Get Inked: Tattoo Parlors of New York City

New York has had an uneasy relationship with the tattoo culture. When an outbreak of hepatitis swept the city in 1961, the authorities were quick to blame the city's tattoo parlors. Despite the fact that many tattoo parlors used sterilization machines, the health department shut down the entire industry, and for many years, it was practically impossible to get a tattoo in New York City.

Since the health department finally lifted its ban, tattoo parlors have sprung up in every part of the city. Some of the world-renowned tattoo artists live and work here - but there are also plenty of hacks out there. Heavy regulations ensure that the parlors of today are safe and clean: artists are required to use disposable needles, and the premises are inspected regularly. But if you are thinking of getting your first tattoo, how will you know a hack from a DaVinci?

Andromeda Tattoo
33 St. Marks Place, New York, NY 10003, (212) 505-9408

Thanks to its location in the heart of the East Village, Andromeda is one of the more famous parlors in New York City. Not quite the by-appointment-only parlors of tattooists to the stars, Andromeda does great work that fits a regular person's wallet. Its artists, weird and funny, some obsessed with squirrels, others with strange ideas about UFOs, manage to add hilarity to the ritual of pain.

The place is spotless - but for all its sterile environment, it retains the atmosphere of cheerful rebellion prevalent in tattoo culture.

Triple X Tattoo
46 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10003, (212) 736-3001

A good tattoo artist has to combine the talent of a painter with the knowledge of an anatomy professor. The skin is a moving, breathing, aging canvass - and to paint on it successfully, the artist must know the intricacies of its qualities.

As I rotate my wrist, turning my hand this way and that, my skin moves and stretches - and with it, the picture tattooed on it. Michael, the young star of Triple X, explained this to me, and then proceeded to spend half an hour arranging the song letter by letter around my wrist.

At that moment, Michael was not just an artist: he was a craftsman, making painstakingly sure that the tattoo would look absolutely perfect, never stretching grotesquely, no matter how I turned my hand. This kind of professionalism and pride is a rule at Triple X.

Vinny's Tattoo
1611 Sheepshead Bay Road, Brooklyn, NY 11235, (718) 368-0438

Vinny's Tattoo Parlor looks true to its name: its biker atmosphere and the neon sign right out of the movies recall the images of Hell's Angels and sailors.

The rough-around-the-edges feel of the place belies a sterile environment and professional - even courteous - artists. But they do retain the feeling of brotherhood (or sisterhood) among the inked: they are one of pitifully few parlors in the city where you can actually get a facial tattoo. Unlike the tamed parlors of Manhattan, people here don't presume they know better than the customer: they will respect your decision, whatever that decision may be.

Canri Ann Creations
1901 Emmons Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11235, (718) 368-2786

Female tattoo artists are still a rarity in the business. Manhattan has a few, but thanks to their scarcity, they are usually booked up months in advance. Fortunately, there's Canri Ann: working out of her own parlor on the beautiful Emmons Avenue in Brooklyn, she does great work and keeps her prices low.

Funny and friendly, she'll tell you weird stories, gossip about people you don't know, and in general make the experience a pleasant one.

Cassiopeia
38 West 8th Street, 1st Floor, New York, NY 10011, (212) 979-9652

Cassiopeia splits the Village with its cousin Andromeda: the East Village is Andromeda's turf, while Cassiopeia rules the West Village. Just like its cousin, the place is a picture of professionalism, spotless and friendly.

The spirit of the place reflects its location: population of the West Village is much different from that of the East, and the college kids who come to Cassiopeia to get their first markings might not be as much fun as the punks who frequent Andromeda. But you can't argue with the work. Cassiopeia is a great alternative in case Andromeda is all booked up.