Best Tattoo Shops in Richmond, Virginia, United States

Richmond, Virginia is America’s third most popular tattoo city. According to NBC News and CommonWealth News, Richmond has an average of 14.5 tattoo shops per 100,000 residents.

Every year, Richmond hosts tattoo festivals and exhibitions to promote the work of exceptionally talented tattoo artists. Richmond tattoo shops have been quickly growing in popularity, offering world-class tattoo services to residents, tourists, and motorcycle enthusiasts.

In this guide, Viking Bags has listed Richmond’s top-rated tattoo shops run by experienced tattoo artists who love creating unique designs for their clients. Some of these tattoo studios also offer piercings, cosmetic tattoos, laser tattoo removal, and tooth gems.

Established in 2011 by Jesse Smith, Loose Screw Tattoo offers exclusive custom tattoo services. With a team of eleven tattoo artists, Loose Screw has quickly become one of Richmond’s leading tattoo studios.

Tattoo artists at Loose Screw Tattoo Shops are proficient in all tattoo styles, including color realism, new-school, lettering, portraits, and black and gray tattoos.

Loose Screw Tattoo Shop does not accept walk-ins. Prices for tattoos vary, but you can state your preferred budget in the booking form, and your artist will modify the design to fit within your budget.

• Color Realism

• Google Rating: 4.9⭐
• Yelp Rating: 4.5⭐
• Facebook Rating: 4.5⭐

Established in 2003, Graffiti’s Ink Gallery is a tattoo and piercing studio famed for its custom tattoo designs and safe piercing methods. Though this tattoo shop is not located in Richmond, it frequently caters to tattoo enthusiasts from Richmond.

The senior artist and owner of Graffiti Ink Gallery, Roxanne Wiltshire, has over 15 years of tattooing experience. She excels in colored portraits and black and gray tattoos.

Wiltshire leads a team of four talented tattoo artists. Ed Taylor prefers neo-traditional and realistic tattoos, but he is always up to try a challenging custom design.

Chris Wallmeyer has 14 years of tattooing experience, with his best works being American Traditional, cover-ups, Japanese, new-school, and other miscellaneous styles.

Heather Syvilla enjoys applying illustrative, black and gray, and floral tattoos.

Cameron Mills is passionate about new-school, watercolor, illustrative, and floral tattoo styles.

Graffiti Ink Tattoos accepts walk-ins, though they are subject to the artists’ availability. If you want a session with a specific artist, it is best to book an appointment with him/her as soon as possible.

• Custom Tattoos

• Google Rating: 4.5⭐
• Yelp Rating: 5⭐
• Facebook Rating: 4.7⭐

Established in the early 1920s, Connelly’s Tattooing is a family-owned, street-style tattoo studio in Colonial Heights, about 23.4 miles from Richmond.

Currently, only three tattoo artists operate at this popular establishment. Samantha Connelly specializes in several tattoo styles, preferring Polynesian, mandalas, neo-traditional, traditional, watercolor, 3-D, and tribal tattoos.

Tabitha Connelly likes to apply rose, script, butterfly, floral pattern, and color tattoos.

JW Tattooer specializes in horror tattoos, semi-realistic imagery, chaotic black tattoos, nature-inspired imagery, symbols, and abstract tattoos

With a shop minimum fee starting at $50, Connelly’s Tattooing is one of the most budget-friendly tattoo shops near Richmond. However, large tattoos with complex designs can be costly as the shop charges a minimum fee of $150-$250 per hour.

Tattoo artists at Connelly’s Tattooing recommend that clients provide a detailed custom design if they want a more personalized experience. But clients can always request pre-drawn designs if they are in need of inspiration.

Walk-ins are not allowed at Connelly’s Tattooing, so if you are traveling to Colonial Heights to get a tattoo, make sure you have an appointment.

• Surrealism
• Abstract
• Polynesian 

• Google Rating: 4.7⭐
• Yelp Rating: 4.5⭐

Heroes and Ghosts Tattoos is a premium tattoo shop in Richmond that provides high-quality tattoos and piercings. Heroes and Ghosts Tattoos features a team of eight accomplished tattoo artists specialized in multiple tattoo styles.

If you want a photo-realist or portrait tattoos, then book an appointment with Rod Davis.

For dynamic color and illustrative tattoos, consult Colby Julian.

Conroy Peeps love to do cartoon and nerdy tattoos.

Will Greene excels in tattoos featuring bright colors, clean lines, and multiple color shades.

Josh Richey enjoys working on conventional tattoo styles.

Ish transforms folk art into beautiful color tattoos.

Vincent Riquier is proficient in dark tattoos, psychedelic iconography, and abstract art.

Nick Bryant prefers bold traditional tattoo styles.

All artists at Heroes and Ghost Tattoos charge a minimum fee of $200-$300 per appointment. Heroes and Ghosts Tattoo Shop allows walk-ins, but some artists only work with those who made an appointment.

For piercings, you can consult Cayla Faith and Joey Woodard. Both in-house piercers perform piercings with the utmost care.

