I highly recommend Ben Around Tattoos and Ben, himself, for your tattoo needs. He's absolutely amazing! He has done my last 2 tattoos - cherry blossoms down my arm and across my shoulders last year and just yesterday a "love" tattoo with pine trees and a special date! I'm so impressed with his skills, personality and attentiveness all around. I don't believe you'll be disappointed. Thanks for bringing my visions to life, Ben! read more

This is my second tattoo from Ben Around Tattoos, but my first with Ben. Ben free-handed the artwork on my hand, and it was perfect. The image that I selected was too large for me hand, but Ben improvised, and it was perfect. It has been a week since my tattoo, and it is healing perfectly. There are several spots that need some minor touch-ups, but I am completely satisfied. If Yelp allows me to post an image of my sugar skull, I will. If you're in the area, and you're thinking about a tattoo, stop.in and see Ben, you won't regret it. read more

Ben Around Tattoos & Offbeat Gallery - Sugar Skull. - Tattoo Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Had some rework started with Dustin. Excellent job all around. Very sociable, and comfortable setting. The shop is exceptionally clean and inviting. Detail is not lacking in the love that's poured into this shop. Highly recommend visit! read more

Ben Around Tattoos & Offbeat Gallery - Front of the shop - Tattoo Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Reached out to Ben via email and he got right back to me. Felt very welcome during my consult and was booked quickly. My session was short and nearly painless, Ben is an amazingly talented artist, and the whole crew' vibe made my first tattoo experience such a pleasure. 5 Stars!! read more

Ben Around Tattoos & Offbeat Gallery - First and a tribute - Tattoo Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Dustin Got drunk on the job ruined my back over lined the same spot 5-6 times and it scabbed bad. THE ART WORK looks like a high schooler did it. Do not recommend read more

I had an awesome experience getting my tattoo today at Ben Around Tattoos. I highly recommend them! Dustin was great and helped me determine the right direction and placement for my design idea. Turns out, the placement I had been thinking of initially, would have looked less ideal than I had anticipated because of the way my arm naturally moves. He walked me through it and drew some lines to demonstrate why. I'm so glad he did because he was absolutely right--I wouldn't have been happy with it if we'd done it the way I had originally planned. I absolutely love the final result! I'm so grateful for his expertise! I will be back for more tattoos in the future, for sure. Thanks Dustin! read more

Went to Ben to get a tattoo to cover up my ugly knee replacement scar... he did a WONDERFUL job! I get so many compliments on it (it's three lupine flowers with a ribbon). Would definitely recommend Ben, and Molly (she did my first tattoo, a small corgi). LOVE this place! read more

Had 3 tattoos done at this place back in 2017. All pretty simple tattoos. Paid about $80 to $100 per. Was very satisfied. Shouts out to molly I think her name was. Went back for the first time in 3 years and I get the new guy in the shop. Charges me $150 for LINEWORK only. Took him 45 mins to do it. It was about 4in x 4in piece on my leg. I am then informed that the $150 only covers the cost of the linework and that there would be another undisclosed amount to pay on my next visit for the shading. Never coming here again. Definitely never doing an impulsive walk-in again either. Going to just wait until I visit my hometown to get work done from now on Lesson learned thanks. read more

Ben around tattoo shop is the best! Honestly! The staff is super nice and friendly. Molly did my first tattoo ever today and I couldn't be more pleased with it ! Molly is a true artist ‍. read more

Ben Around Tattoos & Offbeat Gallery - Howling wolf done by molly - Tattoo Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

My wife and I were visiting Charlottesville from across the country and had decided we wanted to get matching tattoos while we were in the area. Making arrangements from that distance might have been impossible for some, but Ben worked with us via email to get us lined up. Although we designed the artwork, Ben made sure proportions were correct and that we'd end up with enduring artwork. The session was great and Ben was a pleasure to work with. With around thirty years in the business, he has plenty of experiences and great stories to tell. The shop is scrupulously clean, and Ben went out of his way to walk us through his procedure for assuring a sterile working environment. Take a look at Ben's portfolio--he is an amazing artist. I know our pieces didn't challenge his artistic skills, but they are just what we wanted. read more

