Rising Tide Tattoo Emporium
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Rising Tide Tattoo Emporium
Rising Tide Tattoo was founded in 2005 by Phill Bartell as a one-man shop on Pearl St. in downtown Boulder, Colorado. Five years later, Rising Tide Tattoo Emporium & Gallery was born from the idea that one space could bring together fine art and tattoo art; displaying quality work on both skin and canvas.

In 2010, Rising Tide opened its doors to a warm reception from the community and our machines have hardly been quiet since. Our artists work closely with each client to ensure that their pieces are unique and aligned with their vision. Come on by to check out our light-filled, inspiring space, peruse portfolios and gallery art for sale, or to make an appointment for custom work.
Services
We accept appointments and walk ins! Call us to check availability for walk ins as it varies day to day! Saturdays are our main walk in day which are first come first serve! To book a consult or appointment please call the shop as we require a $50 deposit(that is non refundable) to hold your tattoo appointment 303-500-5046.
Reviews (22)
Cheyanne Diehl
Cheyanne Diehl
Jan 24, 2022
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Rising Tide is full of great artists whether you're looking for flash or something custom. They have a great variation in artists and I can guarantee you'll be able to find someone to do whatever style you're looking for in this shop. Phil and Mo are both totally rad.
Mark Hartman
Mark Hartman
Nov 12, 2021
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Loved getting my tattoo here. Everyone is so friendly and it’s very obvious why they’re the best shop in boulder county!
Bogdan D.
Bogdan D.
Oct 08, 2021
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Extremely disappointed by both Taryn McElvany @tarynmce_tattoo and the Rising Tide Tattoo shop owner Phill Bartell . The palm tattooes on both palms from Taryn literally disappeared after 3.5 weeks because she doesn't understand the palm skin is thicker and she needed to go deeper. I have other palm tattoos with red, green, light blue, light green that stayed fine for years. Taryn wiggled her way out of redoing the tattooes. When I contacted Phil the shop owner, he was super rude saying he will redo them in black even though my color of choice was a brown. Then they both stopped responding
Ronda D.
Ronda D.
Aug 12, 2021
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Darren is AMAZING!!! Thank you for this gorgeous ink. It exceeded all of my expectations. Darren was super patient and worked with me on the painstaking process of getting the design "just right" with multiple iterations and recommendations. I had several crappy self-drawn sketches and internet images of Mt Yale and thr Colorado blue spruce to weave into the "tree of life" sacred geometry. I've had lots of other flash tatts, but waiting through the consult and booking is worth it when it's a large piece. I love wearing ink art and can't wait to go back to Darren
Sarah Stone
Sarah Stone
Jul 11, 2021
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The front desk associate was amazing and Taryn gave me the tattoo of my dreams. She's talented, professional, and it's clear she cares about her clients. Highly recommend!
Schelli Cronk
Schelli Cronk
Jun 25, 2021
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I came here today with 2 friends for tattoos. The front desk staff was amazing. He worked incredibly hard to get us all in. He is kind, friendly, professional, respectful. So from the beginning the experience was amazing. We all 3 worked with Albert and he is an incredible artist. He took lots of time to make sure we had exactly what we wanted. He was very patient and gave lots of great input and advice on how to make it better. Our experience and final artwork was phenomenal. Can’t say enough great things about it! If you live anywhere near here, this is the place!!
Mona Nelson
Mona Nelson
Jun 11, 2021
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Positive: Quality
Got a tattoo today by Albert at Rising Tide! He did an amazing job, was funny and personable, and priced very reasonable. I had Hebrew letters tattooed which Albert did with perfect precision. Love it!!! Thank you, Albert and Rising Tide!!
Jon Swope
Jon Swope
May 24, 2021
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Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Value
I had a cover up done by Albert. He took my idea made some changes that made the tattoo better but still stayed true to the theme I was looking for. He did a great job, lines were good and clean and shading was on point as well. This is not my first tattoo and Albert is one of the better artists I’ve worked with. Highly recommended
Emily S.
Emily S.
Dec 14, 2020
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My sisters and I went to this tattoo shop while vacationing in Boulder, we all wanted matching mountain tattoos. The shop was very clean and inviting, and our tattoo artist (I forget his name, it started with an A like Alvin or Albert I believe) sat down with us to draw out the mountains we described we wanted. It was nice to have an artist take the time to make sure he was giving us what we wanted. 10/10 recommend and will definitely go back if ever back in Boulder looking for a tattoo. :)
Margo Barber
Margo Barber
Jul 24, 2020
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I’ve gotten several tattoos from Rising Tide. I don’t normally leave reviews on things but I’ve had incredible experiences every single time I’ve come. Alberts black and grey work is beautiful and Mo completed a gorgeous color Fox for me. She made me feel so relaxed and comfortable, was very friendly and I couldn’t be more pleased with the quality of the tattoo, and Alberts as well. I will be back again soon!
