New Mexico · City directory

Tattoo shops in Albuquerque

7 verified shops in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Top-rated: Happy Tattoo · 5.0★. Local artists work in realism and script & lettering.

7 shops · 3,844 reviews · 4.7 avg rating · Realism / Portrait · Script / Lettering

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7 shops plotted · click any marker for details

Local shops

Every tattoo shop in Albuquerque

7 verified shops sorted by adjusted rating, with hours, phone and directions where we have them.

  • Happy Tattoo

    5.0(273)

    Located in Albuquerque, NM, Happy Tattoo boasts a perfect 5-star rating from 273 reviews. Specializing in custom tattoo designs, Chris Partain and his team create a welcoming atmosphere that puts clients at ease, ensuring a pleasant experience. Reviewers frequently highlight the shop's calming vibe, exceptional artistry, and the personal attention given to each client.

    625 6th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

    Hours on shop pageCustom Tattoo Designs
  • Located in Albuquerque, NM, Stacey's Exotic Body Piercing and Tattoo boasts an impressive 4.9-star rating from 931 reviews. The shop welcomes walk-ins and specializes in piercing services. Reviewers mention the team's caring approach and the quick, friendly service provided during their visits.

    5431 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87105

    Hours on shop pageWalk-ins Welcome · Piercing Services
  • Located in Albuquerque, NM, Archetype Tattoo Studio boasts a remarkable 4.9-star rating from 695 reviews. Specializing in custom tattoo designs, cover-up tattoos, and offering aftercare products, this LGBTQ+ friendly studio provides a welcoming atmosphere. Reviewers mention the friendly staff and exceptional customer service, ensuring a positive experience for every client.

    2019 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107

    Hours on shop pageAftercare Products · Cover-Up Tattoos · Custom Tattoo Designs
  • Located in Albuquerque, NM, Albuquerque Ink's second location boasts a 4.7-star rating from 418 reviews. The shop welcomes walk-ins and specializes in custom tattoo designs, script/lettering, and realism/portrait work. Reviewers consistently praise the artists for their attention to detail and ability to bring client ideas to life, particularly highlighting the work of Juan and Kaleo.

    2820 Central Ave SE F, Albuquerque, NM 87106

    Hours on shop pageScript / Lettering · Realism / Portrait · Walk-ins Welcome
  • Valley Tattoo & Body Piercing, located in Albuquerque, NM, boasts a strong 4.5-star rating from 241 reviews. They offer a range of services including piercing and aftercare products, with walk-ins welcome. Reviewers mention the attentive customer service and the willingness of staff to assist with any concerns, making it a popular choice for both piercings and tattoos.

    405 Montaño Rd NE Unit 4, Albuquerque, NM 87107

    Hours on shop pageAftercare Products · Walk-ins Welcome · Piercing Services
  • Located in Albuquerque, NM, Albuquerque Ink Tattoo boasts a strong rating of 4.6 stars from 722 reviews. The shop offers piercing services, custom tattoo designs, and welcomes walk-ins. Reviewers mention the welcoming atmosphere and praise artists like Simon and P.J. for their exceptional work and ability to make clients feel comfortable.

    4815 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

    Hours on shop pagePiercing Services · Walk-ins Welcome · Custom Tattoo Designs
  • Located in Albuquerque, NM, Por Vida Tattoo boasts a rating of 4.5 stars from 564 reviews. This welcoming shop offers walk-in services and piercing options, with reviewers praising the friendly atmosphere and the diverse selection of tattoo inks. Customers often highlight the exceptional work done by artists like Ivan and J, who consistently impress with their creativity and skill.

    500 4th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

    Hours on shop pageWalk-ins Welcome · Piercing Services

Order is by a Bayesian-adjusted rating: each shop's Google rating is pulled toward the directory average in proportion to how few reviews back it, so a 5.0 from six reviews does not outrank a 4.9 from eight hundred. The stars shown are the raw Google rating and review count.

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Field notes

What locals say about Albuquerque tattoo shops

Pulled from Google reviews of the top-rated shops in Albuquerque.

On our way back to Texas, my girlfriend and I decided to walk into Happy Tattoo on a whim — and it turned into one of the best decisions of our trip. From the moment we stepped inside, we were greeted by Chris Partain (artist and owner), whose energy and kindness set the tone immediately. Chris didn’t just squeeze us in — he welcomed us in. He took his time carefully crafting our stencils, making sure every detail felt right, and never once rushed the process. The tattoos themselves took less than an hour between the two of us, but we spent nearly three hours talking, laughing, and sharing stories with him. By the end, it didn’t feel like a tattoo appointment — it felt like making a new friend. When the work was done, Chris gave us both a hug, and it was clear the connection was genuine. The shop itself deserves mention, too. It’s hands-down the most comfortable, tastefully decorated tattoo space I’ve ever been in. Clean, inviting, and full of character — you immediately feel at ease walking through the door. And when it came time to settle up, the pricing was more than fair — almost shocking given the level of care, attention, and time Chris gave us. If you’re in Albuquerque and thinking about getting tattooed, do yourself a favor and stop here. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Happy Tattoo is more than a shop — it’s an experience. Chris is an incredible artist, but more importantly, he’s an incredible human being.
Juan C Gutierrez Jr on Happy Tattoo
Been coming to Stacey's for the past 29yrs and recently got my dermal, Monroe , daith, nose , they are amazing with their clients I will continue to come here for my piercings and tattoos , also there is no Rex who works at Stacey's, who does tattoos just thought I would clarify that I've been coming to Stacey's for 29 yrs and have never known anyone by the name Rex who has tattooed there .. Ps Love all the staff at Stacey's, I will be returning there for more of my piercings tattoos
Marie Mascareno on Stacey's Exotic Body Piercing and Tattoo
Great place. Staff is always super friendly and accommodating. Love the customer service and talent. They are all very skilled and do great work. They’re also very fair and reasonable with pricing. Couldn’t ask for a better shop or artists. Had another session with Carlos. He’s so cool and calm. Really makes me feel at ease. His work’s awesome; always love how it comes out. Will naturally keep going to him for all my work. Thanks for the professionalism and work Carlos!
Michael Chavez on Archetype Tattoo Studio

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Reference

Frequently asked questions

Our directory lists 7 verified tattoo shops in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with 3,844 customer reviews combined and an average rating of 4.7 stars. Browse the listings above for hours, phone numbers, ratings and directions for each shop. You can also browse all tattoo shops in New Mexico or see the best tattoo shops in New Mexico.

Happy Tattoo is the top-rated tattoo shop in Albuquerque with a 5.0-star Google rating from 273 reviews. It leads the listings above, which are ordered by an adjusted rating: each shop's Google rating is pulled toward the directory average in proportion to how few reviews back it, so the order is not a raw star sort. Compare every shop's rating and review count in the listings above.

Yes. 5 of the 7 tattoo shops in Albuquerque welcome walk-in clients, including Stacey's Exotic Body Piercing and Tattoo and Albuquerque Ink tattoo 2nd location. Availability varies by day, so calling ahead is still a good idea for larger pieces. You can also browse walk-in tattoo shops across New Mexico.

4 tattoo shops in Albuquerque offer piercing services alongside tattooing, including Stacey's Exotic Body Piercing and Tattoo and Valley Tattoo & Body Piercing. Look for the “Piercing Services” tag in the listings above. You can also browse piercing shops across New Mexico.

Artists in Albuquerque work in realism and script & lettering, and 1 shop offers cover-up work. Check each shop's page for artist portfolios and customer reviews mentioning specific styles.