What a great venue to do, tattoos and piercings in. I went in without an appointment to get my nose pierced. Let me just say the environment is cool and calm very inviting and really innovative in the way that it looks with their style of personality. The items that they sell there for nose piercings are made out of titanium, which is the better material to use to avoid infection. I like the way that they take pride and passion into ensuring that the customers are serviced well and the equipment and material being used is clean and sterile. My piercer's name was Hannah and they were amazing. They gave me so much information before during and after the procedure and was even available for post care, questions and communication. The cost of the nose ring was $35 and the nose ring was another 40. Well worth the cost so that you don't have any problems or potential scarring with this piercing. It looks amazing and I will definitely be going back for more piercings and maybe even a tattoo. Their shop is on the corner of a little quaint Street in Annapolis. I didn't have to wait too long and everyone was super nice. read more

I walked in to Red Octopus for my second and third earlobe piercings. Right off the bat, the place was extremely warm and comforting, and the lady at the front desk was very kind. Hannah did my piercings and talked me through everything she was doing, including double checking the placement with me and giving me a hair tie to pull my hair back (I didn't even think about that one). It was such an easy process and she also walked me through the aftercare steps which I really appreciated, because even though I have several piercings it had been years since my last one. She also gave me a goodie bag of things when I left. Literally couldn't have gone better. Thank you Hannah!! read more

The atmosphere is always great, and the piercers are fantastic - shoutout to Maggie for being especially wonderful. I've now had two tattoos done by Leon. The first one was especially meaningful to me, as it featured my late Aunts handwriting, which I gave him some grace because I wanted it to look like her own writing. Unfortunately, parts of it look blown out and thick, and the design outside of the handwriting were noticeably shaky, which didn't reflect the aesthetic or accuracy I was hoping for based on the reference images I provided. For the second tattoo, the experience felt quite rushed due to the same artist having plans afterward. One side of the moth is shaded more carefully than the other, resulting in unevenness and lack of symmetry. Additionally, there are a few blown-out lines that affect the overall look. I'm sure Leon is truly a great artist and he is such a sweet guy, I was excited to get him back the second time, but the quality when they're healed were not what I was expecting. I do not want to dog on the business, I go here for all my piercings and Maggie is superb (she is the only piercer I have had here) But I don't think after the second tattoo I will be coming back unfortunately. read more

Red Octopus Tattoos - The chrysanthemums don't look how they should and they look like blobs on my back. - Piercing Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

friendly staff and clean environment, but I'm disappointed with my second nostril piercing. It's noticeably higher than my other one on the opposite nostril. I had a good experience the first time I got the original nostril but I don't think I'll be returning. read more

awesome experience!!! my friend and i came in to get our navels pierced and it was quick and smooth. hannah was very kind and informative (and put up with us) read more

I visited Red Octopus Tattoo & Piercing today (8/10/25) to replace the top bar of my dermal surface staple piercing in my nape. I've had two bars in that area since 2013, removed them for two years in 2017, and had them re-pierced in 2019. Recently, the bottom bar became infected after a jewelry change on July 2, 2025, and the top bar fell out on 8/9/25. When I arrived, the shop was very cute and the staff seemed friendly at first. I had brought my own bar. They charged $10 per dermal top (two total) and an additional $10 for the jewelry change. The piercer then told me the entrance for my top bar had closed -- even though it had only been out for one day. Without my request, she proceeded to reopen my previously infected bottom bar, which was extremely painful. She insisted she could not open the top without re-piercing it, which would cost $120. I declined and asked for a refund. They only refunded $20 for the dermal tops, which I never used. I came in specifically to replace my top bar, but instead, they reopened the one I didn't want touched. In my opinion, the pricing is excessive, and the piercer did not seem knowledgeable about proper handling of existing piercings. I left frustrated, in pain, and without the service I came in for. read more

I went to get my eyebrow piercing done my @mags.stabs (Instagram) and she was absolutely amazing! The atmosphere and people were very friendly too!! This was my first facial piercing and it was much easier and quicker than I thought it'd be, and going here (especially as a local) made it even better! read more

Leon at the red octopus tattoo Annapolis is fantastic. You can never really go wrong with anybody there. I showed him a picture and he basically created the stencil. in all it took about four hours. Customer service was excellent. Price was excellent. The facility is clean. Everybody's very personable. Excellent experience it's not myfirst time or last time there.. read more

