18 Best Tattoo Shops in Chicago 2023

Are you looking for the best shop to get your dream inking done in Chicago? This article will take you on a tour of the best tattoo shops in Chicago to get your tattoo done.

Some of the best tattoo shops and artists are said to operate in Chicago, Illinois. Thus, if you have always wanted to get a tattoo in Chicago, here is a list of the best shops you should consider visiting. Tattoo shops are so numerous in Chicago. It is no surprise for a city as famous and modern as it is.

Choosing the best shop to visit will demand some digging and recommendations. This difficulty is one of the reasons we have made this article. These shops are not only occupied by professionals versed in the art of inking tattoos; they combine that with the right attitude, creativity, unique methods, and so much more to ensure you find satisfaction. With that being said, let us now take you into the world of the best tattoo shops in Chicago.


Top Best Tattoo Shops in Chicago, Illinois

1. Ageless Arts Tattoo and Body Piercing – Little Village – Chicago

Ageless Arts Tattoo and Body Piercing - Little Village - Chicago

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trashpolkatattoo

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Ageless Arts Tattoo and Body Piercing is one of the oldest tattoo studios in Chicago. Its main area of focus is in body arts. The studio came into being in 2002. At Ageless Arts Tattoo and Body Piercing, the artists are proficient in many tattoo styles and designs. Clients are welcome to bring their ideas and see them transformed into masterpieces. The studio has been profiled in various notable magazines, including TimeOut and Chicago Tribune. The studio is located at 2407 South Kedzie, Chicago, IL 60623.

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2. Archer Avenue Tattoo

Archer Avenue Tattoo

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Archer Avenue Tattoo is a tattoo outfit based in Chicago, and its areas of prime interest include traditional tattoos and piercings. The studio has been tattooing since 2000. Aside from tattoos, it provides various forms of body piercing services. Guest artists are usually invited to be part of the team. The studio’s artists are versed in many tattoo styles and designs, including portraitures, traditional Japanese themes, colored, traditional, and black and gray. Archer Avenue Tattoo ensures safety, hygiene, and health standards and protocols are being upheld around the studio. The studio is located at 4440 South Archer Avenue, Chicago, IL 60632.

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3. Brown Brothers Tattoo

Brown Brothers Tattoo

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Brown Brothers Tattoo is a tattoo shop in Chicago. The studio has been operating since 2014. They are mainly focused on traditional tattoos. They have a group of talented artists. These artists are good at numerous tattoo styles, including portraits, black and gray, cover-ups, custom, graphic, fine line, mystical, space-age, sensitive, realistic, tribal, cartoon, classic, horror, sinister, creepy, Japanese, and American traditional. The artists are renowned for their professionalism and ideal methods. Brown Brothers Tattoo is located at 904 North California, Chicago, IL 60622.

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4. Chicago Ink Tattoo & Body Piercing

Chicago Ink Tattoo & Body Piercing

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Chicago Ink Tattoo & Body Piercing is a tattoo brand in Chicago whose main areas of interest include portraits, traditional tattoos, and piercings. Their team is comprised of resident and guest artists from diverse places. The studio is highly skilled in different forms of piercing services. The studio’s professionalism, high-quality service delivery, and ensuring safety protocols are some reasons why clients speak highly of them. Chicago Ink Tattoo & Body Piercing is located in Chicago, IL 60618.

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5. Chicago’s Heart-N-Soul

Chicago’s Heart-N-Soul

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chicagosheartnsoultattoos

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Chicago’s Heart-N-Soul is a Chicago-based tattoo shop. It is specialized in traditional tattoos. The artists at this studio are proficient in different kinds of tattoo designs such as black and gray, colored cover-ups, flower tattoos, and custom tattoos. Chicago Bill owns the shop. He boasts more than 26 years of experience in the tattoo industry. His sponsors are Goliath Needles.

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6. Chitown Tattoo and Body Piercing

Chitown Tattoo and Body Piercing

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Chitown Tattoo and Body Piercing is a tattoo shop based in Chicago. Their main areas of focus include neotraditional tattoos, traditional tattoos, and piercings. They have been operating since 2007. Chitown Tattoo and Body Piercing artists are versed in different tattoo designs, including custom work, cover-ups, portraiture, and new and old-school tattoos.

