The best tattoo studios on the planet are in London

Once wrongly thought to be the sole preserve of people who didn't do very well at school, getting inked is now a universally embraced thing – and the best London tattoo studios are proof of that. According to research company YPulse, nearly half of young people older than 18 now have tattoos. Plus, a separate study also found that the number of adults with ink has doubled over the past ten years.

Getting a tatted is serious business. The design will more than likely stick for the rest of your days (unless you decided to get it removed, which can be painfully expensive and actually painful). So if you decide to get a tattoo, it's essential that you go somewhere that's good.

From old masters to bright young talents, from tribal to Americana, portraiture to patterns, these are the best tattoo studios in London that you should check out.

Basement, 18 Frith St, London W1D 4RF

Since Firth Street Studio first opened its doors in 2004, it has quickly become one of London's go-to shops, gaining itself a cult following both in the capital and beyond. Located slap bang in the heart of Soho, they offer custom work from a range of award-winning artists who are at the top of the game. If you have something in mind, feel free to show them. They'll work closely with you to make sure that you get exactly what you want.

Good for: Traditional work and lettering

70 Berwick St, London W1F 8TA

One By One is currently home to ten different artists, but what sets this tattoo studio apart is that sustainability is at the core of the business. Not only do they only use animal-friendly inks and products, they also plant over one hundred trees every single month to offset their carbon footprint. Plus, they’ve hosted numerous events and pop-ups with world-famous artists such as Kanye West, Travis Scott, and Kehlani.

Good for: Vegan pieces and fine lines

157 Sydney Rd, London N10 2NL

Opened by Lal Hardy in 1979, New Wave Tattoo is one of the oldest shops in London. Founded at a time when punk rock ruled the streets, these rebellious roots continue to shine through even to this day. Hardy, who has become something of a legend in the world of ink, continues to work at the space alongside four other exceptionally talented artists – and they've got Dave Grohl and Liam Gallagher on the books.

Good for: Tribal and neo-traditional work

58 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QE

The Family Business has been around for two decades, and in this time, they've built quite a reputation. Tucked into Exmouth Market, the work area and waiting room are separated by Japanese privacy screens, and the Family Business also offer tattoo removal too.

Good for: Asian iconography and intricate patterns

Rear of, 389 New Cross Rd, London SE14 6LA

If you love browsing tattoo content on Insta, chances are you've come across South City Market and some very jokes IG Stories. Based in the south of the capital, unlike most tattoo studios where everything is kept pretty traditional, SCM's space is a laid-back, contemporary, and very minimalist. For many, this isn't as intimidating, meaning it's perfect for those getting inked for the very first time.

Good for: Futuristic vibes and micro designs

471 Hackney Rd, Cambridge Heath, London E2 9ED

Based in Cambridge Heath, Vagabond Tattoo is housed in a very modernist space filled with whitewashed walls and Scandi-style furniture. The tattoo studio has a total of ten in-house artists who specialise in totally different genres. This means that if you have something specific in mind, they'll have someone that can work closely with you to make your dream a reality. Vagabond Tattoo also have their own merch, including T-shirts and tote bags, which is always nice!

Good for: Graphic blackwork and illustrations

1st Floor, 8 Lower Clapton Rd, London E5 0PD

Have you ever wondered where Kate Moss and Boy George get inked? Head to Good Times for the answer. Originally based out in Shoreditch, it made the move to its current Hackney Central location in 2022. However, even though the studio is much larger than before, it's still a fully inclusive space for like-minded artists to express their creativity and produce some beautiful tats.

Good for: Eastern and western traditional work

Unit 3, 394 Camden Rd, London N7 0SJ

For the past 15 years, Six Bullets Tattoo has been the go-to spot for both Londoners and out-of-towners. With a total of 13 in-house artists all with experience in various genres, Six Bullets is also joined throughout the year by residencies. And they don't accept walk-ins if you were just thinking of rocking up.

Good for: Contemporary designs and hand-poking

Unit D, Leeds Pl, Finsbury Park, London N4 3RF

Nestled away in an old factory that was built in the late 1800s, if you're in-search for a tattoo studio that's more contemporary than classic, then Parliament Tattoo is a go-to. Just a few Underground stops from the heart of the city, it was founded in 2014 by Scott Move and Nicola Mary Wyatt and boasts a 16-strong artist roster. They're also regularly joined by internationally-renowned tattooists.

Good for: Graphic blackwork and cross-hatching

29B Dalston Ln, London E8 3DF

Established in 2013, tattoo fans travel far and wide just to get inked at Sang Bleu's London shop. In fact, it's also part-publishing house, part-design agency, and part-fashion label, not to mention that Sang Bleu also has locations in Zurich and Los Angeles. The brains behind the operation? Maxime Plescia-Buchi, an artist that's collaborated with the likes of Alexander McQueen, Nike, and most recently, Hublot.

Good for: Neo-traditional and graphic blackwork