10 Best Tattoo Shops & Parlors in America

• Table of Contents
• 1. Mission Ink Tattoo Shop
• 2. Art Collector Tattoo
• 3. Black Anchor Collective Tattoo Shop
• 4. Elm Street Tattoo
• 5. Till the End Tattoo
• 6. Kings Avenue Tattoo
• 7. Regeneration Tattoo
• 8. Boston Tattoo Company
• 9. Certified Tattoo Studios
• 10. Embassy Tattoo
• 11. Frequently Asked Questions
• 11.1 What Kind of Tattoo Can I Get for Free?
• 11.2 Why Don’t Tattoo Artists Recommend Small Tattoo Designs?
• 11.3 Where Can I Get a Tattoo Without Spending Too Much Money?
• 11.4 How Do I Tell My Tattoo Artists That I Don’t Like the Sketch?
• 11.5 Should I Get Someone a Tattoo as a Gift?
• 12. Takeaway

The first American tattoo shops date back to the 19th century. Martin Hilderbrandt introduced Americans to body art by opening America’s first tattoo shop in New York City during the 1870s.

Over the centuries, growing popularity and acceptance of tattoos has resulted in an increase in tattoo shops across America.

Modern tattoo shops are friendly, creative spaces with relaxed environments, accomplished artists, eccentric designs, vibrant colors, captivating imagery, and eager clients.

Related: Things You Need to Know Before Getting Your First Tattoo

Besides fresh tattoo designs, these parlors offer other services, including cover-ups, touch-ups, piercings, and tattoo removal treatment. Each tattoo shop has a team of artists who specialize in various tattoo styles, ranging from abstract, trash polka, watercolor, realism, photorealism, new-traditional, flash art, old school, American traditional, Japanese traditional, black and gray work, etc.

To help you find the best tattoo parlors, Viking Bags has provided a list of the 10 best tattoo studios throughout the United States.

1. Mission Ink Tattoo Shop

Photo Credit: @missioninksf

Mission Ink Tattoo shop has six tattoo artists, each qualified in different tattoo styles. Based in San Francisco, this shop offers the best designs at affordable prices. This tattoo shop specializes in traditional Japanese designs, black and gray tattoos, realism, and flash art. If you are on a budget, then Mission Ink is the place to be.

Mission Ink Tattoo Shop
Locations	San Francisco, California
Timings	Monday - Sunday: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Official Website	missioninksf
Instagram ID	missioninksf
Walk-ins	Depending on artist’s availability
Deposit Amount to Schedule Appointments	Will be disclosed at the time of booking
Shop Minimum	Will be disclosed at the time of booking
Tattoo Costs	Depends on the size, detailing, and placement of the tattoo. No. of sessions may increase costs.
Tattoo Styles	Floral Tattoos Black & Gray Traditional Japanese American Traditional Realism Custom Designs Flash Art Fine Line Tattoos
Age Limit	18 or older
Other Services	Piercings

2. Art Collector Tattoo

Photo Credit: @artcollectortattoo

Founded by Nik Lucas, Art Collector is a small tattoo shop quickly becoming prominent in Los Angeles. Lucas and his junior tattoo artist, Viktoria, are responsible for all the tattoos, so you may want to secure your appointment as early as possible. Both artists are adept at creating a colorful piece, a dark bold tattoo, or a mix of both.

Art Collector Tattoo Shop
Locations	Los Angeles, California
Timings	Monday - Sunday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Official Website	artcollectortattoo
Instagram ID	artcollectortattoo
Walk-ins	Appointments recommended
Deposit Amount to Schedule Appointments	Will be disclosed at the time of appointment
Shop Minimum	Will be disclosed at the time of appointment
Tattoo Costs	Depends on the size, detailing, and placement of the tattoo. No. of sessions may increase costs
Tattoo Styles	Trash Polka Watercolor Tattoos Abstract Black & Gray Floral Tattoos Realism Color Realism
Age Limit	18 or older

3. Black Anchor Collective Tattoo Shop

Photo Credit: @blackanchorworldwide

Founded in Hesperia by Niko Hurtado, the Black Anchor has since expanded and now has a branch in Los Angeles.

