Goldfield’s Tattoo Studio

This is a long overdue review for the awesome experience and care that I received at Goldfield’s a couple of months back. I walked into the shop very late on a weeknight with 2 friends and although I knew that it was a long shot, asked if they had time to do a piece for me that I’d been wanting for a long time now. Rob graciously agreed and took the time to really map out what I had in mind — even though it was nearly closing time for them!
Rob is so talented and detailed, and I was SO happy when I walked out that night! He made everything very comfortable, he’s super chill, the shop is very established and clean — I couldn’t have asked for a better experience! Added bonus — they played some sweet 90s songs for us to jam to while I was getting my piece.
Thanks again, Rob and Goldfield’s! Until next time!

Goldfield’s is a great little shop with lots of charm. I loved their traditional work! Rob gave me my first tattoo and I could not recommend him more. He took his time, did an amazing job, and kept me entertained the whole time. I would definitely come back for another piece from him. The art on the wall in the waiting room does not convey how beautiful & intricate Rob’s art is! If you’re thinking of getting something done, check out Goldfield’s for sure. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

I went to Goldfields for a tattoo I had been wanting for a long time and had an incredible experience. I did a lot of research before going and chose Goldfields for two reasons:
One, because it’s one of the oldest and most legendary tattoo shops in the city
And two, because I discovered the work of one of their resident artists, Tonya Vyeda.
The shop is not only very clean, but also an extremely cool environment to get tattooed in. You feel almost transported back in time while taking in the sensory overload of vintage flash and tattoo kitsch.
Tonya has a great personality, and her and her coworkers create an atmosphere that is really fun and easy going. I fell in love with her traditional style after checking out her Instagram, and also really loved that she has a whole series of lesbian themed tattoos! I only had to give her a basic idea of what I wanted in order for her to create an amazing original design that I’m so happy with. She made me feel very comfortable throughout the whole experience, and she has a very gentle hand when tattooing. I felt very taken care of. Also, did I mention she’s a real hottie? That’s always a plus. ;)
All in all I was so pleased with my new tattoo that I can’t wait to go back and get another from Tonya! I won’t be letting anyone else tattoo me ever again!

What a fun and talented group of artists!!! My best friend and I came here on a whim after not seeing one another for five years. We came in with only half an idea for matching tattoos and John and Rob worked with us to come up with a beautiful image and took a lot of time making sure the size and alignment were perfect. During the tattoo process, they were funny and really made sure that we were comfortable. the whole experience was a blast!
The tattoos are beautiful! We are both thrilled. It was her first time getting ink and we could not have asked for more. I highly recommend this place.

My other half was tattooed here by Jon. He did a fantastic job. The line work was awesome, the colour bright and the design was killer. Jon, and all the people we met in the shop, are very professional and all around awesome dudes. I am definitely going to start coming out from Vegas to get my work done here.

As good as it gets, honestly!
Let’s just put it this way… I waited two years to get the tattoo I wanted just so I could get it done by Rob Merrill. He’s professional, friendly, and an excellent artist.
The location in SF is small but comfortable and the staff is down to earth and friendly.
The price point is fair and well, if you’re going to get a tattoo… just go here, you’ll have a wonderful experience and get the work done right!

Rob Merrill is a scientist. I handed him a line design that got me blackballed from my last tattoo place. «Razor Rob» didn’t even flinch. Seriously one blow-​out and this whole thing was shot. He nailed it. Positively smashed it out of the park. No one (in multiple countries) can freaking believe how skilled it looks.
If this is the only tattoo place you have ever been — you are lucky.

I got my first two tattoo’s at goldfield’s from the legendary Greg Iron’s, that was in 1983 now fast forward to 2012. My daughter just turned 18 and wanted to get a tattoo so i took her here. We were met by john and we discussed what she wanted he said give him an hour and he’d be able to accomodate us. He was very professional and did an excellant job. Rob was also very friendly we all talked and joked around. All in all it was a great expierience for my daughter and me. She went back to Arizona and all her friends are so impressed with her tattoo that they are planning a road trip to Goldfields.
Thanks again John for making my daughters expierience a memorable one.

I have two tattoos done by rob that are amazing!
I had gotten my first tat at another shop but when i started looking around for a shop that does blacklight/​uv, this was the place. Rob worked with me with the design and placement. He really works hard to make it perfect and make sure its what you want. The blacklight tat is on my forearm and is completly healed now, and you can barley see the tat except in UV.
I went back a few months later after seeing issac brock and broken social scene at the filmore and had to get a modest mouse inspired tat. Its on my left hip on an area of my back that streches and he did a great job. lots of detail.
This place is great!

Our little 13 month old baby girl died suddenly 3 years ago. We live in Boston. When we went to San Francisco to visit friends we decide to stop talking about getting tattoos to honor Sophia’s life and just do it! (I used to live there and it a VERY special place to me.)
They were awesome! This was my first and my husband’s second. I’m 41 and he is 47. We are not kids (although we are kids at heart). The staff was awesome. As one of the other reviews said, don’t let the neighborhood put you off. They are incredibly clean and professional.
For us getting a tattoo was about finding a way to honor our Sophia’s life. They made it a memorable, fun and deep experience. This is artwork and beauty at it’s best.
When we got home our other children LOVED the tattoos! We could not recommend them more!

