The Best Tattoo Parlours in London

This is the longest running tattoo parlour in London’s West End and offers a selection of services, cover-ups and existing tattoo redesign. Located in the heart of Soho, Diamond Jacks offers tattooing by Darryl Gates, Charles Wicks-Stephens, Hannah Lightspeed and Hwee Lo. Walls of the studio are decked out with music and tattoo memorabilia, and Diamond Jacks has now become famed for its famous punk rock clientele, ranging from Pete Doherty to the Sex Pistols. Gates has also created body art for Vogue photoshoots and the popular film This Is England.

When you walk through the doors of Good Times Tattoo in Shoreditch, you’ll be greeted by a individual and elegant decor, unlike any tattoo parlour you’ve seen before. You’ll find Buddhas and flowers adorning the walls, with many windows creating a relaxed atmosphere for customers. It’s home to some of London’s top tattoo artists, including London Ink’s Nikole Lowe, Nick Horn, Piotrek Taton, Hannah Keuls, Matt Black, Harriet Hapgood, Jon Peeler and Boshka Grygoriew-Alvy.

This Soho tattoo parlour opened in 2004 and since then has enjoyed incredible success in the industry. The artists of Frith Street Tattoo have won several awards. With many famous artists making a guest appearances, such as Frank Carter, who’s also a musician in bands Pure Love, Gallows, and Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes. Customers will leave the studio with a piece of custom artwork and will be sure to spread this studio’s impressive reputation even further.

Founded in 1979 by Lal Hardy, New Wave Tattoo is a tattooing institution in London, located in the suburb of Muswell Hill. It’s here you’ll find artists talented in every style of tattoo on the scene under one roof. This tattoo studio may look modest from the front, but New Wave Tattoo has become one of the most dependable places to go if you want to get inked in the city.

This East London tattoo parlour has only been open a short while, but Cloak and Dagger has become popular among first timers and those more experienced. This studio is ideal if you’re wishing to receive a Japanese-style tattoo, but for those who like it a little more traditional, they’ve got you covered, too. You’ll find nine friendly tattoo artists at this parlour, just waiting to offer advice and a unique tattoo experience to anyone who walks through their doors.

Having been open for almost 30 years, Evil from the Needle is Camden Town’s longest running tattoo studio. Originally opened by world famous artist Pascal ‘Bugs’ Jarrion, this studio has since been handed over to the esteemed Jeff Ortega, a tattooer from New York. The tattoo artists here specialise in a number of styles and the parlour has even been ranked as one of London’s top five by Skin & Ink Magazine.

Established in 1998 by Naresh, you’ll find Flamin’ Eight in North London’s Kentish Town. With global tattooing experience, Naresh wanted to create a studio that allowed artists free expression, while maintaining quality, and he has achieved just that in this laid-back and colourful studio. The studio is full of inspiration for those needing a helping hand, but the artists at the studio specialise in traditional, new school, Japanese and realism if you’re after something a little more specific.

Just a stones throw away from the bustling Portobello Market is Love Hate Social Club. Opened by Ami James, of Miami Ink and NY Ink fame, this tattoo parlour is home to some of the very best tattoo artists from the US and Europe, handpicked by James. You’ll also find studios of the same name in Cork, Ireland and in Asheville, North Carolina.