Black Anchor is the place for you if you love realistic black and gray portraits or colorful tattoos. Besides portraits and colored images, the parlor has artists with expertise in all tattoo styles.

Black Anchor Collective Tattoo Shop
Locations	Hesperia, California Los Angeles, California
Timings	Monday - Saturday: 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Official Website	blackanchorworldwide
Instagram ID	blackanchorworldwide
Walk-ins	Available on first come, first serve basis (depending on artist’s availability)
Deposit Amount to Schedule Appointments	Will be disclosed at the time of booking
Shop Minimum	Will be disclosed at the time of booking
Tattoo Costs	Depends on the size, detailing, and placement of the tattoo. No. of sessions may increase costs
Tattoo Styles	Floral Tattoos Black & Gray Traditional Realism Custom Designs Flash Art Fine Line Tattoos
Age Limit	18 or older

4. Elm Street Tattoo

Photo Credit: @elmstreettattoo

Established in 1996, Elm Street Tattoo Shop is the best place to get body ink in Texas. Take advantage of the free consultations to perfect your tattoo design before the stencil is placed on your skin.

The tattoo artists practice different styles and create unique designs for each client. Rather than capitalize on short-lived trends, the artists create unique pieces as a testament to their dedication for their clients and the art of tattooing.

Elm Street Tattoo Shop
Locations	Dallas, Texas
Timings	Sunday -Thursday: 2 p.m. - 12 a.m. Friday - Saturday: 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Official Website	elmstreettattoo
Instagram ID	elmstreettattoo
Walk-ins	Available
Free Consultations	Available
Deposit Amount to Schedule Appointments	Will be disclosed at the time of booking
Shop Minimum	$100 for face, neck and hands $60 for rest of the body
Tattoo Costs	Depends on the size, detailing, and placement of the tattoo. No. of sessions may increase costs
Tattoo Styles	Floral Tattoos Black & Gray Traditional Realism Custom Designs Flash Art Fine Line Tattoos Abstract Trash Polka Cover ups
Age Limit	18 or older
Parental Consent	Underage clients are not allowed even with parental consent
Other Services	Piercings

5. Till the End Tattoo

Photo Credit: @Till The End Tattoos

Celebrities such as Lil Wayne, Dwayne Wade, and Karol G got their tattoos from Till the End Tattoo studio. And you can too.

Tattoo artist Tatu Baby is skilled at converting your ideas into unique designs. She is also an accomplished female artist in America’s elite tattoo culture. Getting an appointment with Baby would be a once in a lifetime opportunity. But don’t be disappointed if you don’t because the other tattoo artists at Till the End Tattoo are equally creative and well-trained.

Till the End Tattoo Parlor
Locations	Miami, Florida
Timings	Monday - Sunday: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Official Website	tilltheendtattoos
Instagram ID	tilltheendtattoos
Facebook ID	tilltheendtattoos
Walk-ins	Available
Free Consultations	Available
Deposit Amount to Schedule Appointments	Will be disclosed at the time of appointment
Shop Minimum	Will be disclosed at the time of appointment
Tattoo Costs	Depends on the size, detailing, and placement of the tattoo. No. of sessions may increase costs
Tattoo Styles	Black & Gray Photorealism Realism Neo-traditional Illustrative Realism New School
Age Limit	18 or older

6. Kings Avenue Tattoo Shop

Photo Credit: @kingsavetattoo

Established in 2005 by internationally renowned artist Mike Rubendall, the Kings Avenue Tattoo shop is the best place to get a tattoo. With more than 20 years of tattooing experience and 50 awards under his belt, Rubendall knows what the clients want.

Besides the owner, this shop has 13 highly trained tattoo artists that specialize in American traditional, Japanese traditional, realism, and black and gray. But if you have a custom design in mind, the creative artists will make sure to create a timeless tattoo for you.

