Bearcat Tattoo Gallery

Matt took care of me. I wanted my dogs ink paw print, done with watercolor in the background. He did exactly what I wanted, while making it look great. He helped me decide which colors would show up best. Pricing was really good, location and shop is nice. Check them out!

Chad is awesome! Contacted Chad several months ago to do some cover-​up work for me. I came in for a consultation, however I hadn’t followed up to book an appointment as some life changes kept me preoccupied. Well about a month ago, I came back to the shop to follow-​up and surprisingly, Chad still had my old tattoo sketch and information. We discussed what I wanted, and he gave some great information on what would work best for my cover-​up. A few days beforehand, I emailed him some pictures and ideas of what I wanted, and when I came in, he was ready with some great ideas of exactly what I wanted! Chad is very thorough and safe, explaining his process the whole way through. Super easy going guy and great to talk to as well! He did most of my cover-​up in about 3 ½ hours. And damn, I’m already loving what I’m seeing, and we still have another session to go! Right now, the tattoo is in the healing process, but I’m already getting sooo many compliments on it! How much they love the artwork, the colors, how its stunning and classic, and how they don’t notice it as a cover-up…and it’s not even done yet! I’m so excited to see the final artwork!
This shop is located in Little Italy off of Kettner, 2-​hour street parking is available, but they also have a small parking lot in the back of the shop if you need to stay longer. All the other artists in the shop seem pretty easy going and personable as well. The shop is easy to get a hold of, they always answered when I called.
If you’re looking to get a tattoo, don’t look anywhere else, go straight to Bearcat! Chad is fucking talented!

My first tattoo! This shop was great and made feel very comfortable. I had a very small tattoo to remember my grandson. It’s small elegant and perfect. I told them I felt bad because they do such beautiful work and I’m getting something so simple and they said the meaning was all the beauty. Thank you for making this such a great experience.

The guys at the shop are awesome artists as you will notice when you walk in the shop by all of the artwork on the walls. There is no trace of the tattoo that Chad covered up for me. I highly recommend Chad for not only coverup work, but also one of a kind pieces as well.

You won’t find more talented artists anywhere else, let alone a shop as clean and with a chill atmosphere. I go to Alonzo, but they all do great work. Highly recommended.

This is a LEGIT tattoo place. They are no nonsense and do seriously good work. I had a new tattoo done and two others re-​touched; all were what you would call «white girl basic» tats but artist Matt Heinz did such a good job. He was so accommodating and helpful and he was just overall a pleasure to have work on my. I would highly recommend this tattoo place. They’re amazing. I would say best in San Diego and by far the best tattoo place I’ve gone to yet.

Chill, super clean tattoo parlor with amazing artist and down to earth people. Definitely the place to go if your in San Diego. Thanks guys

Matt is awesome! Very clean shop. Lots of fun stuff to look at! Great artists working here.

I wish i could give more stars, every artist is extremely talented and friendly, they brought my husband food because he was about to start his session and didn’t get a chance to eat before.
feels like home hanging out here while my man gets Inked by Sierra.

Best tattoo shop in San Diego in my opinion. All the guys are amazing artists and very professional. Nate has been doing my tattoos for years and I’m beyond happy with the work he does. So detailed and clean!
The shop is also extremely clean, which to me. Is very important in a tattoo shop.
I have referred many of my friends here and they’ve all loved the work they had done as well.

I ran into 3 strangers last year whose tattoos were amazing and when I asked them where they’d had it done, they all said Sierra at Bearcat! He is a true artist (as are all of the guys there) and the design was absolutely perfect. The shop is a cool, comfortable and creative space. I will never go anywhere else.

Worth every star! From cleanliness, to being so friendly I feel blessed I found this beautiful tattoo gallery. Just speaking with a few of the guys and looking at thier paintings/​art work through out the historic home they turned into an amazing Tattoo gallery, I knew this was where the best tattoo artists reside in San Diego. Not to mention they are voted «nicest guys in the industry» They use state of the art machines and up to date with technology using I pads etc. My twin brother and I are going to Sierra Colt and Chad Whitson to finish our sleeves. However all of the artists are truley well rounded! Nate, Alonzo, Hoss and Matt Heinz will cover all angles of your tattoo ideas or themes. I get stopped every day from people with and without tattoos asking me where i get my ink at!?? In a town of many tattoo shops that alone says these guys are pretty amazing at their trade…

A couple of years ago I started looking for an artist or shop that had a solid reputation for cover ups. I searched and searched and came across a lot of sub par shops and arrogant artists. Finally I found an article that had mentioned an artist named chad whitson who worked at bearcat tattoo. I went in to meet chad and look at his work. When I did i was very impressed with his work, his professionalism and the overall vibe of the shop and other artists. Not only was chad very easy and friendly to talk to, so are all the other artists in there as well. When I booked my first appointment i was a little bummed because it was 2 months out but i am so pleased with the cover up it was definitely worth the wait. I have been coming here ever since for all my tattoo needs. I highly recommend Bearcat Tattoo Gallery.

UPDATE:
A few weeks later and I’m completely healed. I have NEVER seen a tatoo, mine or others heal so cleanly. No problems what so ever, I did follow Chad instructions.
I have received multiple compliments from total strangers about the color and sheer beauty of it. Not to mention a few jealous remarks from people here in Pennsylvania when they ask where I had it done.
Job well done. Thanks for making everyone here jealous!

