Ambrotos Tattoo

Initially I came here because it was close and had excellent reviews. But I’m leaving this review because of the absolutely fantastic experience I had. Super cool space with exotic masks and Star Wars paraphernalia along with the usual tattoo examples. I was happily greeted at the door and offered a comfy place to sit. I had a rather large solid black piece done on my ribs and it took almost 3 hours but I didn’t even notice because we literally laughed the whole time. Matt and Gia were a joy to be around and relative to the location (let just say ribs hurt) Matt’s touch was so light I barely even noticed. I will send EVERYONE I know there. And will be back for any other tattoos I get in the future. Thank you guys for such a wonderful experience.

I could not have asked for a better ‘first tattoo’ experience. My artist was Nikko, he is so skilled and talented. He talked me through the process, listened to all my ideas and reassured me throughout. All the staff were so friendly and experienced. I am so happy with the final result. Thank you so much.

I got pierced by Sev. I will never be returning. I have the entirety of my back tattooed and have had over 10+ piercings over the years. I have never experienced someone so rude and so condescending. On top of all that within 3 days I was fighting an infected ear most likely due to his blundering about with the jewelry. I have never had an infected piercing before and follow the guidelines laid out by
in cleaning and caring for all new piercings. This is a terrible tattoo shop and I would suggest if you want anything pierced go anywhere else. Absolutely terrible.

I went here for my first tattoo and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Everyone that worked there was super nice and my tattoo artist Sarah was absolutely amazing. I cannot wait for the finished product.

The kid working the front desk was straight up rude to multiple customers. Anyone ever had there piercings yelled out in front of everyone? I now know a few women’s private piercings…
YOURE GETTING YOUR NIPPLES DONE RIGHT?!
The look on multiple girls faces after this was enough to make me not want to bring anyone here.
Oh and don’t forget to bring cash. He’ll be sure to tell you a billion times they take card but cash is so much easier for them. Then look at you like you just pooped on the floor when you take a credit card out.
Looks like they’ve gone down hill since I was last here…

Let me start off by saying I used to be a regular at this tattoo shop, whether it was for tattoos or piercings. However, over the years the quality of their employees diminished.
Here are two incidents that made me decide never to step a foot in this shop.
1– I have two dermals on my shoulders, one of the dermals became extremely infected and sunk in under my skin. I decided to visit ambrotos and have a professional remove it or save it. The piercer I spoke with had no idea what to do. He repetitively mentioned that he never saw anything like this and the best think I can do is place a hot compress (Boy was he wrong) and buy a fishing line (YES, a fishing line) and try to wrap it around the inflamed skin and pull it out. I was appalled and how unknowledgeable and ridicule he sounded. Needles to say I went somewhere else were they were able to pull it out and save my piercing.
2– A month after this incident I went back to ambrotos to change the stud for my dermal. When I asked the receptionist (a young kid) who the piercer was and once he mentioned the «unknowledgeable» pierced I nicely say no thank you. Make a super long story short he had a serious attitude and he attempted to provoke me and tell me that I don’t know anything about dermals. As if I didn’t have them for over 6 years.
Completely over the unprofessionalism and lack of loyalty to regular customers.

I got my septum pierced 2 days ago by George. 40 bucks. The day he pierced it the ball fell off the ring. I looked up in the mirror & it was gone– didnt feel a thing. I called first & they advised me to come back in, though the shop was to close in 15 mins. I got there & George gladly replaced the ball that had fallen from the current ring & supplied another ring– the one he took the replacement ball from. He was very kind and concerned throughout my piercing process & I def recommend him.

I got a $ 400 all black tattoo on my back about 6 months ago.
It looks incredible. Much better than I expected. I get compliments all the time.
However… The place was not as clean as I hoped. And when he finished the tattoo (quite large), he just put a paper towel on it and used scotch tape.
I don’t know how it’s supposed to be done, but that seemed unprofessional.
That was just one guy, and I don’t know if he works there anymore.
I don’t know if he works there anymore, but I know I am going to find him for my next tattoo.

Not a fan. Got an ear pierced and a few days later the ball from the ring falls off, and they won’t replace it, because that’s a ‘service’ for $ 5. To FIX what wasn’t done right the first time. You’re supposed to go back every time that stupid ball falls off? I’ll just go somewhere else.

This is the second time I’ve been here the first time was a few years ago for a tattoo that I love very much and this time I came to get my nipples re-​pierced. George did a great job he was cool and funny as hell. He made me feel very comfortable and he was very professional. Very sanitary as well. He answered every question I had very professionally and explained the after care. Overall I was very happy with the experience and will refer anybody to him. Thanks George

Solid artists! I got my tattoo today by Zac and he was awesome. He worked with me on what would look best based on the design I brought in and gave me a fair price. Although he was busy and I was a drop in, he made a same day appointment with me. Very professional shop. He made me feel like a friend not just another client. I explained the horror stories I had with previews tattoo artists and he explained to me the entire process along the way. This is a definite recommendation! I love my tattoo.

