Lyle Tuttle

Specialties

We are the worlds oldest owned and operated tattoo shop! Lyle Tuttle opened the original Lyle Tuttle tattoo on 7^th and market in 1960. Today at age 84 he still operates and tattoos at his namesake at 841 Columbus ave. in San Francisco’s historic North Beach neighborhood. On any given day you can find Dr. Tuttle either engraving an epidermis, telling a classic tattoo tale, or perhaps just hanging at the bar sharing a dirty joke or two. The history, look, and feel of the place is timeless and unlike any shop in the WORLD! If you’re fan of art or tattoo you should definitely come by have a look, maybe even get a sticker for your luggage!

History

Established in 1960.

In 1945 at the age of 14 Lyle Tuttle got his first tattoo in downtown San Francisco. Within 5 years of that experience he was tattooing with the gentleman that gave him his first tattoo Mr. Duke Kaufman. In 1960 the original Lyle Tuttle Tattoo and Art Museum was born, located on 7^th and market right across from the greyhound bus depot. In 1971 Mr. Tuttle’s life changed forever when he unexpectedly tattooed a young lady by the name of Janis Joplin. After appearing on the cover of Rolling Stone in 1971 Lyle became known as the rock and roll tattooer spending much of the 70s and 80s tattooing famous rock stars either at his shop on market st. or back stage during concerts at a Bill Graham event. Besides Janis he tattooed Cher, Paul Stanley of Kiss, and the Allman Brothers. In 1989 after the Loma prieda earth quake Lyle was forced to move the shop where it is currently located today at 841 Columbus ave. in North Beach. Part museum part tattoo shop, since 1960.