Ben Around Tattoos & Offbeat Gallery - Wait...do those match? Oh yeah. - Tattoo Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

This place is gorgeous inside. We went here with a plan to do deposit and were lucky enough that someone canceled. The staff was a little standoffish at first but the longer we were there the more friendly they became. Our tattoo artist was Dustin. He was friendly, professional, and super OCD about his cleanliness. Which I loved. Will definitely be back to get more tattoos. read more

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I got my first tattoo from Ben. The service was friendly and welcoming, great upbeat environment. Ben's skills are second to none. He did a stunning job on my tattoo. I'm beyond happy with my experience at Ben Around Tattoos and will have future tattoos done here. Thank again, Ben! read more

Ben Around Tattoos & Offbeat Gallery - Elephant tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

I got a beautiful mountain scape dot work piece done by Ben (which he essentially hand drew himself). I told him loosely what I wanted, showed him a picture [tattoo] of it, and he said he never copies directly someone else's tattoo so it would be original. I'd heard enough great things about his work that I said, "ok Ben, I trust you". And it turned out flawlessly. Fair prices, precision detail.. definitely recommend. 4 stars instead of 5 because a $100 minimum is a bit steep if someone wanted to get a tiny touch up or dime sized design with no detail. read more

ART not a tattoo..if you want a tattoo go to a basement shop with sketchy people... if you want true art Ben Around is the only place to go! You pay a little bit more but do you go to pay for read more

Ben's done a great job with the marketing! They do decent work at the shop and it has a good reputation in town for being the best. But, as a pretty serious collector, I ask many people around town about their ink and their experience. Most people that have been tattooed by aren't favorable with regards to his attitude, productivity, and pricing. I met him several years ago (2009?) and he did have a negative attitude (a lot of tattooers do) and I didnt end up getting work from him. I still see customers of his around town with their slow or stalled projects, and they tell me how he 'milks the clock' and tries to talk down to them with his arrogance. It's sad. read more

On a whim, I decided that my mom and I get our first tattoos. We went in, met with Molly who was very nice and patient. I showed her a picture that I had been carrying around on my phone for months. My mom had non idea what she wanted. John Lennon's Imagine was playing in the shop and my mom had her AH-HA! moment and that was the tattoo she decided on. We were privileged enough to have Ben do both of our tattoos only an hour later. Ben could not have been nicer! Molly was awesome for patiently putting up with my indecisiveness of how high on my back my tattoo would be placed. In the end, my mom and I both walked out with 2 simply fantastic, beautiful tattoos and a memory that I will have of my mother forever. This is the place to go! Super professional. Nice. And immaculately clean! Everything you could want in a tattoo shop and more! read more

Ben Around Tattoos & Offbeat Gallery - A Lotus-Dragonfly - Tattoo Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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The interior is the best part about this place. I went here with my best friend. We showed up very excited and interested in this shop. The receptionist was very kind. But, one of the artists, who didn't introduce himself, came out to speak with us. We explained we wanted small matching tattoos. We have both been tattooed many times before. But, when we were discussing the design & the size he treated us rudely. After signing paperwork and going through all the motions then he told us the shop minimum was $100 . Our tattoos were about the size of a quarter. $100 is outrageous for such a small tattoo. And after being spoken down to and tricked we felt it wasn't worth it. We're giving it 2 stars and they both go to a tall bearded guy who came out later and was very kind and friendly. He lightened our mood. If you want a good experience getting tattooed, we'd recommend somewhere else. read more

