BELL & IRON Tattoo Studio is located in the heart of the Grand Lake Area of Oakland - a great neighborhood with tons of shops, bars and restaurants. We're a welcoming, family-friendly shop that offers a large variety of tattoo styles, and we provide new tattoos as well as cover-up tattoos. We are currently open BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
For same-day tattoos, please call or text the shop at 510-629-0320 for walk-in availability. Appointments can be made by calling the shop at 510-629-0320 or emailing us at bellandiron@gmail.com. A non-refundable $100 deposit is required for all scheduled appointments.
For same-day tattoos, please call or text the shop at 510-629-0320 for walk-in availability. Appointments can be made by calling the shop at 510-629-0320 or emailing us at bellandiron@gmail.com. A non-refundable $100 deposit is required for all scheduled appointments.
Services
Originally from New York, Joe moved to the Bay Area and has been a local artist here since 2005. Joe spent several years tattooing at One Shot Tattoo in San Francisco, and decided to open shop where he lives in Oakland in 2016. Joe loves working in all styles, with a particular affinity for very detailed work.
Xian has been working professionally as a piercer/bodymodifier for over two decades. He is as adept at doing very complicated piercings as he is piercing an earlobe. Xian is available by appointment. Come see Xian and our large selection of jewelry! To schedule an appointment with Xian call the shop at 510-629-0320, or email us at bellandiron@gmail.com.
We are currently APPOINTMENT ONLY, but same-day appointments are possible, based on artist availability. Please contact the shop to check availability. Availability depends on the artist and the date you wish to be tattooed -- weekdays are typically easier to book than weekends -- but we always have pockets of time in our schedules, and can typically accommodate you quickly.
Reviews (26)
B. S.
Nov 19, 2021
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I'm so glad I chose Joe Paul & his shop for my first tattoo. I'd been curious about the process for so long and if 2020 taught me anything, its to not overthink things, just jump in and do it. Joe was encouraging, excited for me, and very patient. The actual tattooing time was maybe 25% of the time he gave me, with the huge majority being going over designs, placement, explaining all the tools and how they work, and making sure I understood the healing process afterwards.
For anyone thinking about getting a first tattoo - or adding to decades worth of work - you can't go
For anyone thinking about getting a first tattoo - or adding to decades worth of work - you can't go
Adrienne D.
Jul 04, 2021
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The staff was wearing masks and gloves. For the security of all patrons, only the artist and anyone being tattooed are allowed in the shop. The shop was extremely clean too!
Between each person, the benches are cleaned down and covered with new protective material. My sisters and I went to get our sister tattoo and only 4 of us were in the shop--my sisters, myself, and our artist Isis.
Isis is an incredible artist. She takes her time and makes sure that you as the customer are satisfied with the tattoo. Her line work is amazing and did a good job making sure that me and my sisters were comfortable
Between each person, the benches are cleaned down and covered with new protective material. My sisters and I went to get our sister tattoo and only 4 of us were in the shop--my sisters, myself, and our artist Isis.
Isis is an incredible artist. She takes her time and makes sure that you as the customer are satisfied with the tattoo. Her line work is amazing and did a good job making sure that me and my sisters were comfortable
Tara B.
Jun 11, 2021
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I've been tattooed over a handful of times by a handful of artists, and this was an exceptional experience. Joe Paul is just an awesome person and an incredibly talented artist. We met for a consultation (all very COVID safe), and I gave him ideas of what I wanted for my concept. I wasn't sure what I would gravitate toward, but the designs he created were beautiful (and I was surprised at the one that resonated with me). The tattooing experience itself was unrushed, easy, and I don't know is this is me memory being fuzzy after having 2 kids, but it honestly didn't hurt much
Joe V.
May 27, 2021
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Angie L.
May 23, 2021
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Andrew Szendrey
May 18, 2021
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Celine T.
Apr 07, 2021
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Thuyvy N.
Apr 07, 2021
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Michelle R.
Dec 03, 2020
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This is a review that's a year long overdue. I wasn't going to write one but after thinking on it for a very long time, I think it's worth sharing. I got a matching tattoo done by Isis and while overall the design, customer service, and the process itself was great, the execution was poor. The colors chosen were nothing close to what I was explaining and was reassured that it would be toned down after the first day and it'll look pastel and water-color like, but it was not. The tone was very cool toned, even though the pictures I sent were warmed tone. It was very disappointing
Kelsey P.
Nov 28, 2020
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I had a great experience with the artist Speth at Bell & Iron! I gave them a vague request for "cute sloth" and I got an amazing tattoo. It's beautifully detailed and colorful and I've gotten a lot of compliments on it. The process was very safe - the appointment was scheduled in advance, we both wore masks, and all the equipment and surfaces were sanitized. Everything was easy and painless except for, you know, the tattoo. When I work up the courage to get another one I will definitely come here again!
Geber P.
Nov 10, 2020
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Speth Szabo was absolutely fantastic with tattooing me and my partner. She was patient in trying to figure out exactly what we wanted. My tattoo was simple, but my partner's tattoo was a little more complex. Nonetheless, Speth took the time to make sure it was exactly what my partner wanted. On top of this, Speth was friendly and very easy to talk to. We are extremely grateful for both an amazing experience and awesome tattoos! Highly recommended.
