For many Queenslanders, tattoos are the greatest form of personal expression and definition.
A fantastic way to honour a loved one or remember an occasion, tattoos also help you convey your affiliation to a group, sporting institution or a particular cause.
Marrying personal significance with eye-catching appeal, they also, of course, turn your body into a walking art gallery.
If you have ever been to Brisbane you would have noticed that tattoo culture is big in the city, and for that matter, in the state as a whole. You should have noticed too that there are a plethora of tattoo shops open for business.
From those who specialise in large brightly coloured sleeves, and tribal art, to others who excel at portraits or lettering, here are 16 of the best tattoo shops in Brisbane.
Next time you want to get inked, these are the places to go.
Pacifink
Launched in 2008, Pacifink has been providing top-quality tattoos to the good people of Wynnum for almost 15 years now.
Family-owned, this funky, yet highly professional tattoo studio specialises in a full range of styles and genres. This includes portraiture, realism, Ta Moko, Kirituhi and Polynesian.
Their award-winning team of four artists have over 30 years of tattooing experience between them. Boasting an impressive portfolio of pieces, many of which feature unreal photorealistic detail.
Address: 84 Florence St, Wynnum, QLD 4178
Phone: (07) 3893 1414
Hours: Tues – Sat 9 am – 5 pm
Fox and Moon Tattoo Collective
If you are looking for a relaxed venue that offers value for money and chilled-out vibes then the Fox and Moon Tattoo Collective is the place for you to go.
Located in Windsor, these guys offer a holistic approach when it comes to providing their clients with their latest designs.
One of the first all-female tattoo parlours in the city, you won’t find any moustached biker types here.
Instead, you can expect pink walls, friendly conversation and aftercare that is cruelty-free and vegan. You can also expect to be wowed by the work of top-notch artists, whose designs are as intricate as they are incredible.
Address: 72 Brook St, Windsor, QLD 4030
Phone: 0411 570 360
Hours: Tues – Sat 10 am – 4 pm
City Body Art
When it comes to brand names, you pretty much know exactly what this mob do.
Situated on Elizabeth Street, in the heart of the CBD, City Body Art is a city-based operation that specialises in outstanding body art.
For more than 20 years this well-known studio has been providing walk-ins with exquisite tattoos, forging themselves a reputation for customer service and attention to detail in the process.
Their stunning pieces are renowned for their fine lines and colour, which you will be proud to show off.
Address: 201 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City, QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3012 9777
Hours: Mon – Sun 10 am – 5 pm
Tradition Tattoo
Over at the Fortitude Valley, Tradition Tattoo prides itself on being the best tattoo artist in Brisbane.
Whilst this is a very big call, they back it up with a fantastic portfolio of designs – particularly Japanese, American, blackwork, traditional and neo-traditional, which will blow you away with their intricacy and visual impact.
Specialising in custom tattoos, this studio of seven artists includes Hamish Clarke, JonFTW and Ben Rouke, who are renowned for being some of the best traditional tattooers in the whole of Australia.
As well as giving you a tattoo, the team also offers MJD laser removal too for those who want to remove previous designs given to them by other artists.
Address: 83 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006
Phone: (07) 3854 1735
Hours: Tues – Sat 11 am – 6 pm
Trailer Trash Tattoo
An institution in Annerley, Mimsy’s Trailer Trash Tattoo is a notable player on the Brisbane tattoo scene.
Comprising a team of seven artists, all of whom have their own unique styles of loud art, the team here operates out of a series of converted trailers.
Together they tackle a range of styles, though collectively specialise in traditional American designs.
The highly talented team are known for their friendly service and high level of skill. They also provide you with outstanding designs that represent excellent value for money.
Address: 10 Fanny Street, Annerley, QLD 4103
Phone: (07) 3848 5964
Hours: Mon – Sat 10 am – 5 pm
Shinko Tattoo
Established in 2014 by Justin Smeeth and J.J Allinson, Shinko Tattoo are an accomplished studio that now boasts nine resident artists.
Between them, their skill set covers pretty much every style and genre you can think of. Although they pride themselves in particular on the quality of their Americana, Japanese, realism, blackwork and neo-traditional work.
Overlooking the Brisbane cityscape, the studio here is clean, modern and inviting. Walk-ins are very welcome, although as these guys are always busy, it is a good idea to book a time slot in advance.
Address: 340 Sandgate Rd, Albion, QLD 4010
Phone: (07) 3262 6574
Hours: Tues – Sat 10 am – 6 pm
Parliament House Studio
Nestled under the Story Bridge at Kangaroo Point, the Parliament House Studio is a private tattoo studio that offers a warm and relaxed service, that eases the minds of those who are getting their first tattoos.
Passionate about providing you with the design you have been dreaming of, this talented four-person team specialises in single-needle tattooing artwork.
They are renowned in particular for the exceptional quality of their pet prints.
Address: 184 Main St, Kangaroo Point, QLD 4169
Phone: 0432 771 324
Hours: Wed – Sat 10 am – 5 pm
Black Ivy Tattoo
Priding itself on being a clean, welcoming and progressive studio, Black Ivy Tattoo is a popular parlour in the heart of Chermside.