Nic F.
Nic F.
May 04, 2020
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Amazing clean shop with the right Vibes. Mark tattooed my elbow and he took his time to work up a great drawing and place the stencil perfectly. It turned out better than I could have imagined and he was easy to be around for a longer session. Overall great experience and I can't wait until this craziness ends so I can get back in there.
Devon J.
Devon J.
Jan 01, 2020
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Mo has been tattooing me for about 15 years across two states. She's an amazing artist, tattooer, and all around human. My tattoos heal super fast and well because she uses Sandiderm film and I get complements on her work ALL THE TIME. Go see Mo!
Sydney M.
Sydney M.
Nov 01, 2019
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Got my first tattoo of all time here by Mark. Let me just say THANK YOU!! I am extremely faint around needles and anything like that, so when I was feeling sick, Mark did the tattoo for me laying down which I know wasn't ideal but I can't say how much I appreciated it! I felt great the rest of the time. My tattoo is more perfect than I could've ever dreamed of, thanks to the suggestions by Mark and his custom take on my design. The shop was so calming and beautiful. I will be back when I come to visit boulder!
Ateret Goldman
Ateret Goldman
Oct 10, 2019
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Gotten two tattoos here. Different artists- great experiences with both. Solid work and patient artists. Fair pricing. Work healed well.
Cameron C.
Cameron C.
Sep 15, 2019
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Not a reflection of their tattoo work because I didn't end up getting inked, but super rude receptionist to the point I won't be coming back because I've never had someone be so unresponsive and just blankly stare at me when I came in for my appointment that apparently wasn't actually scheduled?? Correct me if I'm wrong, but calling ahead and booking an appointment doesn't count as a "walk-in", which she could not stop trying to educate me about! Honestly this place seemed dope and when I'm less pissed maybe I'll delete this but for now she has
Cameron Dixon
Cameron Dixon
Aug 31, 2019
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Managed to walk in and get a tattoo completed on a Thursday while visiting Colorado. We were told that it can often be hard to get a tattoo while walking in without an appt. The whole crew acted professional from the time I walked in until four hours later when my wife's walk in tattoo was completed. I now have a nice keepsake to remind me of my trip and of Rising Tide. Thanks Tenzin and thanks Rising Tide.
Mikaila S.
Mikaila S.
Mar 13, 2019
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I am so happy with my experience at Rising Tide! A friend and I walked in, and the artists were ready to help us almost immediately. They both spent so much time making sure they got what we wanted exactly right. My tattoo came out beautifully, and I am so happy with the detail and care that the artist spent on it.
Wes L.
Wes L.
Oct 21, 2018
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I was in to get a tattoo altered and touched up a bit - I had an appointment with Tenzin and he was incredibly friendly, and professional, and he was as accommodating as could be. His work is amazing, and the end result is better than I had hoped! Thank you Tenzin!
Graham W.
Graham W.
May 05, 2018
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Rising Tide absolutely deserves it's 5 star rating. I've been to several tattoo parlors, and this place is the best.
First, all the people are welcoming: The artists, the person working the desk if you walk in, or if you call on the phone. Tattoo shops can be intimidating, especially if it's your first tattoo, but hat is not at all the vibe Rising Tide gives out. Most importantly, the artists are great. Phil has to be one of the best in Colorado, and he's a nice guy too. The only complaints I can think of for this shop are that you'll probably wait (both to get your tattoo
Sarah M.
Sarah M.
Mar 21, 2018
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Rising Tide does amazing work. The shop is incredibly beautiful, and well put together. The staff is very nice and courteous, and will listen to what you want in your design as well as give artistic input. I was thrilled. Darren did my piece and I will recommend him to anyone who asks. The reason for only 4 stars and not 5 is I went in at 1pm as a walk-in. They told me to come back at 4. I came back at 3:30ish and then they told me it would be closer to 5:30-6ish. So I was just a little bummed that it took longer than I wanted, but take that with a grain of salt. Everything else, 5 stars all the
Laura K.
Laura K.
Jul 18, 2017
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I am a resident of a suburb outside of Los Angeles, but have had four of my tattoos done by Phill Bartell because he is that good. I cannot say enough about his talent and creativity. He is amazing, patient, calming, an all around professional in this business. Totally, 100% worth the wait in between my ink to ensure that it will be done right by Philly B. I just wish there were more than 5 stars that I can give!!!
Lizzyy K.
Lizzyy K.
Apr 22, 2017
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Such a nice shop... really helpful and kind employees! Stevie Jean did a wonderful piece on me today and was absolutely great to be around. Her linework is so clean and steady she can make any idea you may have into a great tattoo. Will definitely be returning for future pieces!
Thanks again Stevie!