Yannick G.
Mar 15, 2020
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Kat S.
Feb 19, 2020
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Amazing Amazing experience all around from start to finish!! Everyone was so friendly and my design was custom made and exactly what I pictured, Joe Paul was so professional and so talented and so down to earth and friendly. I have been to many shops and this one is hands down my favorite, I will for sure be a repeat client and highly recommend!
Rachel R.
Jan 20, 2020
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Speth Szabo at Bell & Iron is a stellar tattoo artist as well as a very kind and patient human being. They helped me design my large upper back tattoo, taking the time to draw several versions until it turned out just right and we were ready to apply the stencil. Once the placement was finalized, getting the tattoo itself was a breeze. Yes, tattoos hurt (duh), but Speth makes it feel very cozy and calm while they are applying the ink. Great conversation, good music, and ergonomic positioning for the tattoo were essential. Afterwards, Speth gave me clear aftercare instructions and a lollipop
Hayden Dingman
Dec 31, 2019
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I've been going to Bell & Iron since it opened, and I've been going to Joe since before that, back when he was still at One Shot in the Sunset. He's done all my work for five years now, and that's because he's an incredibly friendly guy, charges a fair amount (especially by Bay Area standards), runs a clean shop, and does incredibly clean line and blackwork.
I recommend him to pretty much everyone, so why not Google as well?
I recommend him to pretty much everyone, so why not Google as well?
Helen P.
Dec 25, 2019
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I got two peonies tattooed on my back by Isis and I'm very happy with the results and process. I came in for a consultation that took about 10 minutes and told Isis about the placement, size, design, etc. that I was looking for. She took some notes and gave me an estimate for time/price. I came back a few weeks later for the actual tattoo appointment and was very happy with the final tattoo design she came up with. The tattoo shop is very clean, the tattoo artists are very chill/friendly, and the tattoo process itself is about as pleasant as it's going to get. I didn't even end up
Elizabeth Cline
Dec 07, 2019
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Velonda H.
Oct 14, 2019
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I recently got tattooed by Supeth and Arron couldn't be happier they are both incredibly talented artist and pretty much the nicest most accommodating tattoo artists I've ever worked with. The shop itself is so nice clean chill space you feel safe and comfortable there they take their time working with you on what you want it's a great shop to go to if it's your first time, I took my niece here for her first she left so happy thanks to Supeth! I look forward to getting more work done at Bell & Iron.
Katya G.
Mar 26, 2019
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Lisa S.
Oct 29, 2018
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I called and booked an appointment with Leah and paid the $100 deposit. I showed up and showed her what I wanted with a few subtractions and one added element. She was able to draw up what I wanted and executed the delicate line work flawlessly. The shop was clean and everything was set up with the utmost hygiene and safety...very professional. I'll definitely be back.
Tatiana M.
Sep 29, 2018
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My artist was Isis.
Super loved her I found her through Instagram and asked if she was available to do a tattoo like 2 days later and lucky she did have room. I got No Face(spirited away) which she knew exactly who that was so I was in heaven and it came out so nice can't wait to get more tattoos from her
Super loved her I found her through Instagram and asked if she was available to do a tattoo like 2 days later and lucky she did have room. I got No Face(spirited away) which she knew exactly who that was so I was in heaven and it came out so nice can't wait to get more tattoos from her
Sydney Manning
Jun 12, 2018
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Tiago R.
Apr 18, 2018
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I went in on the Valentine's day flash sale with my wife and I couldn't have had a better match than Morgan, since I picked a Star Wars design (princess Leia holding her laser gun) and when I got assigned to Morgan, he was wearing a Star Wars stormtrooper t-shirt!
He did an excellent work, and it was quite fast and painless. I got it on my left shoulder.
Morgan was so nice and sweet all the time, making sure I was comfortable. I really recommend him and the shop and I'm even planning to come back for another bigger piece with him.
BTW my wife also got a piece on the same day, with
He did an excellent work, and it was quite fast and painless. I got it on my left shoulder.
Morgan was so nice and sweet all the time, making sure I was comfortable. I really recommend him and the shop and I'm even planning to come back for another bigger piece with him.
BTW my wife also got a piece on the same day, with
Emily P.
Aug 28, 2017
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Nick Wallin did an amazing job with my tattoo. I got a branch with cherry blossoms going across my upper back. When I stopped in to explain what I wanted, Nick was encouraging and optimistic that he could do what I was looking for. I gave him a photo of a tattoo I liked, and he sketched something unique and that matched what I wanted. I set an appointment for a week later.
The whole process took two and a half hours, less than he'd initially predicted, probably because I sat like a rock and didn't ask for breaks. Really happy with the result, especially since this is the largest and
The whole process took two and a half hours, less than he'd initially predicted, probably because I sat like a rock and didn't ask for breaks. Really happy with the result, especially since this is the largest and
Jessica Eftink
Jul 27, 2017
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Chelsea Halliwell
Nov 13, 2016
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The artists here are some of the most talented and friendly that I have worked with in the Bay Area. The artists here represent a diverse skillset, and are always welcoming to visitors and longtime clients alike. I highly recommend this shop to anyone who wants quality work and a fun, inviting atmosphere.
