Ask for John Cole, hands down the best artist I've met. John did my 5th tattoo last spring when I…read morewas in Tampa, a crisp custom stingray, and I went to see him for my seventh, a custom bluebonnet, when I was back in town. John wouldn't start the drawing until he found large, detailed images which depicted the bluebonnet in various stages of bloom, so he work would be accurate. Other artists might have settled with approximating the flower, but John wanted to see the composition of petals and at what stage in bloom the flower displayed white and pink. A bit Discovery Channel esque and totally worth it. Once we had the basics done, my friend and I grabbed dinner while John finished the sketches. We did the same design but at different scales and places. Thank God she went first, so I could see her gorgeous tattoo before I got started. My tattoo took longer than I expected, and I hit my wimp out point. John was amazingly patient and professional, letting me take breaks when needed. I haven't had to stop a tattoo before and he was very kind. End result is AMAZING. Like really amazing. I'm glad I sucked it up and I'm coming back for another one next time I visit. You won't get a better tattoo or experience in Tampa and I'll cross the country to come back.

Second tattoo from this establishment that the Queen Bee has been using for years. Jeff the owner…read moreof the place is a no nonsense guy who won't BS you and doesn't take short cuts. The missus won't go anywhere else and I can see why. She won't let anyone else but Jeff work on her either. Period. There are all kinds of designs hanging on the walls and in poster boards near the windows. Plenty of design books and body piercing jewelry in showcases also. Showroom is downstairs and the studio itself is upstairs in an old, raggedy building that's probably stood over 100 years in Ybor City. I don't like this neighborhood at all, but seeing Jeff is well worth the trip so long as it's still bright out. As I stated, studio is upstairs and is quite sanitary, clean and squared away. Lots more designs and pics up there as well. Jeff definitely takes his time and does stuff the right way. You cannot be drunk, zonked or stoned and expect ink here; he won't risk his craft for an idiot. He and the staff definitely view this as art as well as business. Most of the Queen Bee's work isn't from a design book but rather original. Mine is sort of in between the two but either way, they do it all here, as well as permanent makeup. Jeff certainly knows what he is doing and could probably get away with making more than he does, but he has a loyal following so why ruin a good thing? I love seeing the little guys of life do well!

I love this studio and I haven't been tattooed there I've been pierced numerous times, and Tori is…read morephenomenal. Her customer service is superb. She knows her stuff. She gives great advice and instruction in the piercings that I have received have all gone very well, and have been trouble free. Her jewelry selection is off the chain, you get what you pay for I personally love 14 karat gold and above so I don't mind paying for fine jewelry. I have also had the pleasure of having some artwork done for me by Justin who is such a cool guy with so much artistic skill. I love his work I would definitely be back and continue to frequent this shop. My family and I love this place! I HIGHLY recommend!

Justin took care of me. He worked with me came up with a awesome design that incorporated…read moreeverything I wanted and his work came out super crisp clean all in all also we came in super late as walk ins and he worked till 12 or so to get it done. Furthermore I came back for touch ups and it looks even better now as we shared sentiments over a design choice. Justin is funny, super chill works fast and is very professional. He does a great job with his design and listening to clients. 10/10 would recommend.

My aunt & I have been wanting to go together and get tattoo and today was the day!!! I am a Mariah…read moreCarey super fan so I wanted to add to other pieces. I got a quote from one of her songs. The artist Phil let us play around on the iPad with the font of our choice! It was really neat. The shop is super clean and a nice chill vibe with music playing. All the artists were busy tattooing other clients! My tattoo turned out perfect. Exactly what I wanted! Thanks Phil! figuring out my next tattoo for when I come in town!

