I came here for my first tattoo. I was planning on getting three stars on my lower ankle but ended up with a trail of ten stars around my hip. Let me start from the beginning. My friend and I arrived early because Federal Hill only accepts reservations in person. When I told the artist that I wanted a tattoo on my foot, he advised against it. He explained that the skin on your foot is very delicate and foot tattoos don't hold up over time. I guess a lot of people come in and ask for Nicole Richie's famous cross tattoo on her foot. The artist claimed that it was photographed when she first got it and she constantly has to have it re-inked. Federal Hill has a lifetime guarantee on their ink and will re-ink your tattoo for free if it fades. However, that does not apply to foot tattoos. I was a nervous to get my tattoo in the first place and now I was second guessing going through with it. The artist told me he would do the tattoo if I really wanted him to, but he would prefer it if I got it somewhere else on my body. He also said he understood if I didn't want to get it at all, he just wanted to tell me the truth. My friend and I were impressed with his integrity and decided to go inside and think things over. The studio was clean, professional and inviting. Right away, I decided I wanted the stars on my hip. I had the artist draw stars, first on paper, then on my hip with a Sharpie. He had in mind a big tattoo with two inch stars but that wasn't what I wanted at all. I'm petite and wanted smaller stars and for the tattoo to only show if I was wearing a bikini. I made him wipe his drawing off, redraw it again and again, then I would run half dressed to the mirror to inspect if I liked the design. He was extraordinarily patient with me and made sure the final drawing was exactly what I wanted. Finally, we agreed on the design and size of the tattoo. I had ten stars drawn in an arch, the largest resting on my hip bone. He also suggested dots in between which looked fantastic. The actual tattoo only took eleven minutes and didn't really hurt. The artist was professional, had a great sense of humor and now I have an amazing tattoo! read more

I got my second tattoo here last Sunday. I went in on Saturday to make an appointment with my friend. Since her tattoo was considerably larger than mine and we wanted to get them together, we had to make our appointment for Sunday at 5pm. I went in knowing exactly what I wanted - a very simple word in a very simple font just below my right clavicle. At first I thought I wanted all lowercase letters, and when Mike drew it up, we both agreed that it looked kinda silly - I was glad he felt comfortable sharing his opinion. He did a great job with executing the fine lines of the lettering. The tattoo was finished in about 5 minutes and although their minimum charge is $60, Mike let me have it for $50 (the price of the deposit). My friend got her state flag tattooed on the side of her hip - about 3x4 inches, in color. It looks INCREDIBLE. Furthermore, it's the Maryland flag, a really, really complicated design - I was so impressed. My only complaint is the music... I friggin hate hardcore. Definitely going back for my next tattoo! read more

If you want good work, they'll do it for you. I saw Mike for both my tattoo's. Both are about 3 years old. They both look terrific. I was recommended by a friend, and I would/have recommend anyone there. Prices can run high, HOWEVER; you get what you pay for and that is quality. $50 deposit- they draw up the sketch and set an appointment- deposit will carry over and taken off the price of tattoo. read more

I got my first tattoo here. On a whim, my then-boyfriend and I took a "road trip" from Boston down to Providence. I don't recall how I found out about this place, but I believe an acquaintance had seen their work and said that they were good and reputable. A downside is that you can't make an appointment via phone - it has to be in person. So lucky for me, we happened to go at a time when it wasn't busy so I was able to be ushered right into the chair. Being that I was very very scared of needles, I didn't know what to expect. But Bob, (or was it Dave?) talked me through the process and eased any of my concerns. I chose to get a tattoo on my upper right back/shoulder area. Bob (or Dave) was so good that I hardly even felt the needle and when he was all done, I almost signed up to get yet another one! It has been 6 years and I have had no fading, despite my love of wearing tank tops and laying out in the sun, and it came out EXACTLY the way I had wanted. I have since moved down to New Jersey and gotten another tattoo. My regret - not waiting and getting it done at Federal Hill Tattoo. Beautiful work, talented and friendly staff, and most definitely worth a drive from Jersey to get the next tattoo! read more

I had one of my two tattoos done here and they were much better then the first place I went. Fast but thorough with plenty of ready to go ideas plus a decent artist on site to sketch what is in your brain. I have been with two other people here when they got there tattoos and both were satisfied with the results. My tattoo artist, I can not remember his name, I believe his words were sit down and shut up and 15 minutes later i had a tattoo. so maybe not the friendliest but who really wants to chat while being stabbed with a needle repetitively. Definitely rec commend! read more

When I was 18 I got a crappy rose. Last year I decided to get a coverup and pursued federal hill tat, Dave did the most amazing job and I still look at my arm and smile. The compliments never end, and my family views My piece as art. The place is great, and I wouldn't go anywhere else for a tattoo! read more

Walked in for my scheduled consult. He made me feel like we were wasting his time even though he was the only one there. He told me to schedule an appt for a consult (which this was) & come back with my ideas, which I already had & was trying to show him in pics. When we said we drove over 45 mins so could we do the consult now he shook his hands & said "Ooooh 45 minutes!" He walked in the back to grab some paper, we walked out the door. read more

My overall experience was okay. Clean and professional. After my tattoo healed I noticed that my artist "colored outside" the lines and the shading was completely uneven. Safe to say I'll never be back, I'm putting a permeant mark on my body and I trusted them to not mess it up. read more

I came here to get my first tattoo and I will definitely be returning here for all my tattoos. They were extremely professional and I had drawn up my design and the artist just did some touch up for me to make it perfect. It was thin design and I was worried they were going to tell me it needed to be bigger. But once I told him I wanted it on my ribs he informed that it was going to hurt but he could do it. I was so happy with the placement and outcome. We just walked in too, you're not required to make an appointment from what I understand. read more

"Smilin" Dave tattooed a beautiful, Japanese half-sleeve on me. It took a couple sessions to complete. The deposit is fair and pretty much standard in all shops. These guys were more than helpful when it came to accommodating me and my hectic schedule. Dave's price is per hour and is affordable for anyone looking for a great tattoo. My tattoo is a custom piece he drew up and fitted specifically for my arm. It has near flawless black and grey work as well as color. I love these guys they are the real deal in an industry watered down with scratchers and wannabes. After 10+ hours I am blown away by the work that I have gotten read more