Getting a tattoo is quite a big thing. After all, you get your skin marked in a more or less permanent way, causing a good amount of pain. And if, one day, you decide to get it removed, it will harm you even more. Some people might see their skin as one big, living sketch book and not care if they don’t like one of the drawings anymore after a couple of years but that certainly isn’t the case for the majority. Most of us take months, years even to consider whether or not to get their arm, leg, back or what not tattooed. And it’s not only the design itself which causes doubt.
It’s one thing to decide on a drawing, getting the right man or woman to draw it may be even more difficult. After all, everyone has their own personal style and finding someone’s whose matches with yours can be a pickle. Do you want simple line work or something more intricate? Do you want a teeny tiny black and white design or a giant, colored one? Maybe you want a stick and poke tattoo? Maybe another technique which is native to a very small region? The options are quite endless, which means you have to do your homework. You have to decide on the design, the style and the tattoo artist.
And that can be a bit challenging. It’s not always easy to find your way in the thousands of options out there. Even in a single city like Brussels there are a lot of tattoo shops and even more tattoo artists t choose from. Every single one comes with their own personal touch so there’s certainly something out there for you, yet where do you start looking? If you’re thinking of getting a tattoo in Brussels, we’ve made your life a little easier by listing our five favorite tattoo shops. The rest is up to you!
1. Koko
The first shop in this list is actually quite a new addition to Brussels’ tattoo scene. It’s located right in between Brussels South station and the WIELS, meaning you can soak in some culture before or after your tattoo session. There are actually four different artists at this place but their styles are more or less similar, being fairly delicate and with a high hipster level. Having had some personal experience with Tia Veo, I would highly recommend getting in touch with her if you’re considering a tattoo, whether you come with your own design or you go with one of her personal drawings. Although the other artists are very tempting too…
2. Singulier Tattoo Gallery
If you like the Marolles quarter in Brussels, this spot is for you. Located amidst the antique shops in the Rue Haute, this place is as eclectic as it surroundings. You’ll find a bit of everything here, from very minimalistic designs to big, impressive drawings which will probably take multiple sessions to complete. Therefore it might also be the perfect place if you’re not quite sure yet about which style you want to go for – just talk with them!
3. Bonne Fortune
If you’re looking for some good luck for your first tattoo, then Bonne Fortune is quite literally the perfect place to go to. There are no less than nine different artists based at this shop and the location is also pretty pleasing, with coffee shops, fancy stores and wine bars everywhere around. And the style of the shop is as varied as can be – from a Grim Reaper holding a bottle of beer in its hands all the way to charming little butterflies. You might walk out with more than one new addition to your tattoo collection…
4. Droogies
To be totally honest with you, the first thing you’ll notice about Droogies is probably the building it’s in. Le Printemps, as it’s called, was built in 1875 by architect Adolphe Vanderheggen and is supposed to portray springtime, with all the statues that entails. Inside, you’ll find Droogies, a tattoo shop with a more classical tattoo style than the shops we’ve discussed so far. However, that’s not at all something negative – if this is what you’re looking for, you’ll be in good hands here. And they clearly don’t shy away from bigger projects!
5. Purple Sun
Yet another tattoo shop in the Marolles and yet another eclectic one. As is the case for everything, Brussels has something for everyone, including tattoos. While @burtonursaeminoris might cover your entire leg with a snake design, @la_delyone is more minimalistic in style. They also regularly welcome guest artists, something to keep an eye on if you’re looking for a very specific design.
