This is our list of five of the best tattoo shops in Manchester.
Like most big cities Manchester is home to hundreds of tattoo artists. And there’s so many styles and tattooing methods to decipher between nowadays, finding the right artist for the job can be tricky. (Especially if you’re a newbie braving your first session under the needle).
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best of the best that Manchester has to offer in the tattooing scene. These shops and their resident artists have customers travelling from far and wide to get inked by them. We’ve tried to include as many different styles as possible whilst keeping quality and service at the forefront of our decision.
From blackwork to brutal, neo-trad to new-age, here are five of the best tattoo shops in Manchester.
Think your (or someone else’s) tattoo studio deserves a mention in our Guides? Let us know on Twitter: @cnfguides
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Ancoats
The Old Volt
The Old Volt is a new kid on the block, having only opened on the border of the Northern Quarter in January 2023. But don’t let that deter you; their talented set of resident artists have years of expertise between them.
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Chinatown (Manchester)
Rain City Tattoo Collective
Established in 2012, Rain City are proud lovers of all things traditional when it comes to tattooing. They have a big respect for tattoo history and pride themselves on creating bold, characterful designs.
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Chorlton
Sacred Art
Sacred Art opened in 1999 in Chorlton and is still going strong almost 25 years later thanks to their solid client base.
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Ancoats
Swan St Tattoo
Given that larger tattoos can be a full-day job, a welcoming environment is an important factor when you’re choosing a studio. With its chesterfield sofas, potted plants, and natural light, Swan St Tattoo has just that.
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Ancoats
Tooth and Talon
Independent tattoo parlour Tooth and Talon opened in Ancoats in 2017. With eight resident artists and regular guests working across all styles apart from realism and script, you’ll be in good company if you prefer traditional (or modern) blackwork tattoos with crisp, sharp lines and brutal designs.