Blu Gorilla has earned its reputation as the one of South Carolina's premier tattoo shops in Charleston by having friendly staff, talented artists, and a sterle environment. Blu Gorilla is owned by Alyx Baranow and Tim Dennis and they are proud to have won Charleston's best tattoo shop 8 years in a row!
Not only are we able to design specific requests for our customers, but we also specialize in custom designs. Can't decide what you want? We have a large selection of tattoo flash you can choose from. Whether if it's your first tattoo or your hundredth, Blu Gorilla can make it happen. Feel free to come by and browse the artwork, talk to the artist and see what we can do for you!
Not only are we able to design specific requests for our customers, but we also specialize in custom designs. Can't decide what you want? We have a large selection of tattoo flash you can choose from. Whether if it's your first tattoo or your hundredth, Blu Gorilla can make it happen. Feel free to come by and browse the artwork, talk to the artist and see what we can do for you!
Reviews (28)
Trouble Blue
Jan 29, 2022
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Sterling Misanin
Jan 20, 2022
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Positive: Cleanliness, Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Value
Got a tattoo with Holly. And she truly delivered. Great quality, provided artistic vision on the design ideas I provided that were exactly what I was going for. She's also a very cool person, the whole process from email consultation to the appointment were smooth and easy. Definitely recommend
Service:Â Tattoos
Got a tattoo with Holly. And she truly delivered. Great quality, provided artistic vision on the design ideas I provided that were exactly what I was going for. She's also a very cool person, the whole process from email consultation to the appointment were smooth and easy. Definitely recommend
Service:Â Tattoos
Christina S.
Dec 29, 2021
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Billy F.
Nov 27, 2021
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Courtney B.
Oct 22, 2021
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I received my foot tattoo here. The shop was clean and they take pride in their health regulations. Everyone was super friendly and nice and my tattoo artist was amazing. I wanted a few words on my foot and he worked with me to make sure it was the vision I wanted whilst still holding up over the years. We went over the different types of fonts and sizes. It was a little bigger than I wanted but it had to be so it didn't turn into one little black block. It also helps that all the artists here are insanely talented and knowledgable about their craft. My tattoo turned out perfect and it&apos
Re Michura
Oct 03, 2021
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Positive: Cleanliness, Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Value
Dre was absolutely fantastic. We had another artist lined up but he had to cancel last minute. Dre worked on the 4 of us with no hesitation. We are from out of town and she flew in to our rescue like a champ!!! We truly appreciate you Dre!!! We love all of the work you did on us!!! You ma'am are a rock star!!!
Service:Â Tattoos
Dre was absolutely fantastic. We had another artist lined up but he had to cancel last minute. Dre worked on the 4 of us with no hesitation. We are from out of town and she flew in to our rescue like a champ!!! We truly appreciate you Dre!!! We love all of the work you did on us!!! You ma'am are a rock star!!!
Service:Â Tattoos
Sarah Williams
Sep 23, 2021
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For over 10 years, my Best Friends have shared a bond like no other. Planned a trip to Charleston and wanted a tattoo that we all share with our own little twists. We went to Blu Gorilla Tattoo and met an Amazing Artist, Dre! She drew out the design with each one of our twists and they came out perfect. Her line work is amazing and she will always be a part of us through the remainder of our friendship as she gave us a beautiful remind. Thank you Dre, you are awesome!
Sandra N.
Sep 06, 2021
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We went as a group of 4 siblings to get matching tattoos that we all agreed on for multiple symbolic reasons. However, we needed our tattoo small enough on our wrist that we could cover with jewelry or a watch at times. We were lectured and looked upon with disgust for our every request. We were told it needed to be larger and up our arms away from the wrinkle of our wrists for "sustainability." They insisted that the wrist would force the ink out and cause fading. However, that is where we wanted them. If they fade, we could always touch them up. It made no sense to me... what I WANT
Payton Gallant
Aug 30, 2021
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Lauren Bristow
Aug 02, 2021
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Jacob was amazing and such a cool guy. He was so professional and had all the designs I wanted already drawn up with various selections so I could pick the right one. I’m obsessed with his fine line tattoos and have gotten so many compliments from my friends and even random people in restaurants/ stores about them and have sent them his Instagram link. It’s hard to find a really good fine line tattoo artist and I’m so happy a friend suggested him to me. I’ll definitely be getting more from him/ sending more people to him. Would give 6 stars if I could.
Lilli Serral
Jul 15, 2021
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Mary Reynolds
May 24, 2021
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Brad did an amazing job on my tattoo that I got yesterday. I had an appointment booked out to the end of June and he was able to get me in early due to a cancellation. He was very flexible with what I wanted and did his best to make me feel comfortable! This shop is amazing and quite honestly one of the only in the Charleston area that I trust.
Carly K.
Feb 08, 2021
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Got my tattoo done by Jeremiah. He was super cool and made me feel comfortable. He knows his work and his lines are very clean. 10/10 would go back to him and the shop itself. Had all the proper covid protocols in place. I can see why they are voted best shop multiple times. All in all a rad experience!
Hannah H.
Jul 31, 2020
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Nic is my go to guy and did so incredibly well on my first piece I got from him that hes doing my whole leg. I always look forward to our appointments because I know he will nail the concept I give him and the appointments are always great because I feel like I'm getting tattooed by a friend, and I am. I didnt think tattoos could get this perfect until I went to him, beautiful bold straight lines and beautiful line work by a great guy.
R. M.
Dec 29, 2019
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No thanks...horrible customer service, I went in with something specific I wanted and they did everything on their power to turn me away. It kinda like a chef that's doesn't want to cook burgers, nonsense, cook what the people want. Many a great chef can't turn a profit and I'm sure it will be the same case here sooner or later
Altair I.
