Best Tattoo Shops in Portland, Oregon, United States

Portland, Oregon, or the “Rose City,” is a vibrant multicultural city famed for its breweries, green spaces, art museums, and tattoo shops. For every 100,000 people in Portland, there are at least 12 tattoo shops; this statistic makes Portland one of the most tattoo-friendly cities in the United States.

Due to Portland’s maritime foundations, tattoos were first introduced in Portland during the early 1800s by sailors and travelers. Over the years, Portland’s tattoo culture developed, with sophisticated tattoo studios featuring award-winning tattoo artists, contemporary tattoo techniques, and high standards on sanitation. The clientele has shifted from sailors and motorcycle enthusiasts to professionals, non-motorcyclists, and celebrities.  

In this article, Viking Bags has listed Portland’s best tattoo shops offering high-quality tattoos.

Established in 1998, Atlas Tattoo Shop has provided first-class tattoo services for more than 20 years. This tattoo shop has a team of six professional tattoo artists who specialize in dynamic custom tattoos in traditional American and Japanese styles.

Dan Gilsdorf is an expert in traditional American designs featuring bold imagery. Though a master in various tattoo styles, Juan Puente’s motorcycle themed tattoos have recently grown in popularity.

Jerry Ware specializes in traditional American tattoo style, but his tattoos feature psychedelic visuals reminiscent of the 60s and 70s, intense colors, and smooth lines. Lewis Hess is popular for his illustrative tattoos and comic art pieces. Mav Mess specializes in tattoos that have roots in historic American traditions. Anna Mack knows several tattoo styles but her best works are traditional American tattoos.

Atlas Tattoo Shop only accepts same-day call-ins and appointments; walk-ins are not welcome. Clients can receive a price estimate from their tattoo artists during in-person consultation sessions. The minimum cost of all tattoo sessions is $100,  though the rate for larger tattoos is $200 per hour.

When you visit Atlas Tattoo Shop for your tattoo session or appointment, make sure to carry cash and credit with you. 

• Old-School American
• Japanese

• Google Rating: 4.8⭐
• Yelp Rating: 5⭐
• Facebook Rating: 4.6⭐

Birdhouse Tattoo Shop is an inviting tattoo studio with a safe, cozy environment and a team of highly-skilled tattoo artists. Birdhouse Tattoo Shop has high standards for self-expression and self-care that ensure a life-changing experience for its clients.

Birdhouse Tattoo Shop’s tattoo artists specialize in tattoo styles depicting fairy folklore, tribal, natural elements, illustrative, botanicals, hearts, flowers, medieval art, mythology, animals, organic matter, and horror themes.

All of Birdhouse Tattoo Shop’s artists are supportive and understanding. They use biodegradable tattoo equipment that is environmentally friendly. It is possible for clients to request private tattoo sessions. The tattoo artists at Birdhouse Tattoo Shop accommodate multiple stencil readjustment requests, so don’t hesitate to request your tattoo’s placement be changed. 

At Birdhouse Tattoo Shop, walk-ins are accepted only on Wednesdays. For the other days of the week, Birdhouse Tattoo Studio only accepts appointments. The shop’s minimum rate is $120-$150 per hour. For custom tattoo drawings, the artists may also charge an additional $30.  

• Nature-Inspired Tattoos
• Wildlife Tattoos
• Environment-Friendly Practices

• Google Rating: 5⭐
• Facebook Rating: 5⭐

Established by Tanya Magdalena in 2007, Above the Pearl Tattoo Studio is a private studio located near Downtown Portland. The main tattoo artist and owner, Tanya Magdalena, is a detail-oriented tattoo artist who can bring any artistic concept to life. Clients love Above the Pearl Tattoo Studio’s clean space, modern tattoo techniques, and one-on-one uninterrupted tattoo sessions.

Magdalena specializes in cover-ups, post-mastectomy 3D tattoos, scar cover-ups, and custom tattoos. She can also create beautiful designs in traditional, modern, and watercolor tattoo styles. 

Magdalena works by appointment and tends to have a long waitlist; make sure to book your appointment as early as possible.

• Cover-Ups
• Scar Concealment
• Mastectomy Tattoos

• Google Rating: 5⭐
• Yelp Rating: 5⭐

Founded in 2002, Artwork Rebels Tattoo Shop is owned by Jason Kundell, a versatile tattoo artist who has been providing world-class tattoo services for over 20 years. Kundell also frequently visits California, providing tattoo services in the cities of Los Angeles, Berkeley, and San Francisco.

Other than Kundell, there are two resident artists at Artwork Rebels Tattoo Shop: Jessica Mcdermott and Matty. All three tattoo artists specialize in traditional American and Japanese tattoos. Whether you are looking for a bold black traditional tattoo or a brightly colored artistic piece, Artwork Rebel Tattoo Shop’s tattoo artists can do both. 

Artwork Rebels Tattoo Shop only accepts same-day call-ins and appointments. To find out about the shop’s minimum fee, price estimates, and availability, give the tattoo shop a call.

• Classic American & Japanese
• Custom Designs

• Google Rating: 4.5⭐
• Yelp Rating: 4.5⭐

Blue Ox Tattoo Shop is located in North Portland and has a team of five profoundly creative and talented tattoo artists.

Each tattoo artist specializes in a different set of tattoo styles. Since 2001, Michael Gilmore has been providing tattoos, specializing in color, black, and gray tattoos.

Kati Green is skilled in multiple tattoo styles, especially botanical, dot, animal portraits, American Traditional, and black tattoos. 

Sara loves to apply tattoos featuring natural and fantastical subjects. Her traditional black ink tattoos have become popular among tattoo enthusiasts. 

Erica Finley’s works are typically depictions of landscapes, animals, botanicals, and architecture.

