Reviews of Area 51 Tattoo (Tattoo Shop)

Matt G.

Joe did great work on my phoenix, and a few other small tattoos. A really neat thing is they give away concert tickets and other goodies if you like them via fb and enter their drawings. I love the team at Area 51... always doing great work that impresses me, with excellent service, and humble artists. Free touch-up for life with brilliant colors is worth the price.

Annie Dune

AMAZING EXPERIENCE! Everyone was so professional and helpful! Very clean shop!! I will definitely be back!

Kate Avers

Desirea was fantastic for my first tattoo. It is exactly what I hoped and was a great experience.

Michael Caponigro

Nikki did an awesome job on my tat. This is a very warm and friendly place. I would highly recommend Area 51 and Nikki for your first or next tattoo.

Connie Milowski

Been going to Khalid for a couple of years working on a back piece. Everyone that sees the work so far has been very impressed! He's very talented and easy to work with and everyone in the shop is friendly and fun. Occasionally questionable music choices

Bill Foster

Very bad experience will not be going back

jeanne heger

Steve and I have both been going to Area 51 for our tattoos. I just had another outstanding experience there. I wanted to have a small hawk, which is my spirit animal, on the inside of my arm. I brought a design in that I liked not loved however I wanted something smaller. Today I go for my appointment with Khalid and to my absolute joy he had reworked the design. Khalid said take a look at this, I think this is more like you. I loved it, it is my favorite tattoo and yes it is me. Everyone at the shop is very friendly and reassuring. Very clean, and they even changed the radio station for me! Can't say enough things about this place. Fits so well in Old Towne Crystal Lake.

Nina Schappert

TAYLOR IS THE BEST!! I've gone to him for my last two tattoos and have gotten non-stop compliments on both of them! Service is always wonderful, everything is always clean and sanitary, and all of A51's artists do a fantastic job. I won't go anywhere else

Mrs lovie Smyth

Best Tattoo shop in McHenry County hands down!!

Cef Rose

Amazing shop, great artists, & great people. Area 51 is really anything you could ask of a tattoo shop. They're clean, they're professional, they take the time to really make sure your tattoo makes you happy. As well as, they're such talented artists & amazing people. Would recommend this shop over any other in the state.

Paloma Bernal

Most beautiful tattoo I have on my body so far. Khalid did a phenomenal job. Cant wait for more.

Michael Murphy

They have been the top tattoo shop in McHenry County for years for a reason. Outstanding service and great art. There is a little wait list to have work done but it will be worth it.

Samantha Gardner

The whole staff was very sweet and helpful. I got my first tattoo here and Talia did an amazing job. She was super sweet and patient during the process with me never getting one done before. I highly recommend Area 51 and I will be coming back!!

Pam Golding

Great artists

sami dillett

I got my first tattoo here and I can honestly say it was the best experience I could have ever imagined. They were so nice and helpful, which really calmed my nerves. I would definitely go back.

Maddie Hanus

The staff is all super friendly and all do phenomenal work

Kelly King

Amazing talented artist! Dakota is great to work with! Cant wait until Saturday to get my next one!

Jessica Burdloff

Amazing work with amazing artists

Paul Ruiz

The Artistry by Khalid at Area 51 is Stellar! I had no Idea how my tattoo cover up would end up looking. Let me say that it not only hid the unwanted work, but blew me away with it's perfection. For those who are on the fence as to whether or not to attempt a cover up, this is the place to go. Great Artists who know their trade and execute their work Beautifully. P. Ruiz Woodstock

Amy Shanahan

Everyone is super nice and its super clean!!

Lisa Gagliardi

Hands down, best experiences - ever! I have been going to Area 51 for the past 7 years and I would never go anywhere else. I trust Khalid completely with my ideas, artwork, and body. Khalid & his staff are very welcoming, friendly, and warm. You don't get the rude or I'm too cool vibe at all from anyone on his staff. They take their time with each and every customer so you walk out 100% satisfied with exactly what you want. I have visited many other tattoo shops with friends and family waiting for them to get work done and it is a constant reminder - Area 51 Tattoo in Crystal Lake is the ONLY place to go. If you are a tattoo newbie or tattoo collector, I whole heartedly recommend Area 51; you won't be disappointed. *Bonus: They guarantee their work for life! Touch ups are free if it fades ... unless you're silly and don't follow their after care instructions. They can tell if you don't follow them. They are easy - just do it.

Chris Komorous

Got my first tattoo and Talia was my artist. She was extremely professional, and very nice to talk to. She explained everything and answered all of my dumb questions while trying to tattoo. Very sweet girl and would recommend her to anyone. Everyone on the shop was very nice. Dakota took time to show my daughter his tablet and showed her the program he uses to draw and even did some examples for her. If your looking to get a tattoo, again I would recommend this shop to you.

Amy H

TOTALLY THE BEST, HANDS DOWN!!! I HAD MY LAST 3 DONE BY KHALID AND I WOULD NEVER GO ANYWHERE ELSE!!

Gaga Nusbaum

Area 51 Tattoo is very clean & everyone is so friendly & caring. I have been going there for 15 years. Desi does all my tattoos. I wouldn't go any place else. Khalid is the owner of Area 51. Love it there!

