Eric is truly an exceptional tattoo artist. His work is consistently outstanding, and I couldn't be…read morehappier with every single piece he's done for me -- and there have been many. His attention to detail, precision, and artistry are top-tier. The studio is always clean, professional, and welcoming, which makes the entire experience comfortable from start to finish. Eric takes his craft seriously, and it shows in the quality of his work and the care he gives his clients. If you're looking for an incredibly talented artist who delivers amazing results every time, Eric is the one. Highly, highly recommend.

This place was a total disappointment. I called this morning to ask about nose piercings and was…read moremet with nothing but rudeness. When I inquired about same day or next-day appointments, I didn't even get a "let me check" or any alternative options. Just a blunt "no" and a hang-up. If you're not happy with your job, it's best to find something else rather than being disrespectful to customers who are paying for a service.

Summary: I went to Cobalt for a large cover up tattoo on my back. They did a horrendous job in our…read morefirst session. When I complained, Cameron (the owner) was dismissive and insulting. Several other tattoo artists in other shops have validated that this is unacceptable work. I am completing my project at a different shop and have been deeply distressed by this situation, since it's not going to be easy for another artist to fix Cobalt's malpractice. The full story: After seeing Cobalt's great reviews, I contacted Cameron with pictures and details of my cover-up project. He referred me to his apprentice, Belle, because her schedule was open and he was confident she could do the job. I met Belle for a quick consultation. She listened to my concerns, shared some ideas, and conveyed a lot of confidence. I left feeling excited to work with her. At my appointment, she showed me her design (a large mandala) and said the whole cover up would take 4-5 hours to complete. This was quicker than I expected and I was in no rush, but I trusted her judgement. After three hours, Belle said she had mostly completed the line work except for touch-ups to make the weights even throughout. She had made good progress on the coloring and shading. She estimated another 1-2 hours would be needed, and we scheduled a second appointment. Later, at home, I looked closely at photos of Belle's work and my heart sank. The line work is imprecise and lacks any symmetry. It looks rushed. I kept thinking, "this looks like a doodle." I could say more, but the photos speak for themselves. I looked again at the design and was shocked to notice strange glitches that suggest it was made with AI. It's clear where these glitches threw off Belle's line work. I raised my concerns with Belle over text. She claimed that she had planned on redrawing most of the lines, which is not what she told me at the end of our appointment. She insisted she was using a technique called "blood lining," but other artists tell me that blood lines are done either with no ink or very light grey ink, not black, and they should be drawn carefully, not as a sloppy first draft. Belle sent me a rendering of what my completed tattoo would look like, and it shows many of the errors fixed - but it also represents many hours of reworking what she had already drawn. She also denied using AI. I turned to Cameron over text, who offered to take over the project 6-7 months later but would not find time in his schedule sooner or refund me for Belle's time. He said, "If you don't trust Belle, and you're unwilling to wait patiently for me, then I can't help but feel this would have happened no matter which artist you'd chosen." Direct quote. I've since met in-person with a much more experienced tattoo artist who pointed out that, also, the bottom of the tattoo is off center by close to an inch, and the lines of my old tattoo will absolutely show through in areas where Belle said they would be hidden. This artist estimates 10-15 hours of work to make my back tattoo presentable. My take: Cameron was careless in assigning a large mandala cover-up to his apprentice. Belle does not have anywhere near the experience required to handle what I now know is an advanced project. Instead of owning up to his mistake, Cameron doubled down. This shop gets many five star reviews, so they are clearly capable of satisfactory work, but they are evidently not capable of accountability when they make serious mistakes. I feel vandalized and ripped off. Please reconsider trusting these people with your body.

Many a tattoo by Chyenne, and I have never been more satisfied with an artist. She has also…read moretattooed my brother and sister and everyone had been NOTHING but happy. Belle also pierced my son's ears and Cameron is an amazing owner. He makes all clients comfortable- whether he is tattooing them or not. This is my shop. Could not recommend more.

The best piercer in Northern VA. Super clean, very knowledgeable, and extremely detail-oriented…read more Piercings are something you live with for life, so you really have to love them. Lora is truly the best -- highly recommend. I used to have very low piercings and they looked terrible. I tried getting stacked piercings at Rowan, but the nurse (piercer) didn't really know what they were doing. My ears were poked multiple times, nothing was lined up, and it just looked off. Even though I paid a lot, I ended up taking them out. Then I went to Lora -- she immediately understood what I wanted, walked me through everything, and gave thoughtful recommendations. The result looks SO much better. I honestly wish I had found her earlier. Do not go to places that use piercing guns or devices -- they don't follow your markings properly. Go to Lora.

My 8yo daughter and I came to Patriots for ear piercings - my daughter for her first lobe…read morepiercings, and me for upper helix and conch. Curt was extremely responsive to email/phone to answer questions and also for scheduling. His demeanor was wonderful when he greeted us in setting my daughter at ease. Rileigh was our piercer and I cannot say enough about how excellent she was. She was so personable, knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and walked us through the process, expectations, aftercare with ease. Everything was clean and sterile. My daughter was quite anxious about the whole process and Rileigh was the perfect person for her - patient, nonassuming, and kind. She went above and beyond and took her time with her even though I'm sure it put her behind for her other appointments. The piercings themselves were very quick and essentially painless for both of us using the needle technique, and my daughter was all smiles and over the moon thanking her when all said and done. Rileigh also had a little basket of treats that my daughter could choose from afterwards. My daughter literally said to me as we left, "if I ever have kids, I'm bringing them here!" As the shop does not do piercings for kiddos less than 8yo, I had to bring my 4yo to a different shop but would have much rather brought her to Patriots if I could - the experience at the other shop did not compete at all. We are both very happy with the end results - would highly recommend to anyone and everyone!

