I reached out to Tony Kelly of Dark Water Studio with a one-of-a-kind idea. I wanted to incorporate my Sphynx cat into a roman numeral clock. This clock holds a very special meaning to me and only me. As you can see by the photos, he really brought this piece to life!In order to get the best angle of my kitty, Tony actually had me bring my "Janusz" into the studio to capture that perfect picture! He was quite the celebrity!Everyone at this studio is so friendly and welcoming, and besides that...they give you snacks! Read Less

Absolutely loved this place!.. a good friend of mine did a guest spot at this studio, and I was lucky enough to be a part of this!.. all the employees are super nice, so hospitable. The studio is organized, clean, and filled with some very talented artists. It was a pleasure to have a sweet ink therapy session here, and I would recommend the shit outta Dark Water Studio to friends and family! Read Less

Dark Water is the classiest tattoo studio ever. I had the honor of Tony Kelly putting his art on my arm and I am so loving what he designed for me. Super cool guy and I’m already counting down the days till I see him again for my next:) the girls on staff are soooo professional and awesome too. Thank you so much everyone!! Read Less

Greatest tattoo studio I ever visited. The staff is professional, helpful and welcoming. They really care about their customers and the experience they are getting at the studio. I got tattooed by Tony Kelly and hands down he is one of the best in the business. Tony did a full sleeve on my right arm in 2 days I am so happy with the result! I can not stress it enough. Best art piece ever I would highly recommend Dark Water Studio and Tony Kelly. By the way, I flew from Atlanta GA to get my tattoo done at the studio by Tony Kelly Great experience Read Less

Myself and my husband have been tattoed many times at Dark Water and it is amazing! We have been going to this studio for a long time even before their new location and have always been more than satisfied. We have been tattoed by both Jose and Manny. The work is incredible​  and the customer service is A+++++. The artists at this studio are "premium" know all over the USA so there is a wait to get a session but that is always the case with artists of this caliber​. It's not a walk-in kind of place, its an art studio with genuine artists. I highly suggest going through the process and getting a tattoo here if you want exceptional work! Read Less

If you're looking for top of the line black and grey realism this is your place. Every artist here does amazing work. These are artist and not pattern copiers so you will definitely be getting quality and originality. Read Less

Dark Water is a beautiful shop off the beaten path. Top notch work coming out of here, no doubt. Shop was very clean - people are friendly. Came for a guest spot on the 4th, for a piece from Stefano Alcantara - definitely will make the trip to revisit for Jose and company, soon. Read Less

Had a great experience my first time at Dark Water Studio. Clean, cozy, and beautifully decorated. The whole staff was very hospitable and the artists' work are some of the best I've seen. Had my piece done by black and grey artist Shawn Morrissette and it turned out better than I could have imagined. Can't wait to go back and have him complete my sleeve! Read Less

I was referred to Manny. He has amazing work and I was very interested scheduling a consultation for my sister. She is a law student who has a very tight schedule. On her behalf,  I called the shop to get more information. I spoke with Joel who assured me if I emailed him directly he would physically had over the information. I was really excited and anxious to get some kind of response. After the email was sent I called to insure the email was received.  I waited a few days, nothing. A week later I call to follow up and was told "someone" would get back to me shortly. That "someone" was going through the emails. A few days after my last call, I received a two sentence response stating Manny was booked until JULY of this year. Why did it take a almost two weeks for a response?. The customer service for this establishment is, awful. I thought the email would be "physically" handed to Manny. To then be told "someone" has to sort through the emails. I understand that a artist can be booked far out. However, if better information had been provided during my initial inquiry, such as it will take up to two weeks for an email response and had I not been given the run around. I would not be writing this bad review and the studio would have had potentially more clientele.  A Business such as this should value referrals and recommendations. The actual Artist is not at fault but rather of the employees of Dark Water Studio. Every client should matter to any business. This is not the service I would have expected. Read Less

Dark water studio is evolving and growing. The shop's decor boasts victorian chairs, sofa, and masquerade ball masks. Framed and walled, uncanny artwork of dark images straight from the depths of artists' consciousness. A Sultan sword and sheath leaning against a wooden cabinet also displaying items from wars like grenades, ammo boxes, and Native American hatchets. And much more. The shop epitomizes the genius that is Dark Water. Jose Perez Jr. is one of the world's (if not..., the world's) best black and grey realism tattoo artist. I've had three portraits so far and compliments usually lead to inquiries; "Where did you get that?" "THATS COOL! " "How much did that cost you?" "Gimme his info". I went to a tattoo convention and entered my portrait for the blk n grey realism. I did not win. However, someone Jose worked on did!!!! Not only is Jose great, but he's assembled a team that get jobs done efficiently, like Manny Abadi and James Brennan. Definitely glad that i chose Dark Water Studio again. Ridiculously good work. You get what you pay for, some things you get are permanent. Make it last. Make it count. See More Read Less

