First Time in New York City and I was looking for a nice tattoo shop for a tattoo I had planned for a long time: found out about east side ink and I am absolutely more than satisfied. Very clean place, nice people and above all: my tattoo artist Gunny! He was super gentle and nice, we had a nice chat and the result was how I wanted it to look like. Go check his portfolio out on their website or on his Instagram artbygunny! Many thanks again Read Less

Over the last few years I've gotten 3 large & complex tattoos at this studio with 3 different artists. Each time I've come away with the same feeling... They are the BEST! The people who work there are friendly and welcoming. Even the artist that aren't "your artist" take time to comment on the progress of your piece. Their artists are very talented and it's clear they want you to LOVE the art they created for you.  I've gone back at least 9 times now, each session lasting several hours, and every session has always been positive. Most recently I've been working with @theclicketyclick Jonah Ellis. He is soooo amazingly creative it's sick. His work is beautiful, delicate and intricate. He is also a great person with a really good heart and, let's face it, an amazing dog (Owen aka:TheScaredCow) whom I just love. Going back in the spring for more work with Jonah. Can't wait! Read Less

Man as a small business owner I really don't like to write bad reviews and I have never written one until now.  I feel like I got ripped off here.  My girlfriend and I both got very simple small tattoos that took a total of about 15 minutes (for both) for the actual tattoos.  We paid $300.  This was my first tattoo so I didn't know any better.  Also I was on vacation and not in the spirit of arguing or doing anything to set off a negative vibe.  Apparently my friends here at home in CA all are telling me this should not have cost more than $150.  So I'm not sure what went on here.  They didn't have us fill out any paperwork either.  Maybe the staff pocketed the $ because the owner wasn't there?  I don't know but something seemed dishonest.  I don't have a good feeling about this place.  PS The artist (Mike from Jackson) was a nice guy and didn't have anything to do with the price which was set by the front desk girl. Read Less

I came by this shop because of the high rating but was disappointed because of customer service. I wanted to get a tattoo of a rose with thorns but the tattoo artist Tasha ridiculed the drawing.  And didn't seem interested in the work. Read Less

No longer a good place. Came here and got a tattoo before but no more. You can find better tattoo artists who have better techniques. Very disappointed. The workers there, especially Tasha, are very rude. Very lazy, not sensible and they won't do tattoos unless you're covering your entire arm. They would call your tattoo idea ugly and try to make you change your mind to what they are capable of doing. Overly priced for what they can do. No more here. We ended up walking out. Read Less

Couldn't be happier with my tattoo experience. Angela is a real artist, very knowledgeable. She gave me good advice at the initial consultation (she wasn't the 1st tattoo artist I had consultation with), It was the right decision to go ahead  with Angela. The studio is clean, front desk person is friendly and helpful. Would highly recommend east side ink and Angela. Read Less

I first discovered East Side Ink in 2014 and have been coming here ever since. I have multiple tattoos done by Jonah Ellis, and absolutely love every one. If you would like to have a piece done, I could not recommend him more for his artistic eye and skills. This is definitely the best place to go for tattoos in NYC Read Less

I recently went in for a spontaneous tattoo and was paired up with Caeser. He is a pretty amazing artist, I generally don't experiment with new artist. But it was a right time and right person type of moment. Despite the $200 hrly charge which I wasn't thrilled about being that my tattoo wasn't so large. I would definitely recommend this shop. From the people to the aura of the place it is truly an amazing shop. Read Less

Came here with a friend of mine to get matching tattoos. We had an appointment with Caesar. He was very kind and attentive while listening to what we wanted. He was honest about how the placement of our tattoos would look best following our muscle and bone structure. Each of our tattoos took about 30 min and were $160. The shop was clean and professional. Would definitely recommend the shop and Caesar. Read Less

