Andrew Phillips has been working on my geisha tattoo for 2 sessions now and both have turned out unbelievably good.  Everybody in the shop is extremely nice, professional, and does excellent work.  I stopped in, am so happy with the tattoo i got and i got one more session!GREAT PLACE TO GET TATTOOED.!!!! Read Less

Every tattoo on my body is from this shop and I plan to keep it that way. From walk-ins to appointments the artists here willake you feel welcome. But they will also give you honest opinions on what you want. This shop isnt just looking to make money. This is their art and they are very proud of their work. Read Less

We first went here so my boyfriend could get a tattoo, We had Danny do it, I talked to him about a tattoo I was thinking about doing, and the concerns I had, as it was my first tattoo. He went over everything with me and even took the tattoo needle and poked me with it, so I could make sure I could handle it. That day I also got my Helix pierced! He was so gentle and it did not hurt at all. On the day of the appointment my best friend and I got our tattoos done, I was not easy to deal with because I kept moving, but he still did a amazing job! He took breaks so that he could put cream on the area to not be so inflamed and it also gave me the chance to see how it was coming along. My best friend and I are so amazed at his work!! I am stationed in Virginia and everyone down here says how beautiful it looks and where I got it done at. I PROUDLY tell them EMPIRE TATTOO in ILLINOIS. Next time I come home I am having him do poppy flowers because his floral work is absolutely amazing. The whole shop is chill and down to earth and everyone is clean. 10/10 without a doubt!!!!! Read Less

Mark did an amazing job on my kraken tattoo. I came in one day, told Mark I wanted a kraken tattoo and a week later he had it sketched out. It took a couple of visits but everyone that has seen it has loved it and I could not be happier. Mark is a great artist and I will not let anyone else tattoo me in the future. The shop is clean and very comfortable. If it is your first or tenth tattoo like mine, this is the place to go. Read Less

Incredible shop with extremely talented artists. It's a shop with all the character of the people that have helped build it. Plenty of eye candy to keep your mind off the buzz of the needle. Art, motorcycles, armor, weapons, more art, figures, movies, there's no shortage of inspiration.Read Less

About a year ago, I had my second experience here. The first time was about 2 years ago. I can't remember the name of the tattoo artist who I worked with but his work was great and he made me feel super comfortable and confident. I decided to come here again since I had such a great experience the first time. Before I arrived, I had called to make sure they take walk-ins. The gentleman on the phone was a bit rude but I didn't let that get to me. As soon as I got there, I got taken care of right away because I was the only one there. The shop smelled of musty cigarettes. There was a gentleman (who's name I didn't get) who had me fill out paperwork and instructed my tattoo artist, Mark, on how to cut the outline of my design that he had printed. He positioned the design where I wanted it and we got started. Whenever I get a tattoo, i try to make conversation with the artist because I tend to hold my breath. The only thing I could think of to ask Mark was how long he had been tattooing. He responded "3 days. Hopefully I don't botch this one like the last two." I had a feeling he was being sarcastic but I asked if he was serious and he replied, "no, 20 years but I'm fucking with you because you should have asked that before we started." While I appreciate someone who is sarcastic and am quite sarcastic myself, I feel that it was very unprofessional of him to give me that response. I informed him that the reason I like to make conversation and he nodded and said, "that's no good. Don't hold your breath" and was silent for the remainder of the time . After we were through, he didn't remind me of the protocol to follow to clean the tattoo or help it heal. In my opinion, a tattoo artist's job is to mark someone permanently forever and give you a good experience while doing so. I love showing off my tattoos and this one happens to be on my ankle so everyone can see it, but it looks horrible. I didn't think it was possible to screw up a simple cross design, but apparently it is. Several people have told me it looks like a jail tattoo because the lines are crooked and uneven and the shading is awful. This experience was not a good one and I will not be returning to Empire Tattoo or recommending them. Read Less

This place rocks..Mandi did a fantastic job Piercing my ears the industrial came out amazing...got a couple pieces of ink done from 2 different artists there. Amazing work i recommend if you want a good stick'n Whether it ink or piecering get over there.������ Read Less

This is one awesome team, they really understand what you want and give it to you! I had such a great time with Andrew, he gave me more than what I expected and I think everyone should go to them! Ahhmazing!!! Thanks for the fabulous tatt!!! Read Less

Andrew is the best artist I've ever had, he's now done 4 out of my 7 tattoos and I would never go to anyone else. He listens, he's gentle, he's professional, but most of all he is authentic and amazingly talented! Read Less

This is my second visit to Nick for a tattoo. My first was my first tattoo and we did a 5 hour session. Loved it. So this time needing to get my tattoo for my husband who has been battling cancer there was no doubt in my mind who I would have so it. Took 45 minutes and looks beautiful. I will always return to Nick for any work I would like completed in the future. Read Less