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!
The girlfriend and I had a little San Francisco getaway this past weekend and decided that we’d get tattooed together… we ended up at Goldfield’s randomly.
It was around 10pm Friday night… and they were just finishing up, but Courtney greeted us with a big smile and offered us to come back tomorrow (Saturday). We were bummed that we couldn’t do it that night, but in the end, it was way better for us.
We gave her an idea of what my girlfriend wanted and she sketched it over night… we came back the next morning and it was time to go!!!
It was my girl’s FIRST TATTOO, so she was a little nervous, but Courtney made us feel super comfortable and kept her (girlfriend’s) mind off the pain.
The tattoo came out better than expected and we couldn’t be happier.
It was then my turn and i had no idea what to get… we were kind of on a schedule for the day and didn’t have much time… but it was my first time coming to San Francisco since i was 8yrs old… i wanted something that will remind me of this place.
We sat… brain stormed for a bit… and we decided that i was going to get a lightning bolt! Random, crazy, fun, and perfect for the moment…
Courtney was so nice and helpful… there’s those people you meet in life where you JUST KNOW that they’re «good» people… she is definitely a good person.
Thanks so much for everything… i’ll be back the next time i’m up north!!!
:)

Based on the attitude we met at the door when we came in. we won’t be back. we walked into a shop that had no one on the table getting ink… had cash in hand for two tattoo’s.needed a little art drawn up, nothing major. after the employee who was sitting on the floor realized we were there he did everything he could not to help us. not one Hi how are you, sure we can hook you up, what is it you need drawn… etc. just reasons why they would not be able to sling the ink.
There are too many shops with talent to debate. won’t be back, and off the list they go.

This review is solely based on their customer service…
I came in tonight with my friends to inquire about getting some cursive writing on the side of my finger. The guy who assisted me made some recommendations and told me that my desired location was NOT the best area for tattoos and that the permanence and longevity of the tattoo is not very likely due to the textural skin differences. Then a girl that worked there showed me the tattoos on her fingers to further illustrate what he was saying.
I left the shop without my finger tattoo but left with a great appreciation for their honesty and integrity as artists who take pride in their work and customer satisfaction.
So THANK YOU… guy with the glasses and the chick with the bad ass tattoos!!! :)

Got my first tat done by Carlos of a Chinese
Dragon encircling a yin & Yang globe.
All my classmates luv it!
Pros n very talented.

From my experience working in the creative industry, you know an individual has talent when you can imagine what his/​her work will look like, and then when you actually see the finished product it far exceeds your expectations.
This is why I whole heartedly believe that Steven Lam is one talented mo-​fo. Two portrait tattoos on each arm on my boyfriend, and a back ribcage script for myself later, this five star review I’m giving Goldfield’s is really a testament to how skilled he is! (To be fair, I’ve seen the others who tattoo at Goldfield’s, and they’ve definitely all got skills).
Trustworthy, mellow, honest opinions, and very patient — and I already covered the part about him being talented — Steve makes the special experience of getting something inked on your body very ideal. The last thing you want while getting something permanently carved into you is any creeping paranoia about whether you’re going to regret the decision… go with Steve, and I promise you that your tattoo is going to look better than even you imagined it.
I’m posting photos now, because no matter how much I talk about his work, proof is in the pudding!

i recently got tattoos of my kids’ chinese names on my left arm. i’ve been picking steven lam’s brain for the past year for ideas and he recommended that i find a chinese calligraphist to write the names in brush strokes. this would ensure uniqueness as well as aesthetics. i’m so happy i took my time and and went with his advice. i found some old chinese dude in the sunset who did a beautiful job with my son’s and daughter’s chinese names. steve then blew them up and positioned the stencils on my tricep and inner bicep. the inner bicep hurt like a mother but you pay if you wanna play.
i just want to point out that steve really takes pride in his work and pays strict attention to details. i’m super pleased with the results and now i want more! mahalo bruddah steve.

I had already booked a trip to San Fran and thought while i was down there I’d look for a tattoo shop that did UV tattoos (since no one does it in Seattle). I found Goldfields. After looking at their profiles online I felt comfortable enough to call them and set up an appointment.
Courtney is really nice on the phone. They generally don’t take appointments on the phone but since i was from out of town they agreed.
They answered all my questions about the UV ink (since everyone has different opinions on it i wanted to be super sure about my decision)
The shop is really tiny, but comfy.
Rob did my UV tattoo. He did a great job (it was only text). I’m super happy with it.
They make the ink in their shop and test it on themselves.
EDIT as of 12/​21/​2010
I just wanted to give everyone an update status on my UV tattoo (since i keep getting PMs about it).
It has healed up just fine. Since I am pasty white, the tattoo shows up as a FAINT tan mark on my forearm. If you’re a normally pigmented person, this will most likely look like nothing. Even if you looked at my arm and i didn’t tell you about the tat, you wouldn’t even notice it.
It still glows just as bright as it did back in February.

I have yet to go back to Goldfield’s because I love the artwork there. But, I am updating because I have heard that Dean, the artist that did my first tattoo is now at Blue Star Tattoo in Concord.
He’s a fantastic artist to say the least!

I must admit, it’s my first tattoo, but felt very comfortable with the whole experience thanks to Rob at Goldfields.
I brought in some pictures of a unique flower and Rob drew up a rough sketch then we agreed to how he would color it because the flower had petals transitioning from yellow to red (majahua flower).
Anyway, I pretty much left it up to him and he did a wonderful job. All my friends are extremely impressed and it must have been a hard job because all the other artists wanted to see how he did it!
I highly recommend Goldfields and Rob Merrill.

Came in here back in August 2006 on my 20^th birthday. I had this idea for years to get the foreground of the Cherokee peace flag inked on my arm with two additional stars (blue one for ‘a brighter future,’ black one for those who died on the trail of tears, in case you were wondering…).
Good price, good experience, good work. Some tattoo artists are elitist as hell, but Rob and Henry were talkative and friendly. I think I was distracted by all and any pain because we were talking about life in the bay area. It took only one hour (if even) and he sent me out with care instructions.
Just because it’s on Broadway doesn’t make it a sleazy place just waiting to give you a dose of hepatitis. These guys are good.