I got my first (2nd, 3rd, and 4th) tattoo at East Side Ink with Angela de Rosette.  ESI came highly recommended and when it comes to something so permanent, you want to go to a place you can trust.  I looked over the portfolios of the artists on IG, decided on Angela, and made an appointment for a consultation.  I felt intimidated initially, not knowing what to expect.  Angela was very professional at our consultation, I showed her pictures of what I wanted, she listened but she also gave her honest opinion.  I felt comfortable with her so I made an appointment for the tattoo (you need to leave a deposit of $100 in order to secure an appointment.) On the day of the tattoo, I was both nervous and excited.  I had not seen her design prior to that day and to be honest I was skeptical when she showed it to me.  Boy was I wrong!  Angela knew what she was doing.  The design, the size, the placement, the execution, all perfect!!  She brought her artistic eye and vast experience to the table and the result was more spectacular than I could have hoped for. I received tons of compliment on my tattoo, people marveled at her artistry and skill. Needless to say, I went back to Angela for my subsequent tattoos.  Angela works fast but never compromises on the quality of her work, so you are paying a fair price for outstanding work. I have taken my daughter to Angela for her first (and 2nd) tattoo and she is very pleased as well. From what I have seen, all the artists at ESI are top notch (my friend who recommended the place used Cheo for both full sleeves.) The place is clean and spacious.  Melanie and Yadira at the front desk are super friendly and helpful.  So go ahead and check out their artists, find one whose style you like and book a free consult. You have nothing to lose and you may just find that perfect tattoo artist you have been looking for. Read Less

Great service and we were in and out. Granted it wasn't a complicated tattoo with lots of detail. The staff was awesome and the owner was super cool too. Also and very importantly they charge per tattoo and not per hour like a lot of shops now. My daughters tattoo would have been $150 easy anywhere on Melrose with an hourly rate. Read Less

Getting my eyebrows microbladed after years of penciling them in and feeling self-conscious when they inevitably smeared at some point during the day was one of the best decisions I've made and I'm so glad I found Jen at East Side Ink to make it happen. Jen adores her clients and truly takes the time to get to know them and find out exactly what they want before getting down to business. Her attention to detail is outstanding and she does a great job of answering your questions and allaying any concerns you may have. I am in love with my new brows and receive compliments on a daily basis. If you're considering getting microblading done, I highly recommend you make an appointment with Jen. She is fantastic! Read Less

I came here (terrified) for my first tattoo on my 18th birthday.. I was greeted by Angela De Rosette, who was beyond incredible. Since it was my first tattoo, I was panicking about how bad it might hurt, or if I flinch, faint, etc.. Angela was super understanding and helped me calm down beforehand.. I got a simple Aries tattoo on my wrist, and I LOVE IT. The shop's vibe is so positive. Everybody there truly loves what they do.. I would recommend this place 100%! Read Less

Tasha was fabulous. She had the perfect vibe for me, and her positive but casual and straightforward attitude was so key in keeping me calm and comfortable throughout the process. All other artists at the time were friendly and helpful, welcoming and easygoing. Great experience overall. Read Less

Growing up getting Tattooed I always remember the Tattoo Parlors were all the same. Art on the wall, waiting room, chair, the smell (they should sell that green soap in incense or something). I love the fact that places like East Side Ink took it to the new level. It almost makes you think (Clean!!!) The minute you walk in. Read Less

If you're seeking an enjoyable tattoo experience, look elsewhere. This shop is unprofessional, unethical, and rude. My partner and I decided to fly to New York with the intention of being tattooed. We booked our flights and made two appointments with Jonah, 4 weeks in advance. We were told the entire day with Jonah was reserved for us. Upon arriving to East Side Ink at the scheduled time of 1:00pm, Jonah was nowhere to be found. We walked across the street and had lunch at the Italian restaurant as we waited for him to arrive. An hour passed and he showed. Against our wish, Jonah decided to start on the larger piece and led us on to believe he was going to be able to complete both tattoos. After 5 hrs of sketching, he was done drawing. There were minor details I wanted to edit but he carelessly insisted nothing was to be changed. (My fault for staying, I realize that now.) I trusted him and went under the needle for 2 1/2 hours and honestly couldn't be more disappointed in Jonah and my experience at East Side Ink. As he finished working on my tattoo, he revealed to us there was no longer time to work on the second tattoo because the shop was closing. The owner even said to us there was only one appointment booked for the larger piece, which was a complete lie as we called/emailed to confirm multiple times prior to our showing. After almost 8 hrs at the shop, I proceeded to pay for my tattoo and was then told they were cash only. We had no cash on us, which sent me into a panic attack. Our entire day was spent inside the shop and not a single staff member decided it was right to inform us they only accepted cash. I was appalled by the way they had deceived us. Do not waste your time here. I was left with a permanent reminder of how manipulative people can be for money...I wouldn't recommend this experience to anyone. Read Less

