Gay Atlanta: Best Tattoo Spots to Get Inked

Yeah, yeah, we know that a little prick is usually not the kind of prick you’re looking for. But when it comes to getting some ink, a little prick can go a long way…when it is done right.

With two locations in Atlanta, the guys at Southern Star tattoo boast over 50 years of combined experience between the six of them. After several artists decided to leave Liberty Tattoo in 2011 and open their own shop, the result was a bright and shiny new parlor almost directly across the street from their old stomping grounds.

The artists have permanent homes at either location. The Ponce artists include Bill Conner, Brian Gattis and Demian Bouchon; Little Five guys include Chris Howell, Eric Thrice and Keet D’Arms, several of whom have been mentioned in Prick Magazine and Tattoo Artist Magazine.

In August of 2011, the boys of Southern Star had an art show at Youngblood Gallery to commemorate their first year in business. The show was entitled, Opening Doors, because “When one door closes, another one opens”, a direct reference to their falling out with Liberty leading to a whole new (and quite successful) venture. The artists featured in the show were Damien Bouchon, Daks, Bill Conner, Keet D’Arms, Chris Howell and Eric Thrice, as well as the shop’s “extended family”.

Personally, Southern Star is my shop of choice. I have tried several other Atlanta tattoo parlors, and have not been as satisfied with the work, personable artists and cleanliness and professional atmosphere than that of Southern Star. I see Brian Gaddis for color pieces, and Keet D’Arms for realistic, black and white pieces.

What Makes Them Special: After only a little under three years in business, SST has done well enough to open a second location a few miles away from the original site.

Info:

736 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta; 404-810-0080
Sun. – Thur. from Noon to 11 p.m.
Fri., Sat. from Noon to Midnight

1158 Euclid Ave, Atlanta; 404-222-0767
Sun. – Thurs. from Noon to 9 p.m.
Fri., Sat. from Noon to 10 p.m.

Founded in 1995 by elite artist Cap Szumski, who alone has almost 25 years of experience, Timeless Tattoo has been a part of Atlanta’s alternative street scene for almost 20 years.

Private booths make getting tattooed at Timeless a personal experience, unlike many other shops where you get tattooed in front of God and everybody. If your tat is in a more private place, or if you are just a delicate, shy little flower, consider getting your work done at Timeless.

Szumski, and the shop itself, have been written up and mentioned in Prick Magazine, Skin & Ink, Tattoo Magazine and International Tattoo Art Magazine and on tattooroadtrip.com. The other artists on location are Lew Hands, Brian Snape, Jenny Bunny Bunns, David Long and Barbara.

Info:

2271 Cheshire Bridge Road N, Atlanta; 404-315-6900
Mon. to Sat. from Noon to 10 p.m.
Sun. from Noon to 8 p.m.

The only tattoo parlor in the 30030 zip code of Decatur, Ink and Dagger holds itself to the same standards any resident Decaturite would.  Walk-ins are now welcome, as until recently, the shop was appointment only. Although you can show up for ink, we suggest you book an appointment if you have more than a simple, tiny tat in mind. This applies for any and all tattoo parlors. Go speak to your artist first, and give them time to draw and perfect your tattoo before you go slapping it on permanently- removal is more painful than the acquisition.

Ink and Dagger’s award-winning tattooists include Russ Abbott, Kelly Doty, Eddie Stacey and Race Dylan, some of whom have been seen on Ink-N-Iron and Sullen TV.

Their website is very user-friendly, and technologically forward. After you decide what you want and whom you want to tattoo it on you, go ahead and reserve an appointment online using the “Book an Appointment” button, a feature pretty much unheard of on tat studio sites.

Info:

1036 West College Ave, Decatur; 404-373-6655
Wed. to Sun. from Noon to 8 p.m.
Fri. Sat. from Noon to 9 p.m.
Closed Monday and Tuesday

Memorial Tattoo was opened in 2006 by 24-year career tattooist Phil Colvin in the East Atlanta neighborhood of the city. The staff of Memorial Tattoo, including Phil Colvin, Malia Reynolds, Gary Yoxen, Laura Rachel, Jett Bryant, Ashton Anderson and Dustin Swinks, several artists being award-winning tattooists.

Voted Best Tattoo Shop by Creative Loafing Reader’s in 2009 and 2012.

Info:

809 Moreland Ave, Atlanta; 404-622-9222
Seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Located in Historic Grant Park, Only You Tattoo has been one of the few studios boasting the accolade of Best Tattoo Studio by Creative Loafing’s Readers Choice Awards.

The shop was founded by Matt Greenhalgh and Danielle Diustefano in February 2000. They accept appointments and walk-ins, and strive to maintain a neighborhood feel despite their Big City skills.

Info:

415 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta; 404-659-4900
Mon. to Thurs. from Noon to 8 p.m.
Fri., Sat. from Noon to 10 p.m.
Sun. from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Award winning studio, whose L5P location was founded by famous tattooist Tony Olivas in 1994, and then opened the Norcross location a few years later.

Olivas has been tattooing for over 25 years, and is a well-known name in the tattooing community. He is very picky about who he hires to work for him, as all the tats that leave the shop reflect on him as well as the artist. Little Five artists include Loki Shane Defriece, KC Wagner, Emily Effier, Eddy Argibay, Brian Munoz and Quintin Jones; Norcross artists are Larry Rodriguez and Izzy Briceno.

Info:

483 Moreland Ave NE, Atlanta; 404- 222-8385
Mon. to Sat. from Noon to 9 p.m.
Sun. from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

1241 Indian Trail Lilburn Road NW, Norcross; 770-806-0054
Mon. to Thur. from Noon to 9 p.m.
Fri. and Sat. from Noon to 10 p.m.
Sun. from Noon to 9 p.m.

Owner Johnny Hollywood opened 13 Roses in the heart of East Atlanta Village above the restaurant Flat Iron. He has been a tattoo enthusiast, artist, fan and collector for over 30 years.

13 Roses is home to artists John Collins, Alan Flores, Jonathan Guzik and Patrick Sheridan. The studio welcomes Guest Artists from time to time; right now that title is held by Jay Evans and Mikey Slater.

CityVote.com bestowed the title of Best Tattoo and Piercing Parlor upon 13 Roses in 2008.

Info:

524 Flat Shoals Avenue SE, Atlanta; 404-880-0713
Mon. to Thurs. from Noon to 9 p.m.
Fri. and Sat. from Noon to 10 p.m.
Sun. from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Jaeyne Eldridge, a.k.a. “Gentle Jane”, is the lifeblood of Cloud Dancer Tattoo. As an artist with over 20 years of tattooing experience, Jaeyne is recognized as one of the finest female tattoo artists in the Southeast. She is devoted to each piece she undertakes independently, and specializes in custom designs, cover-ups and portraits.

The building at 3482 East Ponce has been home to different tattoo shops since 1970, the location itself being the oldest continuously operated tattoo parlor in the Atlanta area. Cloud Dancer has been established in the location since 2002.

Info:

3482 East Ponce de Leon Ave, Scottdale; 404-389-0612
Mon. from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tue. to Sat. from: Noon to 8 p.m.
Sun. from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.