Kaeleen Taylor

Absolutely love!!! Desirea was my artist and I cannot say enough great things! Her work is amazing. Additionally, it was my first tattoo so she was very through with explaining the process and making sure I understood what was happening throughout the process. She also made sure I understood the aftercare process and was very adamant that I contact her or the team with any questions/concerns I had with my healing tattoo. I can't wait to get my next tattoo here!

Joanne Taylor

Wonderful atmosphere. Very welcoming. Loved my experience.

V. Ram

Khalid and his crew are true professionals. The shop atmosphere is very clean and feels more like your at a friend’s house instead of a tattoo parlor. I was a bit nervous touching up two old tattoos because I hadn’t been under the gun in over 20 years. Everyone was very attentive to me and answered all my questions prior to me making a appointment and during the day of my appointment. Khalid knocked the ball out of the park with my touch ups. None of my friends or family could believe the before and after pictures of my tattoos. I could tell everyone in the shop took pride in their work and believed in taking care of the customer. I would highly recommend Area 51.

Delaney Ulbrich

I want to start off by saying everyone at Area 51 was extremely accommodating and helpful from the moment we walked in. It was honestly the best experience we could have had during this process. I had gotten two tattoos done previously here and remembered it being a great experience, so my husband and I traveled from Wisconsin to Area 51 for our tattoo this past weekend. Desirea was incredible! She created exactly what we were looking for and our tattoos turned out beautiful. Very, very talented artist and I recommend her to everyone looking to get work done. I can't say enough good things about this place. There's a reason why there's a wait( because they truly are the best) and it's definitely worth it. So thank you to Desirea and the rest of the staff!

Paula Mayer

Best place for tattoos!!

Kristy Sulkowski

I absolutely loved my first time experience! I had called earlier I’m the day and spoke with Dakota, who was extremely friendly and explained that I should come in just to check them out before making any decisions...so I felt NO pressure! I decided that since it was my birthday, I would just go check them out and I was NOT disappointed! Walking into the shop, my first impression was “WOW! This place is clean!” My next thought, after browsing the massive amount of amazing art all around me was “These artists are SO talented” I stood at the counter and found Dakota behind the desk drawing, he immediately noticed me and asked if he could help at all. I told him that I had previously spoke to him and he was associated excited and said “I was really hoping you’d come in today!” I literally felt like I had known him forever and felt so comfortable. Khalid was SUPER friendly and made me laugh! All in all, I personally couldn’t of asked for a better first time! I WILL be going back to Area 51 forever! THANK YOU FOR BEING INCREDIBLE!

april castillo

I went in with a drawing of what I wanted, set up an apt and when I seen what DESIREA drew I was blown away. I wanted to cry after I seen the finished tattoo. She did an amazing job. I will be back. Everyone in the shop is very helpful and friendly. Thank you Desirea for doing an amazing job ❤❤

Linda Browne

I had a disastrous tattoo at another tattoo parlour and came to Area 51 for help. I was very distraught, but Desiree came to my rescue. She was patient and understanding and took the time to talk me through some ideas that could help me "fix" the mess on my arm. She truly is an artist and her attention to detail turned my nightmare totally around. I am grateful for her excellent work and would highly recommend her to everyone.

Samantha Gorman

Great artists whom are understanding and explain everything. The environment is friendly, supportive, and comforting. Great place to get your first tattoo!! Or second or third :). AREA 51 lives up to their reputation!!

Chuck Fox

Desirea did a great job on my first tattoo. I'm already trying to decide on the next one.

Jessica Zieba

Great place! Dakota was amazing throughout the entire process! Friendly and super clean. Defintely going to go back!

Ryan Jackson

Great shop, very clean and staff is awesome! They seem like really great people and the atmosphere was pretty chill. I met dakota, Khalid (owner) and my artist Talia. She did a great job and was super nice. I will definitely be back. Thanks guys and gals!

Wendy Bialek

Great shop, free color touch ups. Really good artists!

Timothy Riley

I can't stress enough how awesome this place is. The owner Khalid is just amazing to work with (as well as all the others). They will always make sure you love the work you get done. At this point I will not get work done on me by anyone else, I've found my place! Moving out to LA this year so I'll have to fly back to get any work done haha

Meaghan Rainey

I love this place! It's the only place I've gotten tattoos at because they are so great! Highly recommend it to anyone looking to get great work done for a good price.

Roberto Sanchez

Khalid was great. Tattoo turned out amazing!

Erik Stasiorowski

First tattoo, was the best experience there. Dakota did an awesome job. I will recommend to anyone looking for a tattoo!!!!!!

Andrea Montoya

(Translated by Google) Excellent (Original) Excelente

Devin

Artists are all friendly! Clean, professional, and quality work. Would recommend to friends!

James Leonard

Great artists, none of the snotty attitude so many tattoo shops have. Good attention to cleanliness.

Robert Tovar

Very professional I would recommend area 51 to anyone

Daniel Baus

Wouldn't trust my tattoos to anybody else!

Amanda Schretter

Khalid's work is hands down the best!

Daniel Yoder

Great work great people