Tattoos in Las Vegas – Feeling Vegas

I've been thinking about getting a tattoo in Las Vegas and wondered if tattoos are more expensive here compared to elsewhere? I also wanted to know what the best tattoo parlors were. So I did a little research and here's what I found. Are tattoos expensive in Las Vegas? In Las Vegas, tattoo artists charge between $75 - $125 an hour on average. That price is a bit higher than in other locations around the country. However, Las Vegas is also home to some of the best tattoo parlors and most famous tattoo artists in the world, thus increasing the demand and making the prices slightly higher for tattoos in Las Vegas. If you’re planning on visiting Las Vegas and you're considering getting a tattoo, then you might be thinking about getting your next cool design (or your first one for that matter) inked in Vegas. Whether you've got the perfect design in mind or you're more of the spur-of-the-moment type, Las Vegas has the artist and parlor for you. Before you get started you'll need to have an idea of what it's going to cost. Since there isn’t a lot of information available on the web today covering the prices of the best tattoo parlors in Las Vegas, I've created this article to help save you some time and money. That way you can leave Vegas on budget and with a perfect piece of body art you'll be proud of. Below I’ll dive into the specifics regarding the costs of tattoos in Vegas and let you know about the best tattoo parlors in town. Price of tattoos in Las Vegas Thinking About a Tattoo in Vegas? If you're taking a trip to Las Vegas anytime soon and you want to get a tattoo while you're in town, then you’ll want to know about some of the more well-known tattoo parlors available in the city, and what the best tattoo artists charge for their work. What better way to commemorate your trip to Vegas than to bring home a unique Las Vegas souvenir with you! Of course, a tattoo is a permanent souvenir so choose wisely. How do you go about getting a tattoo in Las Vegas? What are some of the best shops to check out? When is the best time to get a tattoo on your Vegas trip? And how much does it cost to get a tattoo in Las Vegas? These are all questions we’re going to explore below to help you have a great tattooing experience when you visit. I’ll start by discussing the cost of tattoos in Las Vegas overall then give you a bunch of information about some of the best tattoo shops in town. After that, I’ll cover some 24-hour tattoo shops you can visit so you can get a tattoo any time of the day or night. I'll even tell you how to get inked without ever leaving your Las Vegas hotel! Let's get started! How Much Do Tattoos Cost in Las Vegas? In Las Vegas, most tattoo artists charge an average of around $75 per hour. Some charge more, some less. You'll also need to consider how long it will take to get your tattoo done. So, if you are getting a big tattoo or one that has more detail or colors, it's going to take longer to complete and the overall price will go up. However, that being said, let's break down a few average prices of tattoos in Las Vegas for you below, to give you an idea of what to expect. Keep in mind that prices can vary by artist, and these price quotes are based on the $75 per hour average charged by most local Las Vegas tattoo artists. Small tattoos in Las Vegas are priced between $100-$140.If your tattoo is about the size of a CD, it will cost $200-$280.If you want a half-sleeve tattoo, you’ll be paying $800-$1000.If you want a full-sleeve tattoo, it will cost $1100-1800.A full-back tattoo would start at around $2000 but could cost much more than that. Let the artist you choose be your guide. When you find an artist who can perfectly create the design you see in your mind (or even improve upon it) they will be able to give you the best estimate of time and cost for that particular piece. A Word of Advice: Tattoos are not the kind of purchase where you'll want to haggle over the price. The artists are professionals and know what their time is worth. Haggling a slightly lower price isn't worth it. You want your artist's heart and head to be focused on creating the best possible tattoo for you. How Much to Tip Your Tattoo Artist When determining the total cost of your tattoo, remember to figure in a tip for your artist. In most situations, the tattoo shop is taking a big chunk of the price of your tattoo, and tipping the artist is both good etiquette and expected. An average tipping amount is usually regarded as 20% of the total cost of your tattoo but in tipping, there is no perfect amount. You can tip more or less based on your overall experience. So, as an example, if you're tattoo costs $250 and you're giving a 20% tip ($50) that brings your total cost to $300. Find out more about tipping in Las Vegas in our Ultimate Las Vegas Tipping Guide. The Best Tattoo Shops in Las Vegas First, we’ll start by providing you with a list of some of the best tattoo shops in Las Vegas. These tattoo parlors are some of the most popular and have great customer reviews online. Tattoo ShopAverage RatingCostAcceptsWalk-insDowntown Tattoo4.5 stars$$YesPair-a-dice Tattoo4.5 stars$$YesStudio 21 Tattoo Gallery5 stars$$YesIronhorse Tattoos