Five stars all around to Bob. This shop is a cool spot within a really tiny plaza. It's squeezed in next to Quickshot Indoor Gun Range, I didn't even realize it was there at first! It was a Saturday and I wanted a tiny tattoo just wording no graphic or shading. Very basic but I wanted the line to be really fine so it was definitely some precision line work. I went to another shop first that was booked up and they suggested Upper Hand Tattoo because Saturday is their walkins only day. We drove over around 4pm and waited about a half hour. They had I believe three artists working through the customers. Within the Russian tattoo artist roulette I was up next when Bob was available. I'd been admiring some of his US Navy themed tattoo sketches all along the walls so j was happy to get him! He looked over my idea and suggested a slightly different approach because we knew my idea wouldn't fit properly in the location I'd chosen. After some tweaking he came back to me with a new idea that I loved even more. Minutes later he had me paying the front desk girl (cash only friends) and I was ready. Pricing was reasonable too, exactly what I was expecting it to be. Once at his station he carefully laid out his tools and unwrapped the needles from their protective sealed wrappers right in front my eyes. Everything was very professional and he was also cool to talk to. He was really quick which I appreciated since it was on the inside of my wrist (ouch!) yet he was not too quick to make mistakes. It came out perfectly and I love it! I'll post a photo later read more

I walked in to get a tattoo while visiting Charleston. The wait was a bit long but worth it! Kay did my tattoo and she listened to what my ideas were and i asked her to design with her talent as an artist and she did a wonderful job!!! She is very detailed and talented! My tattoo did not really hurt! Very surprising for my chest/upper arm shoulder area! Staff was very friendly! Place was clean and smelled good! read more

Upper Hand Tattoo Studio - Tattoo Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Very good atmosphere! Kay Tat is my artist. She was very kind and diligent while she work. The other artist were also friendly and had me laughing every time I turn with funny jokes and friendly banter. I will definitely becoming back to receive more services. read more

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What an awesome place! Me and my wife decided to go get tattoos for our son on a spontaneous whim. We were on our 10 year anniversary trip to Charleston SC. I researched tattoo parlors around our area and I notice this one very quickly. They are open for walk ins only on Saturday's. We went in and everyone was so professional and very welcoming. We had reference photos for what we wanted and Steve was great at giving us suggestions! We had a great conversation while we were getting tattooed. The whole crew was fun and joking back and forth! Thank you for a great tattoo experience! I will be calling to set an appointment for me and my wife to get our son's hand written name on our tattoos! These guys are great I highly recommend them! read more

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Not very friendly to a person that's new to the area that does their research. Military with plenty of tattoos, that tried with Kay with a broken online system to only get pushed away read more

While visiting Charleston my friend & I decided to get tattoos. We used Yelp to find a location. This studio did us right! My artist, Daniel, listen to & drew up the perfect design. I was slightly nervous but Daniel reassured me & just wow! He did an amazing job! If in the area, i suggest getting a tattoo at this studio. There is also a sister studio not far from this location. read more

Upper Hand Tattoo Studio - Tattoo Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I've been through a lot this year. First it was the passing of my husband and then my son. Chad did an excellent job in representing them! Thanks Chad for helping me honor my two loves during this difficult time! read more

Upper Hand Tattoo Studio - Feather represents the first gift my husband sent me from heaven! "The Storm Is Over Now!" RIP - Tattoo Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I cannot say enough amazing things about this studio! 9 of us walked in for matching tattoos and they were so accommodating and kind through the whole process. Gunnar, Steve, and Megan were all so great and did a phenomenal job. We will definitely be back!! read more

Everything is super clean, the staff is very friendly and Megan who did my tattoo did my tattoo did an amazinggg job she completely executed my dream tattoo. 10/10 recommend. read more

I actually like Upper Hand, but decided I won't come back after there were no more responses to my emails. Chad did a tattoo for me which wasn't anything too extravagant. My best friend had designed it and I showed it to him. He made some minor changes and he did the tattoo. I think his changes were warranted. I had talked to him about doing a cover up and showed him where it would be and we talked about some ideas. He drew some really rough sketches on his iPad to give me an idea about what the cover up might potentially be like (it was all in white, no color to the sketch). It all sounded good, but he asked me to find some images of what I might like. So I went home and I Googled some images. I emailed UH and that started some messages. They wanted me to put a deposit down, which is not out of the ordinary, but I was hesitant as I needed to figure out when I could get there again without issues and if that would work with the artist. Well, the emails never got that far. There were also delays in replies on my part as I developed a bacterial sinus infection and didn't know it until I was pretty bad off because the whole time, I thought my allergies were acting up. Anyway, Chad did amazing work on the tattoo he did do for me. He was very professional and made great conversation. I don't have many tattoos so he made me feel very comfortable. I'd recommend him if you want to get a tattoo at UH, but I ended up paying a deposit somewhere else to get my coverup done. read more

My husband got a tattoo from artist Ashley Henson at Upper Hand. He gave her a wing drawing he created and scheduled an appointment a week out. She took his drawing and made it even better. He wasn't sure he wanted shading, but she put shading in the drawing she did and it looked awesome! This tattoo had heavy line work and she killed it! She was very personable and professional. The shop is clean and would recommend anyone to this shop. He is very happy with the wing!! He would say so himself, but he doesn't have Yelp! Thanks for the awesome tattoo! We love it! read more

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Bob is such a great artist! Very professional, kept me calm during a (painful) rib tat. 10/10 would see again.

The shop looks great and the artists' work looks good, but the staff was so unfriendly and not helpful. We called to ask if they are open and accepting walk ins. The response from the woman on the phone was"Yep." I said, great, can they fit us in today? Again, "Yep." Straightforward enough, though a little off-putting. So the three of us drove to the shop. When we walked in, it was clear that they were booked.. people were sitting in all available chairs in the lobby. I talked to the woman at the desk and explained we'd just spoken on the phone about getting a tattoo today. She asks me what I want, then where I want it. We already had a sketch so I have her all the info. At that point, she said in a rude tone, "Well were all booked up today. If we get to you, and that's a big IF, it won't be until 7:30 or 8 pm tonight." (This was at 4:15 pm) so we left. That would have been a very simple thing to explain on the phone instead of allowing your potential clients to drive out of their way to go to a shop that you know may not be able to see them today. Again, nothing against the artists themselves, but very poorly staffed. read more