A tattoo is forever, choose accordingly.
Tattoos are a powerful form of self-expression, which is why finding a solid shop is key! Kansas City boasts a plethora of tattoo studios, but we’ve narrowed it down to our absolute favorites. Trust us—you’ll leave with a masterpiece you’ll love for life!
Updated: APRIL 2025
Photo: Tintoretta
Westside, Kansas City, MO
Tintoretta is an appointment-only tattoo studio dedicated to uplifting Queer and POC joy. Nestled in KC’s Westside, they provide a safe, welcoming space where tattooing is more than skin deep—it’s therapeutic, meaningful, and healing. There, every tattoo tells a story, and they can’t wait to hear yours. Relax in their beautiful studio while they bring your unique designs to life.
Photo: Facebook
8135 Wornall Rd
Nestled in KC’s vibrant core, The Ink Parlor has long been a top choice for tattoo lovers! Whether you’re after flash or custom designs, they’ve got you covered with walk-ins and appointments all week long.
Photo: Facebook
3111 Wyandotte St.
Hand & Dagger is a private studio in downtown KC. Here you'll be able to take advantage of the services of tattoo artists who place an equal premium on both the art of tattoo itself as well as the client experience. Not only will you get an awesome tattoo at Hand & Dagger, but you'll also fully enjoy your time as you watch a movie, listen to music, or avail yourself of a complimentary beverage or two.
Photo: Facebook
2006 Main St.
Old Souls Tattoo has been serving the Kansas City community for over 20 years, and in that time it's established itself as one of the finest purveyors of ink in the city. Old Souls offers an assortment of traditional American and Japanese styles (but their offerings don't stop there) and walk-ins are always welcome.
Photo: Facebook
7406 Wornall Rd.
Irezumi Tattoo has been holding down KC's historic Waldo community since 1997. Their longevity can be attributed to their well-regarded reputation in the community, and it's no mystery what that is: Irezumi offers a clean and safe environment, employs friendly and expert ink artists, and delivers a top-notch overall experience at an affordable price-point.
Photo: Facebook
7111 Leavenworth Rd.
Dragonfly Tattoo Studio isn't your typical tattoo shop; you won't find all of the bells & whistles that perhaps you'll encounter at other modern studios. What you'll get at Dragonfly, and what makes this shop one of the most popular in all of Kansas City, is its simple yet effective approach to the tattoo experience: They offer personalized service and remarkable attention to detail that is difficult to find anywhere else. Every tattoo artist who calls Dragonfly home is an expert in the field. You'll be satisfied every time.
Photo: Facebook
6909 Johnson Dr.
Headless Hands might be a relative newcomer to the scene (they were established in 2011), but they've wasted no time in becoming a pillar of Kansas City's ink community. Each of their artists is highly-trained in a diverse array of styles from the traditional to the new school, and they offer free consultations to help set your tattoo up for success.
Photo: Facebook
9930 Holmes Rd.
Conveniently located just off I-415, Beautiful Body Tattoo and Piercing has garnered quite the buzz since it opened its doors a few years ago. This no-nonsense shop specializes in personalized tattoos from amongst a wide selection of styles. Appointments are required.
Photo: Facebook
6712 N Oak Trafficway (Gladstone)
A-1 Tattoo in Gladstone does it all, offering both small-scale and large-scale inkwork, cover-ups, and hundreds of highly customizable tattoo designs in a diverse lineup of styles. Their artists are all down-to-earth, knowledgable, and ultimately masters of their craft.
Photo: Facebook
7530 Floyd St (Overland Park)
Inkslinger's Tattoo Studio is a legendary fixture on the KC-area tattoo scene. The first iteration of the shop opened up all the way back in 1980, and the titular Professor Inkslinger has been dishing out one-of-a-king artwork ever since. If you're gonna get inked up, you might as well do so at the hands of a true master!
Photo: Facebook
210 E 16th St.
Located in the heart of KC's downtown area, The Mercy Seat Tattoo Studio offers a stable of some of the most talented ink artists in the whole city. The ambiance you'll find here is second to none, and more importantly, the artistry is absolutely top-notch as well. Specializing in large-scale, customizable design, and open to appointments as well as walk-ins, this highly authentic parlor is always a safe bet.
Did we miss one? Let us know at [email protected]!
We think tattoo shops are spiritual cousins to record stores, don't you? So it'd be a great idea if you go check out our guide to the Best Record Stores in KC!
