Levi James Purdy is my tattoo artist and he works out of this shop. Very professional and the shop itself is super cute and in the heart of Chinatown. Cash only-- but they have an atm machine inside if you forget. Surcharge is $5. Follow my artist on ig to see his amazing work: levijamespurdy He's the best! read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - instagram: levijamespurdy - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

The tattoo shop and most of the artist here is great. There is just one problem. KALLEY. She will take a $100+ deposit from you, schedule you an appt and not show up, then re-schedule you another appt and then cancel it and once you have had enough of that you ask for your deposit back and she denies you. Avoid this woman at all cost. read more

I've heard many good things about this tattoo shop. From what I have seen it's a good shop and the people are nice except the one tattoo artist KALLEY. I made a deposit of $100 for an appointment on Sunday and I guess their shop is closed during that day but some artist still come in that day. I arrived and knocked on the lock door and after waiting a couple of minutes and calling the shop phone nobody answered. So I called back that following Monday explaining the issue and the gentleman on the phone pretty much cleared everything up and rescheduled me for that Friday. A couple days before the appointment she text me saying she wasn't able to book me because "I didn't put down another deposit". I said I was never told but she gave me a few more options to schedule another appointment so I said that following Thursday or the Friday 2 weeks from then works for me. And she dosnt get back to me until a week from then so I text her if I can't get another appointment can I get my deposit back and she basically said no. read more

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Richie is so talented! He freehanded this sleeve and we got it done in two eight hour sessions. I will be going back to get it touched up but it looks great already! He was patient, chill, and made sure I was taken care of and comfortable the entire time. He asked me if wanted anything to eat or drink and ensured I was comfortable. After my sessions were over he would check up on me to ask how my tatt was doing. Love the results and can't wait to return! read more

I had tattoos done in Bali but I ran out of time so a few things weren't colored in (shaded), they were only outlined. So I had them colored in at Black Cat. The artist wasn't into it because he said most artists don't like working on other people's ink. So later on after it healed I noticed the colors went outside the lines and was sloppy. Fortunately those mistakes are inside of my bicep near the armpit and not too visible. The work took an hour at most and was $300. Also within 6 mos or so the colors they used faded. The rest of the my tattoos colored in Bali are still vibrant 10 years later because they use better ink from Japan. read more

After many years of thought, I finally decided it was time for me to get a honu. I found a few designs on the internet for inspiration and met with a designer at a different tattoo location in town. I was not into the design ideas suggested by that artist, so I kept searching for an artist who could bring my vision to life. Luckily, I came across the incredible artwork of Kaha Ki'i aka Teddie at Black Cat Tattoo. (Seriously, check out his Instagram at kaha_kii) I brought my idea to Teddie for an initial consultation and he explained that we would take my original idea and make it come to life. Yes, I would still have a honu, but it would be my honu: a representation of who I am and my story. Teddie said that honu would have to be larger than I originally anticipated, as it would flow with the movement of my body and represent these important details. He was able to show me where it would go on my hip so it didn't just look like a sticker that someone slapped on my leg. We discussed that he would freehand the tattoo, as that is how he works best. I agreed, having seen many of his freehand works online. After putting down my deposit with the front desk, I made my first appointment to have the outline done. Teddie was ready to go when I returned for the outline. He used a colored utensil to map the rough shape on my hip and had me stand so he could make sure the movement of the honu would flow with the natural curve of my hip. (Now that's a real artist!) He also wanted to be sure that the curve would allow for the tattoo to continue, should I ever want to add on down my leg. We went over the personal elements that we wanted to incorporate into the tattoo, like the elements of knowledge and the representation of the hoku. He fired up the inking needle and it was time to go. My friend sat with me and she was floored with how he freehanded this incredible artwork. When the outline was done a couple hours later, I was amazed. It already felt like the spirit of this honu was such a strong part of me. After healing, I returned for the shading. Teddie promised it would look like a whole new honu by the time he was finished. True to his word, his exquisite attention to detail made every detail pop. When we were done, he went over the elements of the art with me, explaining the symbolism based on how each detail represented a part of me. The art was worth every cent and I have a stunning piece to carry with me for the rest of my life. I'm honored to have this honu and will treasure it for always. If you are looking for your own incredible Polynesian design, I highly recommend Teddie and Black Cat Tattoo. read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - Aerial art - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Do not go here. I was a 2nd visit customer to the same artist. He did a great job the first visit and gave me exactly what I wanted. 2nd visit was an absolute nightmare. Same guy, different attitude. As requested I emailed the specific art I wanted inked on my body. The artist then without informing me, drew up or printed something of his own which was not the exact decal I sent but something very similar. Unfortunately I didn't notice until it was too late. When I asked for it to be adjusted to what I wanted, the artist rolled his eyes stating, "That won't fit in there" or "It's already too busy" Checkout - I also was quoted incorrectly. The artist didn't disclose his hourly or amount for my ink until the pen was dry and I was at the register. "Yea I'm gonna charge you $$ for that, and $$$ for that one. I said nothing, paid and left. This place was your worst nightmare. read more

