Keys On Kites Tattoo and Gallery

Let me start out by saying I’ve been getting tattooed by Steve an artist at keys on kites. He’s done some of the most incredible artwork I’ve ever seen and I’m lucky to have it on my body. He’s done an extremely important and heart felt portrait for me which means the world to me. Steve and the whole crew at the shop have showed me nothing but respect and concern for my needs and wants. The shop is EXTREMELY clean and well rounded. I recommend this shop to anyone for any type of tattoo you would be considering getting for yourself .they will be more than happy to cater to you and guarantee that you will be pleased when you are finished. Extremely talented artist and all around great vibe given from here.

like some of the other reviews on here, I was disappointed with the artwork that was shown to me as a rough draft of my tattoo. the lines weren’t straight and would curve or change in width in random areas. when I asked the artist to fix it, he scoffed and told me he knew what I wanted and this was just a rough draft. rough draft or not, this thing is going on my body and will be there forever. ended up leaving and going to a more respected parlor in downtown new haven with artists that seem to care for my concerns.

I use this site a lot for recommendations on all sorts of things. I’ve gotten a couple tattoos at keys on kites and I must say they are a well versed staff with no style alike. Meaning they have a wide range of skill and each with their own unique style, attitude and skill. Thats the cool thing about artists, they’re all different and interpret things their own way. This shop has a great antique-​ish atmosphere to get tattooed in with a bonus super cool and super clean bathroom. I’m surprised to see anything but positive reviews of this place. I’d recommend this shop and its employees to my friends and family.

Alright so I been thinking lately in getting my first tattoo so I figured I check this place out since its in walking distance from my home.
As soon as I walked in there an employee says «weppa» I’m Hispanic and hearing that from a white person makes me feel not welcome at all.
instead of greeting the customer which nobody ever did they went right to the point «how can I help you» immediately I knew that I was not getting my first tattoo at this place.
I proceeded and asked the employee if they had samples of their work he pointed at a table and told me «you can go see those» at this point I really didn’t feel comfortable in sitting in that place and having 10 men starting at me.
I asked if they had their art work online and he says «you can always check Facebook»
Another employee came out and handed me a Flyer with their website on it and told me «to check there at my leisure» I believe that was an owner or the manager.(he was somewhat helpful because at least he handed me a flyer)
Not very helpful or welcoming place.

I went to the shop an hour before closing thinking the artist would still take their time considering they said yes to taking an appointment. However he seemed rushed from the beginning but kept reassuring me he knew what I wanted in the details of the tattoo. The stencil was accurate and the artist told me he would add the extra details after. I wanted the quote to be in a rounded monogram style… he told me he understood but clearly did not. He added loops and squiggles from the letters making it hard to tell what the words even are. The letters are also not evenly spaced. I felt as though he rushed through the tattoo to «get out of work on time» and was dishonest about understanding my design. This is my 19^th tattoo… and my most disappointing. I will never return to this place or recommend it to anyone. He was unprofessional and unskilled. An established artist should be able to properly space words so they read correctly. See picture in gallery «you reap what you sow»

I didn’t love this place. I brought a very intricate design in that I loved for its intricacy. The guy seemed lazy and told me that he «had» to simplify it and take away some of the complexity. Basically, it’s not what I wanted and I could have gotten something intricate (I’ve seen far more intricate things done on people) had I gone to a more experienced artist. Plus, it’s been 2 months and I’m still bruised from this guy. He was waaaay too rough. Not a gentle hand at all. Either it’s bruising or, even worse, blowout. While I’m totally fine with the tattoo (I have to be, right?), I wish I had gone somewhere a little bit more skilled.