The Forge Tattoo

Wonderful experience at The Forge, from the first call, to the consultation, to the tattoo. I don’t tattoo lightly! I’ve been imagining this one for four years and wanted a place that would really listen. Nate was my artist. Healing has been easy and pain-​free. I’m almost fifty and felt totally comfortable with the guys. Get yourself and your design to The Forge!

In the process of getting a lower leg sleeve done in black and grey. Couldn’t be happier with the work. Top notch artistry by good hearted, genuine people. Love the vibe and lack of pretentiousness at the shop. Definitely NOT your stereotypical tattoo shop. Much more of a zen, chilled out vibe happenening. The entire staff is courteous and attentive. Check em out!

Amazing addition to the Fairfax community! From my first phone call with Josh, my consult with Adam, to my stellar tattoo experience with Nate… Great guys, great space, great work! Got my first two tattoos (ever) yesterday from Nate. We immediately hit it off and helped me feel at ease. He gave me exactly what I wanted, nice detail, clean lines, perfect size & fast. The vibe is easy, 0 pretense, space is clean, bright light, Led Zeppelin playin’ it loud, large windows to look out and people watch or be people-​watched from outside. Big love for this place! thanks y’all!

About the shop:
The Forge! Aside from being new and clean, this place is STUNNING.
Unlike most tattoo shops, The Forge has some major character. The design aesthetics feature amazing artwork on the walls, plush tables, industrial details, and wait until you see the bathroom ceiling! Not even joking.
Aside from being the most tastefully designed shop I’ve ever stepped into, The Forge is also well equipped with some seriously talented folks.
About «The Man» :
Nate is a talented man, beautiful soul, and amazing artist!
It’s been an honor to work with Nate for the last 8 years, and I cannot imagine my life without him. I have a very large and intricate back-​piece, and step by step, Nate has designed every detail. He sketched and re-​sketched the artwork until we both agreed on the vision. He’s been thoughtful about EVERY aspect, from the tattoo’s placement to the color selections. He understands so many different styles of tattooing, and truly knows how to breath life into his work.
Nate is passionate about his craft, and it shows! Every time I see him, he’s genuinely happy to work on me, and always makes me feel so comfortable.
No matter what you envision, Nate will always deliver quality work. Thank you Nate for your dedication!

I was a call-​in/​walk-​in, needed some touch-​up work on my Pokemon ½ sleeve. I got paired with Marcelo and he is just friggin great. He knew the style and suggested to thicken the outlines and holy hell it looks a billion times better! Just from outlining! Crazy cool. His linework is super steady and smooth, his tattooing is gentle, and he’s a great guy to hang out and talk with while he’s working on you. I’ve been around the block in Marin tattoo shops and I’ve found my new favorite artist here.
The shop itself is great, too. The apprentice guy is super sweet and welcoming, the shop is open and airy, chill AF music (no heavy metal here!!!), clean and sterile, and the big windows make you feel like you’re in a big ol’ fish bowl which is super fun (especially when the shocked older residents walk by unassumingly ;)

Perfect spot for this shop!
Great artists and nice people!

Every one at The Forge is a great artist and willing to work with any customer. Nate spent a lot of time on my piece and is a great guy, as are all of the people who work there.
From their barber Phill to the girl behinds the desk, they’re all A1 material and what Marin County needs from a tattoo parlor.

This place is an absolute treasure.
Located in the adorable downtown Fairfax, The Forge is bright, clean, and carries a stylish, subtle masculinity. You can tell the men who built, opened, and run this place put their love into the place. The waiting area is comfortable with an insanely awesome chess set to pass the time.
The guys who run the establishment keep it a friendly, comfortable place with pleasant conversation and jazzy lounge music (a la Tom Waits). The barber is an excellent and unique addition. His chair is beautiful, and he’s hilarious and very fun to speak with. Having watched him work, his skill with shaving is wonderful and he clearly enjoys what he does.
The tattoo artists are the best I’ve ever worked with. Charming, funny, extremely talented and dedicated to their craft, I would never go anywhere else.
Adam is my main guy, his detail in his work is phenomenal, and he can easily take your difficult-​to-​describe ideas and turn them into works of art. But I certainly wouldn’t turn down Marcelo or Nate, they are very skilled.
The front desk woman is friendly and clearly enjoys her work.
It’s very rare to find an insanely awesome tattoo parlor that isn’t filled to the brim with smug assholes, but here it is! These guys couldn’t be more opposite from assholes, and I will certainly continue bringing my business to them. You should too!

The Talent and spirit of the boyz at the Forge make it a real experience filled with the true spirit of art
Whats a great place to get inked, an incredible atmosphere and knowledgeable and friendly staff
I look forward to my next appointment

Got my first tattoo with Adam before he opened up the Forge. Years later I ran into him and he remembered me! Great guy that does a great job. Can’t recommend him enough.

Adam Roach is one of the most talented artists I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. The most beautiful piece on my body is the shoulder tattoo that Adam created. I still get comments all the time about how gorgeous it is and how vibrant the colors are, and it’s been well over a year since it’s been finished! Adam is a blast to be around! He made the process a breeze and I felt super comfortable with him.
The new shop is conveniently located in downtown Fairfax right across the street from a large parking lot and it’s beautiful, welcoming, and super clean.
I can’t say enough great things about Adam and The Forge Tattoo shop. Definitely worth checking out if you are looking for a quality tattoo.

Can’t say enough good things about these guys! Friendly vibe, clean and professional approach, hugely talented artists, great location in the middle of town.
I went on opening day and got a tattoo from Marcelo, who was the fastest, most sure-​handed artist I’ve had the pleasure of working with, which made the whole experience as pain-​free as possible.
Adam, Nate, Marcelo and I are already designing my next piece, and they have been very helpful in guiding me toward a design that will remain clear and vibrant over the coming years.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! They also have a proper, old-​school, straight razor slingin’ barber giving out hair cuts and shaves. I just got the full treatment this morning and I was very impressed.
TL;DR — everyone here kicks ass at everything they do. Six stars.

Adam is THE best! He has done 2 of my tattoos & done some work on my daughters that is absolutely beautiful! The Marilyn tatt he did on my youngest daughter’s shoulder is spot on & beautiful! The half sleeve of Alice In Wonderland characters he did on my girl’s BFF is AMAZING! If you’re looking for someone to do your ink, The Forge is the place! :)