Tahiti Felix's Master Tattoo Parlor & Museum Est. 1949

Bold, Bright & Neat Since 1949

Tahiti Felix’s Master Tattoo is North America’s oldest family owned business still in operation since 1949. Located in downtown San Diego in the Historic Gaslamp Quarter. Our original shop has expanded to Killeen, Texas ( Camp Tejas Master Tattoo) Texas’ only official tattoo museum and Tahiti Felix’s Master Tattoo in Hobart, Tasmania Australia

Open from 12 noon til 6PM (Closed Wed)

"Ancient as Time, Modern as Tomorrow"
"Tahiti Felix" Lynch
was a born and raised American but when he married his Tahitian bride and embraced the polynesian lifestyle (he could speak like a true native islander!) he affectionately solidified his nickname of "Tahiti Felix".  He was apprenticed at the world famous "Pike" in Long Beach, California by tattoo artist Mac McKeaver during the late 1930's.  It was not until after WW2 in the summer of 1949 he would relocate and set up his own tattoo parlor just south of Los Angeles in beautiful San Diego, California with his wife and two sons.

"Tahiti Felix" Lynch (bottom left) along with sons Maurice (L) and Hiro (R)

"Tahiti Felix" Lynch (bottom left) along with sons Maurice (L) and Hiro (R)

"Lefty Al" Miller with "Tiger Bob" Martinson both tattooers at Tahiti Felix's. Lefty Al was once coined "The youngest tattooer in the world" growing up in Honolulu as a child and has worked at Master Tattoo from 1952-2000. Lefty passed away a few years after.

Legendary tattooer "Zeke Owens" (L) who later went on to work alongside Sailor Jerry Collins in Hawaii credits Tahiti Felix with giving him his "first shot"  working in a tattoo studio.

Felix (L) with son Hiro and wife  Nui (Circa 1950's)

Master's Circa 1980 - Broadway Location #4- Downtown SD


San Diego is home to the U.S. Navy's Pacific fleet, nearby Marine Corps base at Camp Pendleton as well as the millions of tourists visiting worldwide yearly, has kept the shop "buzzing" for well over 60+ years!

Some Marines on liberty.

Some Marines on liberty.

San Diego is also home to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot where recruits are put through the rigors of Marine Corps  "boot camp". Tahiti Felix's Master Tattoo is proud to have contributed to the morale of America's fighting Marines and Sailors since 1949. We thank them for their service!

The Hollywood Burlesque across from location 01

The Hollywood Burlesque across from location 01


Our current 924 5th Avenue location is our 7th location over the past 60 years. We have never moved more than 4 blocks of each location. For you historians, here are our past address'.
 

  • Location #01: 1949 - 1954 317 F. Street.
    Directly across the street from the Hollywood Burlesque Theatre
    (Before it was the trendy Galamp Quarter!)
  • Location #02: 1955 - 1956 820 4th Avenue
    Located where Horton Plaza's parking lot entrance now stands.
  • Location #03: 1956 - 1980 141 West Broadway
  • Location #04: 1980 - 1990 326 West Broadway
    next door to the Playland Arcade & Cindy's Topless Bar.
    This location is now home to San Diego's "Hall Of Justice" Courthouse.
  • Location #05: 1990-2005 944 5th Avenue
    in downtown's trendy Gaslamp Quarter district.
  • Location #06: 2006-2009 439 Broadway
    Celebrating our 60th year of continuous service!
  • Location #07: 924 5th Ave.
    Our current location and home to San Diego's only tattoo museum
    Just 3 doors down from location #5 and around the corner from location #6.


Tahiti Felix's Master Tattoo Parlor & Museum - Est. 1949  - 924 5th Ave. San Diego, Ca 92101 U.S.A.