Which is the best tattoo shop in the Triangle? Start with this list of 18
With the growing popularity of tattoos, you may have wondered where should you get your first ink — or your tenth.
There are more tattoo shops than you might think in the Triangle, all offering a wide variety of services and creative opinions.
Tattoos can be an act of self-expression or a drunken mistake, but regardless the reason, it is important you go to the best shop.
The News & Observer wants to see which tattoo shop or parlor in the Triangle is the best. We put together a list of 18 tattoo shops all around the Triangle, and we’re asking readers to weigh in. In the first round, you can vote for nine shops. The first round will end at noon on Wednesday, June 14, and the second round will begin later that afternoon.
You can find a list of our top 18 tattoo shops below the voting box.
Apex Tattoo Factory
Apex Tattoo Factory is the only tattoo shop on this list that is located in Apex. They are an appointment-only shop and offer tattoo and piercing services. The artist uses eternal and dynamic ink for his custom and high quality designs.
Address: 500 E Williams St, Apex
Contact: (919) 924-7778, djfatjax@ymail.com
Hours: Closed Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Noon-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday Noon-9 p.m., Sunday Noon-5 p.m.
Info: apextattoofactory.com
Ascension Tattoo
Ascension Tattoo is a tattoo shop in Chapel Hill. The shop only offers tattoo services, and walk-ins are accepted on certain days. It is recommended to make an appointment, and make sure to have your deposit ready when making the appointment.
Address: 215 North Columbia St., Chapel Hill
Contact: (919) 240-5452
Hours: Open everyday from Noon-6 p.m., except Thursday
Info: ascensiontattoonc.com
Conspiracy Ink
Conspiracy Ink is a tattoo shop in Raleigh, established in 2010. They offer a wide range of services and sponsor local charities. They offer custom tattoos, body piercings and commissioned artwork. The tattoo artists charge $140 per hour with a $50 minimum, but they offer a first-responder discount.
Address: 328 W. Morgan St., Suite A, Raleigh
Contact: (919) 526-6581
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 2 p.m. until appointments are complete – usually 8 or 9 p.m., Closed Sunday & Monday
Info: conspiracyinktattoos.com
Dogstar Tattoo Company
Dogstar Tattoo Company is the oldest tattoo parlor in Durham. It was established in 1997 and are owned and operated by women. Walk-ins are accepted but there is no guarantee on the wait time. As well as tattoos, they offer a variety of piercing services with 14k and 18k solid gold jewelry with gemstones.
Address: 807 East Main St., Suite 6-101, Durham
Contact: (919) 682-0000, dogstartattoo33@gmail.com
Hours: Monday & Thursday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Closed Tuesday & Wednesday
Info: dogstartattoo.com
Double Deuce
Double Deuce is one of the few tattoo shops in Cary. They take your wants and transform them into a well-defined visual story. It is an appointment-only shop and is currently not doing piercings.
Address: 937 North Harrison Avenue, Cary
Contact: (919)481-4445, Doubledeucetat2@gmail.com
Hours: Noon-9 p.m. everyday
Info: doubledeucetattoo.com
Easy Tiger Custom Tattoo
Easy Tiger Custom Tattoo is a tattoo shop in Durham established in 2018. Their tattoo artists provide a high energy environment. They offer custom tattoos by appointment-only. For the artists, “quality is policy.”
Address: 4810 Hope Valley Road, Suite 214, Durham Contact: (919) 699-6774, easytigercustom@gmail.com Hours: Tuesday 12:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesday - Saturday 12:30-7 p.m., Closed Sunday & Monday Info: easytigercustomtattoo.com
Electric Blue Tattoo
Electric Blue Tattoo is a tattoo shop in Raleigh. The studio also doubles as an art studio. The artist, MJ, specializes in a range of tattoos from black and gray to color and realistic to traditional. They are an appointment-only studio, so no walk-ins are accepted.
Address: 8408 Six Forks Road, Suite 101, Raleigh Contact: (919) 452-4566 Hours: Tuesday - Saturday Noon-8 p.m., Sunday & Monday closed Info: electricbluetattoo.com
Hillsborough Street Tattoo
Hillsborough Street Tattoo brought together many artists from all over the United States to Raleigh. The staff likes to provide a relaxed and fun atmosphere within the shop. On staff, they have 3 tattoo artists and 4 piercers. Tattoos are appointment-only, but no need for an appointment for piercings.
Address: 2418 Hillsborough St, Raleigh Contact: (919) 706-5575 Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 1-8 p.m., Sunday 3-8 p.m., Closed on Mondays Info: hillsboroughsttattoo.com
Mad Ethel’s Tattoo & Piercing
Mad Ethel’s Tattoo & Piercing is a tattoo and piercing shop in Raleigh. They were established in 2012 with two separate locations offering a wide variety of services. They are one of the only tattoo shops in the area that offer tattoo removal and lightning services in the Triangle.
