

I love Adam!!! Fast and friendly and freaking awesome. Bright color, bold lines, deliberate ink… americana/​traditional art. I’m very happy with my chest. Both jesse and aj are welcoming and friendly. Shop vibe is chill and comfortable. These boys make a nice threesome… he he he.

My experience with Sideshow was truly more than perfect from beginning to end. Everyone is super nice and really helpful. I was worked on by AJ and let me tell you, the man REALLY knows his stuff! I’m definitely going to be a returning customer because they’re nice, clean, educated and fucking talented!

Went here with a friend who was getting his first tattoo. Jesse Vohmit greeted us at the door and made us feel right at home. Jesse’s customer service was by far the best I have ever experienced at a tattoo shop. His work was phenomenal and the shop was spotless. My friend’s tattoo looked great when it was done and looks even better six days later. I highly recommend this artist/​shop for tattoos and will drive to Austin the next time I get a tattoo. Professional grade stuff found here at Sideshow by Jesse Vohmit.

I called this shop up to see if they were available to get me in the next day for my tattoo i had been wanting since i was 16. The guy that answered was Jesse (i think) he was super nice and knew what i wanted. I had to get in early so it could be done before i had to pick my daughter up from school. He was so accommodating!!! He came in early before shop opened to do my tattoo!
I loved the shop, great décor and atmosphere as well as soundtrack playing in the background (easy e) old school hip hop. HA! funny when i was getting my old school punk rock tattoo (the CRASS symbol).
Anyhow he did a great job! Talked to me as i asked him to and was such a great guy! Cool straight edge kid! Loved the whole experience! Thanks Jesse!

Sideshow tattoo is not only an amazing place (aka super cool interior), but they are housing some of the best artists around. I flew from Philadelphia to get tattooed by Rachael Shelly. Her work is amazing and there’s no one else out there with her style. She completed a half sleeve for me at Sideshow. I’ve never had a tattoo heal as quickly as this one did. She’s super gentle, clean, and understanding of the clients needs. I’d consider flying back any day to get tattooed by her again. Seriously I’m jealous of all you Texan’s who have more accessibility to Sideshow & Rachael.

Yesterday was the second time I went to Sideshow Tattoo, and like before, they were absolutely awesome.
The shop is clean and everyone is really helpful.
On this visit I was tattooed by Adam, who did an excellent job with the poem I wanted tattooed on my forearm. He was cheerful, talkative, and overall, this is one of the best experiences I’ve had at a tattoo shop in Austin.

THANK YOU ADAM!!!
I got a tattoo of a lotus flower on my foot this past Saturday. Adam was super!!! Totally friendly, listened to what I had in mind and made recommendations. He exceeded my expectations. Not only is the tattoo AMAZING but he covered up a small one that I had done 13 years ago and it looks perfect. AND he was super patient when I started getting squirmy.
Out of 5 stars, I give them a 7. A+!!!
Not to mention, the shop is super clean and comfortable. I would highly recommend it and hope to be back soon for some more ink!

One of the friendliest shops I have been too, and the staff is a wealth of knowledge. Its Clean and comfortable too be tattooed in. This is what a tattoo shop should look like art covering the walls not giant flash racks.
Rachel Shelly did a dagger trough the neck on my shoulders and it was AMAZING. The touch of a feather and Great color detail and rendering. I would recommend this too any one looking for a chill high quality shop. I have definitely found my new shop for finishing up my upper body.

I first visited here to get a simple wedding band done on my ring finger. I wasn’t going to write a review based on that. In retrospect, getting the ring tattooed was a mistake, but it introduced me to the artists at Sideshow. After seeing some of Shannon’s work, I figured we should talk about my idea for a sleeve.
Given that I’m going with a Twilight Zone theme, she seemed like the perfect artist for the job. I could not have been more right. She whipped up an incredible design, and so far it’s looking great. Her shading is impeccable, and I can’t wait to put more hours in the chair to get her artwork permanently placed on my skin.

Clean shop, incredibly talented artists. I won’t go anywhere else! I stumbled onto this place before it opened and knew it was different. Came in to get a piece on my upper arm and definitely made the right choice. Had a couple of things done since then by Jesse Vomhit and WOW! I will be going to Jesse for all my new work.
They regularly have get-​togethers and celebrations for holidays at the shop in the great little yard out back. I really appreciate the effort Sideshow puts into involving the community and I have even seen artists from other shops attending these free shindigs.
This is by far my favorite shop I have been to, and most of this is because of the amazing people that make a living here. There is a lot to be said for finding a place where you feel like you are hanging out with old friends and not just getting poked. Check them out, you won’t be disappointed.

My husband got a very large, elaborate piece done here in black/​grey. It is phenomenally good. To research shops, he literally drove all over town stopping at as many shops as he could to interview artists. He met «Crtnz» (pronounced Curtains) at Sideshow and knew he was THE artist for him. The shop is the real deal, the artists want to create a unique piece of artwork for you. It is a nice change from the flash shops on 6^th street. If you want a real tattoo, come to Sideshow!

I have not gotten a tattoo here… not yet anyway. What I have done however is hang out at this cool renovated joint where the artists are friendly, talented, down-​to-​earth, and eager to put their unique art on skin.
The renovated building next to Just Brakes on the corner of Airport and I35 is catchy, clean, and hip. It’s brand spankin’ new, but I can’t wait to see what they do with the space over the next year or so. The modest garden patio on the side is perfect– just needs some shaded areas to sit and plants and tunes with a cool beverage.
Way to go Sideshow, you guys rock! Thanks for being a different sorta tat-​parlor.

I wanted a very special tattoo. I decided to just walk into my new neighborhood shop and check out the vibe. Vibe is very important to me.
Theo and Carl were chilling in the front room. Both were very welcoming and friendly. Theo jumped up and shook my hand and asked me what he could do for me.
«I’m here to see about a tattoo.» I said.
I proceeded to explain what I needed done. Whether Theo knew it or not, I was interviewing him– looking for little clues as to his interest in my tattoo and how he might handle it. I got ZERO «I’m too cool for your tattoo idea» vibe from him. He got the job.
The bottom line is that Theo EXCEEDED my expectations on all levels. And the shop was super cool and clean and inviting. I plan to have more work done, and there is not a chance of me going anywhere else in town.

AJ, AJ, AJ!
When I wanted a ridiculous dancing avocado tattoo on my leg, who worked with me to get the best value and least kitschy tattoo? That’s AJ.
Who has the lightest hand? The quickest wit, skills to boot and the funniest tattoo banter? ALL AJ!
He has done work on myself and a number of close friends and everyone comes back for more. Whether you want script, a Morrissey dedication, a bouquet of flowers or a zombie conquistador AJ is your man.
P. S. VIVA LA RAZA!

Uhm, Big thanks to AJ for the beautiful piece on my leg. Highly recommend him, as he is a great artist, with a light hand and great imagination. He’s very comforting to big babies like me! He will keep getting my business.
The shop is great, nice and cozy, and very open (I don’t like cramped tattoo shops, they creep me out). Great décor and great location.