I’m currently getting my knee tattooed as I am writing this Unilocal review. Feet propped up, chair reclined, endorphins kicked in, I’m in heaven.
All of the artists at Bearcat are a super talented, amiable bunch. Seriously just do yourself a favor and go walk into the shop, (it feels like home!) meet the fine folks, see the amazing arts, and book yourself an appointment because they go fast. All of the artists are great, but Chad is my dude. He’s tattooed an elephant coverup (duh) on my leg, as well as a mermaid on my shin, and he just now drew up this succulent, freehand with markers, on my knee. That was a first for me and super awesome to watch. I’ve been to their annual Pig and Pig event twice, so I do have two little piggy tattoos that will forever remind me of all of the free food, free drinks, and free fun that was had in Bearcat’s backyard. Also, Matt has tattooed me twice on two different Friday 13ths.
Before I found Bearcat, I had 5 different tattoos done by 5 different artists from 5 different shops. Then I struck tattoo gold. I will never need to go to another shop. And i will never need to get another cover up. :)

I got my tattoo today and Matt was awesome, all business explained everything in detail and it was refreshing not going to a shop with a lot of macho artist that try and talk BS while clients are getting there work done! Super comfortable I even told my wife (who want another tattoo) that this is the place to do it.
I’m heading back in 3 weeks for more work with Matt and I can’t wait for him to continue his great work and service.
Thx Matt!

Best place to get a tattoo! all staff is friendly and a nice environment! I have been coming here for years as well as my brother! Alonzo is the man! He does all my work and brothers. I will never go to any other place ever! If your looking for a long lasting beautiful masterpiece, work of art on your body then come here! All of them are professional and know what to do.

This is definitely and inviting and friendly place. Opposed to another shop I went to (super impersonal and unprofessional for consultation, staff here was professional and knowledgable and took the time to provide me with information I needed about getting a coverup. Although I may need to wait a few months as I am going through laser treatment, I am definitely returning here. Knowledgable, respectful, professional and from the portfolios I’ve seen, awesome artists.

Love this place! As mentioned, friendly staff with fantastic artwork all around. Nate is an amazing cool dude with great attention to detail! Just finished the outline and it looks even better than the picture I brought in as the example. Extremely pleased! Can’t wait to come back for the shading,

Got my first tat here and I’m so happy with it! They were very accommodating. Didn’t make an appointment and just walked in. Matt was so nice and explained really well how to take good care of the tat. Thanks!

if you’re gonna get a tattoo look no further, Best Tattoo Shop in San Diego –Hands Down. Been getting amazing work Done by Sierra Colt for years and am constantly stopped on the street and complimented by others for how colorful and detailed his work is. The shop is very clean, upscale and a professional environment, always a good vibe every time. All the guys that work here are pretty rad and do incredible work, I cant say enough good things about Bear Cat. I HIghly recommend!

Stop looking for any other tattoo shop and just go to Bearcat!!! The staff is amazing… they are all so friendly and make you feel comfortable which is so important. The shop is nice & clean and they have gorgeous pieces of their own art all over the place. Every piece that I have seen come out of this shop is nothing less than stunning. Do yourself a favor and check out their Instagram… there are some great pics and you can see the quality of the work they are producing.
I’m currently working with Nate Anderson on a cover-​up /​soon to be half sleeve and I am still in awe of what he has done so far. Not only is he extremely talented but he’s also a really nice guy and that’s important (to me at least!!) when you are hanging out with him for a couple of hours in his chair :) check out his work and definitely go see him!

What can I say I just love this shop and my Tattoo! The layout and vibe of the shop is not traditional, it’s stylish and artistic, which makes me think that they put as much love into designing their body art at they do their shop. I wouldn’t have picked any other shop, as it is in my beloved little Italy (I’m a proud Italian) and the logo itself is basically my tattoo, so who better for the job?! Nathan did my piece and he did a great job! It was my first tattoo and he made it such a breeze. I don’t think I whined once and I though for sure I’d be in tears. Also want to think him for seeing me so late, as I was on a time crunch. He agreed to see me at 7:00 which is actually when they closed. Thanks Nathan and keep up the good work!

Great tattoo & gallery. Nate is the one that did my piece and did an amazing job. He really took the time to understand my vision then added his artistic spin on it. If it’s your first time or you are a tattoo veteran, I highly recommend stopping by and collaborating with Nate.

Best shop in san diego! I have been getting tattooed by sierra for probably around 7 – 8 years and have followed him to a few locations but now that he has opened his own shop, it blows the rest out of the water. Sierras tattoos are amazing. I cant count the amount of compliments i get and amount of people i have referred here. The shop is the nicest shop ive ever been in. The rest of the guys there are all talented and really nice. Whatever style youre trying to find you can find it here.

Met Alonzo here in Hawaii at the PIAE, was lucky to get some work done before he left. He listened to what I wanted and made it happen. Great lines and shading techniques. And a good guy. Go see Alonzo if you want to be happy with your ink!

Alonzo is a tight artist. As long as I’m in San Diego I’ll be going to him for all of my tattoos.

I’m not usually one to give reviews, but I had to for this occasion. I got my tattoo done at a random shop before and they went out of business before I could finish the last part. So I went to Bearcat after hearing about them from a friend. Right away I could tell this shop was on point. It was a welcoming environment and the artist there were all extremely nice and you can tell they have a good time at their job. I met with Alonzo there and finished the tattoo to make it look amazing! I couldn’t believe it and will be going back within a month for another piece l. I highly recommend Bearcat and going with anyone there. Alonzo I can say thank you enough and you can tell he loves his work. He wanted to make sure I was happy and put in an extra part that meant a lot to me on part if my tattoo for a cousin of mine. Thanks again Bearcat and thanks again Alonzo! See you guys next month!