Stay clear of this tattoo parlor!!! We had a 7:00 appointment and they stalled all night till about 9:00 pm when we thought they might take us. The tattoo artist Sue seemed very high on a drug and let 4 men into the parlor after she had locked the door. We felt very unsafe and thought she was up to no good with these men. We decided after she stalled us all night to get out of there for our safety. They kept our 200 dollar deposit which she should have returned due to her intoxication of a drug and stalling us for 2 hours. Go somewhere else to get your tattoo!! Wish I could give NO stars read more

Shops dope, artist are dope, atmosphere is dope and my artist Zach yokoyama is out of this world when it comes to his profession, brought my idea to life. Best decision was to come here. read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - Outlining in progress - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Funny story...was looking for a black cat tattoo and discovered this amazing salon. Booked a consultation for the next day and met with Sue. Straight away she got what I wanted and she had time to do it the following day. Her artistry is sublime. Her details are phenomenal. Her technique is amazing. I love the finished product. It is way, way, way better than anything I ever imagined. Sue. Is. Amazing. read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This studio came highly recommended by a few trusted friends. Went there to get matching heart beat tattoos with my daughter to celebrate life. Clean. Clean. Clean. Thanks to our artist, Susan! Mahalo! read more

I had been daydreaming about getting my first tattoo recently so I asked all my cool tatted friends for the best spot. Most agreed Black Cat had quality artists and fair prices. I dragged my feet for a few weeks on scheduling an appointment, but finally got my consultation for Friday the 13th. The tattoo studio is right on Nuuanu and is easy to spot if you're familiar with Chinatown. They were packed because they were running a flash sale that day. I took that business as a good sign. I met with Kai and explained what I wanted: something minimalist and simple to start out with hopes to dive deeper with my next project. I just wanted to gauge how I'd react to the needle. The meeting was brief, but Kai was really sweet and gave me all the details I needed. We planned an appointment for the following week. Everything seemed easy enough, but come that day I got bumped due to double booking. That wasn't the greatest experience, but I get it - things happen. Heather was really helpful in rescheduling (and apologetic about the mishap). Fast forward to November 7: I got confirmation ahead of time just to be on the safe side and the tattooer actually let me know she was running a bit behind with her earlier client. Kai confirmed some extra details with me view text and by the time I arrived she had a sketch that was exactly what I had in mind. The actual tattoo took maximum 30 minutes and was a great experience. Kai is super gentle and made me feel at ease with her presence and lots of jokes. I was happy she let my friend come back with us and document everything for social media (Um, hello!). I left feeling like a million bucks with my mind racing to come up with ideas for my next piece. I've heard this place is pricier than other shops, but the experience was worth it. Pro tip: check out the shop Insta for samples of the artists' work. read more