Piercings5 stars$$$CallClub Tattoo (Planet Hollywood)4 stars$$YesHart and Huntington Tattoo4 stars$$$YesStarlight Tattoo (Mandalay Bay)3.5 stars$$$$YesBlack Spade Tattoo5 stars$$YesPrecious S Tattoo4.5 stars$$YesCrown Electric Tattoo Company3.5 stars$$YesRockin Ink Tattoo4.5$$Yes Downtown Tattoo in Las Vegas If you know you want a tattoo, but still haven't quite settled on the perfect idea yet, this is a great place to go for some inspiration. Their walls are literally covered with artwork and ideas. Downtown Tattoo has a team of artists who have over 35 years of combined experience, so they know how to make their customers happy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJqH2Uqy5Lk Downtown Tattoo In addition, this parlor has been voted "the best tattoo shop ever" every year since it opened its doors in 2008. Now, that might be a bit tongue in cheek but there's no doubt they're really good. This tattoo parlor is very clean and inviting, and features several expert artists that can help you create the tattoo of your dreams. If you’d like to see some of the work being done by the local artists here, click on their names in the following list. The local artists at this shop include Buddy Holiday, Ryan Phillips, Jake Wilcox, Charles Wicks-Stephens, Amanda Bonhomme, and Paul "Frog" Murphy." Their specialty styles include: American TraditionalJapaneseBlack and Grey workLettering Their average Yelp rating is 4.5 stars with over 170 reviews (source). The shop opens every day at noon and is available seven days a week. Walk-ins are welcome. Address: 1106 Fremont St Las Vegas, NV 89101 (google maps) Phone: 702-660-9597 Pair-a-dice Tattoo Las Vegas Located near the Strip in Downtown Las Vegas, Pair-a-dice Tattoo is the oldest operating tattoo parlor you’ll find in Las Vegas. This shop has been in business for so long because of its fantastic quality and service. Locals appreciate this parlor because of its world-class professionalism. You’ll be able to select from several experienced tattoo artists that are all capable of a bevy of styles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXpe6nhABGQ Pair-A-Dice is the oldest tattoo shop in Las Vegas Tattoo artists at this shop include Jesse James Corrao, Mr. Bub, and Jimmy. While Jesse is the newest of the group, he’s a Las Vegas native who was raised inside of the Pair-A-Dice Tattoo shop, so he has been living and breathing the art for years. Jesse is known for being able to work in many different styles and is continually trying to one-up his tats. Bub and Jimmy are the founders of Pair-A-Dice Tattoo, and they’ve both been involved in the tattoo industry for decades. Bub’s been tattooing since 1981 and is still working in his shop every day. Before he opened Pair-A-Dice, he completed his apprenticeship while working with Smilin’ Paul & Doc Dog at the original Las Vegas Tattoo Company. Bub had been tattooing for 15 years prior to opening his Pair-A-Dice shop in 1996. He partnered up with his brother Jimmy, who has been tattooing ever since the shop opened in 1996. Both of the brothers enjoy doing custom tattoos and making customers happy. So, you can get just about any style you want at Pair-a-Dice. Their average Yelp rating is 4.5 stars with over 40 reviews (source). Open six days a week 11am-8pm (they are closed on Wednesdays), walk-ins are welcome. Address: 304 E Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89104 (google maps) Phone: 702-792-8282 Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery You’ll find the Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery about one mile west of the Las Vegas Strip, and it’s hard to miss it. This shop is very open and bright. It's unique in that it's really part tattoo studio and part art gallery. As soon as you see it, it’ll grab your attention! This local Las Vegas tattoo parlor features several well-known artists that are often sought out by celebrities. Locals love this place, and people from all over the world come to get tattoos done here. This famous parlor is owned by the Spencer family, who are well-known for creating a friendly, professional environment. The Spencers are from Texas initially, and some time ago, they decided to shake their lives up and make a move to Las Vegas, Nevada. Since the family all loved art and all possessed artistic talents, they figured they’d fit right into the growing tattoo industry in Las Vegas. So, their combined love for art and artistic talents took them in a new professional direction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lkr8QgSJN4 Check out the inside of Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery Charlie Spencer, the founder of the shop, finished his first tattoo as an artist after coming to Las Vegas in 1999. Charlie initially did tattoos on the side, mostly in his spare time. At that time, his son Austin was just nine-years-old, and Austin literally grew up in the industry while watching and helping his father. Austin’s artistic talent grew from there, and when he was in high school, he drew his first illustration for a tat, and he knew his future was in the tattoo industry as a professional tattooist. Shortly after Austin decided he wanted to become a tattoo artist, he