I never ever write reviews but I just had too. DO NOT go to Tasha. She is obnoxious, pushy and basically convinced me to turn the direction of my small letter tattoos for no reason. I felt so intimidated (my faultfor not getting up and leaving, I know), but my friend was there getting tattooed by another artist. While she was pretty gentle, she kept getting all existential on me while I was joking trying to relieve my own nervousness.  I wanted her to get off her soap box and just pay attention to what she was doing. She was recommended by the front desk as being good w first timers. WRONG. So wrong. After three weeks, I went back and had her retouch the lines (one was very faded and not as defined). She kept rolling her eyes and me when I tried to get her to slightly change the look to have the letters go in the direction I wanted. Honestly, she's unprofessional and way to pushy to be putting art on people. Read Less

These guys are TRUE professionals. I went in with a beast of a tattoo and spent about 20+ hours in the shop. Everyone was kind & welcoming. The parlor itself is immaculate and looks more like a trendy coffee shop/massage parlor than a stereotypical tattoo shop. Jonah Ellis is a ROCK STAR. He was the first artist to say yes to my tattoo (I had asked around 6 more at other shops). He is SO worth the price (as are all the artists there). Read Less

I made an appointment with the friendly person behind the phones for a couple days later.My tattoo artist, Angela de Rosette, was great. She worked with me on my 3 small tattoos and helped me to make it just right. She was very helpful since this was my first time getting a tattoo. She was really quick and the work is great. I'll definitely come back for something later.And the price was definitely reasonable! Read Less

I've been going here since they open I've seen so far 4 different Artist I am in love with all my tattoos they were clean professional knowledgeable an excellent services love the new location which is right next-door has a great feel thanks guys you rock! Read Less

This is probably Trumps favorite Tattoo Shop in the city because the staff are RUUUUUUUDE!!! Especially the chick that picks up the phones and who ever is running the front desk. Called to reschedule my consultation with Cheo TWICE, and the front staff (female) said she'll call me back in 5 min...... bs, never called me back. And don't say y'all were busy cus customer service should be y'all priority. I still have a $100 credit from my past work with Cheo Park. But you know what, they can have my hard working money and maybe slap it on their rude staffs. Might've fact.... I'd like them to give it to Cheo as my tip/generosity from my part because I feel so damn sorry he has to work there. Overall, artists are good but the staffs are something else. Have fun with my $100 deposit that I'll never get back. I'd rather lose it than to sit there n watch the front desk huff and puff to hurry customers up. And if they erase my review, I'm going to continue re-posting. Read Less

Though everyone and their mom has tattoos these days, it's surprising to me how many places can still be snobby or unwelcoming when you're researching them for your first one. I've heard that lots of tattoo artists don't want to be responsible for those who are looking for their first one, and that others look down at those who want to do small tattoos instead of going in for an entire sleeve or chest or something. I fell into both of those categories (first-timer, small tattoo), so I was very impressed with how comfortable they made me feel at East Side Ink. First of all, the space itself has a warm and welcoming vibe, something that's not easy to do with the buzz of needles in the air and bare skin being exposed all over the place. There are lots of women working in the place (though not exclusively), which was comforting to me, too. I had an appointment with Angela, who is obviously a badass and very talented from her book and IG accounts but is also super sweet and helpful. She's confident in her work but wants to hear everything you're thinking in terms of what you want - a good balance. She must see hundreds of people a week but she still made me feel special and not at all rushed as I got my first little tattoo. I walked out of there feeling great and, of course, looking great too because she did an amazing job. Coincidentally a couple of coworkers also went to her after me to get more intricate, colorful pieces and they turned out fantastically as well. They had a $100 minimum (lower than other trendier spots I consulted with in the past), and somewhat inconveniently they only take cash. There's an ATM at the bodgea across the street if you're in a bind. I'd highly recommend it to someone who's looking for a new spot or a first-time experience that will leave you wanting more tattoos immediately! Read Less

