ethereal (adj.) — delicate, otherworldly, almost too exquisite to belong to this earth.
We named our studio Ethereal Tattoo Gallery because we believe in the transcendent power of art—the kind that lingers in the mind long after you’ve seen it, the kind that feels like it was pulled from a dream. But while the word itself suggests something fleeting, our tattoos are anything but. They are permanent, precise, and crafted to stand the test of time. Here, the ethereal meets the eternal—where delicate details and bold compositions are rendered in ink that stays as vivid as the day it was made.
So why a gallery, not just a studio or a shop? Because this space was built to honor the tradition of fine art. Our walls, our process, and our approach reflect the reverence of a gallery—each tattoo is a curated piece, each artist a skilled hand trained in the discipline of classical beauty. In an industry crowded with quick-turn shops, we wanted to create something different: a place where tattooing is treated as the sacred craft it is, where every piece is a collaboration between artist and collector.
Our Space
Ethereal Tattoo Gallery is located at 730 Rigsbee Ave (across from Motorco Music Hall, next to Fullsteam Brewery) in Durham, NC, in the heart of the Foster and West Geer Streets Historic District. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013, the district features buildings primarily dating between 1927 and 1963.
The building that houses Ethereal Tattoo Gallery was originally part of the Royal Crown and Seven-Up Bottling Plant, built in 1939. This plant served as a bottling facility for RC Cola, 7-Up, Tru-Ade, and water until 1963. The rear wing, where Ethereal Tattoo Gallery and Fullsteam are now located, was used for bottle storage.
After decades of vacancy, the building was purchased and renovated in 2012. Ethereal Tattoo Gallery officially moved in in November 2018. The renovation preserved the building's historical charm, including concrete floors, steel frame windows, exposed wood joist ceilings, and brick walls, while incorporating modern amenities like new mechanical, electrical, and sprinkler systems.
Ethereal Tattoo Gallery stands as a testament to this blend of historical preservation and modern functionality, contributing to the district's unique character by providing a luxury-industrial setting for custom tattoos and fine art.
Our Neighborhood
In the Heart of Durham's Central Park District
Ethereal Tattoo Gallery is located at 730 Rigsbee Avenue in Durham's Central Park District — one of the city's most active and creatively dense neighborhoods, built around the green anchor of Durham Central Park. The area draws a mix of longtime locals, small business owners, artists, and visitors, and it shows in the density of independent spots within walking distance of the shop.
Right across the street, Motorco Music Hall — a converted midcentury car dealership — hosts live music, comedy, and film alongside its bar and restaurant, Parts & Labor, which runs a patio open late most nights. Around the corner on Foster Street, Nectar is a bright, modern café serving espresso, wine, beer, and pastries from early morning into the evening — a natural stop before or after your appointment. At the end of Rigsbee where it meets Geer Street, Delancey Tavern opened in early 2026 in the historic Weeks Motor Company building — an elevated American bistro with a supper club feel, steak frites, and an upstairs lounge.
Visiting from out of town?
We regularly work with clients traveling to Durham specifically for their tattoo! If you're making a trip of it, there are plenty of beautiful hotels from which to choose.
The Durham (pictured left) is the only independently owned boutique hotel in downtown Durham — a restored 1960s mid-century building with 53 rooms, a rooftop bar, and coffee service from Counter Culture. It's a short walk from the shop and consistently well-reviewed for both design and service. 21c Museum Hotel occupies the historic Hill Building downtown — a AAA Four Diamond property that doubles as a contemporary art museum, with rotating exhibitions, a full-service spa, and the Counting House restaurant. Unscripted Durham, a boutique Hyatt property in a restored 1960s hotel, offers a rooftop pool, craft cocktail bar, and easy access to the rest of downtown Durham.
Contact us
For general inquiries, not tattoo bookings.