I have gotten four tattoos done here. Two by Zachary & two by Violet. Violet is my fav! I love her. She’s super chill not too heavy handed and does awesome work. Zachary is pretty cool too. But he’s a little heavy handed and for some reason the two tattoos that he did for me did not last longer than a month. I do understand that finger tattoos have a tendency of fading quickly but I know tons of people with them that never touched it up before and it still looks fresh. I don’t know if it’s the ink or what. I got it touched up after a month a half and he charged me $ 45 after he told me when he did it that he’ll do free touch ups on it. But I didn’t argue I just wanted it fixed. But the shop is pricey anyway. But it is s clean place. Everyone seems to be pretty cool. I don’t have any problems.

I went today and got my tragus pierced and they were very professional fun and clean. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who wants to get a piercing I saw Megan and she was legit. I was nervous and a little afraid but she was very reassuring so I calmed down.

At some point this morning on my way to class, I decided that I wanted to get my nose re-​pierced. After searching through all the reviews on Unilocal for shops in the DC area, I decided on this one and it was really a great choice.
I walked from the Silver Spring metro which might have been 10 minutes at the most. It was snowing, so that added more time. But it was SO easy to find.
My experience in the shop was awesome from beginning to end. Hannah took my ID and payment and had me fill out a consent form. From there, I went back with Meghan and she explained everything she was going to do throughly. She saw that I had gotten my nose pierced before so she just used the same spot. It was very quick with minimal pain. Afterwards, she told me how to care for my piercing. She gave me a baggy with sea salt, written aftercare instructions, and also her card in case I needed to contact her.
I would absolutely recommend this shop and I would definitely go back — I’m already planning my next piercing.

From the moment I called to inquire about pricing everyone was so nice. I later walked in to get a nose piercing by Meghan. The place was nice and clean and smelled clean. She was the sweetest and very professional. The price was reasonable as well. I decided to get a tattoo while in as there. Gia was extremely sweet and did an amazing job. I will Def be back!

I recently got my nipples pierced by Meghan! She is FANTASTIC!!! If you are considering a piercing, this shop is where it’s at. I was told she works Monday — Thursday 12pm– 9pm. George is the piercer on the weekends. This is my second time having my nipples pierced. The first time was literally 2 weeks ago. I was not happy with the placement. Seemed like a rushed piercing. Idk. Whatever the case I took them out the same day. Waited 2 weeks to heal. The recommend time is 3+ weeks. Mine healed pretty quickly.
ANYWAYS! I highly Recommend this place. Ask for MEGHAN when you call!
Happy Piercing y’all!

I have been going here for 12 years. As the owner knows, I am a very happy customer who has brought MANY friends there, who have been repeat customers and I have never been anything besides satisfied, and extremely happy with every single thing Ambrotos has ever done, between tattoos and piercings.
My first tattoo done by them was when I was 18. I came in with my own drawing, it was half done-​I couldn’t get the halves to match up. In total, 5 hours were spent by Mike, perfecting my drawing, he was calm, nice, and really chill about working his butt off, then bam, this gorgeous tattoo is permanently inked on my back. My friends were with me, it was fun and we all had a great time.
Not once have I ever had a «weird vibe» as seems to be a common comment throughout these posts. It’s a small shop, with comfy couches and nice receptionists or artists who come to the register. Mike is usually right there, with a small window that sort of looks into his tattooing area.
I have been in there, (I have about 15 tattoos, and quite a few piercings) many times, myself, alone, with friends, or going with friends to get them pierced or inked. Everyone has had a great time. I even talked a friend into going back, this is a fun story. About 2 years ago, my two friends and I wanted to get some tattoos done. My one friend, back when she was younger had an iffy experience with a tattoo artist who is no longer there, who apparently made one very small mistake on her large back piece.
Taking into consideration all of my gorgeous tattoos, and my positive experiences, she said okay, let us go back. So we all went back and the three of us had a great time with Mike. I have only been tattooed there by Mike and Adam. THEY ARE BOTH PHENOMENAL. They really really really care about making your artwork perfect.
Anyway, we were there together the three of us, we ordered a pizza and we all (Mike) my friends and I had a great time and the prices I think are more than fair, for what you are getting!!!
Vanessa is an awesome piercer, so is George :)

I was recommended to Jared for a tattoo. I was lucky enough for him to be available when I decided to do a walk in with my friend. Right away you could tell he had a chill approachable vibe. He was very attentive to the detail and did a fantastic job. Love my tattoo and will definitely go back to him again!

I had a good experience today with Meghan! She did an ear piercing for me today,
I am terrified of needles, after meeting her I immediately felt very comfortable.
I had to get my ear re pierced after a bad piercing from Claires.
I loved my experience. She even replaced the ear ring on the other side so that it would heal better! I would def. go back if I needed anything else done… She made my day and fixed a piercing I have been struggling with for months.
Love Meghan, go see her if you need a hole or two or three! :)

I walked in on a whim and decided to get my nose pierced for the second time. Meghan did an amazing job. It was over in seconds and was a lot less painful than I’d anticipated.