The 12 best tattoo shops in Philadelphia to get inked right now

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If Fishtown has an epicenter, this shop may be it. Art Machine Productions sits on the coolest stretch of the hippest street in this ever-rising neighborhood. But this artist’s collective didn’t follow the scene, they created it. What began as a private studio in the neighborhood moved to its current 2,700-square-foot location in a rehabilitated warehouse on Frankford Avenue in 2011 and hasn’t looked back since. Their nine resident artists cover the full gamut of styles—an intentional choice not just to ensure that every conceivable customer need is covered, but in the communal spirit that their artists will learn pieces of the craft from one another.

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This elegant space on Martha St. in Kensington specializes in fine line, Japanese and illustrative tattoos. Their fine line work, particularly, is second to none in detail. Founders Andrew Robinson and Dylan Carr have assembled a team of 15 artists, among the city's most sought-after and difficult bookings. They’re also social media stars. The shop’s TikTok account has one video with nearly 10 million views on its own, and most of the artists have sizable Instagram followings. Crown and Feather is worth the wait for a signature piece. If you won’t, someone else will.

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A quick glance at this shop’s one-of-a-kind tropical facade, complete with a grass-skirted island girl saluting the sun, might suggest a place that pours Polynesian drinks. In reality, it’s a full-service tattoo and piercing establishment (and occasional art gallery) that’s been a part of the Philly scene since 2002. NoKa Oi, which translates to “the very best” in Hawaiian, features a rotation of a dozen resident and guest tattooers. In the South Street tradition, they are happy to accommodate walk-ins.

Perhaps the most instantly recognizable name in Philly tattooing, Eddie’s is a revered shop that has held down its Queen Village corner for decades. The shop’s catchy slogan—“old school before you were in school”—says it all: they do things a certain way here, as dictated by “Crazy” Eddie Funk, the shop’s pioneering and highly respected namesake. Though Funk passed away in 2016, his outsized reputation and influence on American tattooing as an art form live on in this flagship shop.

Sitting on a row better known for its fine dining and old-world shopping, Eastern Pass is an eight-artist setup specializing in Japanese- and American-style body art. Just a couple blocks down from the “Singing Fountain,” it’s the premier tattoo shop operating along the ever-growing East Passyunk corridor in South Philly.

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Omkara Tattoo was born out of a mistake. Nha Nguyen went to a tattoo shop to get an image of a Phoenix on his chest and walked out with something that he felt more resembled a treasure map. Always an artist himself, he showed some of his free-hand drawings to the tattooist he went to for a cover-up, and a career was born. On a heavily commercial part of Washington Avenue in South Philly between the Italian Market and the waterfront, his shop is named after the Om symbol that Nguyen long admired and was one of his earliest tattoos. Omkara’s dozen artists encourage you to reach out in advance for a consultation.

Established by Jason Goldberg in 1999, Olde City has earned its reputation as a standard-bearer for the Philadelphia tattoo scene, offering work "by appointment or impulse" from an instantly recognizable storefront in the heart of the historic district. Olde City has the look and vibe of a classic shop, and the highly experienced artists to back it up. Goldberg and Co. have a classical bent to their style, though they are open to all custom jobs.

In true South Philly tradition, Dakini is a small-but-inviting shop with a diverse artist roster that’s got the chops to take on Japanese-, Americana- and pop culture-inspired jobs, as well as highly customized pieces. The Snyder Avenue space started as a collective workplace but switched its business model to a private studio in 2021.

Situated in a 150-year-old church in the heart of Fishtown, True Hand is a tight operation established by tattooer Mike Ski and designer Jessie Jay. The appointment-only body-art operation, home to eight artists, doubles as a graphic design studio that contributes logo, branding and concept work to local and national businesses—from pizzerias and breweries to cafes and clothiers.

Offering both flash-based art and completely custom pieces, Kensington’s Seven Swords holds down the far end of Frankford Avenue in a pretty, clean-lined corner space that reflects founding artist Myke Chambers’ and his team’s approach to their work. Though it’s only been around since 2014, SSTC has carved out a reputable spot for itself in the Philly tattoo crowd thanks to its stylistic versatility.

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Located in the historic Bok Building, a fortress-like former high school in South Philly turned into a workspace for artists, creators, and small businesses—this shop touts more than 50 years of tattoo experience among its seven artists. The five-year-old endeavor also has a beauty arm specializing in cosmetic procedures such as microblading and lip blush.

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This combo tattoo studio and gallery in Fishtown notches points in the atmosphere column via its high ceilings and stations dramatically decorated with artwork, vintage toys and graffiti-laden skateboards. Open since 2010, it’s home to several highly respected body artists who go out of their way to make people feel welcome. Regular First Friday show openings make the Girard Avenue shop a draw for collectors of body and conventional wall decor.