Speakeasy Tattoo

this was my first time doing a consultation then getting the tattoo done at a shop and i felt so comfortable and properly taken care of at this place. my artist emma was totally awesome and understood everything i wanted for my tattoo. i wanted to add on to my flower tattoo i had gotten previously and she matched the style perfectly. the shop looked like a typical tattoo parlour which i was fascinated by because most tattoo shops that i’ve been to were sort of just professional looking. overall, ill definitely be coming back here for my future tattoos !

Got my tattoo touched up and plan to add some effect to it but still have a lot of thinking to do. The touch up was quiet painless and last only 20 mins which us very preferable for me.
Over all, I will come back here for sure for more art works.

I originally went to Speakeasy because I needed to get a tattoo touched up that I had done overseas. I wasn’t familiar with any of the artists at the time, and I got paired up with Adrian. While my tattoo wasn’t in his style, he was happy to take on the touch up, and was careful to pay attention to the details, styles, and colours that my original artist had used so he could give me a beautiful touch up.
Since then, I have been tattooed by two of the other permanent artists, Emma and Aaron, and I’ve been nothing but incredibly satisfied by their professionalism and attention to detail in making sure that I’m getting the best experience. I also love how versatile the artists are… there’s almost nothing that they wouldn’t be able to do.
The shop takes cleanliness very seriously, another thing to help put your mind at ease when you’re getting tattooed!
They also host guest artists throughout the year, so you get the chance to get out other artists’ work. I recently took this opportunity and I’m thrilled that I did.

i usually don’t enjoy getting tattooed in shops and opt for independent artists who work outta home or do guest spots, but i really like this place. everyone was really nice and i never felt like anyone was talking down to me (a very common occurrence in this dudebro-​heavy industry).
I’ve been tattooed by Aaron twice here now, and have been really stoked on the work. i didn’t know him before i went to the shop other than seeing a piece he did for a friend a few years back. the manager recommended him after hearing what i wanted done, and it was a good fit. he’s super chill and modest and didn’t overcharge me at all (imagine that!!!).
i’m definitely going to be going back to this place, and i recommend it to people when they ask where i get work done in the city… which is often since Aaron tattooed my hands lol.

My experiences a Speakeasy are pretty on par with a lot of other people here. I really appreciate the cleanliness and the feel of the shop. I think the neighbourhood goes hand in hand with that, never in my life have I ever wanted to get tattooed in an overcrowded shop with service that I didn’t feel a connection with, in a massive window or an ill-​lit nightclub setting. I have a couple pieces done here with various artists which have all healed great and continue to look amazing. I still get compliments on a tattoo by Lizzie that was done prior to Speakeasy!

This place feels so comfortable to «be» in. Many tattoo places are rough and have a cold environment like being in a Zellars, or seem to aspire to become night clubs. not Speakeasy. The staff are friendly, the place is spotless and stylish, and the work is some of the best in the country. i have been collecting tattoos from NY to London, and these guys are on par with the best.

The staff is GREAT and their work is amazing. Super stuff, keep up the good work!

I didn’t get a tattoo (don’t worry, Mom).
But I did join two friends there today. We were a walk in, and they fit us in right away. The guy helped my friend google the correct Tolkien quote (always important for a permanent decision) and the whole process took just under two hours. They were really nice, professional, and the place was obviously clean. They listened to what she wanted and I thought it looked great! Although I will never ever get a tattoo, I could somewhat see the allure.

For my first tattoo ever I was very nervous, but Lizzie was an absolute professional. She is an amazing artist and I LOVE my tattoo.
Brought in my own design and that made the price a lot lower than I had thought it might be.
I will definitely go back here for my next tattoos.

Invariably when I discuss my tattoos with anyone, I don’t talk about the place where I got it from but rather the name — ‘Lizzie’. It’s not really about the place or the atmosphere of which you got your work at (for me, anyway), but the connection you have with your tattoo artist. That shit is rare to find.
Lizzie is professional, first of all. Kind of a perfectionist but still warm, creative, down-​to-​earth and witty. She’s not the kind of person you have to explain your idea. You say it once and she gets it and get down to business. It is refreshing that all I have to is say ‘Beetlejuice as a snake” and she gives me exactly that.
Speakeasy definitely have a mom’n pop vibe and it’s nice because you know you will get the attention you need. They also check with you to confirm your appointment a couple days before (which is a bonus) and do answer questions if you have any (even if they are stupid).
Altogether Speakeasy is a great place with great people, it’s also a place that operate on using common sense. All they ask of you is to show up on time and not be a jerk.

