Business Details
34 Years
experience
Your Trusted Tattoo Shop in NYC
Rising Dragon has been a trusted name in the tattoo industry since 1992, serving clients in New York City with exceptional artistry and personalized service. Our team of experienced artists, each with a minimum of 10 years in the field, specializes in creating custom tattoos across diverse styles, including Japanese, realism, tribal, and traditional designs. Located in a welcoming, clean studio at the border of Chelsea and the West Village, we prioritize client comfort and satisfaction, offering a collaborative environment where creativity thrives. With over three decades of combined experience, our artists are committed to delivering high-quality work that reflects each client's unique vision.We maintain strict hygiene standards, use single-use needles, and provide a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere that makes every visit feel like home. Whether you're seeking a small, intricate piece or a full sleeve, our team ensures precision, care, and artistic excellence in every tattoo. Our reputation as one of NYC's premier tattoo shops is built on decades of reliability, integrity, and a passion for the craft. We welcome walk-ins and offer flexible scheduling to accommodate your needs, ensuring a seamless experience from consultation to aftercare.
Services
Japanese Tattoos
Realism Tattoos
Tribal Tattoos
Traditional Tattoos
Color Tattoos
Black & Grey Tattoos
Sleeve Tattoos
Back-Piece Tattoos
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of experience in the tattoo industry.
- Our artists specialize in diverse styles, including Japanese and realism.
- We maintain a sterile, clean environment with single-use needles.
- Our private studio offers a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere.
- We provide walk-ins and flexible scheduling for client convenience.
What people say
Great experience
Friendly staff
Reasonable price
Amazing work
Highly recommend
Services
Japanese Tattoos
Our Japanese tattoos blend centuries-old techniques with modern artistry, featuring intricate designs like koi fish, dragons, and cherry blossoms. Artists use bold lines and vibrant colors to create timeless pieces that honor cultural heritage while reflecting personal meaning. Clients receive detailed consultations to ensure designs align with their vision and body contours.
Realism Tattoos
Realism tattoos capture lifelike details through precise shading and color blending. Artists specialize in portraits, animals, and scenes that mimic photographs, using advanced techniques to achieve depth and texture. Each piece is tailored to the client's preferences, ensuring a striking, true-to-life representation that stands out.
Sleeve Tattoos
Sleeve tattoos cover the arm with cohesive themes, from traditional motifs to custom narratives. Artists collaborate closely with clients to design seamless compositions that flow across the body. Multiple sessions ensure meticulous attention to detail, resulting in a unified, visually stunning piece that tells a personal story.
Tribal Tattoos
Tribal tattoos feature bold, geometric patterns rooted in Polynesian culture. Artists use black ink to create dynamic shapes that symbolize strength, heritage, or personal milestones. Designs are customized to fit the body's curves, offering a striking, minimalist aesthetic with deep cultural significance.
Black & Grey Tattoos
Black & grey tattoos use varying ink shades to create depth and dimension without color. Artists specialize in portraits, religious imagery, and street art, employing shading techniques to produce dramatic contrasts. This style offers a classic, versatile option for clients seeking bold, timeless designs.
People
Darren Rosa
Owner & Tattoo Artist
Darren Rosa, a native New Yorker with over 30 years of experience, founded Rising Dragon. Known for his dedication to artistry and client care, he specializes in custom designs that reflect individual stories. His leadership ensures a studio culture of creativity, professionalism, and inclusivity.
Jason Barletta
Tattoo Artist
Jason Barletta, a skilled artist with over a decade of experience, specializes in trash polka and Polynesian designs. Clients praise his attention to detail, patient consultations, and ability to transform ideas into unique tattoos. His friendly demeanor and artistic precision make him a favorite among first-time and returning clients.
Chris
Tattoo Artist
Chris, a renowned realism tattoo artist, creates lifelike portraits and detailed scenes. With over 10 years in the industry, his work focuses on precision and emotional depth, often incorporating client narratives into each piece. His calm approach ensures a comfortable experience while delivering exceptional results.
Jace
Tattoo Artist
Jace specializes in bold traditional tattoos, including nautical themes and floral motifs. With a career spanning 15 years, his clean lines and vibrant color work stand out in classic designs. Clients appreciate his straightforward style and commitment to making each tattoo uniquely personal.
Alfred
Tattoo Artist
Alfred excels in cover-up tattoos and intricate designs, transforming existing ink into fresh, creative pieces. With 12 years of experience, his versatility spans multiple styles, from realism to abstract art. His focus on client collaboration ensures satisfaction, even in complex tattoo revisions.
Questions
What tattoo styles do you offer?
We specialize in Japanese, realism, tribal, traditional, color, black & grey, sleeves, and back-piece tattoos, among other styles.
Are your artists experienced?
Yes, all artists have at least 10 years of experience, with owner Darren Rosa boasting over 30 years in the industry.
What safety measures do you follow?
We use single-use needles, maintain a sterile environment, and follow strict hygiene protocols to ensure client safety.
Do you offer walk-in services?
Yes, we accommodate walk-ins whenever possible, though appointments are recommended for complex designs.
What payment methods are accepted?
We accept cash and credit cards, with discounts available for cash payments.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Philip Chong
Dec 29, 2021
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Positive:Cleanliness,Professionalism,Punctuality,Quality,Value
I got my first tattoo done here was super clean and professional. My tattoo turned out better than I couldve imagined would 100% come back again.
Service:Tattoos
I got my first tattoo done here was super clean and professional. My tattoo turned out better than I couldve imagined would 100% come back again.
Service:Tattoos
Joe Lunievicz
Dec 26, 2021
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First time getting a tattoo and had a great experience from first contact to a shop visit to the design and tattooing itself. Darren theDude is a true artist and keeps a warm friendly shop. He had a lot of patience with me as a first timer. But more than anything his work is beautiful, creative, magical. He created a story of my life in ink that is striking and that I'll be proud to wear. I can't recommend him and his team highly enough. Rising Dragon is the place to go.
Hyeon Mu Jang
Dec 22, 2021
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Darren is a good artist for asian design tattoo. He is ready for your sketch for your session before it starts. He also is very efficient. He does not overcharge unlike some other tattoo artist. Highly recommend.
Agnes Ivaskeviciute Jiang
Dec 18, 2021
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I LOVE this tattoo shop. I got my very first tattoo here which is a Japanese body suit (I'm a go big or go home kinda gal, lol) and it's a custom crane piece created by Darren. I can only say that he indeed is THE DUDE, and you can really see that he loves his job and it really shows through his artwork. Because I spend so much time at the shop getting tattooed, I also get to see other artists' work and they're all truly amazing, you can't go wrong with booking a session with either one of Rising Dragon's artists.
Vlone
Dec 18, 2021
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Positive:Quality
Booked the session from Colorado to be done when I came to the city. First time at Rising Dragons. Dope work Done by Alfred definitely look forward to the next session. Had Some Good Laughs while getting tatted shoutout to ( Chris & his Boy ) ...If you looking for a dope spot this the place
Service:Tattoos
Booked the session from Colorado to be done when I came to the city. First time at Rising Dragons. Dope work Done by Alfred definitely look forward to the next session. Had Some Good Laughs while getting tatted shoutout to ( Chris & his Boy ) ...If you looking for a dope spot this the place
Service:Tattoos
