Mike was gentle (as gentle as a tattoo can be, lol) and patient. I am beyond pleased with his work! Worth every penny! Thanks for the amazing tribute piece and a great cup of coffee too! read more

I had this awesome idea for a tattoo in my head. It was going to combine Japanese Sakura with homages to California and Texas state flowers. When I went to talk to Mike about it, he immediately shot it down and explained that it wouldn't look good. I appreciated his honesty. Instead we discussed a Japanese inspired piece and I showed him a picture of the Chureito Pagoda near Mt Fuji and asked if he could incorporate it. His vision and ultimate masterpiece was more than I could have ever dreamed and it is a million times better than anything I could have ever come up with. Mike took every safety precautions that is becoming the new norm in this world and repeatedly asked how I was doing during my sessions. I could not be more pleased with my piece and highly recommend him to everyone and anyone who is looking to get a one of a kind piece of art tattooed. read more

Arthouse Tattoo - The final product. The shading, the colors, everything is perfection. - Tattoo Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I didn't end up getting a tattoo here, but during the consultation process they were a little rude. They kind of have an attitude like you're lucky to have them do some work on you. I can't comment on their actual work, as I didn't get that far, but I went to a few other shops and found artists that I just vibed more with. read more

I love my tattoo, every time I look at it I see something new. The detail is amazing, as you look around it the castles and mansions they literally change in shape and size (which you cant see in a still pic). So 3D. Mike takes great pride in his work, a true creator of ART and design. Every Tat from his shop is a one off personally designed piece that no one has but you. If you want a flash tat, this may not be the place. However if you have an Idea of what you want and allow his passion for art to have a meeting with your mind, you will come away with the type of experience you truly deserve. This will be with you the rest of your life, you owe it to yourself and your skin to have a worthy impression of your hearts desires. Thanks Mike, Koopa read more

Arthouse Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Austin, Texas

Arthouse Tattoo offers an experience you can only find in a private studio, owned and operated by a talented professional who takes a great deal of pride in his craft! I have several tattoos, and have been tattooed in New York and Los Angeles. None of the experiences has some even close to the experience at Arthouse. I've been going through a journey of adding art to my body and cannot believe how fortunate I was to find Mike Metzka (owner and operator) at Arthouse Tattoo!! Mike's artwork is incredible and he is truly gifted in the art of tattooing. His hand is relatively gentile while tattooing. He has an eye for detail and really cares about you and your tattoo. So far, He has completely three large pieces for me and we are working on more! All three of these pieces had to be integrated with existing artwork I have, and he nailed it! You simply cannot tell where my older tattoos end and my newer ones start. Yesterday, I took my kid sister there for her first tattoo. We were more disorganized than usual, which can sometimes be a disaster. (This is not your average tattoo shop where you just show up and get a tattoo.) Mike worked great with us (as expected) and he made her first experience special. I cannot say enough good thing about this private tattoo studio, Mike's approach, his artwork, creativity, or talent. Show up with an open mind and an original idea, Mike will take it from there. Thank you Mike!!! read more

I originally found Arthouse Tattoo as a result of Mike's work with Austin Pets Alive. My cat Jynx had passed away recently and I wanted to commemorate him with a calf tattoo. I brought Mike a few pictures and he found one that he liked, and we agreed on a price. It quickly became very apparent how dedicated he was to his craft based on the conversations we had about coloring and design. He wasn't afraid of pushing back when he felt like an idea would hurt the long term design of the piece. With the exception of the base outline, he free-handed a gorgeous piece of art that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I'm already planning on going back to have him touch up a forearm tattoo that I have. Mike is fantastic. read more

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 more

Arthouse Tattoo - The colors are amazing!! This isn't it healed either - Tattoo Near Me - Austin, Texas

Amazing experience from start to finish! Arthouse posted a fun Valentine's Day tattoo event on Facebook so I signed up. I really wanted to have a sentimental piece of a note tattooed on me but it was super faded. Mike worked with me for several days to pull the faded writing off and recreate it! I went in for my appointment and the studio is so clean and gorgeous! I was offered a chocolate and sparkling juice. The process was professional and quick! I absolutely love how it came out and will be returning soon for another. Also love how dedicated this studio is to supporting Austin Pets Alive! This was also a huge reason why I came to spend my money and time here and certainly why I will return. Thank you for making my first tattoo experience perfect! read more

I met with Mike a couple of days ago and asked him to do a cover up piece for me. I told him I wanted some floral artwork and asked for only two small details, but i let him have free range with the main flower and design. The artwork and piece he did for me is incredible! Words cannot describe how happy and amazed I am with my new tattoo. Thank you Mike for putting so much care and time into the great job you did. I will definitely be revisiting! read more

Arthouse Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Austin, Texas

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 more

I was recommended to this tattoo artist, Mike, by a friend. I was actually recommended to 12 different tattoo artists and after doing some research I had narrowed my options down to Mike and one other person. I set up meetings with both to discuss options. I met with Mike first. We talked design, set up an appointment, and he asked for a deposit. After I told him I was unwilling to give him the $50 deposit until after I met with the other person, he messages me 5 minutes after I leave his shop and says "let me make it easier for you. I'm not interested in doing your tattoo". Seriously?! I'm putting something on my body for the rest of my life, and this guy gets butt hurt that I want to keep my options open?! Get real. I was genuinely considering you as an option but no thanks. Your energy is not something I want on my body for the rest of my life. I was kind and polite and explained to you that I just wanted to meet with the other person before I made my decision. read more

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 more

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 more

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 more

Never met a close-minded tattoo artist until I went to Arthouse! The man working was very rude and judgmental when we explained what tattoo we wanted. Regardless of what we wanted tattooed, I didn't ask what the artist what he thought about my tattoo choice or what his opinion about it was, yet, he rudely insulted me and my friends. I wouldn't recommend this tattoo shop to anyone! read more

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 more