They offer varieties of body piercings and ensure clients are duly guided through all their processes. The studio upholds originality, professionalism, and quality service delivery. Chitown Tattoo & Body Piercing is located at 5056 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630.

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7. Deluxe Tattoo

Deluxe Tattoo

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menssleevetattoo

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Deluxe Tattoo is focused on offering traditional tattoos. They began operating in the mid to late nineties. The studio’s goal is to give quality services to its numerous clients in and around Chicago. The shop has garnered praise from different individuals for their work. The Chicago Reader has named Deluxe Tattoo the Best Tattoo Shop for two years in a row. The shops are talented artists who are known for their professionalism, creativity, and friendliness. Deluxe Tattoo is located at 1459 West Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL 60613.

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8. Family Tattoo

Family Tattoo

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ghosttatoo

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With the main focus on traditional tattoos, Family Tattoo is a brand that provides tattoo services to people in the Chicago area. The shop began operation in 2005. They have been highly praised for the brilliance of their work and the welcoming environment. The artists at the studio are versed in various tattoo designs and are known to exude professionalism in their manner of work. Family Tattoo is located at 2125 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618.

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9. GoodKind Tattoo Co.

GoodKind Tattoo Co.

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roscovillage

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GoodKind Tattoo Co. is focused on areas including neotraditional tattoos and traditional tattoos. Rob Goodkind founded this tattoo shop based in Chicago. He has been in the tattoo industry since 2006. His main areas of proficiency are graphic and Japanese-themed work. The studio’s artists are known for their versatility in many types of tattoo designs, creativity, and professionalism. The studio has also been lauded for its friendly environment and vision. Aside from tattooing, GoodKind Tattoo Co. also operates a store where apparels and other products are available for purchase. The shop is located at 3056 North Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618.

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10. Hammerhead Tattoo

Hammerhead Tattoo

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captainamerica tatoo

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Hammerhead Tattoo is a tattoo shop based in Chicago. Its areas of focus are portraitures and body art. Their talented artists are known to employ color realism style in their work. They are proficient in several tattoo styles, including lettering, anime, neo-traditional, geometric patterns, black and grey, and Japanese themes. The artists have varying degrees of experience in the industry and are open to working with clients on their tattoo ideas. The studio also possesses its brand of merchandise, which is available online for purchase. Hammerhead Tattoo is located at 2521 South Archer, Chicago, IL 60608.

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11. Infamous Ink Studio

Infamous Ink Studio

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Girltatoo

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Infamous Ink Studio focuses on piercings and body art. The studio is based in Chicago and has a portfolio of exceptional tattoo designs made by its artists. The artists are proficient in various tattoo styles, including black and gray realism, color-work, portraiture, and watercolor. The artists have a cumulative 40 years’ worth of experience. Aside from tattooing, the studio is also specialized in different types of body piercings. Infamous Ink Studio is known to abide by standard procedures and protocols in delivering quality services. The studio is located at 1606 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622.

 

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12. Revolution Tattoo

Revolution Tattoo

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Focusing on traditional tattoos, Revolution Tattoo is a studio operating in Chicago for nearly two decades. Omar and Cheri Gutierrez own the studio. The artists at the studio all boast of a significant wealth of experience in the industry. They are proficient in tattoo styles such as black and grey photo-realism, traditional Americana and European, neo-Polynesian tribal, and portraitures. The studio is open for walk-ins. Revolution Tattoo is located at 2221 North Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647.

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13. Rocket Tattoo

Rocket Tattoo

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redrosstatoo

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Rocket Tattoo’s main focus includes traditional tattoos and body art. Clients are encouraged to come with their tattoo ideas and preferences, no matter how abstract they are, and see them transformed into something worthwhile. The artists at the studio are known to be versatile and proficient in different styles, including black and gray realism, American traditional, pin-ups, and blackwork. The studio upholds strict safety and sanitary protocols to provide quality services to its clients. Rocket Tattoo is located at 1008 West Argyle Street, Chicago, IL 60640.

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14. Royal Flesh Tattoos and Piercings

Royal Flesh Tattoos and Piercings

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hamsatattoo

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Royal Flesh Tattoos and Piercings is a tattoo shop that has been operating since 2010. It is based in Chicago. The goal of the studio is to provide exceptional work in an environment conducive to its clients. They are focused on traditional tattoos and cover-ups. They also have jewelry available for purchase at the studio. Royal Flesh Tattoos and Piercings have been praised for their quality service delivery, professionalism, and adherence to safety procedures.