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This review is more for Kai Smart than Black Cat, but the studio is great. Clean, well lit, cool vibe. This shop is so "chinatown." It's hip style and grungy (but yet still clean) feel makes you feel like a real badass when you walk out of the studio with that saran wrap on your skin. Kai is great! Emailed her after stalking her insanely gorgeous floral designs on instagram. My fiance thought it would be a unique Christmas present, so after psyching myself out, I was down. Decided on a cute lavender design that I saw on pinterest. I sent Kai an email, and she responded right away, saying she could do something similar....and just like that, I had an appointment set up. Que the fan girl! The day of my appointment she met me at the studio right on time and set up her chair in her portion of the shop. She had a ton of floral stencils which made me want even more tattoos from her! She was so gentle and super quick. My tattoo, which is about 3x5 was very fairly priced considering her high popularity. Got some quotes before from other popular insta-tattooers and the difference was astounding. Her professionalism and sweet demeanor made me feel at ease. Not to mention my sick tattoo! It was perfect. Exactly what I wanted :) read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - Lavender tattoo designed by Kai Smart - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Levi is the best, always cool to chat with while getting tattooed and shows great care in getting designs perfect to what you want. Does amazing anime tattoos! read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Just writing this review to say that I'll always go back to this studio for my tattoos. I had Roger do my first tattoo (shown in pics) and it came out amazing! The artists are all very welcoming and the studio is has a really neat vibe for sure. We spent roughly 6 hours on this piece and he gave me very clear instructions for how to best take care of my tattoo from as soon as I left the studio to when it was fully healed. Sadly, he's no longer at this studio and has moved to a studio in Las Vegas but his art is stunning and I would absolutely be down to head up to Vegas for another piece by him. Thank you so much again, Rog! read more

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The strange thing about getting a tattoo is that you walk into a parlor, talk to someone for a few minutes, email them an image, and then come back a couple days later to have them draw something on you that will be there FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. A responsible tattoo artist takes this really seriously, and they take pride in the fact that you will be wearing their art from that day on. That's why you should get your tattoo at this parlor, and specifically by Rodger. I had been thinking about this tattoo for years, and the necessary circumstances all came together on Oahu. It is extremely meaningful to me, in a way Rodger or anyone else could not fully understand. But he didn't need to feel the full the meaning; he needed to know how important the tattoo was to me, and that part he understood completely. While he was making it, there were long periods where he was so totally absorbed in his art that he wasn't aware of anything else. That's exactly what you want from someone who is changing your appearance permanently. I can't vouch for other artists there, but I will tell you that the person next to me got a superhero tattoo on his arm, and the face of that superhero was absolutely fantastic. So I think that the other artists at Black Cat are as excellent as Rodger. I can vouch for the fact that Rodger is absolutely excellent. I have gotten compliments on my tattoo from dozens of people, including people covered with tattoos. They all admire his artistry and his precision. To be clear, I gave him a Maori image of a sea turtle when we first met. He told me that it was too detailed for a tattoo, but that he would work it out. I explained a generic Maori ocean wave element I wanted for the part that would encircle my ankle, and he understood the story I wanted the image to tell perfectly. When I arrived to be tattooed, he had completed drawings ready for me. He retained exquisite detail from the sea turtle image. The way he embellished the Maori element was beautiful and cool. I just relaxed, and told him the story of why the tattoo. He spent a long time getting his stencils just right, and then he dove into the zone and stayed there for three hours. I am so happy with it! The closer I examine it, the happier I am. Get your tattoo here, from Rodger. read more

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I have gotten a total of 7 tattoos from three different artists at Black Cat, and my experience has only improved each time I've gone. Everyone there is super friendly, whether they're your tattoo artist or not! Ash is usually working the counter when I go and has often helped me with making appointments. They're great at clearly answering any questions or concerns you may have as well as calming the... inevitable nerves before a session (my hero honestly). Kai Smart's tattoos are incredible and recognizable. She often tattoos delicate, feminine designs. Lots of flowers, plant life, mandalas, and small ornamentals. I myself have a larger bicep floral piece and both of my ears done by her. She is very gentle and the tattoos I have gotten from her over the years have healed wonderfully. I often have people recognizing her style in them! Levi Purdy has given me 4 incredible, bright pieces, three of which I got during flash events (which I love attending). He's a great artist, especially if you're looking for fun, pop culture tattoos . I also got a cloud flash piece from Roger Kelly, who is super versatile with his art. Once lockdown is over I'm planning on making another appointment with him for a custom piece! TL;DR: Great tattoos (wonderfully healed), great atmosphere, great people. My favorite shop to get inked at. (Excuse my garbage photo quality) read more

