It has been quite a while since I last went to Homeward Bound Tattoo and back in the day I had such a good experience but today I am just so shocked and disappointed. I went there with a friend for a piercing appointment which was for 10:45 and we went to the shop and the whole place was dark, the closed sign was on, so obviously we were like oh crap maybe we got appointment wrong and even checked their hours that they have posted on their own website that says they do not open until noon, so we called confused and said that we would just cancel the appointment because it must have been for a different time and day since they were clearly closed. And the people working at this place had the nerve to call back and leave the rudest voicemail ever saying that there "are human beings here" "we wouldn't schedule you if no one was here" and shit. Wtf?! You couldnt have just said sorry that the place looked closed but we just do piercings early, if you want to come back we can fit you in or reschedule or something. I'm not going back there if even one person that works there is like that to paying customers. Read Less

The shop is super clean and everyone is very friendly. I had my tattoo done by Melissa and she was absolutely fantastic. The tattoo is a work of art, and she was super creative and full of valuable input throughout the whole process. The artists are very accommodating to clients, whether they are afraid of the pain from the tattooing process, or seasoned veterans. The time flew by and it was a super positive experience. I highly recommend homeward bound tattoo! Read Less

I would give this place no stars. Just to be clear before anyone gets offended, feels I'm being judgmental or stereotypical, I'm strictly critiquing the associates' etiquette as a professional business and not assuming judgment of them as individuals out side of the workplace. I made an appointment to get some work done (at this point I'm not even going to disclose what I had done because it doesn't really matter.) I was excited and looking forward to going to the local tattoo shop that I've known of and heard so many people talk about for years. I've had plenty of things done in many areas surrounding Port Washington and even out of state and have had nothing but great experiences. The specific person who took care of me had no recollection of my appointment supposedly and told me I would have to wait for their current client to be finished. Fine whatever, accidents happen, but maybe in the future if you can't depend on your staff...maybe you should check your appointment book as soon as you start your day...or even if you can rely on your staff. Please don't use your staff as an excuse for something you could have rectified by doing your job. If that was really even the truth to begin with or supposedly they don't take "walk ins." I understand that this is a tattoo/piercing parlor and that the way "business" is conducted may be a little different than other operations and often times there is a certain "persona" that goes along with working in an establishment like this. With that being said, I don't appreciate whatever I'm having done to be shouted across the room for everyone and their mother to hear, no matter what it is. Also, the individual who took care of me swore repeatedly to me, at co workers, etc. Let's just be clear that swearing does not offend me. However, not every customer that comes in wants to hear you swear like a sailer every other word. Lastly, the professional taking care of me was down right rude, arrogant, mean and condescending to me and the rest of their staff the whole entire time throughout my visit. As I'm sure it is no loss to them, I will not be coming back ever again nor will I ever recommend Homeward Bound Tattoo! Read Less

I got a new tattoo from Melissa Monroe yesterday, 06/17/15. At my age of 49, I have come to expect excellent customer service regardless of where I am spending my money. I was not disappointed! Melissa was TOP NOTCH! Not only did she draw the perfect sketch for my tattoo after listening to what I was looking for - but she was a blast to talk to during the 3+ hours that I was in her chair.She has a wonderfully fun personality and a great sense of humor. Anyone with a tattoo knows there is pain involved - possibly more depending on the location on your body. Melissa was caring and understanding if I needed a break for a few minutes. If you are looking for a great piece of art - Melissa should be your go to person! Read Less

I wouldn't give them any stars. The tattoo artist/piercer her name is something Monroe. I guess she's got a pretty big head but she was a real b$tch. My friend called ahead two days before and set up a time to get her tongue pierced at 1:45pm. We got there at 1:41pm and the apprentice said "your 1:45 is here." And she goes "yeah what about it, I have this walk in to finish." 20 mins later we are still sitting there waiting for a bitchy ass piercer, who took a walk in 5 mins before her actual appointment knowing it would take her longer than 10 mins. The shop is bland. The artists have bad attitudes. We walked out and I convinced my girlfriend to go to ATOMIC TATTOO where I have successfully have had all my piercings done. F&ck this place. Horrible customer service, ironically when it's our money that makes their paychecks. And to that Monroe girl whatever your name is (it wasn't worth remembering) I looked through your portfolio, you're mediocre at best! Read Less

