YELLOW BIRD TATTOO

Best tattoo shop in RVA!

This I‎s easily the best tattoo shop around. Everything I‎s so clean, the artists all do a fantastic job, the atmosphere I‎s so chill. I definitely will be coming back for all my future tattoos!

Nate did an amazing job on my newest tattoo. He’s done great work on me and my friends. I can’t stop looking at it. Couldn’t recommend him or this place more.

Don't waste your time here.

If you want a shop that won't respect your time, will give you attitude once they have you in and then not stand behind their work, this is the shop for you. Learn from my mistake, move on. If you want quality original work and an actual art experience, go somewhere else. My review is specific to Joe Fessman the owner, who sets the tone for the shop and did my work. Piece turned out OK. A few issues that I wanted fixed but he did not stand behind it and just acted like a complete prick during a followup session he requested I schedule. Would not even stand there and hear me, just ran away and hid upstairs leaving his employees wide eyed. One big issue I have is he charges for "custom work". I liked what he ultimately put together but NOTHING was original. Drawing turned out to be pieced together exact parts of other drawings I have found online (custom??). Just sayin', be honest about your work. The good reviews here swayed me, but are just friends who want to see him succeed so must have some redeeming qualities. If you are a paying customer and want my full experience to avoid issues? Read on.

For starters, I stop in to share a concept on a large piece (4-5 hours). He stated he would draw something up with a $100 deposit and if we schedule a session. Had a bit of attitude (first bad sign) about me asking what if I come back and I don't like the design? Said has never happened but would refund me. I make my appt. and drive 45 min to it. He is there but states he has no drawing because he lost my appointment. But, your system sent me reminders! Said he would draw something up for me and e-mail it later because of the mix-up so I think, good compromise. He sends me a drawing in 3 days that is nothing like I asked, looks rushed and very amateur. I explained it did not meet my expectations and he said maybe he isn't the right person for it since he is "very busy". Should have stopped there but a few days later he sends me a drawing that I liked so we schedule a 4 hour session. After 2 more reschedules, I get my 4 hour slot, show up for session and he is totally unprepared. No gun ready, no stencil ready, no ink ready, moaning the whole time, looking for his gear and borrowing stuff from another artist. We start 35 minutes late. We do 4 hours of work and an hour in, he starts complaining about colors, how hard it is to run a business, bragging about how much he makes on the other chairs, badmouthing other shops... Not the best 4 hour experience but telling myself I'm paying for the art and not the personality at this point. He finishes up and suggests I set up a 1 hr consult 3 weeks later to touch up anything after it heals. I book a 30 min consult and send him a note reminding him that I blocked an hour per his request for a little touch up and anything he sees. I show up, he greets me, "let's take a look" and then gets annoyed that I want a white eye made blue as intended and a little green in another area that looked funny. Tells me he doesn't do touch-ups now on Fridays and would need to schedule another session. Really? You asked me to come in! Probably 10 min of work. I get pissed at his wasting my time again and he tells me he ain't doing it. You are damn right you aren't doing it or anything else for that matter. Nothing else on his calendar, so clearly can't be bothered. I am pissed for him not standing behind his work and being a prick about it. His shop seems used to this, definitely not the first time. I don't wish anyone bad things but take your money elsewhere. His work was adequate but the experience sucks and professionalism not there. I will have it touched up somewhere else, not a big deal. Also, as a side notes, he wrapped it in plastic with no pad, vapes while doing work and does not seem to take the greatest care at cleanliness (if you care). No infection, but an observation vs other shops and how they do things better. Again, move on, take your money elsewhere.

We were here in VA for my nephew graduation and we wanted to get inked. After calling many locations JO answered and said he was close but would open the shop for us and he did. Cool spot comfortable and my tats are amazing. He was very informative as well.

Joe and his crew are friendly and care about their customers. The only place I trust for tattoos in the Richmond area. They all do awesome work.

I had a great experience here!! It was very clean and professional, also very welcoming! And Zac is really gentle and accommodating. Will definitely come again :))

I was a spur of the moment walk in. All the staff were immediately accommodating and friendly, I was able to get worked in on the spot. Jenna did my work and she was great! Definitely will come back.

Slim did a great job, Great environment, clean shop, I definitely plan on returning!

I actually did like Joe Fessmen's work but I just find it odd about him telling me that I shouldn't judge his peers work or talking bad about them,then telling me we need to go our separate ways but we are cool? Scratch my head over that still. Okay, whatever floats your boat. Probably slept on the wrong side of the bed. Idk. Weird