With guys like Nick Wooster, Justin O’ Shea, and David Beckham becoming modern-day style icons, we can’t help but see the integration of tattoos and fashion. Asos models are covered from head-to-toe, fashion shows are full of men (and women) who sport plenty of visible ink. Designers, models, badasses, and athletes have all continued to don tattoos with their tailored gear in recent years; and we love it.
Of course, getting a tattoo that peeks out beneath that three piece suit is one thing, but if you’re going to go full Wooster style and get covered, you want the right man for the job. This means no cheap tattoos, and definitely no crappy artists. So, when looking for the best of the best, we always tend to look to NYC first. If you’re in New York and are looking to get some work done, here are the places (in no particular order) you should be stopping by.
Photo courtesy of Big Tattoo Planet
Why We Love it: We love Red Rocket Tattoo for a few reasons, but the atmosphere might be the one most worth mentioning. Not only are the staff friendly and inviting to ease your nerves if it’s your first time on the table, but the overall feel of Red Rocket is great. With giant windows overlooking Midtown and tons of natural light, there are few places that feel as “in the city” as Red Rocket does while you get work done.
Our Artist Pick: Red Rocket houses a few extremely talented artists, but if we have to narrow it down to one we’d have to recommend their resident Texan, and all around tattoo master, Adam Guy Hays. With a portfolio full of award winning tattoos, and a taste for recreating Star Wars, Adam can knock out some sick pieces. Check out his, along with all the Red Rocket artists work on their website.
Red Rocket Tattoo
78 West 36th St, New York
Why We Love it: The cleanliness, the professionalism, the top-notch artists. You can take your pick as to what matters most, but we love this shop for plenty of reasons. This LES spot is much quieter than the Midtown based parlor we mentioned first, and that can be a very nice thing while getting tattooed. The shop is spotless, from the waiting area to the tables. There is a great mix of music playing. And you’re going to walk out with some ink that you absolutely love.
Our Artist Pick: This is New York, which means if someone is tattooing out of any reputable shop here they are going to be damn good. Of course, we still have our favorites. We can’t recommend owner and tattoo veteran, Ethan Morgan, enough. Ethan graced New York with his tattooing presence just shy of ten years ago when he left his LA shop to head east. With over 30 tattooing awards, and over 25 years of experience, Ethan is well-known in the industry for his black and grey realism, and damaged romanticism style. Not to mention he is honestly one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. Check him out on Instagram to see some sick work, or stop by Rivington for yourself and see why we love it.
Rivington Tattoo
175 Rivington St, New York
Photo courtesy of Heartbeat Ink
Why We Love it: Last Rites is unlike any other tattoo studio in the world. With a dark, haunted theme throughout, and a gallery added on, this has something for all walks of life. Stop in and watch some of the best artists in the world do some tattooing, or check out Paul Booth’s artwork, either way you’re going to be ridiculously impressed, and a little frightened.
Our Artist Pick: Of course we have to say owner and tattoo legend, Paul Booth. His twisted, talented brain is what created this haunting masterpiece, and his tattoos are in a world of their own. We would all love to get some work done by Paul Booth, but take a number, the wait isn’t going to be a short one. Head over to their website and learn all about Paul and the rest of the talented Last Rites staff.
Last Rites Tattoo Theatre
325 West 38th St, New York
Why We Love it: Saved is known for a few reasons, namely, Scott Campbell. I mean, can we really do a fashion and tattoo article without mentioning the place where Marc Jacobs prefers to get ink? While Scott has moved on to artwork, including some sick stuff done with money, and less tattooing, his fingerprints are all over this Brooklyn hotspot.
Our Artist Pick: While we’d choose none other than Scott Campbell if we had the choice, that isn’t happening anytime soon. Fortunately, Saved has a great roster of amazing artists, including our pick: Anderson Luna. Anderson is known for his intricate black and grey work with a focus on religious iconography. And he is damn good at what he does. Check out the entire Saved team, and head over to Williamsburg for some ink worth bragging about.
Saved Tattoo
426 Union Avenue, Brooklyn
Why We Love it: Wooster Street Social Club is known as one of the top tattoo parlors around the world. With out of this world resident artists, and their own TV show, NY Ink, it’s hard not to put Wooster St. on any tops list. You might stop in to catch a glimpse of your favorite TV artists, but you’ll stay for the work, not the name.
Our Artist Pick: It would be next to impossible to pick just one of the great artists who house themselves at Wooster Street, so we’ll give you a few of our favorites. Ami James, owner of Wooster Street (any several others) is a no brainer for anyone who wants some serious ink. He’s been featured everywhere an artist can be featured, and is literally known worldwide. He’s also one of the biggest reasons Wooster Street was chosen for multiple TV programs. Of course we can’t leave out Tim Hendricks, who is a tattooing legend, taught by his father at a young age. Tommy Montoya, the king of black and grey (you may have recently seen him as a guest judge and tattooer on Ink Master). And the lovable redhead from NY Ink, Megan Massacre. Basically, you can spin and point inside Wooster Street and you’ll end up with the best tattoo you’ve ever had. This shop is truly no joke.
Wooster Street Social Club
43 Wooster St, New York
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