River Rat Tattoos

I went in for my first tattoo. They didn’t tell me anything about the procedure and literally laughed at me when I asked questions– like how long it would take. I got one initial (smaller than a dime) and it was $ 60. I had to ask about after care and the guy seemed annoyed by the question. After showing my husband, he suggested we go back and get the rest of the initials– 2 more small letters, done with a stencil, next to the first letter. So we went back later that evening to add the other initials and the same man was there to do the STENCILED tattoo. IT IS COMPLETELY CROOKED. I know he could tell and didn’t offer to fix it. I didn’t want to be talked into any shitty cover-​up they might have talked me into so I left. I am meeting with another artist to fix my CROOKED 3 initialed prison tattoo. Worst tattoo shop ever. As I have told my story around town I hear terrible stories about them everywhere I go. Run– do not walk– away from this place.

I will completely agree the staff was friendly and prompt and prices would’ve been reasonable had the quality of piercing work not been so very disappointing. I went in to have my tongue re-​pierced after having it out for a few years. First the piercing was done with a barbell too long to close my mouth around, although they did send me home with an extra smaller one to switch out in a few days if I tried to close my mouth the barbell they used leaned over sideways in order to to fit between the floor and roof of my mouth and tugged on the piercing site. This isn’t my first rodeo and I understand room for swelling but if my tongue had swelled that much I would’ve had bigger issues than the barbell getting tight. After they finished they did not offer a mirror to look at placement but I paid and left figuring it couldn’t be that hard to do correctly since I still had holes on top and bottom from the prior piercing and just needed the middle reopened. When I got home I looked to see if I thought I could change the jewelry out already since it was so long only to discover the piercing went through to prior top whole but was a full ¼ inch from the correct place on the bottom and slanted both forward and to the side. It was so crooked I took the jewelry out immediately so it could close back up. To top it off the jewelry they used was externally threaded and very harsh on the just pierced tissue. Had I waited three days to change it for the shorter one as advised I would’ve seriously disrupted the newly healing tissue. Very disappointed on many levels. Now I’ve put a needle through my tongue for absolutely no good reason and have to wait for it to heal to get it done right.

I am always treated with the upmost respect and care when I visit River Rat Tattoo. Tracy has done 2 beautiful water color tattoos and was patient with my ideas and is so creative. Jessica did a beautiful colorful cover up piece on my back and went above and beyond to consider my taste and placement on my back. I hear Christian and Petra are talented artists and look forward to getting future work done with them,
My favorite tattoo shop!

If you’re looking for a clean, professional, friendly, knowledgeable and very cool place for tatts and piercings, you must veer from the beaten path to this place. They’re awesome! Love our piercings!

I was in the mood for a tattoo, so I decided to give River Rat Tattoos a shot; best choice I made! The staff was friendly, warm, and energetic. This place is well lit and clean. Casey (the owner) was the tattoo artist that helped me, pretty awesome & down to earth guy. If you live in the area or drive by new braunfels regularly definitely try to get your tattoo here. I will be back to get my next one soon !