Aart Accent Tattoo & Piercing

I came here on Saturday afternoon because a friend (Andrea) of a friend (Jon) recommended this place as a good reliable clean place to get a tattoo.  I looked it up on Yelp and some other sites and it had good reviews.  She said I should try to have Ty do my tattoo but unfortunately he had just left when I showed up on Saturday.

However they weren't too busy and this guy Todd was able to do my tattoo even though I didn't have an appointment.  The place is a little weird and intimidating. The owner was sitting behind the counter sort of bossing everyone around. Not real friendly but not rude either.  I was excited to meet her because this is the oldest tattoo shop in Louisiana and also one of the only shops in the country owned by an African American lady.  As usual though, I was more excited to meet her than she was of me.  There was another black lady working there who was more friendly and helpful and helped speed things along.  When I told them I wanted a Fleur de Lis I assumed they would roll their eyes because it's so cliche but instead they were super enthusiastic and helpful.

I showed them the flash I wanted and Todd blew it up a little bigger for me.  Todd was really great to work with. He was friendly, used clean needles, and a very good tattoo artist.  My tattoo is already scabbed and the scabs are coming off so that's great - only 4 days later! He is very gentle, didn't press hard unlike other tattoo artists I've had.  So no scarring.  He also added some color  - purple and white and didn't charge me extra for it.

Just like anywhere in New Orleans - everyone's real talkative and friendly. So if you are in a rush make it clear, otherwise you're going to spend over an hour and most of that is just talking.

If I go back to New Orleans I'd definitely get another tattoo by Todd.  The place is also reasonably priced.  It was $80 for that tattoo + tip.

The place is a little dirty looking as far as dirt on the floor, stains on the ground, etc,. but the equipment is clean and that's what counts.  

And you get a stamped card - for every 7 or so tattoos you get you get a $40 credit for your 8th!

The only bummer is that they only accept cash (no plastic) so be prepared.  However there is an ATM there.

I came here one night a few months ago to get my nose pierced. I normally like to bring my business to Electric Ladyland on Frenchmen Street, but they only pierce noses with rings and I wanted a stud. This place was close to my house so I thought I'd check them out.

I parked right out front. It was later in the evening, although I can't remember the exact time (sometime between 11 PM and 1 AM). The two guys working the store were outside smoking. As I walked up they asked when I was there to have done. I said I wanted to get my nose pierced and they said they were going to finish their cigarettes and to go wait inside. *Sigh*....so that isn't the biggest deal in the world, I get it..you're on a smoke break, however--they were just so blah and unfriendly when they said it that I was a little put-off.

So I wait inside for about 10 minutes while they shoot the breeze outside. There are a handful of customers inside looking at tattoo books. Most of the customers look younger than me and I am in my early-20s. Finally the guys come back in and gesture for me to come up to the counter. I give them my debit card to pay and without saying anything they just point over my shoulder. I'm confused and then finally turn around and see an ATM. Uhh, okay, couldn't you have just said you didn't take cash rather than being obscure and using hand gestures?? I'm close to just saying "f*%$ it" at this point, but I get my cash out and pay.

The guy that took me to the back and pierced me didn't have a very good bedside manner. When I go to Electric Ladyland, all of their staff (especially their piercer) are so friendly and keen to explain exactly what they're doing with your piercing and/or tattoo. They are also good about keeping up small talk to help with nerves. The guy here at Aart barely said anything (except to correct me when I misidentified a part of the city I was talking about). He quickly pierced me and then sent me on my way without giving me cleaning instructions.

Despite all of this, I still tipped him. When I tipped him, he seemed genuinely surprised and immediately became much more friendly. Maybe what  happens is that, since this place is on the outskirts of the Quarter and open late, they get in a bunch of drunk tourist customers who don't tip and, because of this, are a bit disenchanted with their job. However, that still isn't an excuse to act like working on your customers (who are your livelihood) is a chore.

I won't be returning and wouldn't suggest this business to family or friends.

I cheated on my tattoo artist while in New Orleans for Halloween 2010.  Just swung by this shop after walking by a few times and deciding I liked the vibe in there.  That's where I met Todd...What an artist this guy is! He did a chest piece on me that rivals anything I've seen in any shop (and I've been in a fair few).  I dig his work and his company so much I'm thinking I may just have him do all my work anytime I'm down in the Big Easy.