I went in last night for my 2nd tattoo (my first at Ben Around) and I can say that I will never go anywhere else. First, the facilities: it's obvious that much thought went into the design of the gallery itself and it is clear the upkeep and cleanliness are very important. I felt completely comfortable being "at" Ben Around and I really enjoyed the overall experience. I never felt like just another customer and the careful attention to detail ensured that I did not feel like this was just another conveyer belt tattoo parlor. Next, the work itself: I came in with a general idea of what I wanted and then allowed Ben to change and modify my plan based on what he thought would work best. I watched him do the same thing with my girlfriend's tattoo and it came out well so I trusted his judgment and it paid off. The artwork itself is great and the final product was far better than what I had originally envisioned. I couldn't be more satisfied by the final product. Finally, the service: at every step of the process I dealt with people who were helpful, friendly, and enjoyable to be around. Molly - the woman who helped set me up - went out of her way to accommodate me and to help me feel comfortable. Ben was also very cool about allowing people to hang out while he was working on my tattoo. He's a really nice guy - so nice in fact that I'm pretty sure one of my friends came by just to hang with him. If you are going to be tattooed in the Charlottesville area, I think you are making a mistake if you don't head to Ben Around. read more

I went to Ben Around for my second tattoo. A realistic spirit animal totem pole from a drawing I had found offline. All black and gray. I was referred to Andy for my appointment who quoted me for a four hour session for my thigh piece. He was very professional and was very laid back to talk to and joke to during my tattoo. After he made sure I knew all about the after care and told me not to hesitate calling if any problems occur. My fiancé days before had Ryan who did an awesome color wolf head tattoo on his forearm it turned out better than he thought. Overall the shop is very professional and pleasant to talk to. They give honest and great advice for your tattoo and placement. They are all true professionals in their craft. The price is reasonable for what you will be receiving and well worth it. :) I will be continuing to get all the rest of my pieces from them. read more

Ben Around Tattoos & Offbeat Gallery - Andy did an amazing job from the photo of a spirit animal totem pole I brought him. - Tattoo Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

I actually went to this tattoo shop today and my fiancé and I were looking to get tattoos of each other's names. I was told from a "professional experience" that I shouldn't get it because I would regret it. Being that we are both adults and are able to make our own choices I thought it was more on the not so professional side being that I am coming in ready and willing to pay you for something that I want and that is your job. If I felt the need to get it covered up down the road so be it. That is still more money coming to you. I wouldn't recommend this place because if I was looking for someone to preach I would talk to my mother but even she doesn't tell me what to do. So I have taken my business to Twisted Ink and they are more than happy to do our tattoos for us. Thanks for nothing Ben Around. read more

I've gotten artwork done by Molly, Charley and Mr Ben himself at Ben Around and am very happy with their talents. My wife and I have both given these artists our own designs which were given great attention to detail, nice linework and expert inking. I highly recommend Ben Around to anyone looking to get ink done for the first time or for the n-th time. The staff is awesome and the shop rocks. I look forward to going back repeatedly for more work in the very near future. read more

After years of hemming and hawing, I got my first tattoo at Ben Around by Ben himself. I didn't have a detailed drawing, but Ben turned it into a beautiful work of art that is exactly what I wanted. I will always get my tattoos here! Very professional & helpful staff. I love Ben Around Tattoos, and highly recommend it to everyone. read more

I went to Ben Around Tattoo for my first tattoo. What a great experience. The shop is beautiful, the people are so inviting, and you can tell cleanliness is a priority. Molly was great setting me up and checking on me throughout the process. Ben took a picture of my dog and created a tattoo that was a perfect black and white portrait. It took 36 years to get my first tattoo, but after being around Ben and the shop, this will not be my last. If you go anywhere else for a tat, your crazy!! read more

I went to get a tattoo and Ben forgot a part of it and wanted me to pay the parlor minimum (100$) for a fix that would take ~30 seconds. I was happy with what he had done originally but very unhappy that he would not fix his mistake. When I went to get it fixed, he told me he would do it to "get me out of his life". I felt very disrespected and while he was a good artist, he treated me poorly. If I could give a 0 star rating I would. Never going back there read more

I had a fantastic experience here. Ben was friendly, talented, gentle and fucking serious about his craft. I came in with an idea and he immediately grabbed a book off his shelf of mexican craft art through history. I trusted him with my arm and he did amazing things. He is really an artist and I love owning a piece of his original work. The whole atmosphere of this shop is great. Everyone is awesome, the apprentice Molly who set me up was fantastic, the place is super clean, and no detail is overlooked. Ben has the experience in this business and knows exactly how he likes to do it, and he runs a tight ship. I won't go anywhere else again for my tattoos. read more