Uptown Arts

Stopped by Uptown Arts on a trip to Charlotte on 04/​07/​2016. (I live in South Carolina.) Was getting my first and only tattoo and the guys there were awesome. Went with a close friend who is mostly covered in tattoos.
Shop was clean and organized, and all three of the artist looked like they lived the tattoo lifestyle.
Scott was awesome and was very light handed. Obviously I have nothing to compare this to, but the friend I went with said he was the gentlest artist she had ever been to.
I’ll be going here for touch ups in the future (or the small chance I decide to get any more tattoos. I highly recommend this place to anyone in or around Charlotte!

I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this shop, from the minute I walked in to consult with Mike, I felt welcomed because everyone was really friendly and laid back. Mike did an outstanding job on covering up one of my tattoos on my wrist/​forearm and went above and beyond to take extra time on it; he is truly an artist that takes pride in his own work. He is also very friendly and professional. The other artists there are very friendly and do outstanding work as well. Ive lived in this area for about two years now and have been to a couple of other shops in Mooresville and the Lake Norman area but it is definitely worth the drive to come to Uptown Arts where you will get great work done and be treated with respect.

Getting a tattoo has always terrified me, but I’ve been talking about it for 3 years. On a spontaneous whim, I walked into this shop and immediately felt reassured that I was in good hands. Not only were Scott and Michael friendly, they were also very helpful in figuring out design and placement. I had an idea– told Scott to make it his own and wow! I could not have been any happier with the service. The pricing was great as well. Scott was helpful and kind. Very minimal pain and super professional and clean.

I had thought my mind was made up where I was getting my tattoo done until I met Mike and saw his work. This is a top notch studio. Mike was great, his work amazing, and the atmosphere was very laid back.

This is a shop I have been wanting to check out since it’s old location. It’s taken a few years to do it, but I finally went… SOOOOOO well worth it. The shop is quaint in size for just the right amount of room and comfortableness needed to get any type of piece done.
Mike Drossos is the own of this shop. He is also one of the main artists with Scott Cole working at the chair beside him. Scott’s portfolio is amazing as well and can’t wait to get a little banger done by him in the future!
Had my appointment with Mike on NYE & couldn’t have been happier to spend my last day of 2014 with him. He is an artist first & then a tattooist. I needed a part of a piece I had changed/​fixed due to another artist royally messing it up. We sat and he took the time to do a «real» consult. He sketched out freehand over the mess up, took his time, and made this piece finally something I will show off rather than cover up. Hell I didn’t even bleed! I absolutely love his OCD to making sure every line, shading, size and color is perfect. Watching him work was fascinating! Precision to anything you want to get touched up, covered up, or brand new is just superb. No wonder why he has a wall covered in awards and trophies.
I made sure I grabbed a bunch of his cards before I left to make sure that Uptown Arts is the place to go. Hell I was asked about my stuff in the market when I left and gave some out there. ;)
All in all this will be the place for any recommendations I will give and the only place I will go for any future work. This is the ONLY tattoo shop in Uptown & in my mind the only one on the CLT.
Thanks Mike!

Hands down, the best tattoo shop and artist in Charlotte. Mike D’s appointment only approach was exactly what I was looking for when picking out a shop for my next big tattoo. He’s professional, friendly, patient, and talented. Bring $ 50 for a deposit and reserve your day and time. Mike will spend the days leading up to your session designing and tweaking your tat. He’ll then spend time going over it with you the day of, before your ass even hits the chair or a needle touches your skin. The guy is the real deal. He’ll keep you laughing and you won’t even notice the sting that comes with getting tattooed. If you’re wanting a detailed, custom, professional tattoo, UA is the place to go.

There are many ways to describe a tattoo artist, like «great with color and technique» or some other crap that doesn’t really actually say anything about what the artist can do.
When I think about Mike Drossos, I think of «perceptive» in the sense that he’s able to use his keen eye for detail work hand-​in-​hand with his ability to understand the client’s need. I came to Uptown Arts after searching for an artist to do my full-​sleeve and I couldn’t have chosen anyone else better in Charlotte with the needs that my design required because he was able to allow the design to grow well past my limited scope and to breathe a whole new life into the art. When looking for an artist, THAT is something you should look for; some some punk who wants to alter the design to match their ability, but someone who’s ability allows them to match the design to the person.
Really, the man’s work can speak volumes for itself – well beyond what I can articulate onto paper and therefore is worth looking into.
The shop is clean and classily done so that I’m allowed the home-​like feel that I wanted. I didn’t feel pressured, like the shop was trying to give off a fake «air of coolness» or anything absurd like that (You know what I mean if you’ve been to more than one shop around Charlotte). I had the pleasure of meeting his other artist, Scott, who watched a lof the design unfold and added to the conversation for the day in a very pleasant way.
I was in the shop yesterday for over nine hours and it was tiring for all of us, but never did I feel out of place, like an obligation, or anything less than potentially making some new friends.
All-​around, I wouldn’t dare to dream to give Mike and Uptown Arts less than 5 stars because they deserve 6 for the work, the atmosphere, and over-​all amazing quality that they obviously have worked hard to acquire.

After researching tattoo artists I came across Michael Drossos who recently opened a shop in Uptown Charlotte. The shop itself is clean, classy and gave me the type of privacy I was looking for. Michael is an award winning artist and it shows. I was looking to have portrait work done and my expectations were greatly exceeded. The attention to detail was amazing. Michael was patient and engaged in some great conversation. I HIGHLY recommend his services to anyone whether it is your first tattoo or you are adding to your collection.