Ranked · Updated May 2026
Top 10 Best Tattoo Shops in New York, NY
Our ranked top 10 for New York, NY — scored by verified rating and review volume, updated weekly.
- No.1
Redink Tattoo Studio
4.7(2,175)$$Our top-ranked shop in New York. 2,175 reviews and a 4.7★ average put it ahead of the rest.
- No.2
UPLIFT TATTOO AND PIERCING NYC
4.8(1,306)$$UPLIFT TATTOO AND PIERCING NYC is a tattoo studio in New York.
- No.3
Studio 28 Piercings, Fine Jewelry, and Custom Tattoos is a tattoo studio in New York.
- No.4
Times Square Tattoo
4.9(1,047)$$Times Square Tattoo is a tattoo studio in New York.
- No.5
IGLA Tattoo Studio NYC
5.0(809)$$IGLA Tattoo Studio NYC is a tattoo studio in New York.
- No.6
Red Baron Ink
4.9(867)$$Red Baron Ink is a tattoo studio in New York.
- No.7
- No.8
NOBLE ART | Tattoo, Piercing, Academy New York is a tattoo studio in New York.
- No.9
Live By The Sword Tattoo - Union Square
4.8(973)$$Live By The Sword Tattoo - Union Square is a tattoo studio in New York.
- No.10
NYC Tattoo Shop
4.5(1,415)$$NYC Tattoo Shop is a tattoo studio in New York.
Best tattoo shops by area
Ranked picks for towns and suburbs around New York.
About the New York tattoo scene
New York is the densest tattoo market in the country and arguably the most stylistically fractured. The five boroughs hold everything from century-old traditional shops on the Lower East Side to private fine-line studios in Greenpoint that book six months out. There is no single 'New York style' — the city is too big and too segmented for that — but there are clear neighborhood signatures worth knowing before you book.
Manhattan tends to skew toward established names with appointment-only schedules and Manhattan prices to match. Expect $250–$400 per hour at the top studios, often with a months-long wait. Brooklyn is where most of the contemporary scene lives: Williamsburg and Greenpoint for fine line, illustrative, and ornamental work; Bushwick for grittier, more experimental black-and-grey; Bedford-Stuyvesant for a growing cluster of artist-owned private studios.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tattoo shop in New York?+
Based on rating, review volume, and consistency, Redink Tattoo Studio ranks #1 in our New York top 10. The full ranked list weighs both star average and total reviews so heavily-reviewed shops aren't bumped by a handful of perfect scores.
How much do tattoos cost in New York, NY?+
Most reputable New York shops charge $150–$250 per hour for custom work, with shop minimums around $80–$120. Specialists and well-known artists routinely run $300+ per hour. Always get a quote in writing during your consultation.
Do I need an appointment, or do New York shops accept walk-ins?+
Most established New York studios accept walk-ins for small flash pieces on weekends, but custom work almost always requires booking in advance — often weeks or months for popular artists. Send a clear reference, size, and placement when reaching out.
How often is this list updated?+
Our shop data refreshes weekly, so ratings, review counts, and rankings reflect the most recent verified data. Hours, photos, and contact info are kept in sync the same way.
Looking for something more specific in New York?
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