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Don't go here unless you want to be discriminated. They only take clients that's fully tattooed and have no room for another one. Clearly judged me from my placement photo of my throat & neck without seeing the rest of the tattoos I have. Go somewhere else! read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Do not go here! It is a dangerous tattoo studio and a scam. They took our deposit on the phone. We arrived at the studio a little early- 7 for a 7:15 appt. Everyone left at 8:30 ish except the person Sue who was supposed to do our tattoo. She seemed high and could not even put the ink sample on my arm correctly. She seemed to be stalling for some reason, fooling around with the music. Then around 9ish 3 men walked in the door taking pictures of the place. Meanwhile Sue said she locked the door. The men were staring at us and we felt very uncomfortable, so we left. Please stay safe and do not go here! I wish I could post no stars. read more

Everyone here was super nice and looking around the shop I only saw amazing tattoos. Definitely will be back! Followed Levi from another tattoo shop. My personal favorite artist on the island. His work is super sick and is always one of a kind. I refer him to anyone AND everyone. Obsessed with my beautiful queen half sleeve. Thank you so much Levi. Cant wait for more. read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - Queen Half sleeve done by Levi - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Sue... she's the cat's meow. She's been my Oahu tattoo artist for some years now and she is spectacular. Her line work, attention to detail, and quirky Johnny Depp esque personality is the best. I have had so many compliments on the tattoos she's given me, it's unreal. I just finished up my dragon tattoo with her and I'm absolutely over the moon. I give it and her two thumbs up with a twist read more

I really enjoy the level of professionalism this shop exhibits without being pretentious like another shop I've been to here. Down to earth and super friendly. I found Levi, my artist, my artist through Yelp, and then through IG. Great linework and and he's fast. Was honestly surprised at how reasonable the pricing is. Cash only, though. read more

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I started off in the tattoo world with big aspirations and the need for an even bigger back piece. My first experience elsewhere left me pretty disheartened; and the idea of trying to find someone who could save me from my first mishap seemed pretty challenging. I did my research, looked through portfolios online, read the reviews, and found myself in the hands of Richie. It was the best decision I've ever made. My only regret is that I didn't go to him the first time around. We've done a few sessions together and it's in complete seriousness when I say that he loves what he does. His artwork isn't limited to just tattooing and skin, but canvas, paint, and charcoal; which is abundant all over the shop. I think patience in finding the right person and investing good waiting time is important when considering a shop artist. A tattoo is forever, which is it's own relationship in itself. Rushing into a lifetime commitment can be a reckless endeavor; which I had come to find out. The shop atmosphere is easygoing and everyone is open to discussion. Each artist has their own unique style which makes them versatile to catering whatever idea you have in mind. Richie makes me feel at ease and you can tell he genuinely cares about his clients. He is meticulous, efficient, and his work is beautiful. I'm feeling pretty confident on how my phoenix and dragon backpiece is coming out. I'm looking forward to the finished product and moving on to my next piece. Don't be discouraged by the wait. He is a definitely worth it. Black Cat all the way. read more

Black Cat Tattoo is a super clean, super friendly tattoo shop. The decor and art work from the different tattooist makes it very unique. Love the dragon on the ceiling! My wife was tattooed by Kai and is so extremely happy! Kai is a true artist. The sketch was amazing, but when tattooed it really came to life. They even provided a pillow so my wife could be comfortable during the session! Even though I didn't get tattooed this time, I will definitely not hesitate to choose Black Cat Tattoo in the future! read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - My wife getting tattooed by Kai, they gave her a pillow to keep comfortable! - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This is a great place for custom one of a kind tattoos. Came back to visit my folks (local boy living in San Francisco now) and wanted to get tattooed to remember/represent the islands. I looked up a few shops in Oahu and heard of this new place, Black Cat. It was the first shop I went to on my list and I was impressed with the shop and Micah's artwork so I thought I'd have him sketch my idea and see how that would go. I loved it. All I told him was that I wanted a pinup guy riding a squid, and also some Hawaiian flowers in an Art Nouveau style. His drawing of the pinup and squid was wicked and I instantly knew he'd be the guy for the job. He finished the pinup and squid in a few hours and I came back the next day for the flower work. He freehanded the Art Nouveau style perfectly and it ended up exceeding my expectations. Micah is an awesome artist and I totally trusted his judgement and artistic eye. He's a great guy to sit with as well. Very professional as well as laid back. He was excited and enthusiastic about doing my artwork which made me feel great because I knew he would do a fantastic job. I highly recommend him and will be back to see him next time I'm in the islands. read more

