Passage Tattoo Shop

I’ve been tattooed many times by Joey at Passage. She’s clean, down-​to-​earth, conscientious, and most importantly, truly an artist. I am writing this review, though, because of how she went above and beyond when my mother-​in-​law decided, at age 60+, that she wanted to get her *first* tattoo.
I was confident bringing her to Passage because I knew she would be treated well and respected, and I wasn’t disappointed. Joey took her time explaining how it works, answering all her questions, and making her feel comfortable. She then did the same tattoo on my husband, and my mother-​in-​law walked away from a new experience beyond thrilled with her tattoo.

It’s a great place to get a tattoo. First tattoo done by Joey the most wonderful person. She is so awesome. Love passage is the best place to getting a tattoo in the downtown. Everyone is so nice here!

Amazing experience. Friendly staff. Tyson is just absolutely great and a total sweetheart. Took my initial vague idea and turned into an kickass tattoo that I just love. I will be back here again and again and again.

Kevin is the man! Came here for a consultation, and he was friendly and professional. And when I finally went to get my tattoo done, he showed me his sketch and changed it according to my liking. Got everything done in less than half and hour. I would definitely recommend Kevin and/​or Passage in general. It’s clean and you’ll have an amazing experience.

Came here sometime last year for my first tattoo. One year later and I just booked a consult for my second!
My first was done by Kevin, Kevin is awesome! He is super friendly and great at making you feel 100% comfortable while you’re getting inked. Being that it was my first and I had no idea what I was actually in for, he gave me a very thorough walkthrough. By the time the needle hit my skin, I was ready to go — it wasn’t bad at all.
Studio itself is super clean, staff is very friendly and polite, the artists are crazy talented and amazing at what they do — just look at their portfolios! So much diversity in terms of style and specialities, you’re bound to find somebody here that can bring your vision to life.

I called passage for my fifth tattoo. I had just moved here form California so they hooked me up with Joey. She was absolutely amazing! The tat was a message on my ribs which can be tricky because of natural curves. She took her time getting the font, size and alignment just perfect. It looks absolutely perfect! I would recommend her to anyone and I will hands down be back to see her.

Came here for my first tattoo and they did a great job, the place was very clean and the whole process was very clear.
He (I can’t remember his name– over a year ago) was so professional and advised me to get the font a certain way so the characters won’t leak onto each other in the future.
He was also super patient in the beginning with my mini freak out and my friends being there with me, which I really appreciated! He made me feel very comfortable which is so important.
I highly recommend getting a tattoo here!

I have been getting tattooed by shop owner, Jay Decator for close to 10 years. He is an absolute incredible artist and visionary, who helps bring my ideas to life.
Passage is an incredibly clean and professional shop, and all of the artists treat their clients with the utmost respect.
If you’re looking for a great piece, big or small, definitely check them out.

Oh man does Kevin Davidson do good work. Friendly guy, great experience. I’m sure we couldn’t have had a better time for our first time getting ink.

Long overdue review but looking back at this tattoo I can’t believe I didn’t do it earlier. The tattoo was done by kate … I was a first timer but she made me very comfortable. When I look at the tattoo now I know where I am going to get the second one done!

Kate basically redid a rib piece that I’d had done at another shop that had healed badly. She was incredibly fast, but did an amazing job, it healed AMAZINGLY! When I had it done the first time, I couldn’t sleep on that side for almost a week, but when she did it I barely noticed by that same evening. The entire experience was so great that the next time I’m back in Toronto I’ll definitely be making an appointment to get more work done by her.

I had a loved ones writing tattooed near my collarbone. Kevin was an AMAZING tattoo artist-​he was very professional and kind. I have no idea how the made the lines of my tattoo so thin and perfect.
The woman manning the front desk was also incredibly nice! I will most definitely be back (very, very soon) and I tell all of my friends to go to Passage. Highly, HIGHLY recommend!

I’ve been going to Passage for a few years now and I love it :)
I see Tyson for my work and he is awesome! Always a great time at the shop and the time flies by when you’re doing bigger pieces.
The girl in the front is really nice too :)
I would highly recommend this shop!!!

