I went to Hope Gallery about a month ago to get my first tattoo at age 59 in memory of my wife. I chose Hope based on terrific Yelp and Google reviews, and the fact they were open until 8 on Saturdays. Brian was kind enough to agree to do it, and did an amazing job. I couldn't be more pleased. His work was absolutely beautiful, the process was almost painless, and I really enjoyed getting to know Brian. He's an incredible artist and a really neat person. I can't recommend him, or the shop, any more highly. Read Less

I came for the first time during a flash day and I love my tattoo. The artist are all very nice and the owners where present making sure things are running smoothly. I came on a day where there was food, drinks and ink. How much better can it get. I would like to visit again. Brian did this and customized it a little for me, his work was very well done and he was very professional and pleasant. Can't wait to work with him again in the future. My husband got the Wonder Woman done by Rob. Read Less

I had waited about two months for my appointment at hope gallery. I wanted to have a picture of my daughter on my left arm. Phil Young was the artist that I choose based on the art work I had viewed on the hope gallery website. Phil completed an amazing rendering of my daughter and it actually made me cry when he was done. Phil has a gift that if you are patient he can share with you. Don't hesitate to make an appointment with him. The gallery is also a very cool and comfortable place to vist with nice people. I had visited other shops and found kids at the front desk making appointments and they did not make me feel like the place was professional. Hope gallery made me feel like it was a professional experience. I can not provide feedback for any of the other tattoo providers, but by looking at their work on the website, I think that they all have their own style. Phil seemed to just draw me to his work by the very realistic faces he has done. He truly is a master of his craft. Read Less

I had waited about two months for my appointment at hope gallery. I wanted to have a picture of my daughter on my left arm. Phil Young was the artist that I choose based on the art work I had viewed on the hope gallery website. Phil completed an amazing rendering of my daughter and it actually made me cry when he was done. Phil has a gift that if you are patient he can share with you. Don't hesitate to make an appointment with him. The gallery is also a very cool and comfortable place to vist with nice people. I had visited other shops and found kids at the front desk making appointments and they did not make me feel like the place was professional. Hope gallery made me feel like it was a professional experience. I can not provide feedback for any of the other tattoo providers, but by looking at their work on the website, I think that they all have their own style. Phil seemed to just draw me to his work by the very realistic faces he has done. He truly is a master of his craft. Read Less

I was referred to Hope Gallery by a friend of mine and I couldn’t be more satisfied by the service I received. The inside of the building is clean, artsy, and the staff was very welcoming. The artist that did my tattoo was Eric Merrill; he was professional, and did an awesome job helping me brainstorm ideas. All around great experience and I look forward to my next appointment! Read Less

Hope Gallery for me hands down best tattoo shop around maybe in the whole East Coast Joe Capo is awesome Timmy, Peter, Ed,Phil young is one of the best portrait artist I've ever seen Tiff she's awesome and these guys are great you will have a great experience. Read Less

I've been coming to get tattooed here for years by Tim Harris. He originally reworked a piece that needed much love and from there on we just kept adding to my arm and now I'm at a half sleeve. Every time Tim knows how to make what I want to get done work with what I've already got. I would definitely recommend contacting him if you're looking for an artist in this area. My suggestion would be to book asap since he tends to book way out. Price wise, you get what you pay for; quality work by quality artists. The atmosphere is super chill. There's always a movie going on in the front you can watch while you wait. You can also help yourself to coffee or water and snacks when they have them. Overall a pretty kickass place. Read Less

This is hands down the best tattoo shop I have ever been too. The facility itself is so artistic, relaxed, but most importantly always clean.  My artist is Christian and he is literally a miracle worker. I had gotten an awful tattoo on my back when I was 15 of angel wings and it has taken a while but it is finally finished and I couldn't be happier with the results. As far as price it can get expensive, but you get what you pay for! Also I've read the reviews about phones not being answered, as you can expect somewhere with high demands is usually always busy & if you're that serious about getting work done then act like it and come in person! Read Less

Awesome experience. I made the drive up to Connecticut from NJ multiple times. Tim Harris did amazing work on my ribs. Soft touch too, and a true artist. A lot of contrast and detail that artists down by me couldn't even draw on paper. I love the work I've had done and would recommend this place. Very clean, easy to get too right of I-95, and easy going artists and staff. Building looks cool inside too. Very clean studio. Read Less