I ended up looking at Black Cat through their instagram because I kept hearing great comments about the studio. I really admired Simon's work. I spent time going through his instagram and his work only to fall in love with his work. One night after work I went to the tattoo expo and met Simon without knowing who he was at first because I've never been able to put a face to his wonderful work. He told me to stop by the shop and a few days later I did and had everything set up for my appointment. My first tattoo was on my back and I didn't know what to expect since I was getting a thigh piece. Let me tell you Simon is the best! He was really patient with me because not too long into the outline I began getting dizzy and couldn't hear a thing anymore and just wanted to throw up. Simon stopped what he was doing to get me some water, chocolate and a coke. He told me that we were going to take a break and continued when I was done eating. After that we became again and he gave me breaks when I needed it. The inner thigh hurt so much but I tried sitting through it without moving because Simon kept telling how well I was doing. 4 longs hours later, it was done. Boy let me tell you, the pain i went through was all worth it! I just felt bad because towards the end my body gave into the pain and couldn't handle it anymore. Love his work so much. The Black Cat is also so clean and has a really nice atmosphere. Everyone there was really chill and nice to me. I do and will recommend this place to my friends. I'm the last one actually since majority of my friends have been in the black cat once already. read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - Outline by Simon - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Decided to come to this tattoo studio after seeing some badass tattoos on friends that they have done. No doubt, their art is the bomb.com. All of the tattoo artists there are amazing artists. I'm an artist too, so I'm very picky, but these guys exceed my expectation. The tattoo artist who did my back work was Simon. He is a really cool dude. I came to him with a picture of a girl wearing a necklace backwards? Something I thought was really cool looking and unique. I told him to turn it into and he did an amazing job doing it. He busted mine out in only about 3 hours. All in all, this piece was the most painful one I've gotten. (I have 3 pieces) It, however, is also my most favorite. Will definitely be going back for more very soon. read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - My back piece done by Simon. - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Started my sleeve with Kai and she is amazing! I'm not much of a talker and I like that she didn't (seem to) mind that. The shop is very clean and easy to find. Only thing is finding parking can be a little tough. There is parking on the street in front of the shop if you get lucky to find one empty. read more

