Dead Ahead Tattoo Co.

Best shop ever with the best artists in Tennessee. Everyone I have met that works there has always been welcoming and extremely friendly! I have gotten two tattoos by Ryan with a third booked. Prices are great for the quality of work you receive. I love getting tattooed here and can’t wait for many more!

AMAZING! Came here on a recommendation from a friend and he was so correct! Very professional & clean tattoo studio. Very willing to work with you to get the art you want. I highly suggest asking for Abel, his work is superb and he's a great guy! You won't regret coming here for your next piece of art! I'll definitely be back!

Super happy with this tattoo shop! I went with my daughter for her first tattoo. We didn’t have an appt and the shop was busy, but they accepted us and Brice H. did her tattoo. He gave us an excellent experience and we were so pleased with his work, his professionalism, and his chill/kind vibes. Super great guy to work with! Definitely a 5 star experience from start to finish. Thanks guys!!

I’m leaving this review so others understand what the process actually looks like here. I first reached out to Dead Ahead Tattoo on April 9, 2026 and was connected to Jonny Lashley on April 10. After no follow-up, I went into the shop in person on April 12. We discussed my tattoo in detail (placement, concept, overall direction), and I left under the impression he would draw something up and had availability that same week. At that time, I was fully prepared to move forward and even asked about payment and deposit requirements so I could secure a booking. I was not asked for a deposit and was not given a clear explanation of the process or policy. From there, communication became inconsistent. Over the next two weeks, I had to follow up multiple times to get any updates. Responses were delayed, often by days, and timelines kept getting pushed. During that same timeframe (April 13), I submitted a separate inquiry for another person and received an immediate response offering multiple booking dates and a request for a deposit… while my project, which had already been discussed in person, had not progressed. After nearly two weeks, I was finally sent a rough sketch that did not reflect the level of detail we discussed. Immediately after sending it, I was then told a deposit was required before any further work or refinement could be done… despite that never being communicated upfront and after significant delays. When I asked to review and finalize the design before placing a deposit (given the size and visibility of the tattoo), I was told not to continue seeking his services. To be clear, I respect that artists require deposits. The issue here is how that policy was handled: * No clear expectations were set at the start * I was ready and willing to pay, but not guided through the process * Communication required repeated follow-ups * Timelines were not honored * New inquiries appeared to be prioritized over existing clients For something as permanent as a tattoo, clarity, professionalism, and follow through matter. Unfortunately, this experience did not reflect that. Photos for “reference photo” vs two weeks later artist sketch. Can you see why my confidence and enthusiasm for this artist completely deflated? I waited two weeks for that sketch? And you want me to put a deposit down for an agreed appointment date two days from the date of this sketch? Yikes!

Howdy! We were in town for a couple of concerts, and I did some research to find the best tattoo shops in Nashville—and wow, this place was amazing! You can tell right away there’s such a strong family vibe among the artists, and their work is incredible. It wasn’t surprising that they were all booked up and couldn’t take walk-ins. But we got so lucky! A guest artist from Boston, Renot, just happened to be there for the exact two days we were in town, and he was taking walk-ins. I ended up getting a cowboy cat tattoo, and I’m absolutely obsessed with it—it’s purrrfect! My friend got a Jelly Roll tattoo since we were in town for his concert, and both designs were custom-drawn just for us. To top it all off, there’s an awesome ramen and coffee spot right across the street, which was perfect for grabbing a bite before heading in. The shop itself was super clean and had such a cozy, welcoming vibe. Honestly, it was the best experience—I’ll definitely be back next time I’m in Nashville!