Mike did my first tattoo. He was enjoyable to talk to over the couple of hours that it took and it came out excellent! The conversation between Mike and the others here reminded a bit of being in a barber shop. It was a fun experience and I laughed a lot. I highly recommend Mike & Tattoo Asylum! read more

Tattoo Asylum - Tattoo Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

if I could give this place no star I would. I had to go up there 2 times for them to fix my belly ring. The 1st time they put a small bar in and the 2nd time they put an eye brow piercing in with just belly button piercing balls. My piercing had no room to heal or breath. I definitely would like my $50 back. It was rejecting so bad and crusting up that when someone helped me take it off I ab came up off the chair bc it hurt so bad. I def have relief now. read more

Tattoo Asylum - The 1st picture is it before I got it changed and the 2nd picture is it with the eye brow piercing as a "belly button bar". - Tattoo Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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My wife and I went in to get tattoos today, the experience was great. Clean, professional and comfortable. Alexis was great and very accommodating making sure we got exactly what we wanted. We will definitely go back for our next. read more

Great place to get a tattoo. We worked with Daniel. He is great. My daughter is getting her first tattoo. He talked her through it very well. He also told her advice about where to get tattoos and still being young looking for work. Means a lot. The whole team seemed very nice. Clean place read more

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I went to Tattoo Asylum to see if I was able to get my tongue pierced again after previously going to another shop who didn't know what they were doing. I was looked at by both Alexis and Mike who were great! The service was amazing from walking in to walking out. I was pierced by Alexis who was patient and made me feel comfortable. The placement is perfect and will definitely choose this shop for any future piercings! read more

Zack does awesome work . This is a very special tattoo for me because it is the names and bd of my babies read more

Tattoo Asylum - Tattoo done by Zak - Tattoo Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Fantastic place. Very friendly. Great artwork will be back. Alexis was great. Skip R

I needed a tattoo to cover a scar. Jason Herritt at Tattoo Asylum was my artist. He took the time to go over what was important in hiding scars and helped me pick out the hummingbird as the tattoo I wanted. It was perfect. The bolder lines hid the scar well. He said that if I ever needed a touch up, he would do it for free. I am planning to get a flower next to the bird below my naval and when I have him do that, I will have him add a little red to the breast of the hummingbird. I was very pleased with the service and the care he took to make sure I was getting something that I would like for the rest of my life. My wife likes the work he did and now she wants one of her tattoos freshened up, a C-section scar covered with flowers, and is considering a tattoo for the scar on the center of her back from spine surgery. The price was very good too and the parlor was very clean. Jason took sanitary procedures to the max as much as any in an operating room. read more

Tattoo Asylum - Covering a scar - Tattoo Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I wanted the darker flower coloring. I got the lighter. And the owner had a picture next to him the entire time. Not happy. This was a tribute to my dad who passed away two months ago. Should have done right and with more care. read more

Tattoo Asylum - What I wanted - Tattoo Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I received my first tattoo here whenI was 18, and 18 years later it only seemed right to come back to the same place for another! Tattoo Skate has been pretty legendary in the Durham community for many decades and it's because of their dope artists and quality work. Almost all of my childhoid friends have been inked here. I came this time and had the opportunity to work with Jonas for a small piece on my shoulder. He is so friendly and personable. He immediately understood what I had a somewhat hard time articulating, and it's exactly what I wanted. He also has a light touch, so I wasn't in pain! Check them out. You won't be disappointed! read more

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Overall had an awesome experience. My artist was extremely kind and took his time on my piece even though it was small. He was super patient and dealt with me needing a few breaks and squirming a little. Very professional and clean, and my tattoo came out beautiful! read more

I have been tattoo'd by all but one (the newest) of the artists at Tattoo Asylum and can only recommend them all for having an amazing understanding of art, style and show immense professionalism in the execution of their work. They have all been doing this for many years and have one of the best shops in the area, if not, of course, the best. The shop is decorated very nicely and you will feel like you're walking into a lounge, much more so than a sketchy, hole-in-the-wall unestablished tattoo shop. read more

