Chris was absolutely amazing!!!!! Such a great guy. So personable, calming, reassuring,…read moreprofessional, and super clean. HIGHLY recommend them!!!!

I got my first tattoo here! I was visiting my friend in NC and we wanted to get tattoos together so…read morewe booked an appointment and our artist was Mike. Overall the appointment process was pretty simple. You can message on instagram/facebook and they were very responsive. When we arrived we just signed our waiver and provided our photo ID's. The actual place is very clean which I appreciated. Mike was such a friendly guy. It's funny because I came all the way down to NC to get a tattoo and I'm from NJ/NYC. Mike is from NYC and moved down to NC recently, I thought that was a funny coincidence. He always let us know what he was going to do before he did it and was very informative. He let us know the aftercare process and what to expect. That being said, we are almost a month out and my tattoo has healed beautifully! If I'm ever back in NC and looking to get a tattoo, I will book it with Mike.

Got an amazing tattoo from Gabby. Very well organized went over everything at least twice to make…read moresure I was happy with the design and placement. Will definitely be going back for more work. Gabby was very knowledgeable and was fun chatting and watching her work. Very reasonably priced for quality work.

These guys are amazing and I've only been in for a consult !! I'll update this review in approx two…read moreweeks when I receive my new piece from Chris. But this place has impressed me beyond words, super friendly and humble staff who make you feel welcome and right at home ! Chris took his time with me, we spent upwards of an hour brainstorming how to cover up a pre existing tattoo from a shop that doesn't exist anymore. After multiple apologies from me about taking up so much of his time, he stopped me and told me "don't apologize, this is exactly what I'm here for !" I LOVE that attitude and can not wait to go back in two weeks to receive some nice artwork !! I highly recommend giving these guys a look !! Update: Received my tattoo tonight, by Chris Kelly. One more session to go !And let me tell you guys something, dead serious, you will not find a better tattoo shop in North Carolina. These guys are absolute professionals, and super friendly, they make you feel like an old friend the moment you walk in. The attention to quality and detail is through the roof, I've been tattooed quite a few times now, and have never encountered as good of an experience as I encountered tonight. I HIGHLY recommend, and if it were possible to rate higher, I absolutely would in a second. The shop is super clean and tidy even to the smallest detail, even the mop bucket had a place !!! Once again, I urge you to go to Heart And Hammer for anything ink related.

All my tattoos are spur of the moment things so accepting walk ins is a must. That said, as soon as…read moreI enter, I'm greeted, fill out some paperwork, and discussing ideas with the receptionist. Couldn't decide on a font for the phrase I wanted so went with the Triforce. It's been on my mind for a while. My artist was Neil and if I remember correctly he's got 29 years of tattooing under his belt. It was an enlightening experience. He shared with me all the little details of tattooing. How many layers of skin the needle penetrates, proper healing, most painful areas, different needles, piercing, etc. And he shared some cools stories about places he's been. Prior to this my last tattoo was 9 years ago. I had no idea they had numbing spray to make things a little less painful. Took a short break after outlining(the most painful part) and he applied the numbing spray for the shading process. Couldn't have taken more than 1.5 hours total. Shared some future tattoo ideas with him and given the quality of his work and experience I'll definitely come back to him for more work. Would recommend. Place was super clean too. 2 thumbs up.

This establishment took advantage of my elderly mother who didn't know the cost of a tattoo. She…read morewent in to get an empowering tattoo that said " I am enough" on her clavicle and was charged $250. If I could give ZERO stars I would. I would NEVER recommend this predatory establishment to anyone.

I was a nervous wreak before I got my nose piercing. I'm sure they thought I was insane pacing back…read moreand forth. It's not as if it was my first but it has been so long since I've been "under the needle" I was sweating (though I knew I was overthinking and freaking myself out) Everyone was so sweet and patient. Amber did everything but hold my hand, she walked me though the process so I knew what to expect. I had 1,000 questions and she answered every one with a smile. I definitely would recommend her for first timers

Oct 2023 I had a slight mishap and needed to change the…read morepiercing. Amber told me at time of piercing in Feb 2019 to just call and she can swap it out anytime as she does this service for other clients. I always tip as a courtesy. A guy answered the phone and said Amber is there and there is a charge. I had a problem so I did not feel comfortable changing myself at the moment. Although the fee was nominal, I am deducting one star based on original information from the piercer. Amber has good customer service. The change back to the flat back 14kt yellow gold earring caused significant pain level such as initial piercing from the 14kt yellow gold hoop which was purchased somewhere else as not sold at this establishment. Omg and yikes! Problem if the hoop is completely 14kt gold as a problem in the manufacturing since 14kt gold does not tarnish. I found another establishment that solely does piercing and carries a vast selection in products including 14kt and titanium and after a month got a different 14kt gold hoop and 2 other piercings, zero pain surprisingly for all services. Hope this review is helpful based on my experiences, thanks.

I have used Dogstar exclusively for piercings for the last 2-3 years!…read more Sam is fantastic they give you all the information you need to make the best decision. Sam has pierced my kiddos and makes them feel comfortable and speaks the truth to them about future piercings they want! I love the cleanliness of this shop and the jewelry they offer giving you lots of options that are great quality! I also like the esthetic of the shop with the exposed ceiling and brightness inside!

This place used to be great, but now they offer the most arrogant employees who provide absolutely…read morehorrible customer service. I am actually shocked at the difference between the service I'm used to when I lived in Durham and what I dealt with today. This place has gone down downhill. I just got hung up on by one of the most aggressively ignorant human beings I've ever encountered in customer service. People like this are why I left Durham and why I will never go back there. The original owner used to be an amazing person and that store used to be an amazing place but I wouldn't go near that establishment now.