Very disappointed in the customer service.  Got tattooed recently and the area became entirely bruised.  Took 2 weeks to heal. Wanted some advice from the gallery.   Additionally some of the shading appears off in the design.  Called "Tiff" 4x with messages for her/ artist and never received a call back at all.  I give up. Really poor service for $400 if that is how customers who spend 175/ hr are treated. I will take business elsewhere and also have someone else touch up my tattoo.  Read the great reviews and have experience much better over the years.  Not impressive by any means to me.  Good place if you like clean, high prices, and no customer service at all.*** The significant bruising lead to infection of the arm.... though the tattoo area seemed ok.  Fortunately I took pics and showed them to some other artists in the area... they could not believe the skin breakage and bruising - saying my arm NEVER should have been that BAD!!!And fwiw, still never a call back!! Read Less

I went to Hope Gallery for the first time recently and was blown away. I had never been there but heard great things, and knew that the work was well worth the price. I had a simple design with lots of linework that I felt other tattoo studios couldn't get quite right. Joe was great in drafting the tattoo with perfect precision, even nailing the fine lines. It's not finished yet, but I wouldn't go anywhere else in New Haven for my tattoo work! Read Less

I started a black and grey sleeve with Ralph and couldn't be happier with his work. He has very clean lines, awesome shading, and is very personable and professional. He gave me exactly what I was looking for and I would highly recommend him to a friend. Looking forward to getting more work done in the near future! Read Less

Overall, I was disappointed with the finished product. The tattoo did not meet my expectations and I'm now currently turning the half sleeve into a 3/4 sleeve to make it look presentable (at a different shop). I was tattooed by Ralph, who's a nice guy, I'm just down on the work. Read Less

I was taken at back the first time I ever saw Hope Gallery, the outside is very unassuming.  Once I walked inside, I was totally blown away.  Beautiful studio with tons of custom art all over the walls, that rotate as the artists do pieces for the different shows they hold throughout the year.  Everyone I have met that works there has been super friendly and and nice every time I have gone there.  I asked Ralph Giordano to do a piece for me that I have literally wanted since I was 16 years old;  Tiamat, the queen of evil dragons, on the left side of my body.  She is a 5 headed dragon, and each head is a different color.  I was trying to find references (or good ones at least) online for this type of tattoo and I could not find any.  I spoke with Ralph about the details I wanted and he took my ideas and came up with an absolutely stunning design.   He is always a blast to work with because besides being talented, he is just a really cool guy and very personable to talk to, the time literally flies by while he is working.  I am a huge fan of his work and he is the only person I want tattooing me, but I can tell you this, if you walk through those doors at Hope Gallery and get tattooed, you will be very happy you did! Read Less

Eric was my tattoo artist and I stress ARTIST. He was referred by my daughter's friend.  I decided when I turned 60 I wanted a small tattoo on my ankle.  I spent time thinking about exactly what I wanted, a butterfly on a rose.  It hurt but I survived and was delighted with the delicacy and color he had achieved.  It also gave me a certain status with my students at school.  They wanted everyone to see their teacher had a tattoo.  As a breast cancer survivor, I wanted to commemorate my 10th anniversary of being cancer free with another tattoo.  In celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness month in October,  I gave Eric a description which he designed and beautifully executed.  During the warm months when I have on sleeveless shirts, women stop me and ask about it.  Many say they are not a fan of tattoos, but they love the idea of mine.  It also opens a dialogue with other survivors.Bravo, Eric!  You are an incomparable artist. Read Less

It's taken me 18 -1/2 yrs to finally get a Tattoo of my son that passed away I am beyond grateful for Phil Young on the portrait of my son it has brought closure in my heart.I have two amazing children and now I can look at all three of my children every day. It takes an amazing person to do this kind of work, Phil Young was professional,encouraging and genuine I am will be forever thankful. Read Less