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15. Speakeasy Custom Tattoo

Speakeasy Custom Tattoo

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flowertattoo

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Speakeasy Custom Tattoo’s main area of focus is in traditional tattoos. Patrick Cornolo is the founder of Speakeasy Custom Tattoo. He has been operating in the industry since 1994. Located in Wicker Park, Chicago, the studio is known for the originality of its work and ensuring clients’ preferences are being met. Clients can view the portfolios of the artists at the studio and book appointments with any of them.

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16. Taylor St. Tattoo

Taylor St. Tattoo

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medusatattoo

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Taylor St. Tattoo is mainly focused on traditional tattoos. It is a walk-in studio that was established in 2004. People who have patronized them speak highly of the studio’s work ethics, comfortable environment, and the artists’ readiness to attend to their needs. The artists at the studio are proficient in various tattoo designs. Taylor St. Tattoo is located at 1150 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607.

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17. West Town Tattoo

West Town Tattoo

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suntatoo

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West Town Tattoo is specialized in traditional tattoos. The studio is known for its originality and professionalism. They have been operating for over two decades. Their procedures involve the use of glycerin-free tattoo ink. Robert Hixon, who attended the Art Institute of Chicago, is the founder of West Town Tattoo. His wealth of experience in the industry spans over two decades. He is proficient in different tattooing styles and designs. The tattoo artists at West Town Tattoo have varying involvement in other forms of art. The studio is situated at 1907 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622.

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18. Insight Studios

Insight Studios

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floralarrangement

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One thing that is impressive about Insight Studios is its serene and comfort-inducing environment. Based in Chicago, the studio is situated in a glass block and polished diamond plate. They ensure clients’ privacy during sessions if required. They also ensure safety practices and protocols are being upheld. Some of their structures are made of glass or steel, making them easy to keep clean and in good condition. Their services include Tattooing Services, Tattoo Removal, and Piercings. Insight Studios is located at Address: 1062 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60642.

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FAQ

1. Are there any important laws one should be aware of concerning obtaining tattoos in Chicago, Illinois?

Answer: There are not many laws. But the one we think is most vital is the one concerning age. In Chicago, Illinois, you have to be up to 18 years of age to be eligible for a tattoo. Minors aren’t allowed to obtain them.

2. How do you verify if a tattoo artist is not authentic in Chicago, Illinois?

Answer: if you are suspicious that an artist is illegal, you can ask for their permit. If your suspicion remains, you can contact local authorities for further verification.

3. Why have you chosen these shops?

Answer: We want to help people find the best tattoo shops wherever they are in the US. The ones listed here are the best in Chicago, Illinois.

4. What should I look for when choosing a tattoo shop in Chicago, Illinois?

Answer: There are many things to consider when choosing a tattoo shop. You have to think of a shop’s proximity to your location. It makes no sense to have to cover half part of the earth to patronize a tattoo shop. Thus, it would help if you did your research well to get a list of tattoo shops available near you. Other factors to consider are availability, qualifications, workforce, reputation, professionalism, and experience. However, some of these need to be experienced or have someone who has had an experience using one of the brands to let you in on how good the experience was.

5. If a tattoo shop in Chicago, Illinois, has bad reviews? Can I still try them?

Answer: Not all reviews are true. They work both ways. It could be that a certain client’s needs could not be met no matter how hard the workers tried. But then, when a shop has so many bad reviews, it’s no coincidence. Something must be wrong somewhere, and it’s not advisable to check them out.


Conclusion

Many special tattoo outfits are operating in Chicago, Illinois. It is hard to know which will meet your taste. The ones we have profiled in this article are proficient at delivering quality services, and all boast great teams of talented artists who have vast knowledge and experience in the field. However, it would help if you understood that certain tattoo studios might not meet your tastes and demands, no matter how great.

Thus, it is advisable to double-check any tattoo studio you have in mind and be sure they can meet your demands. How can you go about this? Go through their websites and read about their vision, areas of interest, styles, and team of artists if available. If they have any social media handles such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, ensure to check them. Check their customer reviews to see what those who have patronized their services are saying. And if you are close to their outlets, visit them to see what they have on offer before making any decision.

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