10/10!!! The piercer is a HOOT! He's so fun and really took…read moretime to make me comfortable and get to know me :) which is very nice I didn't feel rushed in and out Beautiful ( and well priced) jewelry, with anodizing options. It's been over a week and they're healing beautifully! Great piercing, PHENOMENAL jewelry change !!!

I have exclusively used Mad Ethel's for all my tattoos for awhile now. I have only used Clinton but…read moreI can say I like they will set you up for who does the best at a specific style. Clinton has just been able to do an amazing job on everything I have asked for!

Mike did my first tattoo. He was enjoyable to talk to over the couple of hours that it took and it…read morecame out excellent! The conversation between Mike and the others here reminded a bit of being in a barber shop. It was a fun experience and I laughed a lot. I highly recommend Mike & Tattoo Asylum!

if I could give this place no star I would. I had to go up there 2 times for them to fix my belly…read morering. The 1st time they put a small bar in and the 2nd time they put an eye brow piercing in with just belly button piercing balls. My piercing had no room to heal or breath. I definitely would like my $50 back. It was rejecting so bad and crusting up that when someone helped me take it off I ab came up off the chair bc it hurt so bad. I def have relief now.

their hours are literally whatever they decide that day. stupid business practice. "12PM-‍shrug…read moreemoji" i guess call before coming in. every time i call, they don't pick up. bizarre lol i'm here tuesday, two hours before the closing time they have listed on yelp, apple maps and google maps. change your hours or something

Dave did a great job incorporating our new ink into existing. We had a relaxing time with enjoyable…read moreconversation. Laughed so much passing the time. Great environment and positive culture in the shop. Looking forward to our next add. Super clean and comfortable.

OMG.. WONDERFUL David is the very best. My first tattoo ever. My 65th birthday present. David is…read moregreat made it an enjoyable experience. Gave me a great memory. Told me to come back for any reason, which I did, not because of what he did, because I was.. told you my first tattoo just wanted him to tell me it was okay... my piglet is perfect. Thanks David you're the best.

Gabe and David are the best. Got my second tattoo here and went with a life long friend group of 5…read moreothers and Gabe made room for us all. Good vibes, music, and always good laughs and good stories shared in this shop. We will definitely be back.

I am so disgusted with the outcome of my tattoo and my experience at this bully of a shop…read more I made two separate three-hour round trips, expecting beautiful results based on the artist's portfolio. I wasn't healing correctly after my first session and emailed my concerns with pictures but was given a generic response. I eventually ended up going to urgent care to be treated for inflammation. Even with pictures they never admitted it had been overworked. I was contemplating whether to find another artist to complete the initial work, which presented some challenges. However, I returned to the original artist some time later and wrote the reaction off as a consequence of new ink going over the old ink, or maybe a reaction to the short lived sani skin application. NO ONE IN THIS SHOP EVEN BREATHED A WORD THAT MY SKIN HAD BEEN OVERWORKED. Since the last session, every artist I've gone to for a consult told me that the area was definitely overworked and not my fault. The quality of the work is just ok, but as of right now the look is not cohesive. I hope to find a skilled artist who is even willing try to fix this. I did question whether or not he was taking longer to charge more. If I had returned, I would have paid over 5k total. I also spoke with the manager, Jo in person. I was in tears, explaining how unhappy I was so far, especially since I had already put so much time and money into it. She said she understood my concerns with stone face, condescension and passive aggressiveness. No apology, no offer to refund a portion or pay to have someone else finish it. Just silence and the hope I would disappear. Jo then proceeds to give me unsolicited "advice" regarding how she makes her own life decisions in a very childlike way. This is what happens when people are comfortable making assumptions about you. Thankfully, I don't take the opinions of someone who was excited about a 3 day stay in hotel by herself seriously (a story time I didnt ask her for). I realized she wasn't really listening to hear me. Jo said that Grimm has won awards etc.. none of that matters if you destroy someones skin. She was just countering me in an effort to dismiss my concerns. I urge people to seek artist that know how to work skin of different tones and textures. Brown skin doesnt mean go harder with the needle to do a cover. This establishment took my money and but did not deliver. They are unethical and Grimm appears to be MAGA. SUPER UMCOMFORTABLE for me. I told him I don't respect his lord and savior. If I had known beforehand, I would would never have let him tattoo me. Full stop. Overall, I gather that if you're happy with your experience all is well. I expressed dissatisfaction with legitimate, serious concerns and they made it my problem. As if I tatooed myself. I'm sure other factors were involved but they'll never admit it. Not publicly anyway. * warning graphic photos Update: I've had several consults to fix this mess and they all could not believe I paid $3600 and wasted 16 hours. All of my consults pretty much had the same opinion that my skin had been overworked and definitely overpaid for what was completed. Jo also told me that she would find out the brand of ink that was used and send me the template of the art that Grim used. To date I have not received either. I find that very petty and unprofessional of adults that run a business. But, how you do one thing is how you do everything. My skin is permanently scarred and I PAID for it. I could have gone to a master artist and had half my body done for that amount. If you are melanated please be careful...find an artist who actually works on clients of various skin colors and displays it. If you have soft, supple skin, be cautious... If you have the skin of a leather back turtle or genuinely just a slimeball this might be your place.

Got an appointment the next day, the work was amazing, atmosphere is so nice and welcoming, and…read moregave the best pricing for the best quality work around. 10 out of 10. Will always come here or recommend to anyone wanting some tattoo work done.