After Annie left at Blue Flame I wondered who I would get to work on my next tattoo project. So I started looking around at portfolios and found Kristin's work at Tattoo Asylum. She has really good color skills and knows how to make colors sing on skin. I took in a print out of what I wanted and she drew it up and the next day I came back for the application. I was able to try on the tattoo before it was applied with the needle to make sure I liked the placement and size. Then the two hour session began. She plays cool music and we talked about the Blondie concert coming up and the time passed with distraction. I really love the outcome of the tattoo. She was able to take the photo of a drawing and make it come alive on my body and something that I can be proud of. I got a tattoo of a gothy style Mermaid by Suzanne Woolcott but with blonde hair for my youngest daughter. She loves that mommy has her represented next to her sister. I am so glad I got to work with Kristin and we have a few more projects coming up as well. I'll take a photo once it heals and post it on here. read more

Tattoo Asylum - Kristin Close - Tattoo Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Great experience, great price as well as design ideas. Workers in there were welcoming & friendly as well. Would definitely recommend.

Gave these guys a call on a Saturday evening wondering about their walk in policy, the guy who I spoke to took my name and number and told me he would have an artist give me a call whenever they had an opening for me. To my surprise I got called back within an hour and was told I could come by that night and get something done! I showed up within the next hour and filled out all the paperwork. Though pretty tired from a busy day of tattooing, Bruce talked with me and collaborated to draw up my ideal tattoo and sizing and whatnot. The atmosphere is pretty casual but clean and comfortable, everyone there is really kind and cool, and Bruce did a fantastic job on me. I was in and out within an hour or so and I'm so happy with my second tattoo. I'll definitely be going back for my future tattoos as well :) read more

Tattoo Asylum - Immediately after leaving the shop, minimal redness and swelling but Bruce did a great job with accurate and clean line work and shading - Tattoo Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I just wanted to appreciate Alexis for her great customer service, education and patience. She gave me a nostril piercing yesterday. Now I wish I'd gotten another one while I was there! Thanks so much! 5/5 will be back. Definitely recommending her to my friends!!! read more

Again and again Jonas keeps giving amazing tattoos!! He did a mermaid on my arm and it looks phenomenal!!! Cant wait to get more from him! Thanks ! read more

Tattoo Asylum - Love love love my new tattoo!! Thanks to Jonas Britt!! - Tattoo Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Highly recommended. I received my second tattoo ever; first tattoo here. I worked with Tom and he was awesome. He drew up something and then I was able to come in the next day. He was very friendly, accommodating and patient. He's great at what he does. Definitely will be going back! read more

Have been going here for over 20 years. Always very clean. The staff and artists are all very cool laid back and super friendly. They never make you feel uncomfortable and will help you figure out how to make the tattoo you want. read more

Bruce at Tattoo Asylum is awesome! His artistic abilities shine through in his detailed work, color and shading. People stop me to ask where I got my tattoos... I happily refer them to Bruce. A cashier at Home Depot told me that she liked the tattoo on my arm. She asked where I had it done.... I told her. She said that she shopped around and that Tattoo Asylum was too expensive (I don't think so!).... and that she would have to go some place cheaper. I told her, "If you like their work, save up your money and splurge... because it's gonna be there for a while!" Many of my friends and co-workers have had their tattoos done at Tattoo Asylum... many by Bruce. But also by the other artists there.... all solid work. Just make sure to eat some food before you get your tattoo! read more

Tattoo Asylum came highly recommended by family and man did they not disappoint! Tom is an amazing artist. If you are looking for great work, very clean / friendly atmosphere, and nothing but class this is the place. Thank you Tattoo Asylum and Thank You Tom!!! A plus experience!!!! read more