Originally based in New York, the Kings Avenue Tattoo now has a branch in Durham, North Carolina. So, the next time you plan a vacation in New York City or go on a motorcycle trip to North Carolina, make sure you come back with a tattoo.

Kings Avenue Tattoo
Locations	Manhattan, New York Long Island, New York Durham, North Carolina
Timings	Monday to Saturday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Official Website	kingsavetattoo
Instagram ID	kingsavetattoo
Walk-ins	Available depending on artist availability Appointments are recommended
Deposit Amount to Schedule Appointments	$100 - $300
Shop Minimum	$150
Tattoo Costs	Depends on the size, detailing, and placement of the tattoo. No. of sessions may increase costs
Tattoo Styles	Black & Gray Realism Japanese American Traditional
Age Limit	18 or older
Parental Consent	Usually underage clients are not allowed

7. Regeneration Tattoo

Photo Credit: @Regeneration Tattoo

At Regeneration Tattoo, each artist follows his/her specific appointment schedule. The artists’ independence and creativity is reflected in their extraordinary work. At Regeneration Tattoo, you can email an artist directly for consultations and appointments.

From custom designs, color realism, portraits, black and gray, geometric patterns, traditional designs, and floral tattoos, Regeneration Tattoo offers the best of each style.

Regeneration Tattoo Shop
Locations	Harvard Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts
Timings	Monday - Saturday: 1 p.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Official Website	regenerationtattoo
Twitter ID	RegenTattoos
Facebook ID	Regeneration Tattoo
Walk-ins	Available on first come, first serve basis (depending on artist’s availability)
Free Consultations	Available
Deposit Amount to Schedule Appointments	Will be disclosed at the time of booking
Shop Minimum	Will be disclosed at the time of booking
Tattoo Costs	Depends on the size, detailing, and placement of the tattoo. No. of sessions may increase costs
Tattoo Styles	Floral Tattoos Black & Gray Traditional Realism Custom Designs Flash Art Fine Line Tattoos Abstract Trash Polka
Age Limit	18 or older

8. Boston Tattoo Company

Photo Credit: @bostontattoocompany

Founded in 2004, Boston Tattoo Company is the most popular and highly reputed tattoo shop in Boston, Massachusetts. Originally just a tattoo shop, this establishment also helps with piercings.

Boston Tattoo Company is a team of 20 twenty tattoo artists that excel in realism, color realism, floral tattoos, neo-traditional style, Japanese style, flash art, and modern designs. Custom tattoos are also available on demand.

Boston Tattoo Company
Locations	Somerville, Massachusetts Medford, Massachusetts
Timings	Monday to Saturday: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Official Website	bostontattoo
Instagram ID	bostontattoocompany
Walk-ins	Depending on artist’s availability Not available for piercings Appointments are recommended
Deposit Amount to Schedule Appointments	Discussed in person at the time of tattoo cost negotiations
Shop Minimum	$100
Tattoo Costs	Depends on the size, detailing, and placement of the tattoo. No. of sessions may increase costs
Tattoo Styles	Floral Tattoos Color Realism Neo-Traditional Black & Gray Realism Flash Designs Custom Art
Age Limit	18 or older
Other Requirements	ID Card Required
Parental Consent	Required for underage clients
Other Services	Piercings

9. Certified Tattoo Studios

Photo Credit: @certifiedtattoo

Certified Tattoo Studios offers high hygiene standards, unique designs, and fun experiences. Around 2006, this award-winning tattoo shop specializes in all tattoo styles, including lettering, scripts, geometric, watercolor, cover-ups, fine lines, tribal, illustrative, portrait, and abstract.

With a team of over twenty professional artists, the shop has the right design and artist for everyone.

Including a laser tattoo removal service, you can improve an existing tattoo or get a new design.

