I had a tattoo done by Zee in 1995. I drove a 150 miles to get it done because I was so impressed by his work. He was very accommodating with drawing it from a phone conversation. I sent him a check through the mail for the deposit. He was very clear with his policies on cancelation and quoted his hourly rate and approximate cost. The shop was very clean when I arrived and the staff was very accommodating. It took about 3 hours for Zee to complete the tattoo and he wasn't very talkative. I assume it was his personality so I sat quietly and let him work. His skill level is extremely high and although it ended up costing a little more than expected I was extremely pleased with the result. I've had the tattoo for over 20 years and it's lines are still great. He was a little introverted but he did a hell of a job so sitting quietly was definitely worth it! Read Less

As much as I love Zee's work, he has a mysteriously terrible attitude. In earlier years, I didn't experience it very overtly (though I could tell that it existed by his interactions with others). Yet everything recently changed when I booked an appointment with him for a new tattoo. The first time I canceled for personal reasons, and I provided plenty of advance notice. The second time, I emailed him the day before the appointment and explained the fact that I have a chronic illness that was flaring up. I asked if we could reschedule our session for two weeks from now. His reply was heinous. He said that I did this to him "too many times" without advance notice and he wouldn't reschedule until I felt better. Then he'd insert me into the schedule within a day or two. Whoa, wait a minute! Excuse me?!As someone who worked in customer service management for over ten years, that response was unacceptable and unprofessional. I told him that he was insensitive and misinformed as I had only canceled TWICE and gave him days of advance notice the first time. The second time couldn't be helped. (Sorry, people with chronic illnesses can't automatically shut them off for a rude and angry business owner.) Finally, I said that I'd take my business elsewhere and hoped that he didn't develop a chronic illness in the meantime. He never deigned to apologize but what else would I expect?I wouldn't be surprised if he leaves a nasty reply to this review or emails me privately, but I'll just report him to Yelp. I don't exist to be harassed by jerks, no matter how gifted they are. As for the rating, I'm being nice by assigning him two stars because he did a stellar job for me in the past at affordable fees. If he hadn't, he would only merit one measly star. His shop is also clean and sanitary. If you choose to try his services, TREAD LIGHTLY. That's all I can say. Read Less

Mr zee was rude and uncaring to my situation. I called the day before to reschedule because something came up. He has a policy where you can reschedule with a 24 hour notice with no loss of deposit. Well he told me I would lose deposit because it was " short notice" so apparently because I was calling at 21 hours and not 24 he could care less and wanted to ether keep my deposit or try and force me to come in. He is only getting two stars due to the fact that I guess legally I was short the full 24 hour by calling at 21 hours. So in a way he doesn't have to do anything for me. However Mr. zee was totally uncaring to my situation and came off as rude so I will not go here again and he lost my business and future business over this. I do not recommend this place.Read Less

So studio zee has a policy if you need to reschedule it must be a 24 hour notice. Well I called the day before my appointment But because it was only 21 hour notice mr zee informed me that it was short notice and I would lose my deposit. I am giving two stars because I guess legally I agreed to give a full 24 hour notice so I'm partially at fault.  However I feel that Mr. Zee should have allowed me to reschedule since I was only three hours short of the full 24 and I was only trying to reschedule appointment not cancel. I understand he has a business but sometimes things do come up. He came off as rude and uncaring to my situation. He lost my business. Read Less

I rarely write reviews, but I've never had a worse experience with a piercer. I have had 7 piercings besides earlobes and I usually trust piercers, as they know much more than I do about body modification, but in this case I really should have listened to my gut. Background: I got my nose pierced at another shop in August and it was healing well before I snagged it in September. I now have a small bump which I have been treating with sea salt soaks. I came to Studio Zee to replace the ball for the end of my flatback stud which had come loose and gotten lost. Although the shop was clean,  and I left with new jewelry, I felt uncomfortable there. It seemed like I was not heard when I described what I needed. Nothing was explained to me. He convinced me to try and drain what is actually a hypertrophic scar, so now the skin of my nose is continuously bleeding and unsightly. When I asked for my old jewelry back in case I needed it he responded, "go ahead, paste it in your scrapbook." Needless to say, bedside manner is an area where this shop could really improve. Read Less