Tattoo Asylum - Awesome!!! - Tattoo Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Bruce was a bit grumpy in the beginning because I had an idea that was logistically impossible, and it was rather frustrating for both of us at the start to figure out how to make my tattoo work, but we ended up figuring everything out. I was thinking of taking off one star for the grumpiness, since that made me feel a bit uncomfortable...but hell, Bruce is a human being! He's allowed to be grumpy, and he remained professional through the grumps ;) We figured it all out and compromised til we had a size and location that was logistically possible AND made me happy - so I ended up with a larger tattoo than I had been planning on getting, in a location I hadn't planned on getting it, but now I don't see why I would want a different size or location at all. Bruce was friendly and considerate throughout the process, and we talked about Carrie Fisher and how great she is, which was super cool since I don't meet nearly as many Carrie Fisher fanatics as I ought to. The application took about an hour and a half and was extremely painful (a good bit of it was done right on my freaking hip-bone), and when the pain got bad enough that I asked him to stop due to my feeling nauseous (a recommendation to anyone getting a tattoo: EAT, DANGIT!), he was incredibly kind and turned the special light off and turned the fan on me and let me rest until I felt a bit better and asked to continue As for the actual tattoo, the end result is BEAUTIFUL and exactly what I wanted. Since it's only a little bit over 24 hours old it doesn't yet look exactly how it's meant to, due to the inflammation and redness, but even if it WERE the final result, I wouldn't mind a bit - and I can't wait to see what it looks like when it's all healed up. Also, the price was incredibly reasonable considering the time and effort put into the work - not the most important thing, but definitely a plus. And a P.S. for the ladies - I had to pull my pants down much lower than I'd normally feel comfortable with, especially with a light shining right on my lower stomach, but I didn't feel at all uncomfortable about this, due to Bruce's demeanor - he had a very casual, objective, sort of doctor-like attitude regarding my usually-covered body parts, which made me feel completely at ease, and that's definitely not easy for me as a survivor of sexual assault. All in all, A+. read more

My husband and I spent a ton of time looking for a great artist for our first tattoos. We had an amazing experience from the minute we walked in. Jonas was amazing at sketching what we both wanted and didn't rush us. He had tons of great advise to make sure our tattoos great. He was funny, laid back and truly an artist! Everyone that worked there was super friendly and I already have an idea for another and will have Jonah do it for sure! read more

Went last week & gave a idea Jonas drew up a tattoo and killed it will definitely go back soon

I got a small tattoo from Kristen Close (amazing yet simple scissors). I love it. I checked out many websites for local tattooers and her stuff was by far the best (though it's pretty subjective, right?). My main tattoo man is in California- I'm so glad I found someone here hat can do really beautiful work! read more

Not actually open till 10p despite this yelp page and the sign on the door..or maybe just didn't feel like providing service. We came around 8:30. I've heard good things about this shop from others but apparently they close at 9 not 10 just to let you all know. read more

Tom was absolutly great! So glad I decided to get my first Tattoo here.. I walked in without an appointment and was walking out 45 minutes later.... He sketched my design perfect and made me feel very calm. I absolutly love it and will come back for anymore I decide to get! read more

I've gotten all 3 of my tattoos here. Bruce is great and so is Jonas. And good prices! Great art! Will always go back!

Posted this on Facebook a week ago. Had occasion to get a little extra work done today. The following review still applies in spades. Bruce popped my tattoo cherry today, in a most professional manner. Took my idea and tweaked it expertly to make it work exactly the way I envisioned the piece. Great guy, INCREDIBLE work. Hope to stop by after everything heals so he can get a pic. The shop is top shelf. Good vibe, ultra clean, and the staff is both courteous AND cool. And that's coming from a walk-in. Looking forward to another visit. Highly recommend. read more

I came into Tattoo Asylum on Friday Aug. 2nd to see if an artist had time to talk to me about my tattoo design I was interested in. I was already impressed when a man that worked there opened the door for me and greeted me in a friendly, professional way. The shop was very clean and organized and I was comfortable my whole time there. I was able to show Bruce my design idea (wildflowers), and he immediately began putting the design together for me and printing it out to show me sizing options. I didn't have time to stay and get the tattoo right then (which they had no problem with), so I made an appointment for the following day. Bruce gave me his business card in case something changed between then and the following day. On Saturday afternoon, I came in a little before my appointment time and spoke with Bruce again briefly about my design and only had to wait about 10 minutes before he was ready to begin tattooing. I was unsure at first about the placement of the tattoo, and he assured me that it was ultimately my decision, but he steered me in the right direction and put the stencil in the place he thought was best. Turns out he was right!! Bruce was laid-back, but still very professional and had good conversation during the time I was with him. He took his time perfecting the lines and the small details in my tattoo. I am so pleased with my overall experience, plus the pricing is super reasonable (better than all tattoo shops I've been to in the past) and I LOVE my tattoo so much and will be back again soon for tattoo #4! read more