Oct 21, 2019
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I recently lost my daughter to a rare blood disorder and I wanted to have her little baby footprints tattooed on me. Ashley did an excellent job and I am very happy to have her as my tattoo artist. I plan on having another tattoo in the future and I'll make sure to have her do it. Thank you very much Ashley. This tattoo really means a lot to me.
MacKenzie V.
Oct 07, 2019
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Ramblin S.
Jul 22, 2019
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No doubt, BG employs some skilled artists, but is that enough? Here was my experience:
1. Emailed the shop, via their website, with a tattoo idea. Didn't hear back.
2. Went to shop. Person at front desk couldn't find my email so I shared the pic again. Set an appointment.
3. Sent an email to follow up with further details about the appointment.. No response.
4. Called the shop, told them I was having trouble reaching them through the website. Was told they 'never check that mailbox'. Without making any effort to address my issue, the person on the phone advised that
1. Emailed the shop, via their website, with a tattoo idea. Didn't hear back.
2. Went to shop. Person at front desk couldn't find my email so I shared the pic again. Set an appointment.
3. Sent an email to follow up with further details about the appointment.. No response.
4. Called the shop, told them I was having trouble reaching them through the website. Was told they 'never check that mailbox'. Without making any effort to address my issue, the person on the phone advised that
Anne W.
May 19, 2019
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Blu Gorilla was recommended to me by a friend, and I am so happy that I listened! I went in and told the nice people what I was looking for, they recommended Nic Rummel for the type of art I was interested in. Nic was not only an amazing artist, but also friendly, personable, and uber talented! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Johanna H.
May 06, 2019
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My husband and I were on our honeymoon and decided to get meaningful spontaneous couples tattoos. We did a quick google search and were impressed by the awards and history of the shop. We called and asked if they could take two walk ins. Lanore said she can't guarantee what we wanted to get done in our short window and told us to come in and see what they could do. We booked our lyft and arrived around 12:15, showed Lanore our ideas and said that Brad could squeeze me in at 4 and Pabby took my husband after about 40 min.
There was some talk between artists about Pabby also doing my tattoo
There was some talk between artists about Pabby also doing my tattoo
Nancy B.
Apr 28, 2019
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My friend and I were only going to be in town for a few days to check out Charleston and were excited to book appointments at Blu Gorilla after reading all of the wonderful reviews about the shop, and particularly about one of the artists: Ashley.
We called in roughly 3 weeks before our trip to book 2 appointments and spoke to a friendly receptionist who instructed us to email photos and details to a given email address and provide a $40 deposit to hold the appointments. He said he would share these details with Ashley so she would be able to prepare beforehand and that we were all set.
On the
We called in roughly 3 weeks before our trip to book 2 appointments and spoke to a friendly receptionist who instructed us to email photos and details to a given email address and provide a $40 deposit to hold the appointments. He said he would share these details with Ashley so she would be able to prepare beforehand and that we were all set.
On the
Zach P.
Oct 07, 2018
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Would not recommend. Went here looking for an addition to my tree tattoo. Just an add on. Ended up getting a full cover up without knowing. Absolutely horrible experience.
Day one: I told them I wanted lungs added to the roots of a tree I had originally done on my upper arm. I asked how long and much he said $400 and four hours or so. He places the print But it cover up some of the branches of the tree. He said "don't worry I'll tie it all in." This session ended after four hours and him telling me he will "finish up next session." $450 later with half my arm done
Day one: I told them I wanted lungs added to the roots of a tree I had originally done on my upper arm. I asked how long and much he said $400 and four hours or so. He places the print But it cover up some of the branches of the tree. He said "don't worry I'll tie it all in." This session ended after four hours and him telling me he will "finish up next session." $450 later with half my arm done
Sarah G.
Aug 22, 2018
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I had a really great experience with Blu Gorilla. Everything went really smooth; signing in, they were on time, and my tattoo turned out great. I liked that they have premade tattoo care cards for those who dont know how to treat tattoos. My only recommendation is to make an appointment. I booked mine on a Tuesday for Saturday and when I walked in Saturday they were so full they couldn't accept anymore people.
Jess S.
Jul 20, 2018
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Alexander A.
Apr 24, 2018
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I seriously couldn't be happier with my new Tattoo. This was my first visit & would recommend Blu Gorilla to anyone. Ashley did an amazing job. I provided pictures & and thoughts about how I wanted it to look, and when I arrived for my appointment she provided me with something even better. If you are looking for professional clean work check this place out.
Kelly C.
Apr 10, 2018
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Very happy with my experience at Blu Gorilla with Matt yesterday. Every time I drive by the Meeting St. location I think "I need to get in there" and finally I had the time. I stopped in on Sunday to make an appointment and consult over a design. When I came back Monday, I was reassigned to a different artist since he apparently does fine lines better than my original artist, but I was pleased with his honesty and integrity to make sure I got the quality of art that I wanted rather than him taking home some cash.
Matt and I worked together for probably 30 minutes to come up with a design
Matt and I worked together for probably 30 minutes to come up with a design
Kaylan King
Dec 31, 2017
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Kenetra J.
Jun 27, 2017
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I absolutely love this place especially for this being my first tattoo. Nick treated my sister and I with the upmost patience. Even though Blu Gorilla is known for larger and more creative tattoos, Nick made this simple tattoo have so much character and very neat.
Thank you again guys! I get lots of compliments btw
Thank you again guys! I get lots of compliments btw
