I wanted to leave a review for Chris because of how helpful he was during my visit. He was incredibly thorough, patient with all of my questions and clearly very knowledgeable about his craft. In my expierence, it is rare to find an artist who is as kind as they are talented. He is clearly an expert who cares about his clients comfort and understanding. Definitely go see him! read more

Scheduled a same day appointment with Connor and was not disappointed. He somehow tattooed this better than the image I showed him. This took less than an hour and it's so well done. Did this over a year ago and it's healed super well. Clean, friendly environment. read more

Hand of Doom Tattoo - Fresh - Tattoo Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Why you shouldn't choose Hand Of Doom aka H.O.D. for your next tattoo. I recently went to H.O.D to get a simple matching script tattoo with my friend. I gave an exact reference photo and font example of the tattoo I wanted that read "no rain, no flowers" to be placed just above my elbow. A very simple tattoo (or so we thought) My friend was up first and we were horrified to see that Connor, the tattoo artist, made a mistake and added an apostrophe before the S of flowers which is grammatically incorrect (as well as forgot to add the comma) I explained to him how he didn't follow the reference photo and to just make sure to leave out the apostrophe and add the comma this time. To my shock, HE DID IT AGAIN on my tattoo. The only conclusion I can come up with as to how this could possibly happen is that he was half listening to me. And quiet possibly doesn't know the difference between an apostrophe and a comma. I explained the issue to management in an email since there's no way of getting ahold of anyone by phone. I asked for compensation or help fixing the situation. Unfortunately, but expected, Connor denied how it went down, even though the exact reference photo clearly shows he made a mistake. The owner did nothing in an attempt to come up with a solution to rectify the situation. Instead the owner decided to ignore my email. At this point I can only warn others of my horrible experience at H.O.D read more

Hand of Doom Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Went in for a walk-in on Friday after reaching out to Aiden and left with a new favorite! Space was very clean, welcoming, and everyone was so friendly. Aiden was a true professional and I love my new tattoo! read more

Hand of Doom Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Buffalo, New York

WORLD CLASS TATTOO PARLOR I was proud of myself, naturally, for finding the most perfect tattoo parlor to tell you about, Hand of Doom on Elmwood Ave. Ok, well my buddy actually was the one that discovered HOD, but I researched the exact artist that I wanted to work with at the parlor, Jon Mirro. Ok, well, another buddy, completely unrelated to the first buddy figured out that Jon was the man and recommended him, but I was the one who came up with the perfect idea of the tattoo I wanted Jon to do. Alright, alright... Jon had all the good ideas for the tattoo and I just rolled with it, but I was the one who paid Jon for these great ideas with my own hard-earned money. Ok, fine... I paid for the tattoo with money I received from my roommate, rounded out with some found buried treasure that I had acquired. Fine... (sigh) the money from my roommate I spoke of was actually my mom, whose been giving me a stipend while I've been living in her basement, and the buried treasure was change I stole from a wishing fountain. I knew of multiple people that were satisfied customers after working with Jon. Legend has told the tales of his razor thin line work and eye-popping negative spacing, but it wasn't until I researched his illustrative, contemporary Japanese artwork style on his Instagram (https://instagram.com/jonmirro?igshid=14p541kz3zney), coupled with noting his passion for creating real tattoo "art", and not just appeasing whatever ridiculous and dumb ideas that I had which would have ruined everything, that I knew Jon was the man for the job. Enough talking. If you spent all this time reading my ink rant, then perhaps you're either (1) lonely, living in your mom's basement with a pocket full of fountain pennies, or (2) you're ready for some time in the chair yourself. Good news! HOD has four other artists all under the same room and all taking appointments. Feel free and drop by and check out their portfolios, or do so here at handofdoomtattoos.com. read more

Hand of Doom Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Clean studio and friendly during booking. Unfortunately, Connor seemed tired and kind of annoyed throughout the process of the actual tattoo especially during placement. I told him where I wanted it, and he laid the stencil in a really weird spot that was not at all where I said. I asked him to please move it, and was super specific again as to where I wanted it. He seemed to not be understanding me entirely but he complied. He seemed a bit annoyed and tired again. I asked him if it would look weird when I sit down because of the placement on my thigh and he brushed it off quickly saying "oh we have no control over that" and we moved forward. Unfortunately, it looks ridiculous the way it bends when I sit down and I wish he'd taken the time to have me sit in a chair and look before rushing me along. I trusted his professional judgment but I should have trusted my gut instead. Talented artist but did not seem to take real attention or care during the placement process. read more

Tattoo artist messed up my tattoo had to reschedule with the owner, very unprofessional and condescending because he just didn't want to do the work. Never going back, do not go here. read more