Certified Tattoo Studios
Locations	Yale, Colorado East Colfax, Colorado West Colfax, Colorado Dennan, Colorado Weer, Colorado Rising Tide, Hawaii
Timings for Yale, East Colfax & West Colfax	Monday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Timings for Weber & Drennan	Sunday - Monday: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Timings for Rising Tide	Thursday - Tuesday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Wednesday: Off Sunday: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Official Website	certifiedtattoo
Instagram ID	certifiedtattoostudios certifiedtattooyale
Walk-ins	Available depending on tattoo size and availability of artists Appointments are recommended for custom tattoos
Deposit Amount to Schedule Appointments	Non-Refundable Deposit Required for Appointments
Shop Minimum	Will be discussed at the time of appointment booking
Tattoo Costs	Depends on the size, detailing, and placement of the tattoo. No. of sessions may increase costs
Tattoo Styles	Realism Watercolor Tattoos Geometric Tattoos Black & Gray Tattoos Traditional Script & Lettering Fine Lines Abstract Cover-Up Tattoos
Age Limit	18 or older
Parental Consent	Required for underage clients
Other Services	Piercings Laser Tattoo Removal

10. Embassy Tattoo

Photo Credit: @embassytattoo

Are you a tattoo enthusiast looking to get your first tattoo? Does the posh political environment of Washington D.C. keep you from getting one? Or do you think it is impossible to find a tattoo shop in the capital of the United States?

Well, the answer to all of your questions is Embassy Tattoo Shop. Pay this place a visit and you will instantly fall in love with its simple tattoo designs, forms, and styles. However, because Embassy Tattoo Shop is so popular, you might have to wait a couple of months before you can get your tattoo.

Embassy Tattoo Shop
Locations	Columbia Road NW, Washington D.C.
Timings	Monday - Saturday: 12 p.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Official Website	embassytattoo
Instagram ID	embassytattoo
Walk-ins	Not Available
Free Consultations	Not Available
Deposit Amount to Schedule Appointments	Will be disclosed at the time of booking
Shop Minimum	Will be disclosed at the time of booking
Tattoo Costs	Depends on the size, detailing, and placement of the tattoo. No. of sessions may increase costs.
Tattoo Styles	Black & Gray Japanese Traditional American Traditional Old School Tattoos Fine Line Tattoos Custom Designs
Age Limit	18 or older
Other Services	Piercing

11. Frequently Asked Questions

11.1 What Kind of Tattoo Can I Get for Free?

If you want to get one from a reputable tattoo shop, free tattoos are not an option. However, newer artists may offer a free tattoo to practice their work and add to their portfolio. Keep in mind that there is a high chance of the design becoming messed up, requiring you to pay for expensive tattoo removal treatments.

11.2 Why Don’t Tattoo Artists Recommend Small Tattoo Designs?

Tattoo artists discourage detailed tattoo designs in small sizes for the following reasons:

• The outlines of small tattoos fade easily
• Cramming ink in a limited space affects design quality. Colors tend to mesh together, creating a messy/blurry image
• Simple tattoos heal and age better

11.3 Where Can I Get a Tattoo Without Spending Too Much Money?

You can easily find well-reputed local tattoo parlors offering reasonably priced tattoos in your local area. Simply avoid popular tattoo parlors if you wish to save money.

11.4 How Do I Tell My Tattoo Artists That I Don’t Like the Sketch?

There are plenty of opportunities to tell your artist that you don’t like the sketch. That is what consultations are for. Be polite, but don’t compromise. If you have to look for another artist or leave your security deposit, then do that. It is far better than having a displeasing image etched on your skin forever.

11.5 Should I Get Someone a Tattoo as a Gift?

Yes, it is a thoughtful idea for a gift. But only for someone who already has tattoos or is passionate about getting one. Don’t pressure your friend or family member into getting one.

12. Takeaway

The tattoo shops mentioned in this article provide first-class tattooing experiences. If you find it difficult to pick any one of them, choose a tattoo shop near you or one that specializes in your favorite tattoo style.

It is encouraged you visit the official websites and Instagram pages of the tattoo shops you are interested in. Take your time going through the portfolios and work of any artists you are interested in before making your decision. Read reviews and conversation threads, connect with people who got their tattoos from popular tattoo parlors, ask for referrals, and then make an appointment.

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