I highly recommend Black Swan Tattoo. While I specifically chose Kris Taylor as the artist for my…read moretattoo, the others there are just as talented. I had researched a few artists in town, all are very busy and the good ones have a waiting list. With Black Swan, it's worth it. Due to the pandemic, they are even stricter now after the Delta variant with mandatory masks, no walk-ins, and no guests. I was in right before they enacted the stricter rules and was very impressed by how clean everything was. It has been a few decades since my last tattoo, but I was familiar with the process and knew about the sterilization, etc. They really put me at ease.Everyone was friendly and while professional, it felt like it was more of a family then coworkers there. So, while you cannot walk in right now and check them out, you can do so via their website and check out the individual artists on Instagram. If you are looking for a good tattoo artist, check them out, you won't regret it.

Carlos did his thing with both my tattoos by him good prices good vibes!!! Definitely coming back…read morefor more!

The problem with tattoos once the ink starts to flow, you're almost committed to the end of the…read moresession. I had a very simple addition to my tattoo. 5 letters, 4 numbers and a little color. My first sign that things were headed south was the half hour it took my artist to try to get his guns "operational". Once he hand drew the symbols and the ink started to flow, not only did his gun consistently malfunction but he had to go over the letters 4, not 3, not 5, but 4 times and the gap between the existing tattoo and the letters was a little less then even and that's being generous. Maybe it was his shaky hand, seriously. I should have known this wasnt going to end well when he said working in a tattoo shop was so much cleaner then when he was tattooing on kitchen tables in cockroach infested apartment a year ago. Live and learn. I asked for a green color blend from dark in the corners to bright in the middle. Feel like I need to look up the word blended in the dictionary now to make sure it doesnt mean two colors butted up against each other. The original artist there did a fine job on the original work but now the piece as a whole is a little askew. I wouldnt avoid the shop as a whole but I would make sure I'm not jumping through hoops and do a better job when I gage the artist I'm having do the work. No I wont name the artist, but I left a few clues in this review. Live and learn, the night is still young and once it heals I hope it can be fixed.

We just left after having such a wonderful experience with Miss Sara. She had been recommended to…read moreus by another friend and I'm so happy we went with her. I went first, she corrected my original wonky ear piercings from nearly 30 years ago! Total pro, very calm energy. Very clean and steady handed. Next was my six-year-old, she had some butterflies, but Sara talked her through it and everything went great. Then it was my five year-old -- She also really wanted her ears pierced, but had some nerves as well about pain and needles. Miss Sara gave her all the time and space she needed to get a handle on her emotions, then proceeded when she was ready. I'm so happy they got to have this memory as their first ear piercing experience. I will absolutely recommend Miss Sara to everyone.

Me and my grandfather went in for eyebrow piercings and all of the staff members were amazing but…read morenone more than the piercer herself. She was the most professional and kind person I've met and answered any questions we had. The piercing booth was very well decorated and very clean. I will 1000% be going again and I would recommend her to anyone!

This place is fantastic. I was nervous about getting both…read morenostrils pierced due to the risk of them being uneven, but Ryan worked with me until I felt comfortable about the position about both of them. He was incredibly knowledgeable, gave me great advice on the location of the piercings based on the jewelry I wanted to wear, and provided easily digestible information about the healing process/piercing care. The store was clean and Ryan kept a sterile work environment. I will absolutely go back to see him for any other piercings I get in the future!

I've been to plenty of tattoo shops, throughout my life, for piercings, and I'm telling you, the…read morefirst time I came in here for a lip piercing, they blew me away. They were so nice, and comforting. It took me almost a year to figure out what I wanted for a tattoo, finally got it, I love my neck and I can't wait to add to it, creating a sleeve in the future. My first photo is my lip piercing, and the 2nd is my tattoo from yesterday, this was my first and I was very hesitant because it's the neck, they outdid their self!!!! 100/10!!!!

Been going to Dave for years at the different shops he's worked at. He is an absolute professional…read more His attention to detail and cleanliness is unsurpassed.

Received my tattoo from Ryan. I love his work. He has done a ton of my brother's work. I just had…read morehim do one in remembrance of my Dad, who passed in August. I will be going back very soon for the one in remembrance of my boyfriend that also passed away back in September. Ryan sat with me and took the time to make sure every detail was done.

Amazing staff ! I would recommend others to come get their art done here. Great location.read more