London’s best tattoo studios

Go for: more than just high-quality inking – there’s incredible merch, too.

Founded by celebrity tattoo artist Delphin Musquet, everything about Sans Patrie feels far more high-end than the words “tattoo studio” usually bring to mind. The parlour has garnered a cult following among us Londoners and has become a regular spot for uber-cool music types thanks to its diverse styles and guest artists.

Go for: hand-poked designs

This Broadway Market studio is owned by the hugely influential tattoo artist Grace Neutral. The UK’s most popular tattoo artist on Instagram with over 550k followers and a key figure in the resurgence of hand-poked tattoos over the last decade, she works exclusively in this traditional method and specialises in dotwork, flora and fauna designs. The female-heavy roster of residents at the studio includes several machine-based artists, though, and covers just about any style, from portraiture to freehand blackwork to watercolour.

Go for: a fresh take on traditional

The light contemporary space at Vagabond is somewhat typical of Hackney stores, but very unlike traditional tattoo studios - and that’s exactly why it’s so appealing. The vibe at Vagabond Tattoo is classic tattooing meets East End art gallery, and the designs are clean and original. Each resident artist specialises in a different style, including traditional, illustration and geometric, and you can even nab merch from them once your ink is done.

Go for: traditional done well

Since opening in 2004, Frith Street has built one of the best reputations in London’s tattoo scene, especially for its high quality custom designs. Alongside an incredible stable of artists, their guest spots are the best in the city. Some of the best tattooists in the world (like Chad Koeplinger) regularly drop by the shop - the only problem is deciding who to choose.

Go for: a high-quality roster of artists, including special guests.

This highly regarded tattoo shop near Camden Town knows what’s what – it’s been inking Londoners and in-the-know out-of-towners since 2008. Here, you’ll find a 13-strong artist roster – plus guests! – who cover loads of different styles, including contemporary, abstract, neo-traditional, hand-poked, minimalist, blackwork, and hyper-realistic black and grey crackerjacks. The artistry really is impressive.

Go for: a tattoo team about as passionate as any in London.

Looking for some fresh ink? This local tattoo studio in Kilburn isn’t just run by a team of highly skilled artists. Its roster also spans a number of styles, from traditional to Japanese and fine line, making it easy for you to find something to suit your taste. Explore custom designs drawn up and tattooed by the residents or have a skim through flash designs. You've also got regular guest artists to watch out for.

Go for: tribal masterpieces

Serene tattooing sounds like an oxymoron, but it's an apt description when you take a look at Nikole Lowe’s Zen-like tattoo sanctuary in Lower Clapton. Spacious, light and sophisticated, it’s the opposite of garish tattoo shops. The walls boast cross-continental curiosities with a bohemian and exotic twist, and there’s a multi-ethnic shrine in one corner, representing the studio’s unique design flair. You’ll need to absorb some of its zen spirit while you hold for an appointment, though – Good Times’ waitlists can be substantial.

Tottenham’s The Electric Paintbrush says it wants to bring “a taste of tattoo magic” to north London. That’s been the shop’s mission since it was opened in 2022 by Will Dozer and it aims to do so through both pleasing custom designs and its collection of artwork and tattoo ephemera that decorate the space. You’ll also find a pop-up flea market here every so often, where you can pick up vintage clothing, records, art and more.

Go for: western or Asian iconography

Everything about The Family Business is sharp, from its boutiquey location in Exmouth Market to its suited and booted staff and vintage swing soundtrack. The studio’s decor is inspired by owner Mo Coppoletta’s Italian heritage, from the blood red walls to the Roman Catholic imagery you’ll find adorning them. In contrast, the work area is separated from the waiting room by bold Japanese privacy screens, which add some mystery to the space.

Go for: old school meets new school

If it’s good enough for Dave Grohl, it’s good enough for us. The Foo Fighters frontman is just one of the celebrity clientele that Lal Hardy’s Mussel Hill studio has attracted over the years, in which time it has become one of London’s most famous tattoo shops. Here, you’ll find a wide range of styles on offer, from traditional to Asian to new school. It's not as chic as some other studios, but it's been open for over three decades, so it's one of the most dependable.

Go for: intricate designs at agreeable prices

Designed with peak client comfort in mind, South City Market is perhaps one of London's most innovative tattoo studios. Working only in black and grey, a carefully selected, ultra-talented team of artists (led by Ricky Williams) work on an appointment-only basis, cracking out beautifully intricate designs at surprisingly affordable prices. Ink-redible. 

Go for: traditional, new school

This once-purple corner shop has matured over the years and grown into a sleek, beautifully decorated studio. Check out the collection of oddities and curios in the reception while you wait for your turn to get inked. It's a surprising gem tucked away from Camden’s main strip.  

Go for: bright or cute new school

Caledonian Road parlour Jolie Rouge is among the more underground in London, but it’s held in high regard by the city’s tattoo creatives. The studio has a streetwise approach, matching the graffiti influences prevalent in some of the work, and the decor is all opulent wallpaper and gothic candelabras inside. Having trouble finding an artist to nail your design? Try Jolie Rouge, where the artists are willing to try what others turn down.

Go for: greyscale illustration and portraiture

A stone's throw from King’s Cross station, this studio has a classic, sophisticated aesthetic. Co-founded by esteemed London tattooist Snappy Gomez, who specialises in black and grey realism, Kings Cross Tattoo Parlour first opened its doors in 2009 and has been decorating the city’s canvas ever since. A variety of styles are also covered by the rest of the KX staff, including some particularly captivating black work that’ll make you say ooooh (but, first, probably ow).

At Hackney’s Old Habits, you’ll find nearly 20 artists ready to ink a new design on your skin. The shop’s interior mixes classic tattoo style with fun touches, like the stairs that command you to “turn that frown upside down”. Semi-regular flash days will certainly help put a smile on your face.

Go for: unusual illustrations

Although it’s a relative newcomer to the London tattoo scene, having opened in 2015, Through My Third Eye has had no difficulty in living up to the reputations of longer-established parlours. A lot of the designs here are either black and grey or black work, with slim lines and incredibly intricate detailing. All in all, they’re a pretty dynamic studio with an emphasis on original artwork.

Go for: blackwork, cross-hatched designs

Tucked away in an old factory in leafy Stroud Green, this north London parlour is very easy on the eye. You won’t find any tattoo shop cliches about dingy decor here. The contemporary and airy space is more calm than clinical, so it’s particularly good for nervous inkers. The custom designs at Parliament Tattoo are by appointment only, but if you want to bring a mate, there’s a pretty comfy-looking sofa for them to chill out on.

Go for: traditional meets contemporary

You may mistake George Bone’s solo studio for the set of a Meat Loaf video, with its plentiful skeletons, pentagrams and gothic drapery, but he's been operating his successful tattoo business out of west London since 1973. Extra kudos for the ‘monastically-themed’ toilet, which comes ‘complete with chanting monks’. Bone’s shop is definitely one for the seasoned rocker, or the inkee looking for a unique space to go under the needle.