Great tattoo shop!! If any one Is thinking about getting a tattoo you should get it from Black Cat Tattoo. Everyone there is very friendly and they have great service. Compared to my first experience getting tattooed @ 808Tattoo this experience at black cat tattoo was by far the best. Roger was my artist and he does exemplary work and he wants the best outcome for his clients so he takes time to talk to you about what you want and works with your idea because when I came in I had a certain idea In mind but Roger talked to me and and explained his point of view and we decided to go with his idea and I don't have any regrets. Overall great service and great art work!! read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I usually don't write reviews but here we go lol. I absolutely love this place, the environment is really clean and nice and decorated with amazing artwork, and the tattoo artists there are super nice. Tonight I walked in wanting one thing & had my mind set on it, but decided against it, and I'm happy I did because I absolutely love the tattoo I got. Sue worked with me to figure out something, and it's amazing. She talked to me & my friend while I was getting it done & Joked around, and she did such a great job. It was a lot of fun!! I do have an appointment on the 25 with Roger and I'm definitely excited to go back :) read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I have been to tattoo studios on the island as well as in the States and I can easily say that BlackCat Tattoo Studio is, by far, the best tattoo studio I have ever been in. Everything that you would expect from a business establishment, not just a tattoo studio, is present here: friendly staff, excellent service, amazing ambiance ... just to name a few. if you are looking to get a tattoo done, believe me, this is THE place to get work done! FRIENDLY STAFF As I entered the door I was immediately greeted by two people who worked there. The first person, which I later found out, was Shay. Shay, who was with another customer, took a second or two to look up politely and give the "What's up man" nod and continued working. Now for me, that's a huge thing because there are times where I would walk in to an establishment and people are "too busy" to even take a second or two to acknowledge a potential paying customer. But hey, that's just me, you know? The second person was Andrew. Andrew was GENUINELY welcoming and helpful, meaning, he didn't have that car salesman approach (no offense to car salesmens') trying to get a quick sale. I told Andrew that I had an appointment with Richie and that i was a little early (which equates to about an hour early). Now in other experiences I've had with that same situation, that person just normally brushes me off and waits until someone else comes in. Not this time. Andrew kept coming back to check up on me to see if I was good. Not only me though, there was another person there waiting for another artist and a couple who was both waiting for an artist as well ... he checked up on all of us until our scheduled appointment. The friendliness does not stop with those two though. Throughout the tattooing process, whenever someone was going out for lunch or for coffee, not only would they check with the rest of the artists in the shop but I swear four different people offered to either grab me a bite to eat or something to drink ... one even offered to pay for it. Talk about friendly and caring ... not only to their coworkers but their customers as well. EXCELLENT SERVICE The artist who I got my piece done was Richie Lucero. I've been researching my next tattoo artist since my last tattoo I got back in 2010 (my previous artist moved to a state where I have NO intention on visiting). When I saw his work on BlackCat Tattoo Studio website I was very impressed with what was on there. I took it a step further and went to see his Instagram and I immediately knew that this was the artist I wanted to get work done from. Trust me ... my words can't do his work any justice ... you need to see it for yourself. I shot over an email explaining what I wanted. Now, without completely outing my nerd'ness ... I wanted a Star Wars sleeve, eventually, on both arms. I immediately received a reply and discussed things through email and then on the phone. We eventually set up an appointment and I went in. I told Richie previously that I am not an artistic at all. I knew what I want but I wanted to get his insight on how to make everything work (I jokingly told him that I had all the pieces to a puzzle but didn't know if or how it would fit together). With that being said, when I got to the studio and met with Richie, he informed me that he went out an purchased a few different Star Wars magazines off of iTunes and already came up with a few ideas for my piece. No, he didn't Google search anything ... he went out an bought e-Magazines. That impressed me a lot. His dedication to his craft is UNBELIEVABLE! You have to see it for yourself! AMAZING AMBIANCE BlackCat Tattoo Studio is located at the corner of Nuuanu Avenue and Hotel Street. That description in itself describes the exciting and unpredictable scenery you're able to see from the studio. I'll be honest, I was a little skeptical when I found out where it was located but trust me this place will really surprise you. The diverse types of people walking outside the studio throughout the time spent was nothing short of exciting. For me, I like being able to see the world outside and not just being confined to a room. And just as diverse as the people on the outside, the beautiful works of art that grace the inside is equally diverse and enjoyable enough for me to stare at them while I was there. IN CLOSING ... With a very friendly staff, excellent service, and amazing (and memorable) ambiance, I can easily say that BlackCat Tattoo Studio is the best tattoo studio I have ever been in. This was my first time visiting BlackCat Tattoo Studio but believe me, this was far from my last. read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - I hijacked this photo from Richie's Instagram. It's a photo of the piece he worked on for me. Talk about detail! - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

**UPDATE - We went back and my husband got his tattoo. Jose drew this dragon up based on what my husband wanted. Check out the pic for yourself, the dragon is exactly what my husband wanted. Great place to get a tattoo! Very nice guys who help and work with you in deciding a tattoo. Exceptional in their work. Just look around the shop where they have pictures done by one of their tattoo artists. I just got mines done this past Saturday by Jose. I highly recommend Jose! His work is very detailed and nothing less than perfect. The colors of the cherry blossoms are vivid and beautiful, esp. the way he blended them. We are going back for my husband's tattoo, a dragon, which Jose is drawing. Another thing these guys does that is fascinating is that almost all their work is done freehand. If you're thinking of getting one, definitely check them out!!! read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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The quality of the tattoos here and the hospitality of the staff are awesome. Roger did my half sleeve in 2 sessions, he gave clear post tattoo care advice and was a great conversationalist. The first session we finished late but they let me stay in the store while they closed up shop till my ride arrived, they also sent me home with a free tshirt and a cheeseburger, that is grade A hospitality. read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - Half Sleeve by Roger - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Love this studio! I went to Levi for my past two tattoos. He's incredibly nice and patient when it comes to the consultation and knows exactly what I want for my tattoos. Parking can be difficult to find near the shop, so I recommend parking at the Chinatown Municipal Parking! The other tattoo artists and front desk staffs are very nice. The entire place gives you a warm, chill and welcoming vibe. If you're looking for a tattoo studio, I would definitely recommend the Black Cat! read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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The girl who greeted us was very condescending and unfriendly. She obviously has no idea what good customer service is and I will definitely not be coming back for a tattoo here. read more

