On Sunday, May 18, Brouwer’s Cafe in Seattle, Washington, hosted an Employee Appreciation Day for their three-dozen or so staff. Co-owner Matt Bonney invited his friend, and renowned Tattoo Artist with Seattle’s Anchor Tattoo, John Howel, to the party. He also offered to pay for any Brouwer’s lion tattoo that any of his employees might be interested on getting, figuring at most perhaps a handful would take him up on the offer. But he was wrong, and his employees were far more loyal than even he imagined. Howel began doing Brouwer’s tattoos at eleven in the morning and didn’t finish until just after midnight, doing a total of twelve tattoos in all. Here are some photos taken over the course of the event.

John Howel gets started on the first victim, Bonney himself.

First, the outline is done …

Wiped …

And then colored in.

Next up was David Albright, Brouwer’s pastry chef.

Who boldly decided on his right forearm.

Bonney caught the normally unflappable Albright in a momentary grimace.

The results.

Bobby Tague, Brouwer’s Charcuterie chose to have his tattoo on his leg.

Working out the outline.

Then filling it in.

The results.

Mike Armstrong, whose not an employee, just a very good friend, also chose to have one put on his chest. Mike is the Director of Brewing Operations at Skagit River Brewing.

His results.

Finally, Rich Linnehand, Brower’s a.m. prep cook wet under the needle.

Rich is moving east and wanted to remember Brouwer’s, where he first learned to cook professionally.