After going through countless artists' portfolios I landed on Jose Perez Jr. His ability to make images look 3D and realistic really spoke to me and what I wanted done for my sleeve. His black and grey work is beyond amazing and so incredibly detailed he turns skin into awesome works of art. Making an appointment just took an email and the response time was fast. He books up quick so there is a wait to get in, but it's well worth it. The studio is beautiful and filled with g...orgeous framed art and cool trinkets. I was greeted by Rich and Amanda who are super nice, welcoming and fun to talk to. They made me feel right at home and comfortable. Jose is also easy to talk to and collaborate with. Within a few minutes we had the full design planned. It's like he can read your mind while taking your ideas and making them better. I'm so happy I found him and couldn't be more pleased with the how my sleeve is turning out. See More Read Less

The is by far the premier shop in the State of Illinois. Jose Perez is an artist first and foremost. If you want a work of art he is the guy to see. If you want some flash just go anywhere. Would you tell Picasso how to create art? NO! If you want Art, you found the right place. You can't go wrong. If Jose isn't available, and you can't wait, book with any of the fantastic Artists of Dark Water. Read Less

Amazing hidden gem of a tattoo studio! Wonderful staff and comfortable, unique environment. I got a memorial tattoo in memory of my dad from Manny. He was extremely professional and I have nothing but great things to say about his personality and talent as an artist. He specializes in portraits, as does the rest of the shop. Manny was very creative with his ideas and is guaranteed to give you a beautiful and unique art piece. This is not your average tattoo shop which makes this place totally worth checking out! Read Less

Talk about premadona artists. Good luck talking to jose or getting ahold of him. His receptionist is who you will be dealing with and if you are looking for a good artist to do a cover up. Keep looking. "Jose only does his own work" mayday tatto in chicago it is.... Read Less

If you want black and gray work done--this is the place to go. The studio is accommodating; Julie does a great job taking care of clients, and the work is top notch. This isn't a "normal" tattoo studio--you won't see flash on the walls or neon lights everywhere--it is an appointment only, consult-based collaboration for art in a clean, comfortable location. I had a half sleeve done here in late 2015 by resident artist Manny Abadi, and was very happy with the experience. Highly recommend the studio, and Manny as an artist. Read Less

I had been contemplating a tattoo for quite a while. I'm 63 years old & it's on my "bucket list". I researched shops close to where I live (Palos Heights) & liked the DARK WATERS TATTOO website. I had intended to get a simple crown of thorns around my left wrist. After looking at the artist's profiles, I liked a tat of a feather that Kim Morgan had done on a client's shoulder. I pass by the shop 4 to 6 times a week & 2 days ago I just decided to stop in & set up an appointment. My appointment with Kim was for Friday, 7/25/2014. When I arrived Kim already had 5 or 6 different feather tats as examples. I picked the one that I liked right away & Kim make a stencil to apply to my inner wrist, showing different positions to place the tat to me. With the new equipment that they have at Dark Waters, I was amazed at the minimum amount of pain that I experienced---it was truly very little. The tat machine is also very quiet. I had brought 2 friends along & Kim let them sit right around us, watching the tat being done. In short, it turned out MUCH better than I had imagined it could be !!! And the price was VERY reasonable. I thought I'd be satisfied with one tat, but I may be back for more !!! I highly recommend Dark Waters Tattoos & especially Kim Morgan !!! I couldn't be more satisfied. Read Less

Well big thanks to the very hot♥ Dave Kline♥ for providing me with the most wonderful experience at Dark Water. He's very talented, and o yeah the shop was beyond clean and full of talented artists too.:) Read Less

I don't normally do online reviews but I feel the need to tell people how great this place is. I had a tattoo idea in mind for 6 years and ended up coming here for it. Jose was able to make it better than anything I dreamed up in my head. His work is truly amazing. After the 5 sessions mine took, I was able to see a lot of the other artists' work as well and would happily get work done by any of them. The staff is very friendly, courteous, and helpful. The shop is clean and very professional feeling. They gladly and always take walk ins but an appointment will be needed for anything of fairly large size. The wait can be months but it is well worth it. I waited a month and a half for my first session and had to space the 5 sessions out over almost 2 months to get it done. The wait is well worth it!!! You're putting something on your body you will have FOREVER. Is it worth it to wait a bit longer to get the best? I strongly say it is and strongly feel the best is right here. Read Less

If you are looking for a great tattoo look no further. This shop takes quality serious. No matter the size or the cost you will be completely satisfied. Jose has the skills to do anything you can dream up. The only down side is you need to book in advance. He is usually book about two weeks out. Well worth the wait.Amy is a great artist in her own right. She cares more about quality work then the time it takes to get it done. No short cuts here.Shane also a great artist. Stand up guy and quality work. These three artist will all go the extra mile and not take your last dime for doing it. The prices are so reasonable you will not only have a great tattoo but also have new friends. You can afford to buy the first round. Read Less