Sweet shop to get a tattoo done at! Plan on having a consultation and then coming back for any large tattoos. You will be happy with the whole process from the gal at the front desk, to the cleanliness to the detail and artistry. Highly recommend - Roger did 4 tattoos for me and my friends to commemorate our girls trip to Hawaii! read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This shop is full of talented passionate artists which is prevalent in the tattoos as well as the artwork that hangs throughout the shop. Richie (owner) is among the best tattoo artists in Hawaii no question. He will give you the best tattoo you'll ever have on your body. There really is no reason to go anywhere else for a tattoo other than this place because there is an artist here that specializes in just about every style tattoo under the sun. Top notch customer service as there is a receptionist that greets you as you walk in and they play the best music for your listening pleasure. You're gonna pay for the quality as you should pay for top quality work. Currently working on a piece with Richie and it is coming out amazing. read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I'm not a tattoo junkie but I know three people who got large tattoos done here. My cousin, sister and brother wanted to do small wrist tattoos. So we Googled places and tattoos and came down here. We all got small tattoos about the size of a half dollar and it was $100. I got a lotus and my cousin and sister got matching tattoos with their birth dates. Our tattoos took no longer than 10 minutes. Everyone is literally shocked about the prices of our tattoos but I didn't pay for it (their idea, they pay). I would say if you want a larger piece then come here because the work I've seen my friends get here are drop dead gorgeous. But don't do impulse matching tattoos. I don't think I'd be back soon because I didn't have fun faking care of the healing aspect of tattoos. Lol. read more

Thanks Black Cat, and especially Cody. Fantastic experience through and through. The shop itself is every bit as hygienic, professional, and inviting as you would expect from a reputable spot. It's pricier, including a down payment for consultation, but you get the impression this is a serious tattoo shop with professionals dedicated to their craft, and dedicated to making your art unique, not a seedy little spot delivering more quantity than quality. The price is well worth the premium you pay to get an incredible tattoo. I read some positive stuff about Cody so we booked a consultation. He was super patient in taking our rudimentary design idea, making an amazing piece of art, tweaking it to fit our vision, and at the end of the day sticking a stunning image on my leg. So laid back and easy to work with, especially given my admittedly frustrating second-guessing. He has the confidence to advise you on what will or won't work regarding size, design, placement and style, while still taking your preferences seriously and incorporating them where able. Cody took the ball, ran with it, and scored a touchdown. Awesome artist with a lot of skill. I'm not well-seasoned, but this is clearly the sharpest and most visually appealing of my 5 tattoos. Thanks a lot for taking care of myself and roommates, this tattoo means a lot to us. Would go back in a heart beat for more work. read more

Chinatown has more than restaurants, homeless people and bars? Oh yea! We live about a mile up Nuuanu and often walk down to Chinatown on a Friday night- just for fun. I have stopped in several tattoo shops over the year and a half we have been here and ended up selecting Black Cat because it just felt 'right'- you know that feeling. Not pushed or rushed or like a 'customer' when they are dealing with just their friends....yea is was right. So Jose ( I swear no Cuervo was involved!!) designed the perfect blend of a hibiscus and a tribal wrap to go around my wrist. He cared about what I wanted, what my husband thought and really took his time. He has a very gentle touch and I never had any pain - although he asked me many times if I was doing OK. I had a great time chatting with him and his adorable girlfriend, Mary, while we were there. It is 4 days later, I have a beautiful tattoo and never had any redness or pain at all. The colors are amazing and I LOVE the shading that he does with just the black. I will be back! ( the only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is because I do not think the price for less than 2 hours should have been $300. I hope that next time I am there, I get a better deal. I can understand 100 an hour.....) read more

Black Cat Tattoo Studio - Jose does amazing color and shading! - Tattoo Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii