Tattoo shops in Chicago
Thinking about ink in Chicago, IL? Start with the studios: 43 are mapped here. All 43 are mapped as tattoo studios proper, and each one is worth a portfolio browse before you commit — style varies more between shops than towns. A consultation costs nothing and tells you everything about how a shop runs.
This guide covers every tattoo shop we could verify in and around Chicago (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include Chicago Town Ink and Brown Brothers Tattoo, plus Chicago True Blue Tattoo. If a studio's missing from Chicago's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet — the scene is bigger than any single dataset.
The Chicago tattoo lineup
43 mapped within about 40 km:
Chicago Town Ink
Tattoo studio
Chicago Town Ink — Tattoo studio, found on 5056 West Lawrence Avenue in Chicago.
5056 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, 60630
Brown Brothers Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Brown Brothers Tattoo is Tattoo studio on 903 North California Avenue, Chicago. Brown Brothers Tattoo also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
903 North California Avenue, Chicago, 60622
Phone: +1 773 252 9575
Chicago True Blue Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Chicago True Blue Tattoo — Tattoo studio.
Tattoo World Studio
Tattoo studio
Tattoo World Studio is Tattoo studio.
Median Line Tattoo Studio
Tattoo studio
Median Line Tattoo Studio is Tattoo studio on 6906 West Roosevelt Road, Oak Park.
6906 West Roosevelt Road, Oak Park, 60304
The Tattoo Lady
Tattoo studio
The Tattoo Lady is Tattoo studio on 6817 Kennedy Avenue, Hammond. The Tattoo Lady also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Th 12:00-20:00; Sa 12:00-21:00; Su 12:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
6817 Kennedy Avenue, Hammond, 46323
Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-20:00; Sa 12:00-21:00; Su 12:00-18:00
Phone: +1-219-844-9976
Ink and Iron Custom Tattoo Studio
Tattoo studio
Ink and Iron Custom Tattoo Studio — Tattoo studio, found on 3700 North Cicero Avenue in Chicago. Also worth knowing about Ink and Iron Custom Tattoo Studio: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
3700 North Cicero Avenue, Chicago, 60641
Phone: +1-630-270-5330
Drink and Ink
Tattoo studio
Drink and Ink is Tattoo studio on 4443 North Broadway, Chicago. Drink and Ink also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
4443 North Broadway, Chicago, 60640
Phone: +1-773-944-5000
To The Point Tattoo Studio
Tattoo studio
To The Point Tattoo Studio — Tattoo studio, found on 14142 Cicero Avenue in Crestwood.
14142 Cicero Avenue, Crestwood, 60445
Fudo Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Fudo Tattoo is Tattoo studio.
Hammerhead Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Hammerhead Tattoo is Tattoo studio.
Code of Conduct
Tattoo studio
Code of Conduct — Tattoo studio.
Enthrall Ink
Tattoo studio
Enthrall Ink — Tattoo studio, found on 7899 West 159th Street in Tinley Park. Also worth knowing about Enthrall Ink: it has a website with more detail.
7899 West 159th Street, Tinley Park, 60477
Tomato Tattoo West
Tattoo studio
Tomato Tattoo West — Tattoo studio. Also worth knowing about Tomato Tattoo West: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 12:00-21:00.
Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-21:00
Royal Flesh
Tattoo studio
Royal Flesh — Tattoo studio.
Tattoo Factory
Tattoo studio
Tattoo Factory is Tattoo studio on 4441 North Broadway, Chicago. Tattoo Factory also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
4441 North Broadway, Chicago, 60640
Phone: +1 773-989-4077
Next Level Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Next Level Tattoo — Tattoo studio, found on 2489 North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago.
2489 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, 60647
Logan Square Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Logan Square Tattoo — Tattoo studio, found on 2352 North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago.
2352 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, 60647
Fundamental Body Piercing Company
Tattoo studio
Fundamental Body Piercing Company — Tattoo studio, found on 2344 North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago.
2344 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, 60647
Lucky Kat Tat
Tattoo studio
Lucky Kat Tat — Tattoo studio, found on 1858 Indianapolis Boulevard in Whiting.
1858 Indianapolis Boulevard, Whiting, 46394
Dwelling Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Dwelling Tattoo is Tattoo studio on 1770 West Berteau Avenue, Chicago.
1770 West Berteau Avenue, Chicago, 60613
Twisted Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Twisted Tattoo — Tattoo studio.
Rainy Valentine Studio
Tattoo studio
Rainy Valentine Studio is Tattoo studio on 3743 Grand Boulevard, Brookfield. Rainy Valentine Studio also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
3743 Grand Boulevard, Brookfield, 60513
Heathen Ink
Tattoo studio
Heathen Ink — Tattoo studio, found on 9040 Ogden Avenue in Brookfield. Also worth knowing about Heathen Ink: it has a website with more detail.
9040 Ogden Avenue, Brookfield, 60513
Dead Serious Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Dead Serious Tattoo — Tattoo studio on 8695 Archer Avenue.
8695 Archer Avenue, 60480
Metamorph Tattoo studios
Tattoo studio
Metamorph Tattoo studios is Tattoo studio on 1456 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago.
1456 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, 60622
Space Cat Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Space Cat Tattoo is Tattoo studio on 630 East Golf Road, Arlington Heights. Space Cat Tattoo also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
630 East Golf Road, Arlington Heights, 60005
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00
Phone: +1 224-404-6978
Indelible Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Indelible Tattoo — Tattoo studio, found on 1839 West Irving Park Road in Chicago.
1839 West Irving Park Road, Chicago, 60613
Marc'D Up Tattoo & Piercing Studio
Tattoo studio
Marc'D Up Tattoo & Piercing Studio is Tattoo studio on 8520 Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview. Marc'D Up Tattoo & Piercing Studio also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Th-Tu 14:00-22:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
8520 Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, 60455
Hours: Th-Tu 14:00-22:00
Phone: +1-708-581-3985
Apollo Tattoo Studio
Tattoo studio
Apollo Tattoo Studio is Tattoo studio on 9723 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn. Apollo Tattoo Studio also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
9723 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn, 60453
Phone: +1-708-634-2482
Theta Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Theta Tattoo is Tattoo studio on 1626 West Morse Avenue, Chicago.
1626 West Morse Avenue, Chicago, 60626
Hammerhead Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Hammerhead Tattoo is Tattoo studio on 1326 West 18th Street. Hammerhead Tattoo also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 13:00-20:00; it has a website with more detail.
1326 West 18th Street, 60608
Hours: Tu-Sa 13:00-20:00
Insight Studios Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Insight Studios Tattoo — Tattoo studio, found on 1062 North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago. Also worth knowing about Insight Studios Tattoo: the map lists its hours as Mo-Tu off; We-Th 14:00-19:00; Fr 14:00-20:00; Sa 12:00-20:00; Su 12:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1062 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, 60642
Hours: Mo-Tu off; We-Th 14:00-19:00; Fr 14:00-20:00; Sa 12:00-20:00; Su 12:00-18:00
Phone: +1-773-342-4444
Sido Tattoo Studio
Tattoo studio
Sido Tattoo Studio — Tattoo studio, found on 1156 West Armitage Avenue in Chicago. Also worth knowing about Sido Tattoo Studio: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 14:00-21:00.
1156 West Armitage Avenue, Chicago, 60614-4104
Hours: Mo-Sa 14:00-21:00
La Familia Tattoo
Tattoo studio
La Familia Tattoo — Tattoo studio, found on 529 West Chicago Avenue in East Chicago. Also worth knowing about La Familia Tattoo: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-22:00; Su 12:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
529 West Chicago Avenue, East Chicago, 46312
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-22:00; Su 12:00-18:00
Phone: +1-219-200-2326
Lucky Devil Tattoo and Piercings
Tattoo & piercing studio
Lucky Devil Tattoo and Piercings is Tattoo & piercing studio on 7062 North Clark Street, Chicago. Lucky Devil Tattoo and Piercings also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Th 14:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 14:00-00:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
7062 North Clark Street, Chicago, 60626
Hours: Mo-Th 14:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 14:00-00:00
Phone: +1-773-263-9072
Firehouse Tattoos
Tattoo studio
Firehouse Tattoos — Tattoo studio, found on 12740 West Cal Sag Road in Crestwood. Also worth knowing about Firehouse Tattoos: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 12:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
12740 West Cal Sag Road, Crestwood, 60418
Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-19:00
Phone: +1-708-385-8282
Crybaby Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Crybaby Tattoo is Tattoo studio.
Space Time Love
Tattoo studio
Space Time Love — Tattoo studio, found on 2222 West Chicago Avenue in Chicago. Also worth knowing about Space Time Love: the map lists its hours as "by appointment"; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
2222 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, 60622
Hours: "by appointment"
Phone: +1-872-340-5403
Ash & Ivory Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Ash & Ivory Tattoo — Tattoo studio, found on 2009 West Grand Avenue in Chicago. Also worth knowing about Ash & Ivory Tattoo: it has a website with more detail.
2009 West Grand Avenue, Chicago, 60612
Great Lakes Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Great Lakes Tattoo is Tattoo studio on 1148 West Grand Avenue, Chicago. Great Lakes Tattoo also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 11:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1148 West Grand Avenue, Chicago, 60642
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-19:00
Phone: +1-312-870-0458
Ageless Arts Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Ageless Arts Tattoo — Tattoo studio, found on 6743 West North Avenue in Oak Park. Also worth knowing about Ageless Arts Tattoo: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 12:00-21:00.
6743 West North Avenue, Oak Park, 60302
Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-21:00
China Doll Tattoo & Piercing
Tattoo studio
China Doll Tattoo & Piercing — Tattoo studio, found on 7346 Calumet Avenue in Hammond. Also worth knowing about China Doll Tattoo & Piercing: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
7346 Calumet Avenue, Hammond, 46324
Phone: +1-219-853-0956
What the map tells us about tattoo shops in Chicago
13 of the 43 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — tattoo studios often work by appointment, so posted hours can be more of a guideline than a promise.
17 have websites listed. Studios with websites usually show portfolios there — the fastest way to tell if a shop's style matches yours.
1 of the studios are also tagged for piercings, handy if you're after both in one visit.
The Chicago tattoo shop tour
Plot these on a map and the day plans itself: Chicago Town Ink on 5056 West Lawrence Avenue, Brown Brothers Tattoo on 903 North California Avenue, Chicago True Blue Tattoo, Tattoo World Studio, Median Line Tattoo Studio on 6906 West Roosevelt Road, The Tattoo Lady on 6817 Kennedy Avenue, Ink and Iron Custom Tattoo Studio on 3700 North Cicero Avenue, and Drink and Ink on 4443 North Broadway. That's 43 stops on the Chicago tattoo shop tour. 35 more are listed below.
Tattoo tips for Chicago
Picking a studio in Chicago? A little homework pays off:
- No swimming while it heals at Chicago Town Ink. Pools, lakes, hot tubs — all off limits for two to three weeks. Fresh tattoos and bacteria don't mix.
- Think about placement long-term at Brown Brothers Tattoo. Hands, neck and face limit job options in some fields. Your artist will be honest about this if you ask.
- Aftercare is half the tattoo. Follow the artist's instructions, not your friend's. Keep it clean, keep it moisturised, keep it out of the sun.
- Walk-ins mean flash, usually. If you want custom work, book ahead. Walk-in slots are for flash designs and small pieces.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Chicago — that covers the town itself plus the surrounding communities you'd reasonably drive to. Listings come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by local volunteers, so a brand-new tattoo shop in Chicago can take a while to appear. The 43 above are only as current as the community map. A tattoo shop that's shut, or a new one nobody's added yet, gets fixed with a single OpenStreetMap edit.
We don't rate studios or artists, and we never list prices — those are between you and the shop. What we list is the where and the how-to-find, from places real mappers have verified.
If you run one of the 43 listed here and something's wrong — a closure, a move, new hours — the fix is the same: update the shop on OpenStreetMap and the correction flows through to this page on the next daily refresh.
Tattoo shop listings for Chicago: 43 mapped from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Photos from Wikimedia Commons contributors; individual photo credits appear in captions. Listing data was last refreshed automatically — verify hours before visiting.