Tattoo Shops in Greenpoint, NY

Greenpoint has 21 tattoo shops, all in Kings County, Brooklyn, and their reviews add up to 2229 at an average rating of 4.9. The neighborhood is easy to describe by its shape: a handful of large, busy rooms with a dozen artists each, and a long list of private studios where one artist or a small collective books by appointment. Japanese work, fine line, blackwork and old-fashioned nautical imagery all have a home here, so the first question is usually which tradition you want to be tattooed in.

The biggest names by review count set the tone. CJ Tattoo, rated 5.0 from 749 reviews, was founded by an artist known for Asian and Japanese-style work and has grown into a collective at 37 Greenpoint Ave #406. It runs by appointment only and covers Japanese, Asian illustrative, fine line, watercolor, calligraphy, blackwork and realism. Three Kings Tattoo Brooklyn opened in 2008, works from 572 Manhattan Avenue and is rated 4.7 from 389 reviews, with a welcome for projects big and small. East River Tattoo, rated 4.8 from 102 reviews, was founded in 2000 by artist Duke Riley and sits on the waterfront, drawing on maritime folk art, nautical charts, woodcuts and scrimshaw. Twelve artists work there, and walk-ins are accepted.

Several Greenpoint shops take walk-ins. Greenpoint Tattoo Company has operated since 2011, opens seven days a week from noon to 8pm and takes walk-ins as well as appointments. More than a dozen artists cover cover-ups, custom designs and flash, and it is rated 4.8 from 93 reviews. Wild Heart Tattoo Shop keeps thousands of hand painted original designs on hand along with classic flash, welcomes small walk-ins every day before 6pm and keeps custom work for appointments. Seven artists work there, and it holds 5.0 from 59 reviews. SoCute Studio, run by two queer Latina women, takes walk-ins depending on artist availability and also hosts group sessions for friends.