Your guide to the finest needles in Singapore for creative (and permanent) tattoo.
It’s a rarity these days to walk down a street in Singapore without coming across someone decorated with some form of ink, whether visible or discreet. In the same vein, the city has no shortage of great tattoo parlours for all your inking endeavours. If you’re looking to finally get your inaugural piece or grow your collection of storied body art, this list of awesome tattoo studios and artists in Singapore will put you in the right place, and hands.
ThINK Tattoo
Full disclosure: Elson has been my go-to man for creative (and philosophical, as I’d like to think) tats since I first met him in 2007. I’m the proud owner of four of his works, each showered with compliments. His studio adheres to a high standard of hygiene – gloves are thrown away each time you take a break, and everything in contact with your skin is wrapped in disposable plastic. There’s no one style that Elson specialises in, but he has a knack for profound concepts and dark stories.
ThINK Tattoo, #02-65, Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, Singapore 228213
Ael Lim
For amazing, hyperrealist portraits work, go to Ael Lim of Imagine Tattooing. The award-winning artist nabbed “Best in Realism” and “Best in Cover-ups” in Singapore’s first tattoo convention, and has gone on to spread his wings (we mean ink) at some of the world’s most prestigious conventions.
Ael Lim, discover his work on Instagram
Elvin Tattoo
Elvin Yong is big on social media – his Facebook page boasts over 120K likes, and his Instagram account has 95K followers, the last we checked. This only means one thing – he is good. Large-scale black and grey pieces of various styles – from surrealism to realistic portraits – are his specialties, though we think Elvin is also extremely well-versed in colour.
Elvin Tattoo, Onan Road, Singapore 424570
Singapore Electric by Gimmelovetattoo
If you dig neo-Japanese style body art (read: yakuza-type tattoo), Augustine’s your guy. Little wonder why: the laidback, detail-oriented tattooist did his apprenticeship in Japan before opening his own studio six years ago. “I do a great deal of preparation sketches/drawing before the actual sitting, so every design is my baby,” says Augustine in an interview with Inked Magazine. He’s also brilliant in colour, strong lines and amazing fluidity in big body pieces.
Singapore Electric by Gimmelovetattoo, 24 Bali Lane, Singapore 189860
Of Gods and Monsters
Fun fact: Owner and tattooist Samuel Yar actually made his own tattoo machine after getting his first tattoo at 18 years old. Talk about an obsession! He has a distinctive oriental flair – think brushstrokes and Asian subjects like geishas, dragons and deities – and is exceptionally skilled in injecting soul and intrigue into eyes, which, in our opinion, is pretty rare in the world of art.
Of Gods and Monsters, 213 Jalan Besar, 4th Floor, Singapore 208897; By appointment only.
Vagabond Ink
This tattoo parlour in Chinatown is home to uber cool folks, Peenut Lee and Aaron Cai. The former has a flair for sketchy, geometrical drawings, while Aaron has a knack for black and grey portraiture and realism. Their common denominator: both offer ink that’s a little out of the box, but all stunning nonetheless. Other equally talented artists in the lineup include original lady boss Valerie Yang and P.S.: The studio only accepts cash – so be sure your wallet is full for your sitting!
Vagabond Ink, #01-21, 333 Kreta Ayer Road, Singapore 080333
Jared Asalli
Jared Asalli is the artist behind our graphic designer Aliff Tee’s various tats, including a massive Mandala on his back. Though relatively new to the game – Jared started tattooing full-time in 2012 – his line work is stellar, and a lot of his pieces feature intricate, precise details you can stare at for hours.
Jared Asalli, discover his work on Instagram
Fleecircus
She may be new to the local tattoo scene, but Fleecircus (real name Lee Wai Leng) sure shows a lot of promise – she is, after all, a full-time illustrator who does utterly beautiful portrait works that we wouldn’t mind having it permanently on our skin.
Fleecircus, discover his work on Instagram
Iron Fist Tattoo
While this mysterious tattoo parlour has no website, you can grab hold of them via their well-curated Instagram. Iron Fist Tattoo is run by two uber chill dudes, Khai and Myles, who’ll go all out to make their clients feel at home when paying a visit to their studio in Club Street. They do plenty of neotraditional, illustrative tattoos, mostly in black and grey, and dotwork.
Iron Fist Tattoo, 95B Club Street, Singapore 069463
Visual Orgasm Tattoo
Established since 2005, the team is helmed by tattooist Joseph, who is an expert in realism, oriental and biomech tattoos – read as just about anything avant-garde. Along with Joseph and Jen, who started her tattooing journey from dabbling in handwritten script and linework to progressing to dotwork and watercolour tattoos, and Clyde, who has a great passion for fusing abstract and realistic styles of tattooing. Look forward to rocking fierce and striking tattoos that will be uniquely yours!
Visual Orgasm Tattoo, 2 Haji lane, Singapore 189195
hellotako
If you prefer a more playful, whimsical (and maybe, cutesy) kind of tattoo – say hello to Victoria Woon, the amazing tattooist behind hellotako. Having studied illustration at the renowned Parsons School of Design, it’s no wonder that you’ll get to see myriad of interesting, creative, and sticker-style tattoo designs from Victoria such as a cat on a hot air balloon and a school bus in the woods surrounded by mountains. By appointment only.
hellotako, discover his work on Instagram
Galaxy Tattoo 2
Nicckuhori, owner of Galaxy Tattoo 2 has been mastering the fine art of traditional Japanese art since 1998. Expect intricate, dramatic strokes alongside mythical animals such as dragons and phoenixes. They also host international tattoo artists from time to time, so check on their Instagram to be in the know.
Galaxy Tattoo 2, 6A Trengganu Street Chinatown Singapore 058470
Moonstruck Tattoo
We’re awestruck by their Instagram feed.From traditional and realism to geometric designs, their tattoo designs are one-of-a-kind as no artwork will be repeated. Just take note that they work on an appointment basis.
Moonstruck Tattoo, 213 Jalan Besar, #04-00, Singapore 208897