learned how to tattoo and was offered an apprenticeship. While Charlie previously did tattoos on the side, once he had Austin at his side, he left his 30-year career in land surveying to become a full-time tattoo artist with his son. In 2003, Austin and Charlie opened their studio, which is the Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery. The studio was an instant hit, and the entire family, including wife Becki and daughter Courtney, came to work for the shop, making this a real family business. Since both men loved art so much, they wanted to take their tattoo parlor to the next level artistically. Thus, their shop is a combination art gallery and a tattoo shop, which makes it a frequent attraction even for visitors who aren't looking to have a tattoo done. If you’d like to see a list of the artists available at Studio 21, you can go here. Their average yelp rating is an incredible 5 stars with over 400 reviews! (source) The shop is open seven days a week (opens at noon) and walk-ins are welcome. Address: 6020 W Flamingo Rd Ste B-2 Las Vegas, NV 89103 (google maps) Phone: 702-248-8762 Ironhorse Tattoos & Piercings Ironhorse Tattoos & Piercings is popular among locals and tourists alike and is well-known for providing experienced tattoo artists who are both talented, and professional. The staff at this parlor is great at making people feel welcome and comfortable during their tattooing experience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0k9aCxce_k Meet the artists at Ironhorse Tattoos & Piercings The artists are very friendly and ask a lot of questions, which helps to ensure you get exactly the tattoo you want. In addition, the shop also offers free touch-ups on your tat for up to a year. Besides tattoos, Ironhorse also offers professional piercings as well. You’ll find Ironhorse Tattoos & Piercings on the eastside of the Strip, close to UNLV. They have a Yelp rating of 5 stars with over 230 reviews! (source) The shop is on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip and is conveniently open seven days a week. Walk-ins are welcome but it's best to call first. Address: 700 E Naples Dr, Ste 106 Las Vegas, NV 89119 (google maps) Phone: (702) 866-6300 Black Spade Tattoo Located in Downton Las Vegas (Container Park), Black Spade Tattoo has an amazing reputation for customer service and some of the finest tattoos you'll find in Vegas. Several of the studio's artists have appeared on different seasons of Inkmaster so you know you're working with the best! They have a perfect 5 stars on Yelp with over 180 reviews! (source) They're open 7 days a week. Walk-ins and appointments are welcome. Address: 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119 (google maps) Phone: (702) 413-7076 Tattoo Shops in Las Vegas on The Strip If you’re more into a boutique-style tattoo parlor, then several of the big casino/hotels on the Strip have tattoo shops inside the hotel itself! Here are three of the best tattoo shops located on the Strip inside a Las Vegas hotel: Club Tattoo at Planet Hollywood (On The Strip) Club Tattoo at Planet Hollywood (in the Miracle Mile Shops) is home to a beautiful tattoo parlor with world-class artists. They even have some really cool interactive touchscreens which allow you to flip through virtual pages of pre-designed tattoos to help jumpstart the design process. They have a Yelp rating of 4 stars with over 300 reviews. (source) They're open 7 days a week, both walk-ins and appointments are accepted. Address: 3663 S Las Vegas Blvd #225, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (google maps) Phone: (702) 363-2582 Hart and Huntington Tattoo Company (On The Strip) Hart and Huntington Tattoo Co. located inside the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace has a large roster of talented tattoo artists. The shop opened in 2004 and over the years they've inked thousands of customers. They have a huge amount of repeat business which speaks to their dedication and talent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zycyo41HaJs Hart and Huntington Tattoo Company They have a Yelp rating of 4 stars with over 60 reviews. (source) The shop is open every day of the week and walk-ins are welcome. Address: 3500 S Las Vegas Blvd E21, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (google maps) Phone: (702) 216-5360 Starlight Tattoo at Mandalay Bay (On The Strip) Starlight Tattoo located at the Mandalay Bay Hotel was the first tattoo shop located inside a big casino on the Strip. Mario Barth, the legendary owner, personally hires and trains each new tattoo artist the shop brings on. The focus at Starlight Tattoo is always on the art itself so you know you'll get an awesome design tattooed by the right artist for the job. They have a 3.5 star rating on Yelp with over 80 reviews. (source) Open seven days a week and walk-ins are always welcome. Address: 3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119 (google maps) Phone: (702) 632-4536 The Best Tattoo Shops Open 24 Hours In Las Vegas Night owls might prefer to hit up one of the open 24-hour tattoo shops when they're visiting Las Vegas. Fortunately, this town never sleeps so finding a good 24-hour parlor won't be difficult. Alcohol