Built around a talented team of artists, they operate on an appointment-only basis.
When you do have your appointment you will find yourself in a very professional set-up that plays great music within a relaxed setting.
Their wide skill base ensures that they can ink you with any style of tattoo you want.
Address: 440 Hamilton Rd, Chermside, QLD 4032
Phone: (07) 3357 5675
Hours: Tues – Wed + Fri 10 am – 5:30 pm, Thurs 10 am – 5:30 pm, Sat 10 am – 4 pm
Westside Tattoo
Over the course of the last 25 years, Westside Tattoo has forged an excellent reputation for itself as being one of the best tattoo parlours in Brisbane.
Nestled in the heart of the West End, they boast a fantastic team of artists that include such acclaimed tattooers as Matt Cunnington and David Ransome. Both of whom are renowned for this incredible artwork.
A custom tattoo studio, much of the focus of their work is on traditional Japanese and American designs.
Aiming to provide their customers with custom tattoos that stand the test of time, other areas of specialisation include sacred geometry, photo realism, script, old school, abstract, tribal, portrait, illustrative and B&G.
Address: 156 Hardgrave Rd, West End QLD 4101
Hours: Tues – Sat: 11 am – 6 pm
Phone: (07) 3844 0711
Sacred Skin
First opening its doors in 2005, Sacred Skin has been providing a gold standard in Brisbane’s tattoo industry for almost two decades.
Through their diverse, yet highly professional team of eight artists, they are able to offer their clients custom artwork, as well as a full range of tattoo designs. These include portraits, Japanese and black, grey and colour tattoos.
The team here are incredibly well adept at manifesting the vision of their clients into a finished artwork they would be proud of.
They are also very good at reassuring and calming down nervous first-timers, who might be worried about the pain factor.
Address: Upstairs, 380 Logan Rd, Greenslopes, QLD 4120
Phone: (07) 3397 3606
Hours: Tues – Sat 10 am – 6 pm
Wild at Heart
First opening its doors in 1992, Wild at Heart is one of Brisbane’s oldest tattoo shops, and over the years many of the city’s best artists have cut their teeth here.
Situated on Queen Street, in the heart of the CBD, it is probably fair to say that you know someone who has had a tattoo done by them – or at least worked for them.
Boasting a team of nine insanely talented tattoo artists, the crew here is able to provide you with any style of artistic tattooing you want.
In particular, their traditional, blackwork, realistic, floral, anime, fineline, bold colour and Japanese designs are mightily impressive.
Address: 4/84 Queen St, Brisbane City, QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3003 0900
Hours: Mon – Fri 11 am – 4 pm, Sat 10 am – 4 pm, Sun 11 am – 4 pm
Seventh Circle
Operating out of a former rubber factory that is situated next to the Gabba, Seventh Circle is a private tattoo studio which is renowned for its fine artwork and top-quality tattoos.
If you are into bold and colourful psychedelic tattoos this is the place for you.
Created by a team of 9 artists who apply impeccable design with an innovative vision, whether you are after a large and intricately detailed custom piece or just a small something to bring your skin to life, they have got you well and truly covered.
Address: 2/815 Stanley St, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102
Phone: (07) 3168 2664
Hours: Tues – Sat 11 am – 6 pm
Valley Ink
Valley Ink is another excellent tattoo studio in the Fortitude Valley.
Boasting a modern, clean and inviting studio, as well as a team of passionate and talented artists, these guys are always busy, so it is worth making a booking with them. Although they do accept walk-ins.
Specialising in a wide range of tattoo designs, the quality of their work is very good and their prices are reasonable too.
Address: 290 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006
Phone: (07) 3310 4185
Hours: Mon – Sat 11 am – 6 pm
The Inker
Located in Alderley, The Inker is a smaller studio with just two artists, who have been servicing the city for over a decade.
Run by Dean, an incredibly talented owner-artist, and Zak who is renowned for his pop culture and Japanese work, they are able to provide you with a wide range of designs.
This includes everything from black and grey colour to traditional ink work. They can even restore, fix up, or cover up existing tattoos as well.
Address: 448 Enoggera Rd, Alderley, QLD 4051
Phone: (07) 3356 5002
Hours: Tues – Fri 10 am – 6 pm, Sat 10 am – 5:30 pm
Temple Tattoo
A popular Brisbane tattoo studio in Nundah, Temple Tattoo prides itself on providing its clients with exceptional tattoos they will want to show off.
Featuring the award-winning tattoo artist Kelly Marshall, the team here let their designs do the talking.
Providing a relaxed and sterile environment in which to get inked, they are capable of creating a custom design for you. Alternatively, you might prefer to choose one of their specialist black, grey, traditional or portrait option – of which there are hundreds to choose from!
Address: 2/1265 Sandgate Rd, Nundah QLD 4012
Phone: (07) 3061 8185
Hours: Mon – Sun 10 am – 5 pm