Trying to make an appointment here is like a SnL skit. You HAVE to make it by email. But when it's been a week and you have gotten no response so you go there in person to make an appointment....why didn't you make it by email.? I didn't know this place was so famous that us peasants can't walk in off the street to make an appointment. Left without an appointment, although honestly if they can't handle answering emails I question their commitment to anything else. read more

After many months of deliberation I finally decided to get a tattoo. Went here on a recommendation and I'm sure glad I did. Jon was nothing but professional, courteous, and explained the entire process from start to finish. I brought in a design that I wanted and he resized it to my exact specifications and discussed exactly what was going to happen which made me very comfortable being my first time. The end result was exactly what I wanted and exactly where I wanted it, that followed up with explicit directions on how to take care of it in the coming days. They say you never stop at one, and if I don't I'll definitely be back. read more

Not one to write reviews, but I had to after the terrible experience I had here. They are terrible with communication. I booked an appointment via email a month ago and took off work for it and everything, but when I showed up I wasn't in the schedule. Which okay fine mistakes happen i get it. But they were extremely rude about it and made me feel like it was my fault... they didn't apologize once and then didn't even offer to book me a new appointment (not that I'd want one after the way they treated me anyway). This was a huge inconvenience since I called off work and they could've cared less. Never going back here and very glad I didn't give this business my money. read more

Josh is fantastic. He did a tattoo for me about a week ago. My husband liked it so much, he went yesterday and got one for himself. The shop is clean, and the people are friendly. Josh is very talented, funny and he makes you feel very comfortable. read more

Warning! Super high douche factor. Customer service is not a strong suite or even a variable in the equation of how to treat people in this lame douche factory. The place is visibly dirty and I am shocked they haven't been shutdown for a health code violation or two...or three...or more... However, and most importantly, the tattoo artist suck - no vision, skill, or evidence of talent. After having to walk Hipster McSmellsofweed through what I wanted, he would not render a proof ahead of starting work on my arm so I had to draw it out for him! In the end, I had to have my piece redone elsewhere because it came out so bad. But the worst part of all: their prices are out-of-control ranging from $150-$200 an hour. This is obviously to screw the nearby students that walk down from Buff State, but for anyone that lives in the area, and has had ink done elsewhere, should know better. I wish I could give them negative stars. Total crap. read more

So, I'm sitting here putting Aquaphor on my new ink, thinking, 'How did I not write a review about this yet?!?'. Ok, so here it goes.... I've been wanting a new 1/4 sleeve-ish tattoo now for a hot minute, and finally decided to go for it. Fortunately, when I went to get my morning Thai Iced Tea, I totally stopped one of the baristas and asked where she got her tattoo. I told her I loved the look of it, and it's what I was going for. She recommended Josh at HOD (which was totally cool, because I have had tattoos from them before, when it was next to Home of the Hits). Well, that's all I needed to hear, I went in with some pictures of what I liked, what I didn't want and saw Josh. Super cool guy. Talked with me for a bit and knew exactly the look I was going for. Made the appointment and then played the waiting game. My appointment was in 4 weeks. So I waited.... Finally, the day came. I went in for the appointment and was greeted by Josh. The shop is clean, clean , clean and I loved looking at all of the tattoo art on the walls while waiting. He had a small cover up of a star on my back, had some paisley he placed and some flowers he sketched on and checked with me if it was all good. Yes yes yes!! Josh rocked it out. Seriously. I was so impressed. I had around a 2 hour session with him and time flew. I did get a small break in there, but he told me to take my time, and during the session, he kept checking that I was all good. When he was finished, I was blown away. I was giddy. It looked so great, and he totally captured the look I wanted and then some. What a great artist. We made another appointment for my shading and color and I can not wait to go back. Seriously. If you're looking for a quality place to get work done, look no further. This is the place to go. Josh- 10 stars for sure. read more

Hand of Doom Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Most of the artists here have a long wait time for appointments for a reason. Their artwork is original and good quality, their shop is clean, and their end product covers a decent amount of my body for these reasons. I have been getting tattooed by Josh for about 9 years now and I would be hard pressed to go anywhere else. With such a high demand for their services, I would expect to be charged much more, but they haven't hiked up their prices even though they definitely could. read more

Best tattoos in Buffalo. I've been a customer for 9 years and would go no where else. I have collected some amazing art and made some friends too. read more

I am a huge fan of Hand of Doom. I got my first tattoo done elsewhere and I was a little disappointed, which sucks because it's on my body forever. I decided to try out HOD for my next one and I could not be more pleased. Not only did they do a great job on my script but Chris kept me distracted while I got it done. He chatted with me so that I would pay less attention to the pain on my ribs and they did a little touchup on my first one so it looks a little better now. I will be going back for my next one at HOD because it was a great experience and I love my ink. They do have a 60$ shop minimum so if you're getting something small done be aware that it will still cost 60$ + tip. They are also cash only, so be ready for that. read more