With Tattoo shops popping up faster than Starbucks locations over the past few years, there’s no lack of variety for getting tattooed in Toronto. With all of that variety, you can afford to be picky and find exactly the right shop for you. Want to get a tattoo in a shop window or a dance club? There are places for that. Want a haircut while you’re at it? There are places for that too. There are experts of every style if you know where to look.
For me, I like a smallish, friendly tattoo shop with a fun atmosphere that drips with character called SpeakEasy Tattoo.
I was first referred to Lizzie by a friend after being turned away at a large, well known Queen street tattoo shop for having what was described to me as an «untattooable» design. A phone call and appointment later, Lizzie managed to make my «untattooable» design into an amazing tattoo, and I’ve been returning regularly ever since. She remains continually impressive and always up for any style or silly idea I come up with, but also doesn’t shy away from suggestions for the betterment of the tattoo.
The atmosphere at the shop has been always familial and welcoming, and the décor alone is worth the trip inside. Pricing and general availability are reasonable, but I would suggest calling ahead for best results. The shop often has guest artists from all over the world, and even has a fun blog and contests, often involving official shop mascot and fucking-​showdog-​with-​fucking-​papers, Wilma.
So really, what’s not to like?

It’s nice that the shop is off some of the bigger streets/​blocks because it eliminates a touristy tattoo crowd.
Agree that it’s a bit awkward right when you walk in, perhaps just because of the set up? A bunch of the staff are kinda cocky, they were a bit rude and so if you’ve been there before it is awkward because you know to expect that attitude.
That being said they do have a lot of really great artists, a cute Pomeranian, and I trust them to do what I ask for.

My favourite tattoo shop in Toronto. Best people and great tattoo artists. Very clean and thorough.
You might feel a bit awkward at first when you walk in, it has a real mom and pop vibe to it which is better than most tattoo shops in Toronto.
Lots of guest artists are coming through speakeasy from all over the world. Keep your eye out! If you’re lucky enough to meet Wilma, you’re in for a treat!

I went to Speakeasy this weekend for my birthday gift (to myself) and was so pleased! I initially booked for the artist; they’ve just hired on Jen Liles, who I saw at TCB in the fall for my last tattoo and was super happy.
PROs
— The shop is on a lovely block on Harbord, directly beside a coffee shop (Sam James, I believe) that, at that time on a Saturday afternoon, was staffed by two very friendly and ridiculously attractive men.
— I was called the day before as a reminder/​confirmation call, which is nice for those of us whose datebooks aren’t exactly up-​to-​date. Also, I’ve had to call a couple of times with questions/​rebooking and the guys have always been incredibly helpful and friendly.
— Jen is a fantastic artist; I came in with what I thought was a relatively abstract idea «a red tiger lily, yellow rose, and pink chrysanthemum… more realistic than cartoon-​ey» and she developed a beautiful piece that fits the location on my body perfectly. She is also extremely reasonable for what she does (my piece is so incredibly detailed and absolutely gorgeous, I nearly died when she told me how much it would be — in a good way, as I was expecting much more) and got involved in the conversation of my best friend and I.
— The atmosphere is great; the main room you walk into from the street is bright and big, but I was amazed to see that there was a whole ‘nother floor! Jen and (I think) Lizzie are upstairs in rooms that are lofty, bright and spacious.
CONs
— I made an appointment for 4 and didn’t begin until 5, despite emailing Jen about a week and a half in advance with what I wanted. That was a little frustrating; that said, as she’d literally just moved from TCB to Speakeasy and was still getting things sorted in her space, I can appreciate being busy! Plus, had I not had to wait a bit, I would have never discovered Sam James coffee next door (or the two coffee men).
Overall, I am super happy with Speakeasy and my tattoo (though it’s not yet coloured in); I’ve already recommended Jen and the shop to a number of coworkers!
Thanks, guys :)