We got thousands of votes. Here’s the Lexington tattoo shop readers selected as the best
With 217,866 total votes cast across four rounds, Lexington readers have weighed in on what they think is the best tattoo shop in town.
Finishing the final round with nearly 90,700 votes, Fallen Angel Tattoo Studio took the top spot.
Located on East New Circle Road, Fallen Angel Tattoo Studio offers ink and piercings, according to its website. The team includes four tattoo artists, including shop owner Kenny Black, and one apprentice.
Just in time for university students returning to Lexington, the shop is advertising 15% off services with a college identification from Thursday through Saturday.
Black specializes in Celtic tattoos, according to his profile which is featured on the shop’s website.
Artist Derrick Jay focuses on black and gray animal realism, neo-traditional and fine-line tattoos.
Also advertised with a specialty in black and gray realism, artist Caitlyn Renae’s profile says she likes to tattoo florals and horror. She has a wide variety of work shared on the shop’s Instagram page.
Vito Brown, another artist at the shop specializes in Chicano-style and script tattoos, according to his profile.
The shop’s apprentice, CJ Crout, “really enjoys doing anime style art as well as color realism,” her profile says.
Fallen Angel has a deposit and shop minimum of $100. The artists also accept walk-in clients. You can find more information and book an appointment online.
Our brackets narrowed 25 shops to just three for the final round. Here’s how voting shaped up:
Fallen Angel Tattoo Studio: 90,620, or 78%
Keyhole Tattoo: 25,140, or 22%
Black Swann Ink: 22, or 0%
The competition wasn’t scientific, it was just for fun and aimed at highlighting local businesses in the area. You can learn more about all the tattoo shops featured below.
If you’ve missed our previous polling, make sure you catch readers pick for best small bookstore, top doughnuts, great tacos and unbeatable craft breweries.
Tattoo studios in Lexington, KY
Black Rose Tattoo
With more than five years in business, the downtown location at 119 N. Mill St. focuses on traditional, tribal and history tattooing. According to its website, the studio also has the largest selection of hand-painted flash tattoos in Lexington. While the shop does offer same day appointments and walk-ins, those who have appointments receive first priority.
To The Grave Tattoo Co.
Open every day, the studio guarantees those with appointments and deposits a session, but welcomes walk-ins. Located at 2160 Sir Barton Way, Suite 116, customers can expect a staff of artists and apprentices.
Piercing and tattoo services are available, as well as a $10 discount for military, first responders and students with valid ID. Piercing options and pricing can be found online, as well as aftercare products. To see the team’s work, individual portfolios can be found on their site, in addition to the studio’s Instagram.
Murder Art Collective
The tattoo shop offers piercing and tattoo services, located at 535 S. Upper St. It is open Monday through Friday, and customers can reach the shop by calling or texting 859-687-0226.
Charmed Life Tattoo
Established in 1999, this unique shop is home to some of the best artists, according to its website. Open Tuesday through Saturday, appointments are recommended and can be made by calling 859-266-4187 or emailing book@charmedlifetattoo.com. Walk-ins are welcome at their 754 N. Limestone shop, but cannot be guaranteed. Examples of previous art can be found on the shop’s Instagram account.
LexInk Tattoo
Open seven days a week, this 147 E. Loudon Ave. shop offers more than just tattoos. Customers are also welcome to barber or piercing services. All shop services are by appointment by calling 859-382-1760.
Bleed Blue Ink
The black-and-blue-themed shop offers a unique experience with walls decorated with signed memorabilia and a place where customers can write their own name on the signature wall. Tattoo and piercing services are offered at the outfit, located at 102 W. High St.
Fallen Angel Tattoo Studio
The studio located at 162 E. New Circle Road offers tattoo and piercing services Tuesday through Saturday. Specializing in tribal, blackwork, Japanese, patchwork, 3D, pet and animal, anime and sketch, customers have a wide variety to choose from and can view artists’ work on their social media accounts.
Tattoo Charlie’s
Established in 1973, the shop names itself the oldest tattoo studio in the Lexington area. Operating two locations, those in the Lexington can visit the 470 New Circle Road, No. 2 studio for piercing and tattoo services. Its website offers piercing appointments and tattoo consultation request forms, as well as up-to-date schedules for both services.
Euclid Avenue Tattoo
This shop, with an artist with at least 13 years of experience, according to one its owners, offers “true” fine-line tattoos. Euclid Avenue Tattoo’s website says the artists welcome newbies and those adding to their collection, with a focus on custom pieces. The shop minimum is $200.