Look no further! Got tattooed by Joe Capobianco this weekend. Joe's a super cool, down to earth guy that's easy to chat and get along with. He's a fantastic artist with his own unique, colorful style. He was also super professional, well-prepared and efficient. That stands out to me - I've worked with many artists, some of whom were not always ready with drawings and really took their time getting ready, etc. Joe was ready to go right away with both my drawings and worked fast overall. Oh and his room is awesome and has a ton of artwork all over to distract from the pain! It was a really pleasant experience overall (considering he was tattooing a very painful spot, my kneecap). It was also really easy to make the appointment, especially since I did it over the phone, as I was driving from NY. Rachel, the shop manager, was very nice and helpful and walked me through the process. The shop itself is really big and clean and has an awesome, cozy Elvis-themed bathroom. I seriously didn't want to leave the bathroom.There's also a large parking lot in front which is a huge bonus.Don't hesitate. I am not familiar with the other artists' work personally but I've heard good things. Read Less

This is the best tattoo shop on the east coast. Years ago there was a shop in East Haven called Darkside. The artists split up and went two different ways, Hope and Transcend. I have went to Hope Gallery since it first opened. They are celbrating 10 years of buisness this month. Here are the artists which I know well. There are others I have not had the pleasure of working with. I apologize for not including them.Custom tatto work - nothing from the walls like most shops. Your piece will be the only one of it's kind." A good tattoo is never cheap. A cheap tattoo is never good. "Julio: Amazing artist. Focused. No nonsense. Doesn't take breaks or take his job lightly. If he tells you your piece will take 3 hours, he will have the ink in his hand for 3 hours. Great black and white work. Light fantasy, and portraits are all top notch.Joe Capo: Girls girls girls. Big bright pieces. Joe is the owner of this place, and you would think the celebrity would go to his head. It has not. He is so incredibly humble and nice. He does not treat ANYONE as anything less than an equal. He's been so nice to me over the course of the last decade. His twitter and instagram are great.Eric: Sick dark fantasy pieces. His use of color is insane. He will take a concept of yours and bring it to life more than you could ever imagine. His creativity is oozing out of him. Even when you think he can't get better, he does. He's a nice man, who is smart and can talk to you about nearly anything with conviction. Getting work done by him is fun. He makes an 8 hour piece feel like a 3 hour piece. No breaks, no nonsense.Tim: Tim doesn't have ink. You wouldn't peg him as a tattooist. Then you see his work and you're amazed. He takes his job seriously, and wants to make sure you are completely on board with the concept. He will take his time creating the piece, and then execute it with pinpoint accuracy. His tattoos do not need touch ups, and his presence is warm and friendly.Christian: I have known Christian since we were teenagers. He was born to tattoo. He probably held an ink gun before a baby bottle. His creations are wickedly unique and incredibly fascinating. He can take a concept which has been done a thousand times, and you will feel as if it's the first. His take on fantasy, and dark reality is quite unique and refreshing. His colors pop, and his shadowing technique is out of this world. If you go to Hope, you are no longer just a patron. You will be called by name. You will be welcomed to all the parties and showings. Being part of this group of guys is amazing. Guys like these come around once in lifetime, and I feel so blessed to be alive at the same time as these guys. If I reccomended anyone to a place, this would be it. I can't speak highly enough of them. Even my review does not do justice to these guys. Read Less

Neither the specific artist nor the person whom administers the business email could return an email inquiry regarding a piece that I wanted done.  All I wanted was a simple  "yes or no" answer regarding the technique involved, whether it was possible that it could be done...  I guess business is really good.  Next! Read Less

I've been getting tattooed by Julio at Hope for years. His work, along with all of the other artists at Hope is amazing. It is very clear that there artists take pride in their work.  They are very receptive to the idea that you come in with and manage to do something amazing each time to really make the tattoo your own. The artists also go out of their way to make sure you are comfortable while getting tattooed. If you are looking to get another piece or your 1st piece, I highly recommend going to Hope.  You WON'T be disappointed. Read Less

hands down the best tattoo shop there is around i was tattooed by eric merrill a few years back a small jesus tat that turned into a sleeve into a back piece i can not step foot in a store or gas station, mall anywhere with out 5 people asking where i got my work done.At hope its not just a tattoo its a true piece of art everyone at hope does amazing work but plan ahead for work like this takes time and money so plan ahead and book in advance you will not be disappointed Read Less

Hope Gallery is the shit! .  Joe Capobianco, Eric Merrill, Julio Rodriguez, Tim Harris, and Phil Young are the dopest in the world!This place is top notch and has so much to offer, don't sleep and get the BEST work you have ever seen!!! Read Less