Liana Clark is a versatile tattoo artist who loves to challenge herself by practicing new tattoo styles.

Clients praise Blue Ox Tattoo Shop for its cool tattoo artists, energetic vibe, and safe tattooing methods. Blue Ox Tattoo Shop’s tattoo shops accept walk-ins and free consultations, but prefer to work by appointment. 

• Tribal Tattoos
• Cultural Tattoos

• Google Rating: 4.9⭐
• Yelp Rating: 5⭐
• Facebook Rating: 4.9⭐

Broadway Ink Tattoo Shop dominates the tattoo scene in Portland with its exceptional permanent make-up, tooth gems, and tattoo services. Their advanced tattoo techniques, a team of professional artists, and hospital-grade sanitation and sterilization methods keep the clients returning for more tattoos.

All of Broadway Ink Tattoo Shop tattoo artists work independently; to book an appointment, you can visit Broadway Ink Tattoo Shop Instagram profile. The shop minimum for tattoos starts at $80; however, each artist has a different rate. You can ask for a price quote during consultation. 

• Permanent Make-Up

• Google Rating: 4.4⭐
• Yelp Rating: 5⭐

Brynn Sladky Tattoo Studio is an exclusive private studio offering stylish tattoos in a comfortable setting.

Brynn Sladky is into pop culture and enjoys applying anime, video games, comic characters, and manga tattoos. She can also create stunning body art with Japanese, mystical, and fantastical themes. Her mermaid, botanical, kewpies, and lady head tattoos are extremely popular among tattoo enthusiasts. 

Sladsky also knows how to apply smooth lines, bright color palettes, and black and gray tattoos.

For cover-up tattoos, Sladky recommends clients undergo at least one session of laser tattoo removal to remove traces of any existing tattoos. 

Sladky works by appointment only and will start accepting fresh bookings on January 1st, 2023.

• Pop-Culture Tattoos

• Google Rating: 5⭐

Lombard Street Tattoo Shop has a team of nine top-notch resident tattoo artists and sometimes invites guest artists from all over the world.

Lombard Street Tattoo Shop offers a wide selection of tattoo styles. Each tattoo artist specializes in a different style, including esoteric themes, abstract tattoos, bright classic images, black lines, black and gray surrealism, black and gray realism, illustrative, fantasy, and mystical tattoos.

Lombard Street Tattoo Shop accepts walk-ins daily. However, if you want to get a tattoo from a specific tattoo artist, it is best to book an appointment. You can also call the shop to check which artists are available before dropping by. 

The tattoo artists at Lombard Street Tattoo Shop only accept cash, requiring a $100 deposit for same-day sessions, multi-session tattoos, and appointments.

• Abstract/Esoteric Tattoos
• Psychedelic Art
• Surrealism

• Google Rating: 4.8⭐
• Yelp Rating: 5⭐

Dead God’s Tattoo Shop is an ideal place for lone bikers and motorcycle club members looking to get a tattoo. Dead God’s Tattoo Shop has a team of eleven tattoo artists, most of them being award-winning body art professionals.

Each tattoo artist at Dead God’s Tattoo Shop has his/her personal preferences and rates. Joe Skramstad only works on semi-realistic illustrative tattoos, Asian, nature-inspired, and mythological tattoos. He also has a preference for intense colors over black and gray. Skramstad charges $220 per hour and his minimum fee starts at $660. For a half day or 3-4 hour sessions, Skramstad charges at least $1000. For full day or 6-8 hour sessions, Skramstad charges at least $2000. 

You can check out the rates, portfolios, and project preferences of every tattoo artist on the Dead God’s Tattoo Shop’s official website.

Located about 15 miles from Downtown Portland in Trigard, Oregon, you can ride your motorcycle to Dead God’s Tattoo Shop. They accept walk-ins; but to get a session with a specific tattoo artist, it is best to book an appointment. 

• Dark Themes
• Black & Gray Realism
• Artsy Watercolor Pieces

• Google Rating: 4.9⭐
• Yelp Rating: 4.5⭐
• Facebook Rating: 4.6⭐

Established in 2019, Oak Iris Tattoo Shop has quickly become popular in Portland with its beautiful tattoos, talented tattoo artists, and clean, relaxing setting. Oak Iris Tattoo Shop provides an inclusive and friendly atmosphere to its clients.

All Oak Iris Tattoo Shop tattoo artists have an eye for detail, know how to correctly use color, and apply clean lines. They specialize in watercolor tattoos and realistic portraits.

At the Oak Iris Tattoo Shop, each tattoo artist charges his/her personal rates. The senior tattoo artist, Rebecca Flaum, charges a $150 minimum fee for a tattoo session and $50 for custom designs. You can check out the rates of all the tattoo artists at Oak Iris Tattoo Shop’s official website.

Oak Iris Tattoo Shop tattoo artists work only by appointment and do not accept walk-ins.

• Watercolor
• Portrait
• Dainty, Intricate, Colorful Pieces

• Google Rating: 5⭐
• Yelp Rating: 5⭐
• Facebook Rating: 4.4⭐

Portland, Oregon is a beautiful city with accepting tattoo culture. While exploring the city, you will easily find many tattoo shops to visit. However, not all tattoo shops are equipped to give you a unique tattoo that will heal properly afterward.

Most of the Portland tattoo studios in this list are affordable, offer free consultations, and charge only a minimum fee of $100 for small tattoos. The resident tattoo artists are detail-oriented, friendly, and love to collaborate with clients to create unique pieces of art. Each tattoo shop has its own specialties, but tattoo artists are usually proficient in all tattoo styles. This way, you can get a stylish custom tattoo from your preferred shop and your favorite tattoo artist. All you need to do is go through the artists’ portfolios, choose a preferred style and design for your tattoo, and contact your chosen tattoo shop to make an appointment.