Got a inner thigh piece from Kyle and he did an amzing job! He also tattooed the wu tang symbol on my hip and after over a year it is 100% perfect. Going to kyle from now on. Only thing I dont really like about the shop is i feel a slightly judgemental vibe from some of the other artists and receptionist, but its clean and i definetly reccomend it. read more

Hand of Doom Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Chris Lombardi did an excellent job with my most recent tattoo; his art greatly enhanced the original design and the entire process was awesome. I've had two tattoos at HOD and recommend them to anyone who asks where I got my tattoos! read more

I just got my first tattoo done with Molly and I couldn't be happier. The shop was clean, everyone was super friendly and encouraging, and my tattoo came out beautifully. I really appreciated that Molly was encouraging and made me feel totally comfortable. I will definitely be returning to Hand of Doom! read more

I've had 2 very good experiences here, and 1 bad one. Kyle did an amazing piece on my thigh worked hard for 3.5 hours and charged me 300$. Extremely reasonable and I couldn't be happier. Lines are clean tattoo is on point and the compliments I get are endless. I was a walk in with Marcus and he did a lotus unilome on my sternum which was very clean and took maybe 15 mins but I was fine with because it hurt like hell and charged me 100$. A tad pricey in my opinion for a 15 min tattoo. But satisfied nonetheless. I was a walk in for a second time with Marcus and wanted some bead work added to the existing unilome and he hand drew it with sharpie, I checked and gave the ok. The tattoo took 45 mins and was the worst pain I've experienced with a tattoo (which was expected) when he was done I felt rushed out. He said check it, I did, I was almost light headed from the pain and said it's fine I like it and off I went. Later took a picture of the tattoo and examined it closely and realized I was not happy with it at all. Beadwork is supposed to be (mostly) symmetrical which is not the case with my tattoo. I called, expressed my unhappiness. He called me back and I said I need to come in and show him what I was unhappy with. I went in the next day. He was completely pissed off at me because he clearly doesn't agree with what I think. I told him the unevenness of the top beads bother me (verbatim I said this side doesn't look like the other side and he said, how so? Like really?) but I'm ok with because when I stand natural you can't see it (thank god my breasts are large) but I want 2 strands of beads added to make it look better and more symmetrical. I said the rest Is pretty good. He raised his Brows and said "pretty good?" He was being a jerk the entire time I brought my friend she agreed. He said I can come back in 3 weeks to get the beads added for another 80$. Mind you I paid 140$ already, which he insisted he "hooked me up with a 200$ tattoo" as it is. I have a half sleeve and an entire thigh piece I find it difficult to accept that it's a 200$ piece. Not happy. Not going back to him ever. read more

Hand of Doom Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Got a tattoo here and would not go back. Choose this place based on recommendation and was under whelmed from the beginning. Went on a walk in day trying to get a consultation and after looking through the artist portfolios we picked an artist whose idea of a consultation was email me what you are thinking. Was getting a tribal with words around it and there was no conversation about font style or anything. Went on my appt day and the artist had one drawing not multiple choices had to change some things so waited for the new drawing to be made. The place is clean and newly remodeled I like how my tattoo turned out don't love it just like it. Prices were fair basically what I got out of my experiences is that if you are not a hipster covered in tattoos they have no interested and act that way. Looking to get another tattoo soon and will be going some where else read more

Always get tattooed by these guys. Best in buffalo for traditional or Japanese style. Always clean and professional. I would recommend them to anyone. !!! read more

The best group. Got a cover up done by Jon Mirro and it's awesome. I moved out of town and have been itching for a new one and this will be the only place I'll go!! read more

I've had many tattoos done by Chris Lombardi and I love each one. This shop is the best! :)

Kyle at Hand of Doom was awesome-- be specific about what you want, he's very talented. Overall great experience!

This is the worst tattoo experience I've ever had. I have 8 tattoos so far and I went in to just get a few letters and number very small on my wrist and it was $80 which compared to where I've been, it's pretty expensive. Molly was our tattoo artist and her alone made my experience absolutely terrible, extremely rude and bitchy attitude. If you're getting a tattoo in Buffalo, I would recommend find any place besides this one. read more

Not one to write Yelp reviews often but wanted to review HOD. It was my first tattoo experience and it was AWESOME! Marcus did such a great job. Plus he was so incredibly nice! HOD is super clean, beautifully designed and a welcoming environment. read more

Fantastic place, very clean. The people working there are super cool too. Got my first tattoo there and I plan to go back for a second!