Horseshoe Tattoo
Offering a multitude of services, the shop specializes in all kinds of work, ranging from fine-line tattoos to solid blackwork tattoos. Located at 357 Southland Drive, customers can book appointments on its website or contact matt@art859.com for further information. Artist portfolios are available on their Facebook or Instagram page.
Penumbra Tattoo Studio
Located at 640 W. Maxwell St., Suite 120, customers are to book an appointment by reaching out to their desired artist for a consultation through the shop’s website. The studio offers traditional and Asian-style tattoos, as well as some additional services. Previous artwork can be found on the studio’s Instagram page.
Underground Ink Tattoo Studio
Operating for more than 20 years in the Lexington area, the studio specializes in custom tattoos with a $60 minimum, according to its website. The shop is located at 132 Burt Road, open Tuesday through Saturday and reached by calling 859-455-8282.
Poisoned Pen Tattoo Co.
This 153 Patchen Drive, Unit 67 studio offers custom tattooing and piercing services Monday through Saturday. A variety of tattooing styles are available, depending on the artist. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.
Goldenrod Tattoo
Customers can expect piercing and tattoo services at this shop located at 1801 Alexandria Drive. According to its Instagram, there are four tattoo artists that can be scheduled by emailing goldenrodtattoo@gmail.com. Previous work and art to purchase can also be seen on the shop’s Instagram.
Black Swann Ink
With a wide plethora of tattoo services, the women/queer-owned studio works to provide customers with “high quality tattoos in a clean, comfortable, and inclusive environment,” according to its website. The studio is located at 355 Longview Plaza and only takes appointments booked through a submission form on the website.
The Tattoo Lounge
Newer to the area, the lounge was established in 2021 looking to give customers “a unique experience where tattooing is taken in a new direction,” according to its website. Located at 828 Lane Allen Road, Suite 195, the studio is open Tuesday through Saturday. Customers are able to make an appointment or consultation by calling 859-368-0017 and can view artist’s work on their individual Instagram accounts found under their artists tab or the lounge’s Facebook page.
Ink Addiction Tattoos
With more than 25 years of combined experience, the studio’s website says the artists work to provide customers with a comfortable environment and welcome first timers. The 132 Southland Drive, Suite 1A studio has a wide variety of styles from names to full sleeves, as well as a 15% discount for all active military, veterans and first responders with a valid ID. Examples of the studio’s work can be found on its Facebook and Instagram.
Love & Luck Tattoo
The private studio owned by Rachel Head is located at 274 Southland Drive, Suite 104B, where she specializes in “bold, dark, and illustrative traditional style art,” according to the studio’s website. Rachel’s studio is by appointment only. Customers can schedule an appointment by emailing Rachaelheadbooking@gmail.com.
Dream Chaser Tattoos
Serving predominantly the Lexington and Danville areas, this studio offers tattooing and piercing services. The artists have 30 years of combined experience and can be located at either of their two locations, 159 E. Reynolds Road, Suite B in Lexington or 710 South 4th St. in Danville, according to the studio’s website.
Next Dimension Tattoo
Offering tattoo services from simple designs to full back or sleeve pieces, Next Dimension Tattoo’s website says it’s “got you covered.” Located at 3101 Richmond Road, Suite 301, customers can book an appointment with an online form. The artists’ work can be found on the shop’s Instagram.
Moonstruck Tattoo
After recently celebrating her one year anniversary, Chelsea Joell Searcy began her own studio located at 520 Booker St., Suite 1. Appointments can be made by emailing appointments.moonstrucktattoo@gmail.com, with artwork seen on her Facebook.
Keyhole Tattoo
Located near the historic district, the studio can be found at 192 N. Broadway and is open Monday through Saturday. Walk-ins are available, but to book an appointment, customers should call 859-303-4568 or visit the Instagram page. The studio’s work can also be seen on the account.
Tiger’s Eye Studio
With the first step being a free consultation, customers are able to work with the artists to design a tattoo specific to them at the 359 W. Short St. studio. The artists’ work can be found on their website, as well as their Instagram. Booking is closed until October, but customers can reach the studio by emailing frontdesk@tigerseyeky.com or calling 859-286-9020.
The Tattoo Den
The private studio is located at 2548 Larkin Road, Suit 102, inside of Lana’s Salon Suites. Customers can receive tattooing or piercing services, according to its Facebook. To reach the studio, customers can call 859-551-9188 or email thetattoodenky@gmail.com.
Rennie’s Inkwell
The private studio is owned and operated by single mom Caitlyn Renae and located at 2548 Larkin Road, Suite 110. The studio runs by appointment only and can be reached by calling 859-806-8887 or visiting the website for a consultation form.