A Masterpiece of an Artist -- and a Place That Feels Like Family…read more I don't even know how to begin describing what Lucio at Dale City Body Art has done for me. There are tattoo artists... and then there are people like Lucio -- people who put their heart, their spirit, and their entire soul into their craft. People who understand that sometimes a tattoo is not just ink on skin, but a piece of your heart you're trying to keep alive. Lucio didn't just give me a tattoo. He gave me my loved ones back in the most beautiful, sacred way. He brought my grandma and my brother to life on my skin -- two people whose memories mean more to me than anything. When I look at these portraits, I don't just see artwork. I see their smiles. I see their warmth. I see their love. Lucio captured something I thought was impossible to recreate. And he did it with gentleness, patience, and genuine care. What makes this even more incredible is that Lucio squeezed me into his already busy schedule -- and he did it while feeling under the weather. Most people would reschedule. But not him. He showed up, poured every bit of himself into this piece, and still exceeded anything I ever could've imagined. That level of dedication is rare. That level of heart is priceless. This shop... this whole team... there is something special here. You can feel it as soon as you walk in. Everyone is talented beyond belief, but more importantly, they are kind, welcoming, humble, and real. It doesn't feel like a tattoo shop -- it feels like a family, a place where your stories matter and your memories are treated with respect. Lucio, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for giving me something I can carry forever. Thank you for being patient, for listening, for caring, and for treating my loved ones with the delicacy they deserve. You don't just create art -- you heal people through it. And I will never forget this experience. If you are looking for someone who will treat your vision like it's sacred... if you want a piece that carries emotion, life, and soul... if you want the kind of artwork that makes your heart stop for a moment -- go to Lucio. Go to Dale City Body Art. You won't walk out the same. This place is everything. And I will cherish what they gave me for the rest of my life.

Let me tell you. I was so nervous to get my first tattoo but Steve and the crew made me feel really…read morecomfortable. Any slight pain I felt was worth it. The place is nice and open and people are nice and welcoming to everyone who walks in. Great experience! I'm looking forward to my next tat - with them!!

Got a simple tattoo from here and it was fine, came back another time and the tattoo was really…read morebad, it doesn't look pretty at all. I'm currently lasering it off now. If the style is above your ability, please do not say yes to a client, there is a ton of blowout and just looks bad. It is permanently on my body and will take years to remove and maybe coverup, and the money I spent removing it...

Highly recommend Hybrid. I have been going to Hossein for a couple years and love every piece I…read morehave gotten. Everyone at the shop is very friendly and easy going.

My wife and I did a walk in today to check out a sale she was running, the studio is clean, calming…read moreand very well equipped! Nicole was professional, inviting and very talented. Her work was quick and definitely quality (worth every penny). My wife and I are very picky about who does work for us and she is definitely someone we would visit again! Highly recommended!

I got my first eyebrow piercing here it's so peak I love it. It was painless and the vibe was chill…read morethe piercer made me feel calm

Amazing spot. I have went their for both of my first piercing which were my industrial and nostril…read moreand both with painless with Reo, he is a very skill piercer who is very quick! Both were relatively painless because of how efficient and speedy he was and I was in and out for both in less than 5 minutes. I deff recommend.

Rooster has done two tattoos for me--my very first tattoo and another one that's incredibly…read moreimportant to me. Both times, he did an amazing job and made sure I felt comfortable throughout the entire process. We always end up talking about aliens , which makes every session even better. I 100% recommend Rooster as a tattoo artist. He's incredibly dedicated to his work, and the quality speaks for itself. I refuse to go to anyone else except him!

Everyone was nice except for the red head girl piercing ears. Extremely unnecessarily rude. If you…read moredon't like talking to people dont do customer service

Came here months ago to get 3 piercings. Did a walk-in and was able to have someone do it after…read moremaybe 15 min max of waiting (not too bad). Place was super clean and the staff were nice/knowledgeable. Super happy with my rook, helix, and double.

My daughters and I went to Rick's for a family tattoo…read more Cristen did all three of ours, and they came out exactly the way we wanted. She was very sweet and patient with us. She even got my fearful daughter thru it with ease. Would highly recommend.

Love my tubal from Cuong got it 2 years ago and it still looks amazing, would highly recommend from…read moreCuong will be back soon to do my chest!

Went here for a tattoo on my forearm back in the summer of 2022. The artist who did my tattoo was…read morefriendly, talented, and detail oriented. I made my $50.00 deposit with my consultation. I don't know if this is still the requirement. My tattoo session did get pushed back another week because the artist was quiet busy so that was not too exciting, but I was understanding. But overall, the place is close by to me, the artwork was very impressive, and I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a tattoo for a fair price.