The 10 Best Tattoo Shops In NYC
March 19, 2015, 12:30 p.m.
Atop-notch artist will turn a piece of flash into a permanent treasure, whether you're opting for a full sleeve or hiding an evil eye on your ribcage.
A well-crafted tattoo makes for some pretty spectacular body art, despite what your grandparents keep telling you at family dinners. And though there are a million places to get inked in town, a top-notch artist will turn a piece of flash into an immutable treasure, whether you're opting for a full sleeve or hiding an evil eye on your ribcage. Here are our favorite tattoo shops in the city; leave yours in the comments.
THREE KINGS TATTOO: This Greenpoint spot is an ink mecca for both first-timers and folks who've gone a few rounds with a tattoo machine. The studio encourages walk-ins (though appointments are available), staff members are incredibly accommodating and the space is clean and comfortable. Plus, all 21 resident artists on staff are more than up-to-snuff, and the shop hosts a number of guest artists. While tats aren't cheap, you pay a fair price for quality work, which is a better deal than that Spongebob sign stick-and-poke you let your cousin give you.
Three Kings is located at 572 Manhattan Avenue between Nassau and Driggs Avenues in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (718-349-7755, threekingstattoo.com).
SMITH STREET TATTOO PARLOR: A friend of mine describes this spot as "the best [tattoo] shop in the world," and that high praise is warranted. Smith Street's the place to go for a traditional American tattoo, with some of the city's most skilled artists—Bert Krak, Dan Santoro, Steve Boltz, and Eli Quinters—specializing in bold, beautiful pieces. Book an appointment in advance or feel free to walk in and wait, and expect to leave with a permanent masterpiece etched into your skin. Just note that they won't coddle you here, and if you want something they don't think it's a good idea, they'll be straight with you—they'll never let you leave with a bad tattoo, no matter how badly you think you want it.
Smith Street is located at 411 Smith Street between 4th and 5th Streets in Gowanus, Brooklyn (718-643-0463, smithstreettattoo.com).
FUN CITY TATTOO: Tattoos and piercings can go wrong on St. Marks—I have a particularly scarring story regarding one still-open piercing place that I save for dinner parties—but Fun City's by far the best on the block. The space is super-clean, counter staff is accommodating, and artists like Mina Aoki and Claire Vuillemot can make even the toughest cover-up look like a brand new, fine-lined masterpiece. Do note that this place is cash only so...bring a couple hundred bucks with you.
Fun City is located at 94 St. Marks Place between 1st Avenue and Avenue A in the East Village (212-353-8282, funcitytattoo.com).
EAST RIVER TATTOO: This female-friendly shop is welcoming indeed, from the open front room filled with funky taxidermy and art, to the talented tattoo artists who'll sit and chat with you even if you're not seeing them for a consultation or piece. You may have to book an appointment a few weeks in advance if you go for a master artist like Liam or Rachel, but once you're ready for your ink, you won't be disappointed. Plus, artist Jenna Bouma's doing a residency there now if you're looking to add a solid stick-and-poke to your collection.
East River Tattoo is located at 1047 Manhattan Avenue between Freeman and Eagle Streets in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (718-532-8282, eastrivertattoo.com).
NEW YORK ADORNED: NY Adorned is one of the most popular tattoo spots in the city, and for good reason. Artists here have been at the game for a long time, and the work here is professional to a T, whether you're looking for an traditional tat, unique ink or a septum piercing. Note that while walk-ins are welcome, it might take a while for an artist to see you, so be prepared for a bit of a wait.
NY Adorned is located at 47 2nd Avenue between East 2nd and 3rd Streets in the East Village (212-473-0007, nyadorned.com).
INKLINE STUDIO: If you've got enough cash to afford Anil Gupta, the famed brains and hands behind this LES operation, you are in for a spectacular experience. He'll help you create a unique piece and craft it skillfully and lovingly, leaving you with a with a piece of art rather than a quick tat. Note that even a consultation here can climb into the hundreds and tattoos can take over a year to complete, so make sure you're willing to invest before shelling out.
Inkline Studio is located at 62 Rivington Street between Allen and Eldridge Streets on the Lower East Side (212-228-3393, inklinestudio.com).
INVISIBLE NYC: Invisible's 10-artist team does great intricate work, whether you're looking for something quick and colorful or a piece that takes over a year to complete. We've heard good things about Kiku, but head honcho Troy Denning is something of a legend, and the rest of his crew's not too shabby, either.
Invisible NYC is located at 148 Orchard Street between Rivington and Stanton Streets on the Lower East Side (212-228-1358, invisiblenyc.com)
KINGS AVENUE TATTOO: Kings Avenue, which has shops in Manhattan and on Long Island, boasts an impressive list of resident and guest artists, with everyone from Juan Puente to Kat Von D swinging by to do some work. Proprietor Mike Rubendall keeps the ship super-clean and super-professional.
Kings Avenue is located at 188 Bowery between Spring and Kenmare Streets in Nolita, (212-431-5464, kingsavenuetattoo.com).
SACRED TATTOO: Sacred Tattoo is a longstanding staple of NYC’s tattoo world — founded back in 1989, they’re a full custom studio with seven in-house artists on hand. Traditional, neo-traditional, Asian traditional and photorealism are just some of their specialties, and a host of national and international names are always passing through as part of Sacred’s guest artist program (they’ve got six currently working in the studio). Body piercing is also offered at their location, and they’ve got a gallery upstairs if you want to check out more tattoo work. (Jessica Warriner)
Sacred Tattoo is located at 424 Broadway between Canal and Howard Streets in SoHo (212-226-4286, sacredtattoo.com).
DAREDEVIL TATTOO: Daredevil Tattoo is home to eight top artists, including co-owners Michelle Myles and Brad Fink (also the masterminds behind Fun City). With specialists in a myriad number of custom tattoo types—including traditional American, Japanese, and black and grey—this top studio is bound to have an artist that suits your style. They’re just steps away from the East Broadway F train, in case the urge to walk in strikes you. You’ll definitely need to book an appointment to score time with Michelle or Brad though. (Jessica Warriner)
Daredevil Tattoo is located at 141 Division Street between Ludlow and Orchard Streets on the Lower East Side (212-533-8303, daredeviltattoo.com).