I originally came in to get a spontaneous industrial piercing, but after looking at my ears Mandy, the piercer, told me it just wouldn't work out well with either of my ears, so instead I got a snug piercing which she recommended. I love it, it was very quick and easy and everyone in the shop was very helpful. The shop was very clean, credentials prominently posted, sterilized equipment used, piercing prices very reasonable, and staff very helpful and kind. I'm currently thinking about getting another tattoo and from my small experience here so far I think I'll be getting it here. Thanks again! Read Less

Walked in last night Mark was able to draw up what I wanted in no time. Price was very reasonable and really clean. Thank again Mark awesome job!!! Would recommend this place to anyone wanting to get ink done. Read Less

I was here a few days ago and got a small tattoo on my ankle. I was with a few other people who got tattoos as well.  Well when I got home my ankle was swollen (which I expected) but the next day under my tattoo was ridiculously swollen. I have other tattoos and have never had this issue. I'm given them three stars because everyone else just had the typical after tattoo swelling. I'm not looking to throw the artist under the bus because im sure they do great work, but the tattoo is covered for that reason. But at the end of the day I can't say I will personally be back here. Read Less

Mark was fantastic! I been wanting my tattoo for a while. I'm not an artist so it was hard putting a tattoo I want together without being able to draw but have specific idea of what I want incorporated. I went to a few other places till I went to Empire tattoos to shop around. No one would help me put the pieces that I wanted from my head to a tattoo. Until I went to empire tattoo and met Mark. I saw his art and can tell he was experienced (20years!). I told him the ideas I had and he was wonderful at listening and helping me put the ideas into one big piece. He truly did work with me unlike any other artist. I felt the instant understanding of what I want and felt certain about him that I made the deposite that same day for him to start drawing it up. He drew my tattoo, stayed in contact with me and was patience till I found the time to come in. Once getting my tattoo he was one point!!! Perfect size , perfect place, perfect colors, exactly what I wanted! I couldn't ask for more. THANK YOU MARK!! I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND!! Read Less

Went in for three very simple tattoos. My boyfriend asked to get a simple vacuum tube tattoo (studio recording). The guy told him pretty much that he shouldn't get it and that my boyfriend won't like it in a few weeks? Which in other words he was trying to change the tattoo that was going on my boyfriend in a way that the tattoo guy would make more money. He did the same thing with my tattoo. We ended up leaving the place because he was so incredibly rude. Word to the wise: if you want to have business first of all be nice to your customers, second of all if they ask you for a tattoo don't tell them they won't like it just so you can make moreMoney off of them. Read Less

The piercer (female purple haired lady with lip and eyebrow piercings) could not even pierce one earlobe. Her hands were shaking ridiculously and she had to pierce the ear twice because she messed up the first time. Blood everywhere (which should not be happening with a normal ear piercing) She then had the audacity to demand payment after her screw up. Do not come here for piercings of any kind. Read Less

The piercer (female purple haired lady with lip and eyebrow piercings [Mandy]) could not even pierce one earlobe. Her hands were shaking ridiculously and she had to pierce the ear twice because she messed up the first time. Blood everywhere (which should not be happening with a normal ear piercing). Looked like her first time piercing something. She gave the "patient" an option to not pay and leave without a piercing (with a bleeding hole in his ear) or to let her try and repierce it. We decided to let her try again, thinking she would apologize and give it to us for no pay, like a normal business would.After another round of ridiculous hand shaking, using multiple pliers, and more bleeding, she had the audacity to demand payment. (These are all not part of a normal earlobe procedure. She had screwed up)When we started to complain, she called up a big man who used intimidation to force us to pay. The fact that the store is decorated with weapons did not help. When we left, two males followed us out and watched us leave.Do not come here for piercings of any kind. In fact, just don't come here at all. Read Less

Terrible, Terrible, Terrible!If you want to get something pierced, don't go here to Mandy! She pierced my daith (part of my ear). She had to do it twice because she couldn't get the jewelry in. Then she couldn't get the screw in and dropped it in my ear canal. She couldn't get it out! I ended up going to the ER to have it removed. Her advice to me was to take a shower or flush it with saline... needless to say, I ended up at the ER with a doctor pulling it out. This was the most expensive piercing I've ever had with the cost of the trip to the ER. I would NEVER recommend going here! #EmpireTattoo Read Less

Terrible, Terrible, Terrible!If you want to get something pierced, don't go here to Mandy! She pierced my daith (part of my ear). She had to do it twice because she couldn't get the jewelry in. Then she couldn't get the screw in and dropped it in my ear canal. She couldn't get it out! I ended up going to the ER to have it removed. Her advice to me was to take a shower or flush it with saline... needless to say, I ended up at the ER with a doctor pulling it out. This was the most expensive piercing I've ever had with the cost of the trip to the ER. I would NEVER recommend going here! Read Less

Got my second tattoo last night. In love with it. They do great job of going over all the steps on how to take care of it. Also liked that they have conversations with you while getting your tattoo done. Will for sure come here again for my third. Read Less