---
type: best_category_state
name: "Best realism tattoo shops in Tennessee"
category: "realism"
state: "Tennessee"
abbr: "TN"
shops: 14
url: https://www.localtattoos.com/best/realism/tennessee/
---

# Best realism tattoo shops in Tennessee

14 shops in Tennessee that reviewers mention for realism and portrait work, each with at least 25 Google reviews.

## How this is ranked

Shops are ordered by a Bayesian-adjusted rating: (n × rating + 320 × 4.79) ÷ (n + 320), where n is the shop's Google review count, 320 is the median review count across the directory and 4.79 is the directory-wide mean rating. Only shops with at least 25 reviews qualify; ties go to the shop with more reviews.

Ordering is computed at build time from two facts per shop — its Google rating and its Google review count. One listing per street address, and nobody paid for a position.

## Ranked shops

| # | Shop | City | Rating | Reviews | Reviewers mention |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Argonaut Tattoo & Piercing Studio](https://www.localtattoos.com/tennessee/clarksville/argonaut-tattoo-piercing-studio.md) | Clarksville | 5.0 | 229 | Realism / Portrait, Aftercare Products, Piercing Services |
| 2 | [Black Diamond Tattoo Studio](https://www.localtattoos.com/tennessee/murfreesboro/black-diamond-tattoo-studio.md) | Murfreesboro | 4.9 | 384 | Realism / Portrait, Aftercare Products, Walk-ins Welcome |
| 3 | [Safe House Tattoo Studio](https://www.localtattoos.com/tennessee/nashville/safe-house-tattoo-studio.md) | Nashville | 4.9 | 376 | Realism / Portrait, Aftercare Products, Custom Tattoo Designs |
| 4 | [Elite Tattoo](https://www.localtattoos.com/tennessee/knoxville/elite-tattoo.md) | Knoxville | 4.9 | 265 | Realism / Portrait, Walk-ins Welcome, Piercing Services |
| 5 | [Purple Heart Tattoo](https://www.localtattoos.com/tennessee/knoxville/purple-heart-tattoo.md) | Knoxville | 4.9 | 247 | American Traditional, Japanese / Irezumi, Black & Grey |
| 6 | [Freedom Tattoo, Inc.](https://www.localtattoos.com/tennessee/hixson/freedom-tattoo-inc.md) | Hixson | 4.8 | 345 | Black & Grey, Realism / Portrait, Walk-ins Welcome |
| 7 | [Family Affair Tattoo](https://www.localtattoos.com/tennessee/hendersonville/family-affair-tattoo.md) | Hendersonville | 4.8 | 222 | American Traditional, Black & Grey, Realism / Portrait |
| 8 | [Now or Never Gallery](https://www.localtattoos.com/tennessee/kingsport/now-or-never-gallery.md) | Kingsport | 4.8 | 206 | American Traditional, Realism / Portrait, Aftercare Products |
| 9 | [The Rook x Raven Tattoo Creative](https://www.localtattoos.com/tennessee/cordova/the-rook-x-raven-tattoo-creative.md) | Cordova | 4.7 | 252 | Geometric / Mandala, Black & Grey, Realism / Portrait |
| 10 | [Kustom Thrills Tattoo](https://www.localtattoos.com/tennessee/nashville/kustom-thrills-tattoo.md) | Nashville | 4.7 | 255 | American Traditional, Fine Line, Black & Grey |
| 11 | [Lighthouse Tattoo](https://www.localtattoos.com/tennessee/lebanon/lighthouse-tattoo.md) | Lebanon | 4.7 | 630 | Black & Grey, Realism / Portrait, Aftercare Products |
| 12 | [Dead Ahead Tattoo Co.](https://www.localtattoos.com/tennessee/nashville/dead-ahead-tattoo-co.md) | Nashville | 4.6 | 255 | American Traditional, Black & Grey, Realism / Portrait |
| 13 | [Lone Wolf Tattoo Nashville](https://www.localtattoos.com/tennessee/hermitage/lone-wolf-tattoo-nashville.md) | Hermitage | 4.6 | 314 | Realism / Portrait, Piercing Services, Cover-Up Tattoos |
| 14 | [Nashville Ink](https://www.localtattoos.com/tennessee/nashville/nashville-ink.md) | Nashville | 4.5 | 1,400 | Minimalist / Micro, American Traditional, Fine Line |

## Related

- [Realism tattoo shops by state](https://www.localtattoos.com/best/realism.md)
- [Tattoo shops in Tennessee](https://www.localtattoos.com/tennessee.md)
- [The best tattoo shops in Tennessee](https://www.localtattoos.com/tennessee/best-tattoo-shops.md)

---
*Source: [LocalTattoos.com](https://www.localtattoos.com/best/realism/tennessee/). Markdown alternate of the page at that URL.*