• Realism
• Psychedelic Concepts
• Folk Art

• Google Rating: 4.4⭐
• Yelp Rating: 4.5⭐
• Facebook Rating: 4.5⭐

Lucky 13 Tattoo Shop is a large-scale establishment that offers tattoos, piercings, and permanent make-up services. With a team of 13 professional tattoo artists, Lucky 13 Tattoo Shop dominates the tattoo business in Richmond.

All tattoo artists at Lucky 13 know how to apply several tattoo styles, but their best works are traditional, watercolor, and American traditional tattoos. The Lucky 13 Tattoo shop also offers quality tattoo after-care products to ensure the tattoo heals correctly.

At Lucky 13 Tattoo Shop, all tattoos start at a minimum cost of $50, but the total cost may increase based on the tattoo’s style, design, complexity, placement, and number of sessions. Walk-ins are accepted at Lucky 13 Tattoo Shop, but it is best to make an appointment for a comfortable tattooing experience.

• Traditional Tattoos
• Watercolor

• Google Rating: 4.5⭐

Established in 2007, True Tattoo Shop is run by two dedicated and talented tattoo artists, named Scott Calcaterra and Morgan Klassett, who enjoy applying all tattoo styles.

Their best works are new-school, traditional, bold colors, black and gray, Japanese, lettering, realism, and cover-up tattoos.

True Tattoo Shop prefers appointments, though walk-ins are accepted every day when the artists are available. All tattoos start with a minimum fee of $150; however, the price may increase based on the tattoo’s size, placement, and design. Clients can request an estimated price from the tattoo artists during consultations.

• Traditional Tattoos
• New School
• Bold Colors

• Google Rating: 4.6⭐
• Yelp Rating: 4.5⭐
• Facebook Rating: 4.6⭐

Hold It Down Tattoo Shop is a tattoo studio in Richmond featuring a team of six tattoo artists. Every tattoo artist is highly-skilled at applying tattoos in varying styles.

Daryl Rodriguez is an expert in applying large traditional American and Japanese tattoos in color, and black and gray formats.

Sean Mc Curry’s best work is American traditional tattoos. McCurry uses a limited color palette, using mostly black, red, green, and gray.

Ricky Styx and Grant Sawyer excel in American traditional tattoos featuring bold imagery and bright colors.

John Stephens specializes in abstract iconography, unruly patterns, geometric shapes, and architectural tattoos.

At Hold It Down Tattoo Shop, walk-ins are accepted every day and appointments are set up via phone calls. Clients can send emails if they have questions, but appointments will not be accepted via email.

• American Traditional
• Japanese

• Google Rating: 4.7⭐
• Yelp Rating: 4⭐

River City Tattoo Shop is Virginia’s top-rated tattoo studio, having four branches at these locations:

• Ashe Boulevard, Richmond
• Chesterfield, Turnpike
• Enigma Studio - Broad Street, Richmond
• South Park, Colonial Heights

River City Tattoo Shop provides tattoos, piercings, laser tattoo removal, permanent make-up, tooth gem, and jewelry.

Tattoos at River City Tattoo Shop start with a minimum fee of $60. The overall cost will increase depending on the tattoo artist, tattoo’s size, design, style, placement, and details.

River City Tattoo Shop accepts walk-ins; however, Ashly Hutchens and Brandon Saunders work by appointment only.

• Traditional Tattoos
• Piercing
• Cosmetic Tattoos
• Jewelry

• Google Rating: 4.7⭐
• Yelp Rating: 4⭐
• Facebook Rating: 4.4⭐

Amy Black Tattoo is an exclusive private tattoo studio in Richmond established for mastectomy, decorative post-surgery, and custom tattoos.

Most of the clientele at Amy Black Tattoo Studio are breast cancer survivors. Amy Black Tattoo Studio uses surgery reconstruction methods, helping patients regain self-confidence by applying decorative 3-D body art.

You will only be attended to at Amy Black Tattoo Studio if you made an appointment before visiting.

• Mastectomy Tattoos

• Google Rating: 4.5⭐

Civilization Tattoo Studio features a team of four popular tattoo artists who create unique tattoos by combining traditional and modern trends. Their hand-crafted tattoo designs and stellar craftsmanship are why Civilization Tattoo Shop is considered a top-rated tattoo parlor in Richmond.

Adam Marton, Jason Brown, Jon Sanford, and John Setzer are great artists who specialize in traditional American and Japanese styles. Their creativity and attention to detail have left many customers satisfied.

Civilization Tattoo Shop also provides excellent cosmetic tattoos. Clients love their new looks after the artists finish applying. The tattoo artists at Civilization Tattoo Shop have busy schedules, and only work by appointment.

• Cosmetic Tattoos
• American Traditional
• Japanese

• Google Rating: 4.9⭐
• Yelp Rating: 4.5⭐
• Facebook Rating: 4.5⭐

Richmond, Virginia has a friendly hipster vibe as evident with the residents’ love for unconventional trends and quirky body art. Being America’s third most tattoo-friendly city, Richmond is the best place to get a tattoo due to its welcoming mainstream culture, top-notch tattoo artists, and popular tattoo shops.

Richmond tattoo shops are praised for their hygienic practices, accommodating staff, and brilliant art. To have the best tattoo experience in Richmond possible, it is recommended you book your appointment as early as possible.