and Tattoos in Las Vegas: But first a quick Public Service Announcement (PSA). It’s best not to get a tattoo when you've been drinking. I know it works this way in the movies (ie. The Hangover and Mike Tyson's face tattoo), but in reality, you'll find that most reputable tattoo artists in Las Vegas will refuse you. Besides making poor choices they'll regret later, most drunk people can't focus enough to hold still while getting a tattoo done and the results are less than ideal. I'm not saying that you can't have a drink or two but if the shop feels you are heavily intoxicated, they will most likely turn you down. So, it’s really in your best interest as well as the shop’s that you show up sober. Now with that Public Service Announcement aside, I’ll list some of the best 24-hour tattoo shops I've found in Vegas. Precious S. Tattoo Las Vegas Precious S Tattoo is one of the most renowned 24-hour tattoo parlors you’ll find in Las Vegas. This shop became famous through word-of-mouth (they don't have a website, just a Facebook page), which is pretty impressive! They're known for being great with customers during the tattoo process and creating excellent tattoos. Established in 2003, they also provide extensive body piercing services. Precious S. has a 4.5-star rating on Yelp with over 230 reviews! (source) They're open close to 24 hours (Sun-Thur 10am-2am & Fri-Sat 10am-4am), seven days a week and walk-ins are no problem. Address: 1013 E Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104 (google maps) Phone: (702) 267-0112 Rockin Ink Tattoo Rockin Ink Tattoo will provide you with a world-class, artistic tattoo and they'll do it whenever you want because they're open 24/7. They take great care to design you a piece of art that you'll be proud to wear for years to come. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f86yJNPxGwU Rocking Ink Tattoo Everyone at the shop is friendly and efficient. They'll make sure you're comfortable even if it's your very first tattoo. Their Yelp rating is 4.5 stars with over 40 reviews. (source) Open 24/7 9:30am-1:30am seven days a week and walk-ins are always welcome. Address: 3000 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (google maps) Phone: (702) 294-3800 Crown Electric Tattoo Company The Crown Electric Tattoo Co is an almost 24-hour shop. They are closed daily for six hours, from 4 AM until 10 AM, but otherwise, they are always open. This store is a family-owned and operated tattoo shop found near the north end of the Strip. They also offer piercings if that suits your needs. If you’re looking for a shop that has a lot of great deals and discounts, this might be the tattoo parlor for you because they are always running promotions for their tattoos and piercings. Customer reviews on Yelp give them 3.5 stars with over 100 reviews. (source) Crown Electric Tattoo is open seven days a week, 16 hours a day (10am-2am), and walk-ins are welcome. Address: 911 E Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104 (google maps) Phone: (702) 838-5464 Now that we’ve covered some of the best places you can go to get your tattoo done in Las Vegas, it's time to mention a few other Las Vegas tattoo-related tips. When is the Best Time to Get a Tattoo in Las Vegas The best time to get a tattoo in Las Vegas is at the end of your trip. Because tattoos need time to heal, you'll have to avoid certain activities such as swimming, sunbathing, spas, and saunas. Of course, you'll want to do all of that in Vegas, so do it first! Also, if you're planning to get a tattoo, definitely avoid getting a sunburn prior to your session! So come to Vegas, have fun, and get your tattoo before you leave. (Because walk-ins cannot always be accommodated, it's usually best to schedule an appointment at your shop of choice ahead of time). Can You Get a Tattoo in Vegas if You’re Under 18? Generally speaking, nope! Just like most states, you’ll need to be 18 years old to get a tattoo. Nevada, however, does allow a minor between the ages of 14 and 18 to get a tattoo with parental consent as long as the parent provides written consent and is present. (source) Some shops, however, set their own age limits (usually 18 and up) and will not tattoo a minor even with a parent's consent. You'll need to call around to the shops to find out about their age policies. Final Thoughts Although tattoos in Las Vegas are a bit more expensive than the prices you’ll find in other parts of the world, Las Vegas is a hub for world-famous tattoo artists. Since you’re likely to get served by a world-class artist, you can understand why the prices of tattoos in Las Vegas might be a little bit higher (not much higher though). Remember, a tattoo is a permanent item on your body, so it’s probably not something you want to do cheaply anyways. The less money you pay for your tattoo, the cheaper your tattoo will look to others, especially over time. Because tattoos are permanent, it’s certainly worth paying a little more for a high-quality artist to complete your tattoo. So if you're headed to Vegas and you'd like to take home something really special that will last a lifetime, think about getting inked while you're in town. 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