It’s been a zillion years in the planning, this one very visible tattoo on my arm. Unlike more daring souls who plunge right in, I had to think it to death. Relying on Unilocal reviews, scrutinizing on-​line portfolios, asking friends and family for their referrals, and creeping the person on Instagram, I finally found my artist. I met Kate Davies for a consultation in June and presented her with the sketch of what I wanted. She took it and asked me to send some other photo sources that I showed her while we chatted. She’s super busy, so the earliest appointment was mid July, almost a month away. I waited and wondered if she would send me her drawing. She did not, and the worrywart in me became, well, worried. Did she get my images? What if I show up on the day and I don’t like how she interpreted my drawing and sources?
Needless to say I guess after seeing my rating, everything worked out. Her drawing wasn’t exactly what I expected, but I liked it, and with the exception of one small detail which she changed at my request, we went for it. During the session, she was personable and though we clearly have polar opposite tastes in music, I enjoyed the time I spent in her chair. She was totally professional and I felt confident while under the needle. I can’t wait to see what my tattoo (which she nicknamed «little dog dude») looks like when it heals!
Oh and the price was right too! Very reasonable indeed.

Went to Passage for my first ever tattoo an saw Chris Wellard as my artist. The environment was clean and welcoming and I never felt uncomfortable for a second (as I found was the case in a few other shops I had checked out prior). The receptionist (So sorry I don’t remember her name) was friendly and organized and altogether it was a good environment.
Chris drew up a BEAUTIFUL tattoo (picture above– the blue bird) and asked me if I had a preference in music before he started (which was considerate– I didn’t tho and ended up listening to sweet sounding happy tunes that were A-​Okay with me)
Chris was professional and friendly and talked to me and I was comfortable on the table the whole time (2hours and a bit)
Yes, it hurt but not nearly as much as I expected it to.
For aftercare I was told to keep the bandage on and remove it the next morning, I was then told to wash it and do 3 hot-​compress treatments on it fresh in the morning and then to leave it alone. Chris suggested a dry heal method and a week and a half later my tattoo looks amazing. I put non-​scented lotion on it when it became really itchy but aside from that the tattoo healed on it’s own
I thank Passage so much for an epic first tattoo experience and I can’t wait to one day get another– I’d go to Chris again in a heartbeat.
Only thing I regret is I didnt tip as much as I now realize I should’ve– but that’s nothing to do with anyone but me– I just didn’t know at the time— next time I’ll make up for it.
I recommend this place 100% if you want a good quality tattoo by genuine people.
Ps. Not too expensive either — minimum is $ 80, they do $ 130/​hour and my piece (which is quite large (prob 40 squared cm) and coloured) was $ 300
Go here! But call in advance — they get booked solid– quickly.

Only place that my husband and I would go to. Between the two of us, we have had 5 done in the last couple of years. Most were done by Tyson.
Receptionist is super friendly and so is everyone that we run into there.
Tyson is great. You can bring him a picture of something that you want done as is or you can give him an idea, and he will draw you something. He chats with you the whole time so it seems to go buy fast, even when you have been still for 3 hours.
This is the place to go for tatts.

Passages is just amazing. I got a small simple tattoo however the entire experience was great. From the consultation to the tattoo itself, everyone in the shop is so welcoming and it’s just a great vibe. Kevin did my tattoo and he is awesome and so friendly. Thanks a bunch! Passages is the best for a reason.

Friendly staff, cool vibe — none of that pretentious, holier-​than-​thou non-​sense that you get at some other shops. Work is terrific. I have had two sessions with Kevin and will be going back for more. My new go-​to place in the city.

Passage is one of the two only tatttoo shops in Toronto that I would refer friends to or go to myself for tattoos. Jay is so very patient and easy going that he immediately puts customers at ease and makes the whole experience comfortable. He is a gentle soul who has been tatttooing for many many years and it shows in the quality of the work that he does. Jay has been featured in magazines worldwide and is well known for a reason… he does high quality work. If you are looking for a tattoo artist that is talented, humble and fun to be around … Jay is your man!

LOVE Jay’s work. He has done 3 great pieces on me and I can’t recommend him enough. The receptionist is very nice and the other artists are cool too :) if you want SOLID, good tattoo work, go here.