Great experience! Shared some ideas I had, and he nailed a design. The tattoo work he did exceeded my expectations. Happy to have this beautiful tattoo, and I’ve gotten countless compliments so far. Will go here again! Read Less

I had been considering getting work done for a while, so I began researching for a skilled and reputable artist and shop when I came across Mike and Arthouse Tattoo. What I found was a really good experience with all the things that were important to me: a clean/safe shop, a skilled & personable artist, and I was able to engage in the artistic design of the work. In fact, Mike improved my original idea significantly; and he was also willing to listen to suggestions I made regarding his design. He even contacted me afterwards to make sure everything was well. Overall, I’m very happy with my experience and would recommend Arthouse and Mike to anyone looking for their first or 10th tattoo. Read Less

I will never go anywhere else for a tattoo or piercing ever again. Mike not only does a great job, but he's very professional, his shop is clean, spacious, and has a very calm and relaxing atmosphere! Read Less

Love this place! Mike is very talented. He's currently working on a sleeve for me and I love it. I told him I wanted Looney Toons characters and he came up with an awesome concept I couldn't say no to. Can't wait to start the next session Read Less

Amazing tattoo artist who knows what he is doing combined with a nice sense of humor. A nice and private place with good music. I got a tattoo 2 weeks ago and I'm pretty happy with his work and the experience at this place. He was pretty flexible when I wanted to see him one more time for a minor touch up. I would totally recommend this place to anyone who is thinking about getting a tattoo. Read Less

Mike does amazing work. His studio is more like a meditation space, not the run of the mill shop. His rate is more then fair and his attitude is one of gratitude. Art house Tattoo today delivered my best tattoo experience. I would recommend anyone to him, even if you have to wait a bit for your appointment.Read Less

By far one of the best tattoo shops i have ever been in. Everything was clean and and organized and had a very welcoming vibe. Mike our artist had such clean line work and attention to detail, not to mention his imput wasn't overbearing and pushy, instead he was helpful and respected the vision my friend and I had for our tattoos. Overall we were so happy with the whole experience we will definitely be back again for more....and more and more! Love love love this place! Read Less

I had a vision of the Polynesian turtle tatoo I wanted in memory of my father who just passed away not to long ago . I showed Mike pictures of what I was looking for and he put it together. He did such a awesome job and created something beautiful he saw my vision . The place is also great , very comfortable, clean and relaxing atmosphere. I will be going back to Mike for sure next time to have my old tatoo touched up and adding on to it . Read Less

I had the absolute best experience with Mike. His artistic soul comes out in his amazing work. I'm Cherokee and he brought a piece of who I am to life. Beautiful and a memorable experience. A soft hand, a calm, clean peaceful environment and the outcome incredible. I'm ready for more and have found my artist of choice. Read Less

I can not sing Mike's praises enough! I stopped in a couple of days ago after looking at Mike's work online and reading some reviews. I thought I would just go see the shop and talk about a design idea I liked, well I ended up making an appointment. Mike drew up exactly what I was hoping for and even improved the design. I went in tonight to get my tattoo done and the atmosphere was calm and relaxing. I am so impressed with the amount of detail that he put into my piece and will definitely be returning for another tattoo from Mike. This guy deserves more than 5 stars! Read Less

Mike's work is exquisite. He truly has an eye for art and design and knows what he's doing. He can take any design you think you want and turn it into something unique and beautiful. Awesome experience! Read Less

Mike is the best artist I have had the pleasure of working with.  He has designed two tattoos for me and each one is epic. He is very flexible and works 110% to deliver you an awesome tattoo you can't get anywhere else.  I will only use him as long as he is in Austin.  If you want a great watch you buy a Rolex, if you want a great car you buy a Mclaren.  If you want a great tattoo, you go to Mike at Arthouse Tattoo. Read Less

Just got my second tattoo from Mike!! First experience was awesome (he rocked the ink jar/dropper design I brought in) so it was easy to want to have him do another tattoo. I brought in a very simple 4 way arrow design (H-Street skateboard nostalgia) to cover up a lame sun I did many years ago. Mike came up with the idea to make it 3D and rework the sun w/eye in the middle. Then he did some awesome blue to green almost toxic psychedelic shading. He's super awesome and the shop is so laid back and cool it's like being in someone's living room with cool music on. Already working on ideas for my next one and will be going back for sure!!! Read Less

Great experience. This guy is a true artist and historian. He has vast knowledge of historical symbols and cultures. I am pretty sure all he does is custom work. If you want one of a kind ink, this is the place to get it. Read Less