Addresses: 711-B N Person St., Raleigh and 215 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh Contact: (919) 900-8345, (919) 322-5429, madethel@madethelstattoo.com Info: madethelstattoo.com
Phoenix Tattoo
Phoenix Tattoo is an appointment-only tattoo parlor in Raleigh. They promote local charities on their website. Each tattoo artist charges $180 per hour with a $80 minimum.
Address: 1215 Hillsborough St., Raleigh Contact: (919) 834-8055, phoenix.counter@gmail.com Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 1-9pm, Closed Sunday & Monday Info: phoenixtattoostudio.com
Ratatat Tats
At Ratatat Tats, a tattoo shop in Cary, they offer custom-design tattoos. The artists are technically trained. Each tattoo artist has a private room and maintains a sterile environment in each room. There is a $50 minimum deposit that goes towards the total.
Address: 300 Parkthrough St., Cary Contact: (919) 377-2035, ratatattats1@gmail.com Hours: Tuesday - Saturday Noon-9 p.m., Closed Sunday & Monday Info: ratatat-tats.com
Red Leaf Tattoo Studio
Red Leaf Tattoo Studio is a tattoo shop located in Cary. The artists all have unique styles and specialties. They also offer cosmetic tattoo services and scalp micropigmentation.
Address: 8450 Chapel Hill Road, Suite 107, Cary Contact: (919) 234-0271 Hours: Monday Noon-8 p.m., Thursday - Saturday Noon-8 p.m., Sunday Noon-5 p.m., Closed Tuesday & Wednesday Info: redleaftattoostudio.com
Revelation Ink
Revelation Ink is a solo tattoo studio in Wake Forest. The tattoo artist/owner is inspired by the quote by Wyatt Earp: “Fast is Fine, but Accuracy is Everything.” He offers free touch-ups for the first three months. After that, the shop’s minimum will apply, which is $50. The shop is currently cash-only.
Address: 934 Durham Road, Suite G, Wake Forest Contact: (919) 526-2213 Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 1-8 p.m., Closed Sunday & Monday Info: revelationink.art
Sacred Mandala
Scared Mandala is a tattoo parlor in Durham. They have a wide variety of artists at the parlor. They specialize in one-of-a-kind tattoos. The parlor also sells custom merchandise, including T-shirts, woven blankets and pins. They also allow guest artists to come in and tattoo in the shop.
Address: 405A E. Chapel Hill St., Durham Contact: (919) 748-4638, sacredmandalastudio@gmail.com Hours: Noon-7 p.m. Info: sacredmandalastudio.com
Tattoo Asylum
Tattoo Asylum is a tattoo parlor in Durham. Their artists specialize in various specialties like cover-up tattoos, cosmetic tattoos and professional tattooing. They offer piercing services as well.
Address: 4422 North Roxboro St., Durham Contact: (919) 479-5058, tattooasylumnc@gmail.com Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, Noon-7 p.m., Closed Monday & Sunday Info: tattooasylumnc.com
Triple Moon Tattoo
Triple Moon Tattoo is a small tattoo shop in Glenwood South. They have five tattoo artists and have 25 years of combined experience. Each artist has their own style, so it is important to take a look at their portfolios before making an appointment. There is a $100 minimum for all tattoos.
Address: 745 W. Johnson St., Raleigh, NC 27603 Contact: (919) 916-7564 Hours: September - May: Tuesday - Friday 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday - Sunday Noon-8 p.m., Closed Monday. June - August: Tuesday - Sunday Noon- 8 p.m., Closed Monday Info: triplemoontattoo.com
Warlock’s Tattoo
Warlock’s Tattoo is a tattoo studio in Raleigh. They were established in 1984, and originally were in Oklahoma until 1990, when they moved to North Carolina. They offer private booths for their tattoo artists. There are 150 years of combined experience within the shop.
Address: 5535 Western Blvd., Suite 104, Raleigh Contact: (919) 233-1760, warlockstattoo13@gmail.com Hours: Monday - Saturday Noon-7 p.m., Sunday Noon-4 p.m. Info: warlocks-tattoo.com
Welcome Tattoo
Welcome Tattoo is a tattoo parlor in Durham. They specialize in precise and original designs. The artists aim to bring the clients’ ideas into reality with their designs. They use vegan ink for all their tattoos. Walk-ins are only allowed on Saturdays, and there is an $80 minimum for all tattoos
Address: 316 West Geer St., Suite B, Durham Contact: (919) 808-8606, info@welcometattoo.com Hours: Wednesday - Sunday Noon-8 p.m., Monday & Tuesday Closed Info: welcometattoo.com
Triangle Asked & Answered: What do you want to know?
Have a question about something in our community? The News & Observer’s Service Journalism team wants your questions for our Triangle Asked & Answered series. Reach out to us by filling out this form or by sending an email to ask@newsobserver.com.