I got the baby Simpson tattooed on my leg here. Sounds like it would be a joke, but it actually makes a ton of sense considering my fiancés name is Maggie. Some people get their partners name tattooed on them. Others get a similarly named cartoon. I guess I just fall in that second category. Well, regardless of how dumb, funny, or frivolous of a tattoo idea you have, you can be sure that East Side Ink is going to take it seriously. Everyone in the shop from the woman working the front desk to the person that filled in the blue bow on my Maggie was incredibly professional from start to finish. It's not cheap, but I know from experience that you definitely don't want to go that route if you're looking to put something permanently on your body. They also let my friends drink wine while they were waiting for me which made the whole experience even more of a social function. If you're in the East Village and opting for a tattoo to keep you entertained, you really can't go wrong at this shop! Read Less

I've been under a tattoo gun many times in my day, and some experiences have been better than others. I've had some terrible tattoos, I've had some pretty great tattoos, and a few sprinkled in between. But what's funny is that my last tattoo was intended to be somewhat of a joke, but it may just be my best tattoo yet. The crew at East Side Ink are all total professionals. Whether you're walking in unannounced, or you have an appointment, they'll talk you through in a way that's very straight forward, and they'll talk you out of any tattoo they don't think you'll love in 10 years. They don't want that blood on their hands, and you don't want it on your body. They could take the money and run (trust me, it's been done to me in the past), but they have a reputation to uphold, and adhere by the proper ethics of self-respecting artists. It might not be the cheapest tattoo in Lower Manhattan, but do you really want a cut rate piece that'll go to the grave with you? No. Don't learn the hard way like I did, just go to East Side Ink and love the new you. Read Less

Pretty much ripped me off my money, had me pay way to much, was so irresponsible, the tattoo guy didn't even work out and avoided the communication and then they tried to force me in to the same place to get the tattoo by offering me a credit which was so stupid when I already felt so bad abut how they have treated me.Was so careless and dead on the phone. Worst place! Paid 250 for small tattoos, and one wasn't even made well so had to pay 80 more another place to fixed. Absolutely NOT recommend this place. There are other places that are better and deal with situations better. Feel so ripped off! Read Less

Ezechial Ortega took a 15 year old "nothing " tattoo and made it into an amazing piece of art. The details both subtle and grand are the work of a true artist at the top of his game. Eastside Ink backed up its already impressive rep. I'm not an "inkhead" but I felt comfortable amongst all the "inkheads ". Great experience on all levels. Read Less

With no previous tattoos, the decision to have an artist place something permanently on my body was one I took very seriously, and I am so thankful that Yelp reviews lead me to the incredible East Side Ink. I called and described what I wanted, and they were able to set me up for a consultation that week. The studio is beautiful inside and when I met with Jess M. she sat with me and we talked about my vision, and I emailed her some photos that inspired me. She took a tracing of my arm where the tattoo was to be and we set an appointment for two days later. When I went back, everything looked exactly how I would have envisioned it and I am so amazed at her artistry and ability to bring this idea to life. Read Less

Walked into the shop and here is what someone named Angela said to me:On fine-line tattoos:"Tattoo isn't for everyone. Maybe tattoo isn't for you. Dr. Woo and single needle tattoos or fine lines will fade. Tattoo isn't for everyone.Maybe tattoo isn't for you. What you want is too small to tattoo. I don't mean it in a condescending way, but maybe tattoo isn't for you."[speechless. but I guess she meant her kind of tattoo isn't for everyone?]On lettering, about 15-18 letters:"Be careful with letters, you will end up looking like a book. [I can see that]Why don't you get a symbol that represents the words. [because symbols aren't words and vice versa?]Pictures are worth a thousand words. [sometimes, sometimes not..]"On having multiple ideas and getting more than one tattoo at a time:"For someone who is getting a tattoo for the first time [tatally assuming this is the case], I know it's exciting. But it isn't a race. [who said anything about racing?]" Upon stepping out of the shop, i found myself utterly confused what type of anti-customer, anti-single-needle, anti-different-type-of-creativity shop I had gone into. Maybe she was just out to get people like me thinking deeply about giving East Side Ink business. Dont know what really happened there. Still confused. Guess I'll give my business to JonBoy West4Tattoo or Bang Bang. Thanks for helping me make a decision. Read Less