My journey began 5 years ago in August of 2011, when I walked into a tattoo studio in New York and met Mike. I walked in with a bunch of ideas and a few weeks later, I walked out with as creative of a piece that anyone could ask for. I was looking to start a sleeve that tells a story, of my journey, but traditional looking and personal to me. After a few weeks of kicking ideas around, it was time to start the piece. I sat in his chair and after 3 hours, the outline was complete. I scheduled a follow-up, but a car crashed through the studio and cancelled that appointment and time just passed. Needless to say, my experience was pleasant, thorough and awesome throughout the process. I never did finish my piece with Mike in NY. I traveled down to Austin, TX this past summer, (July/August, 2016) for him to finish his work. I finished up my piece and would most certainly travel again to have him start placing another piece for my sleeve to take shape. Piece he did is healing up nicely and looks awesome. Mike's not a nonsense kind of guy, he is an artist and he isn't uptight. He really just enjoys "working". To some that means placing 200 tattoos a week, to him it's about his ability to express and what he gets to do with the canvas that people entrust to him. I trust the guy and feel he does really awesome work. Mike's not just a good artist, he's very accommodating. Whether stopping because I'm a wussy or stopping because he could see we both needed a quick break, he made it work. I have always had some pretty in depth conversations with him when he's done my work. Ask him about his coffee with lemon.... definitely a treat. Mike, your work, your craft and your hospitality were more than gracious. Thank you. Read Less

I've been getting tattoos for 24 years, and this has BY FAR been my best experience. Wherever I go in the world, when I want a tattoo, I'll be coming back to Mike Metaxa for it. I am blown away that someone would leave him 1 star for being "judgmental." He just saved you from yourself (I wish I had other tattoo artists in the past that would have worked with me instead of just putting down exactly what I told them). I did not end up getting the EXACT tattoo I had envisioned. Luckily I know enough about true artists to listen to his suggestions, and now I have a real work of art on my arm. He made sure it was true to the expression I was going for, but made minor adjustments to make it perfect. He needs to have the freedom to be proud of his work. If you want an assembly line tattoo, go somewhere and have a robot do it for you. If you want a piece of art that you would hang in your house if it were on paper, go here. I get stopped about 3 times a day by strangers admiring my ink and asking where I got it. Artists like Mike sometimes have HUGE waits, but lucky for us here in Austin, he's moved from NY and is rebuilding his client list. You have the best of both worlds here...an amazing artist and (usually) not much of a wait. I simply can't recommend him enough, and I won't let anyone I know go anywhere else. Read Less

i know this is super late, but for friday the 13th, i contacted the shop and asked if they were doing anything for stand they said yes. it clearly states that arthouse opens at 12 and that sounds normal to me. my friend and i went there around 1:30 that day and there was no one there to be found. we knocked on the door and called. we were the only car parked there. i don't know if it happens often that they just don't show up but i don't think ill be giving this place a try again because that was just weird. Read Less

Mike Metaxa of Arthouse tattoo is everything you want in a tattoo artist.  I did some research and found his reviews to be excellent and appreciated photos of his work, so I walked in to discuss a half sleeve tattoo design.  I could tell he was a professional as he listened to my ideas and helped me plan a design that would not only look good now, but years down the road as well.  He truly cares about his work.  It was hard for me to trust someone I just met with half my right arm but I felt better after our consultation and after he sent me his final design.  My idea for the half sleeve wasn't that original but his design was well thought out and made it original.  Sitting in Arthouse Tattoo in Mike's chair is like sitting in someone's home with the cleanliness of a hospital. He puts on some zen-like music and you can't feel more relaxed in that situation.  He is quite gentle and works fast; I later found out he makes his own tattoo machines (true artist).  He works quietly but always up for a good discussion if your feeling chatty.  I enjoyed many discussions and would now consider Mike a friend.  I would recommend anyone that wants quality and original work here.  He has no problem telling someone if their idea will not look right or will not stay clear over time.  A true professional, Mike Metaxa is "Old School" all the way! Read Less

Well I feel at this point my tattoo is completely healed so I can give an accurate and honest review.I have several mediocre tattoos already. Nothing too exciting bc quite frankly I've never really had an artist give me much feedback. So yes I'm one of those people who has tattoo regrets!!When I met Mike at Arthouse Tattoo that all changed...I came in with an idea that seemed great and rational but realized it was something I would later regret like the others. Mike gave me amazing feedback and enlightened on me on the "aftermath" of certain tattoos. Like getting watercolor tattoos or tattoos with no outline. He wasn't treating me like someone who was just walking in for wall flash, take my money have a nice day, he wanted me to get something that I would love and that would look good many years from now.I couldn't be more happier with the beautiful piece he made for me!!! I had to go in for several sessions due to my crappy schedule and me bleeding like a wounded animal. He was awesome though about getting me in and not once had to reschedule.He had a gentle hand and didn't feel like he was ripping my flesh, don't get me wrong, that shit hurt but it was a less painful experience than my others!The shop was very clean with some really cool decor.I also appreciated him not stopping and taking 50 smoke breaks like my other tattoo experiences went :(A++ Experience A++  Artist Read Less