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I came in with one of my friends less than an hour before closing for new piercings. There was one woman ahead of us, but we and one person after us were helped with great service. The prices are very reasonable and Jax is a great piercer. This was my fifteenth piercing, so I'm no newbie, but Jax didn't assume and made sure I was feeling ok, knew how to clean/take care of it, and was very quick. I have a preference for piercers to not count or go through every single step they're doing as they're doing it. Jax got straight to the point when I walked in, let me know what she'd be doing upfront, and I was out in about five minutes. I'll definitely be back to one of the locations (this is the newest) for some new jewelry soon for other piercings and if I decide to get anymore. read more

I called the day before to verify hours and was informed that Saturdays are all walk-in appointments. It was recommended to arrive early because there tends to be a line. I gave myself time to find parking (no problems). I arrived early, the 1st (motivated, one might say), so I sat out front until they opened. Others arrived about 20 minutes later. Check-in was seamless, and quick. I brought pictures of what I wanted and was given an email to send to. It was taking a while, so Ro took screenshots for me. He was able to replicate and correct any indiscretions. 100% superb experience. There's decent seating, TV, soda machine, coffee/tea. The wait is comfortable. Staff is pleasant! Dottie was in the house I got 2 tattoos, chest and ribs. In my haste this morning, I didn't wear a bra. LOL. Ro made sure there were screens around me so he could ink without offending anyone! For the record, I was completely comfortable and he was very exacting on the ink. He notified me of the cleaning procedures and said to call with any questions or concerns. Currently deciding which tattoo to choose next! read more

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I got pierced earlier today (nipples) by Hannah, and she was absolutely wonderful. She was super informative, upfront about the cost of any add-ons for the aftercare kit, and super sweet during the actually painful part haha. The studio itself was very professional and the employees seemed happy to be there. Very nicely decorated. Overall just a very good experience. read more

i love everyone and the atmosphere but 3 days after getting a tattoo i notice someone can't draw inside the lines read more

Red Octopus Tattoos - Piercing Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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We went on a Sunday, waited for them to open so we could get in as walk-ins. We were in town for a Bearshark reunion football game and finally got the tattoos we've talked about for over a decade! Rosie was our guy and he took our idea and made it awesome. We couldn't have been happier with the experience. Very clean facility, professional, talented artists! read more

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I had my 2nd tattoo session with Jason...A+++. I followed Jason from Red Octopus in Crofton and so glad I did. Jason is very personable and polite. He listened to my vision and made it come to life. He is an outstanding artist. I am so happy with my tattoo, just as I was with my first with Jason. His work is so neat & crisp. I would highly recommend him for high quality tattoos. The shop is also clean, warm & welcoming. Everyone seemed really nice. I will return when I have my next vision. Thanks so much Jason! read more

Red Octopus Tattoos - Tattoos done in memory of my dad by Jason. Butterfly with Faith was done 7/2019. Feather with Dad's signature 10/2021. - Piercing Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

I'm really disappointed in the work I got done here. I wish I could give them negative 5 stars. I've had a number of pieces done at the Red Octopus in Crofton and they've come out beautifully. Recently, my sister and I went to the Crofton location to get matching tattoos and because they were booked for the day we were sent to the Annapolis location. I wanted one of the designs (a minimalist heart) on my finger in red ink. I have a number of hand tattoos (3 total, 1 on the outside of my hand and 2 on my right middle finger) and neither of them needed retouching after they were done, nor have they needed retouching in the years that I've had them and all were done at the Crofton location. Further, I have a full color sleeve on my arm (not done at Red Octopus) which I've had for years and haven't needed a retouch yet. Some of my tattoos are at least a decade old and still look crisp. So imagine my disappointment when this tattoo began looking like a hot mess 2 weeks after it was done. I'm well aware of aftercare and the tattoo do's and don'ts so that's not the issue. I feel like the artist probably should have used a different needle when shading and most likely should have redeposited color to the tattoo once the initial shading was done. My sister's tattoo (same design on her forearm) also healed terribly. So again, it wasn't user error. This is usually my go to location when I come to Maryland (I previously lived in the area for a few years and frequently return) but I doubt I'll be returning. I essentially wasted $70 for a tattoo that will have to be redone not even 60 days after getting it. read more

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