I went to go see Kyle at Studio Zee and had such a great experience. He worked on several tattoos for me--all text in different fonts, spanning the majority of my upper arm. I won't lie, I'm not great with pain, but Kyle kept me calm and laughing and listened when I said I needed a moment. I have had other tattoo artists work on me before, and they have had heavy hands, eventually leading to deep scarring. Kyle is very light on his hand without sacrificing quality or clarity of the tattoo. He even went over some of the old tattoos I had to clean them up and keep a good flow with the rest of my tattoos.Kyle will be the only person I go to for tattoos; I trust him that much. He is such a sweet guy and didn't mind staying late with me until that tattoo came out exactly how I wanted. Definitely recommend going to Studio Zee and seeing Kyle. Read Less

Switched my nose stud out with a hoop and did not incorporate the ball. He clamped the ring shut with pliers and since my piercing (which was perfectly healed for 6 weeks) is now infected. I was also charged an outrageous amount for a 5 minute replacement.Read Less

Let me start by saying I would NEVER recommend or come back to this tattoo shop . The quality of Zee's work is very high but his business practices and attitude is completely unacceptable .  I started a sleeve tattoo at studio zee November of 2013 , the day of my first appt there was already a red flag I should have picked up on but I was so excited to get my tattoo I ignored it. Zee triple booked himself for the same date and time, so Zee myself and 2 other parties spent 30 minutes in the waiting area deciding who would get their tattoo and who would have to reschedule . Because my tattoo was the most time consuming and expensive I ended up keeping my appt.  We did a 4 hour session and the work came out very good .  I paid Zee 300 dollars for the tattoo that day and a separate 100 dollars which he said was a "deposit" which would count toward the finished tattoo. He gave me a receipt and I left . Unfortunately things in my life came up and finishing my tattoo was put on the back burner until last month , exactly 2 years after we started.  I went to the studio this November to make a new appointment , when I mentioned the $100 deposit he was still holding he looked at me like I was crazy . He told me it's the customers responsibility to keep records of things like that not his and if I didn't have my receipt I would not be able to use my 100 dollar deposit, and he even had the nerve to question me saying why did I wait so long to come back .  One would say maybe I'm partially at fault for losing my receipt but in 2 years any normal person could easily lose a piece of paper. What's even more strange is that this business apparently keeps no records of the tattoos /transactions they do . His wife who works at the shop even said to me how she conveniently shredded some paperwork the week prior which is bs because you should not be shredding papers that are as recent as 2 years .  Pretty much if you leave money in limbo at this shop get the receipt tattooed on yourself because if you don't have it you can guarantee he doesn't have it . I will never come back to this shop or recommend it to someone else , Darkside, Hope Gallery and Keys on Kites do just as good if not better work and you don't have to worry about your money "going missing" God for bid you lose your receipt or don't come back right away . Very disappointing for me I have to link up with a new artist now but my lesson is learned and I will make sure it's an honest trustworthy artist . Read Less

My husband and I decided to get matching tattoos out of nowhere but there were no places accepting walk ins until we called Studio Zee and they happen to have a person who didn't come for there appointment so they took us last minute! Highly recommend this place! Very comfortable waiting area also. We will definitely come back for future tattoos because we're not done here :) Read Less

Zee is absolutely amazing! I can't even comprehend how he draws a straight line so flawlessly. I ended up getting 3 tattoos in 3 months because I loved the first one so much. I highly recommend him. Plus the staff is so friendly. Read Less

I went here this weekend for a tragus piercing with three other girls looking to do the same. We had scheduled appointments earlier that day. The shop itself is a little hole in the wall from the exterior. Zee did our piercings. He would not allow even one person to go back as a support to the girl getting pierced, but ok, we got over that. He pierced my ear and when I couldn't hear, I explained that the blood trickled into my ear. He said I'm imagining it; it's an "illusion" were his exact words. Yea? I turned my head for him so the blood spilled out on his table. Just sayin'. I've had multiple piercings and tattoos from various places over the years and none of the artists were ever as rude and condescending as this guy. His prices are excessive for what you're getting. I won't go back. Read Less

Zee is an amazing tattoo artist, but this review is for his piercing skills. He did my helix in December, so it's fully healed now. The environment was sterile (hence more than one star), but the piercing is extremely crooked. Also, when I had him remove the hoop & replace it with a stud (I play a contact sport and can't wear a hoop in-season), he fit the stud extremely poorly, it's obviously loose and looks like it's a bar for a lip piercing instead. The first time I got hit in a practice, I feared it would rip out like a hoop would. I told him when he put it in that I needed something that wouldn't be easily tugged on. Judging by the fit and the sexist remarks he made about my feminine-leaning gender presentation and women in sports, he didn't take me seriously. I wouldn't recommend him for a piercing, the work seems pretty amateur. I would have called to ask him to fix it, but his bedside manner is awful, as shown by previous reviews. Impeccable line work for tattoos, but I'd never get a piercing here again. Read Less

The work was good. The owners' business practices are unacceptable and dishonest. Also very rude. Quoted price with full description of tattoos desired. Reservation made with deposit. Work completed. He raised the price. "It was more involved than I thought". Really!! They were two small hearts with crossed lines--took 20 min. each, if that. Bait and switch. I went there out of convenience. Highly recommend this parlor be avoided. The best tattoo establishment in the State--Lovecraft in Hamden. Should have waited and went there. Read Less

The work was good. The owners' business practices are unacceptable and dishonest. Also very rude. Quoted price with full description of tattoos desired. Reservation made with deposit. Work completed. He raised the price. "It was more involved than I thought". Really!! They were two small hearts with crossed lines--took 20 min. each, if that. Bait and switch. I went there out of convenience. Highly recommend this parlor be avoided. Read Less

I went hear for a nose piercing, and the piercing was perfect. When Zee showed me the selection of studs (I thought they were all "basic jewelry" covered by the 50 buck price) he did not tell me that the one I chose was 15 dollars more. This was only told to me when the lady rung up my price. As a 16 year old, I felt taken advantage of, and they did not offer to take away the fee, even though I was not given sufficient information to make my choice. Read Less

I went hear for a nose piercing, and the piercing was perfect. When Zee showed me the selection of studs (I thought they were all "basic jewelry" covered by the 50 buck price) he did not tell me that the one I chose was 15 dollars more. This was only told to me when the lady rung up my price. As a 16 year old, I felt taken advantage of, and they did not offer to take away the fee, even though I was not given sufficient information to make my choice. Read Less

Was completely floored this afternoon when Zee fixed my college-age daughter's nose piercing. (I happened to be along to provide transportation.) Sterile technique was questionable. Zee was as unprofessional as anyone I have ever seen. He was rough inserting the stud, and he insulted her when she didn't intuit how he wanted her to position her head, and because her cell phone rang. My daughter nearly passed out at the shop and had to lie down - due to a combination of pain and the hostile treatment she received. (She has a high pain threshold, and this had never happened to her before.) We almost walked out in the middle, and I'm really sorry we didn't. Won't ever be going back. Read Less

I got my first tattoo done here about 9 years ago. It is literally about a 2 inch simple black "D". It was to get over a fear of needles. It cost me a $100. I didn't know much about tattooing back then and paid the price. 7 years and 12 tattoos later I can honestly say now I was ripped off. On a more recent trip I went in with a friend who was here visiting and we wanted to get a tattoo together. My 2 normal shops were booked solid and I knew this was the only clean shop around that would probably have an opening. I got 5 words around an existing tattoo and it took all of 20 minutes and with a tip cost me $175. It was a total rip off but my friend and I really wanted it done. Clean shop,nice artist but way too expensive. Read Less

Yesterday I went to Studio Zee to get a cartilage piercing (helix) in my ear and it was a smooth and wonderful experience. I've never been to a tattoo/piercing place before (my ear lobes were pierced at a mall) and I didn't want to go anywhere sketchy. I had searched up Studio Zee before I went and they had favorable reviews so I took a cab from main campus (I'm a college student) to get there. Studio Zee is very clean and sterile and the entire setup of the place was quaint and welcoming. The receptionist was very nice and helpful, and the wait was not too long (around 15 minutes). They are very professional and required a state-issued ID and consent forms. The woman who pierced me was very nice and talked me through the entire process. She explained everything that she was going to do (sterilization, marking my ear, etc) and did it in a nice, calm and friendly manner. She must have sterilized my ear 3 times, which was a good thing. The needle she used was new and was opened from a sterile package. The entire process took about 15 mins, though the piercing of the ear didn't hurt much at all and was over in 10 seconds (and I have a very low pain tolerance). I advise taking some advil or tynenol or ibuprofen before going in if you are afraid of the pain-- I did that and it helped quite a bit. Finally, she explained how aftercare worked. The fee was a little high ($50 for all cartilage piercing) but I was willing to pay that much since my ears are prone to infection and I thought that it was worth paying a bit more for the professionalism and the sterility. (I also met Zee while I was waiting, and though he specializes in tattoos, he seemed quite nice.) All in all, I was quite relieved to find such a professional, clean and friendly tattoo/piercing place in New Haven. I am very satisfied with my new piercing, and it's been less than 24 hours and it doesn't even hurt anymore, which is such a relief because my earlobes ached for 2 weeks afterwards when they were pierced. I wholeheartedly recommend them! Read Less

I had an amazing experience at Studio Zee and was tattooed by Zee himself.  This was my third tattoo but my first from this shop. I'm really impressed with the intricate detail and clean lines used--specifically when looking at the tiny islands (photo attached).  The shop is very clean and well-organized; I felt very comfortable. Overall, one of the best tattoo experiences I've had and I highly recommend this studio. Read Less

I love Studio Zee and it's the only tattoo artist/piercer I will go to. Now, with that being said I had to give it 4-stars (Yay! I'm a fan) because the 5-star (Woohoo! As good as it gets) doesn't really work for me as I haven't been anyplace else and can't say they are the best.Anyway, moving on. I had my first experience with Studio Zee a couple weeks into my freshman year of college, 2003. My roommate and I decided it would be a good idea to get our belly buttons pierced...and I cannot tell you how or why we chose Studio Zee, but we did. From what I remember about that experience it was great. The woman at the front window was very nice and accommodating, gave us the paperwork to fill out and we had a seat. We went in, got pierced, and left. The following year, my new roommates and I decided we all wanted to go get piercings or tattoos....as I was the only one that had gotten anything done in the area I suggested Zee. We arrived later on at night, 6pm or so....it seemed as though they didn't want to take on so many people at once, but most of our group were for piercings so they agreed. I can't speak for anyone else, but I had Zee do my tattoo which is located on the right side of my back. I posted a picture as reference. He suggested the size (as what I wanted was a little too small for the area). I absolutely love it and have zero complaints about the experience.My next tattoo was a few years later which I created myself. It's the Empire State Building with a breast cancer ribbon around the top and initials underneath. I wanted to meet with Zee to go over it so I didn't just stop in one day and say "here, draw this on me" So I scheduled a consultation, which they take a deposit for the tattoo...I was fine with this and I scheduled my appointment for a few weeks away. Again, the size of the tattoo I wanted was a little smaller than Zee thought it should be so he enlarged it and convinced me that it would be perfect. The tattoo is black, with a lot of line work (picture posted) and again, I absolutely think it's spectacular work. Aside from my work, I have a co-worker with about 13-14 tattoos and has gotten most of them directly from Zee. I think this place is fantastic. Are there better places around? Of course, but I have not found any. I do know of some bad places in the area and have seen terrible piercing and tattoo jobs from them. Not Belly button piercings that are literally crooked, not minor crooked, VERY crooked. Obviously enter any tattoo shop at your own risk, get to know the person and feel comfortable. Don't walk in with a big project and expect miracles.Another co-worker of mine recently got her first tattoo at Studio Zee. She walked in to consult with a tattoo artist (3 small stars on her foot) and they said "hey do you want this right now" they caught her off guard and she ended up getting it that same night. She is very happy with the facility, artist and ink. Happy inking. Sorry, price wise I haven't a CLUE how much I spent for any of my jobs. I think my stars were maybe around $75 and my Empire maybe $160? Not sure why those amounts stick in my head...so won't quote me on it. Read Less

There are certainly people on Yelp who review their own stores and services, and I hope that my excitement in this review doesn't make me seem like one of those people.Today, I had what was hands-down my best tattoo experience thus far. I came and was promptly greeted by a nice older man (I'm guessing he's Zee), and shortly after I spoke to him, a woman around the same age consulted with me regarding the tattoo I wanted. She was extremely nice, and actually made conversation with me about how far from home I was after she saw my driver's license.This was a walk-in, and I had actually gotten there before my tattoo artist arrived, because it was not too long after they opened (12:30pm), but I was accomidated amazingly. While my forms were printed out, and my artist got settled in and had his station set up, I waited a short time in the front room (which is actually so clean, neatly set up and simple, it seems like a physician's waiting room).Gregg came out to get specifics of what I wanted, and had me follow him into the main area, which was, again, immaculate. His personal stall was neatly organized and not covered in rock memorabilia and Satanic imagery (which is not a bad thing, but seems to be common in shops I've been to). He poured the ink and got started, and was incredibly nice and talkative the whole thirty minutes I was "under the needle." I get shy/nervous with people very easily, but not once did Gregg make me feel uncomfortable. He was clean and calm, and actually seemed to enjoy talking with me.This was my only experience there, but I can't imagine how anyone else would be displeased with Studio Zee. Highly reccommended -- thanks, Gregg! Read Less

I trust my skin to no one else. My first tattoo at age 18 was a full back piece, and Zee designed and applied it expertly. He made me feel completely at ease- Who could have imagined that endless conversations about medieval torture could be so relaxing? Those three-hour sessions were never boring, at least. A year later, I made the terrible mistake of getting a tiny wrist tattoo elsewhere while on vacation, which was predictably weak. Although simple and all black, the tone was shaky and the edges rough. Zee came to the rescue and fixed it up better than I could have hoped for. I'll never go elsewhere for a tattoo again. Read Less

I went to get my nose pierced the other day at Studio Zee and would HIGHLY recommend this place to anyone.  As soon as you walk in you can just smell and see how clean the place is.  The staff is very professional and friendly.  My piercer, Alyson, was phenomenal.  She was very knowledgeable, funny and friendly.  I felt very at ease in her studio area. Anyone would be a fool to go anywhere else than Studio Zee to get a piercing. Read Less

I've had two makeover/cover ups and two "designed from scratch" pieces done by Zee over the last five or so years. His work has been meticulous.Zee has been in the business for over 20 years and aside from working with some other incredibly talented artists, he's an incredibly talented artist / designer himself. I have no reservations whatsoever about recommending his work.My advice would be to stop by, talk to him about what you're looking for, give him a couple of weeks to design/create/draw it up then book some time and get it done. You won't be disappointed.I have no experience with any of the other artists there other than they've always be nice to me when I stopped by.I've had ink for over 30 years and my advice is to take your time and plan carefully - it don't wash off :)Enjoy Read Less

Zee is OBVIOUSLY burnt out and it shows in his work and attitude. I caught myself saying "this guy should retire and do his customers a favor." He is lazy (in my opinion) and prefers to do stuff right off the wall (flash). Even then, he will short cut it if you let him get away with it. On the other hand, if you are VERY insistant and agressive about what you want, and get something drawn up ahead of time (preferably by one of the other artists), he can do an incredible job. TREAT HIM like an an employee of YOURS (you are paying HIM), get something drawn up ahead of time, and you may get a good tattoo. Walk in and pick something off the wall (which he prefers since it is easy money) and you may very well get something below average in quality. Read Less

Very unfriendly to customers with disablities.  Unwilling to work with the deaf, hard of hearing community.  Thumbs down.  Stay away from a place that is not willing to accomidate people with hidden disabilities. Read Less

I will start by saying I have not gotten anything pierced here.  I showed up one day, making the long walk from campus to deep State Street only to be greeted with an apology to the effect that the piercing person was on vacation for the next two weeks.  An apology is all good, but you know, it won't rip another hole in my ear when I'm feeling impulsive and channeling an unhealthy amount of emotional distress into a symbolic piercing.  Not that I would ever do that.I went back recently to replace a cartilage ring that I had wantonly removed when it was behaving itself in my ear, losing a vital piece in the process.  (Am I going to a piercing parlor when I should really be seeing a therapist?)  My experience was resoundingly positive.  I walked in around 3 on a Friday and was helped within minutes.  The place is set up like a family doctor's office, with a small waiting room, a reception window, and a door opening into a hallway lined on both sides with individual stations.  Though fairly decorated, the space looks and feels absolutely sterile.  The lady helping me was professional throughout the whole process, though not coldly so.  She helped me pick out a new ring, answered my silly questions about how one might take out and reinsert said ring without breaking it like a fool, and shoved that sucker in my ear with gloved and dexterous hands.  The whole errand cost me $11.60 and less than ten minutes.I would hesitate to get anything pierced here when I make such frequent trips to New York.  Zee charges $50 per ear piercing, as opposed to the $25 I paid in New York, and I imagine the other rates are similarly higher.  Still, the facilities are squeaky clean and the staff seems to know what it's doing.  If you don't have the luxury of skipping this town to get a hole in your head (I'll pass on the suicide jokes this time, though it is rather gray outside), Zee is a stellar option. Read Less

I'm completely baffled that there are no Studio Zee reviews on here yet!  This place came highly recommended to me, so when I decided to get an industrial piercing in my left ear, I went straight here.  Anatar did my piercing, and she was great.  I can see how she might be a little intimidating if you've never gotten a piercing done before (or if you've never been in a piercing/tattoo parlor).  The whole place is extremely professional, though.  Extremely clean, with private rooms for all the work to be done.  Anatar is very knowledgeable about piercings, and discussed with me my gauge options, and how they related to the specific anatomy of my own cartilage.  She was also very open to follow up phone calls for questions after the fact.The only thing I would want to mention -- if you are nervous about getting pierced, you should know that they do not allow friends to come back to the piercing room with you.  It's considered a clean room, and they won't let additional people in just to hold your hand. Read Less