Melissa was the sweetest and nicest piercer I've ever been too! She told me what she was going to do before she did it and my tragus piercing didn't hurt at all! I love it and it turned out perfect. Would definitely go see her for piercings in the future. Read Less

I got a large passionflower tattooed on my shoulder by Jesse. The outcome FAR exceeded my expectations, it is STUNNING. Jesse is professional, meticulous, highly skilled, & easy to be around (the tattoo took several hours). I felt the pricing was extremely fair, especially given his stellar work. The environment, too, was very professional. I absolutely would recommend this business to anyone, & fully intend to return here for any future tattoos. Read Less

I recently turned 18 and like many kids my age, decided I wanted a tattoo. I wanted to do my research before I trusted my skin to just anyone so I checked out all of the parlors in the surrounding areas. I was surprised to find the cleanest and most professional of them all was in my hometown, a place called homeward bound. I brought in my own design, the one I had known I had wanted to get since I was five. I was immediately greeted by an artist named Adam who informed me that it would be a piece of cake. I set up an appointment for the next day. I arrived five minutes early and saw that Adam was ready and raring to get started. The entire process took about 2.5 hours during which I was entertained by hillarious stories from both Adam and the owner, Jessie. By the time it was done my back was covered in beautiful artwork and I couldn't wait to show it off. I had an excellent experience, the tattoo turned out great, and I have already made plans to go back. I would reccomend this place to anyone looking to get their first tat or their tenth Read Less

I have gotten 2 tattoos from Jesse and one of them was my sons newborn hand print,it is amazing how good it looks. My husband has also got all of his work done there and we won't go anywhere else. Jesse is not only a great tattoo artist but he also draws a lot of his work himself. To me,if you are getting something put on your body for life go somewhere you can trust and Homeward bound is that place. Read Less

I have gone to Homeward Bound Tattoo for every one of my tattoos. The parlor is a clean, relaxed, smoke-free environment which really does feel like home. The artists and piercers are all lovely people who care about what they do and actually make great efforts in what they do; they are patient, kind and understanding. These are not people who come to work drunk or wield tattoo machines in a pompous manner. I cannot continue to speak for all of the artists, but I can continue on with Jesse. Jesse is the most meticulous perfectionist I have ever known (what he calls ""picky""), but it works in this setting. This is a man who will spend thirty minutes drawing out a single letter because the ""B"" is not up to his high, high expectations - but he never fails to consult with his clients and determine what it is they really want (and if the color of this lady's dress is red or pink or tan, and is it okay if the placement of a block of text on your forearm will leave a disc of space at the top, and will it be comfortable for you if your arm is moved in suchandsuch a manner?). This is a man who slaves away at his work in every sense of the term, until his back aches, his head is splitting and his hand is cramped. Jesse truly is an artist. He is Renoir with a tattoo machine, and I do not say that lightly. Read Less

I know Jesse and am familiar with most of the employees at Homeward Bound. Although, I, myself, have never had the pleasure of having a tattoo done by Jesse, I do know several people who have and their inkwork is phenomenal! I went to Jesse for an emergency. My dentist removed my tongue ring and I couldn't get my jewelry back in and secure. Jesse and Brian helped me to select the jewelry that was right for me (as the threads of my old jewerly were worn) and then were kind enough to ""install"" it for me. I have 6 piercings but I'm such a baby about changing jewerly. Brian and Jesse were professional, patient and understanding. If I find more socially acceptable places on my body to pierce - I will definately go to Homeward Bound. In any event, they've got a customer for life when it comes to purchasing and changing jewelry. I can't recommend them enough! Read Less