Top 10 Classic American Tattoo Studios in New York

Welcome to the world of Classic American Tattooing in New York City. This bustling metropolis, known for its diverse art and culture, is home to a wealth of tattoo studios specializing in the classic American style - bold lines, vibrant colors, and iconic designs steeped in history and tradition.

Classic American tattoos, also known as traditional or "old school" tattoos, are a timeless style deeply rooted in tattoo history. They're characterized by their bold black outlines, a limited color palette, and iconic symbols such as eagles, roses, skulls, nautical imagery, and more. This style was popularized by tattoo artists like Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins and has stood the test of time, remaining a popular choice today.

In New York City, this tattooing style continues to thrive, thanks to a host of talented tattoo artists and studios dedicated to preserving and innovating this classic art form. From the historic streets of Brooklyn to the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, the city's tattoo scene is as diverse as the city itself. Here, tradition meets innovation and the past intertwines with the present, making it a hub for classic American tattoo artistry.

Whether you're a seasoned tattoo enthusiast or new to the world of ink, New York's tattoo studios provide a space for self-expression, storytelling, and homage to the art form's rich history. The skillful artists, each with their unique flair, continue to push the boundaries of the classic American style, infusing it with their individual creativity while respecting its roots.

In the heart of the city that never sleeps, these studios stand as testaments to the enduring appeal of classic American tattoos, offering both a nod to tradition and a canvas for modern expression. It's here that the art of tattooing continues to evolve, one bold, classic American design at a time.

  1. Smith Street Tattoo Parlour, Brooklyn: Established in 2008 by Bert Krak & Steve Boltz, this parlour is famed for their classic American traditional tattoos. Each piece is an authentic work of art, showcasing the bold, iconic imagery of American tattooing.

  2. New York Adorned, Manhattan: This versatile shop is known for a myriad of styles, but their take on American traditional tattoos has gained notable recognition.

  3. Three Kings Tattoo, Brooklyn: With an exceptional line-up of artists, Three Kings is a go-to spot for classic American traditional tattoos.

  4. Red Rocket Tattoo, Manhattan: This Midtown tattoo parlor is praised for its classic American style tattoos, and you're sure to get an impressive piece here.

  5. Wooster Street Social Club (formerly NY Ink), SoHo: The iconic studio offers beautiful traditional American tattoos.

The Early Days

Swallows and Daggers started life as a digital labour of love with the original blog documenting and dissecting classic american tattooing. From these small viral roots grew a community of like minded misfits, shaping and influencing the evolution of the brand. We garnered a global audience – through vast and varied daily content, the s&d website became a reference point for artists, brands and tattoo aficionados alike. In the process we broke down tattoo culture for anyone who had respect for the craft but not the access to the knowledge. Soon, a physical zine evolved out of the website, followed by a series of collaborative t-shirts with artists Simon erl and matty d’arienzo.

The Glory Days

Since the 2000's swallows and daggers has offered a fashion collection riffing off our obsession with tattoo culture, taking inspiration from artistry of the skin onto the cloth. Alongside our mainline collection, we’ve facilitated small, exclusive drops with some of the most exciting names in the industry. From Ross Hell to Ashley Love and most recently jack the grim. We have always intended to create a product that provokes and amuses offering a slice of off-beat original style.

The Reset

2020 has been a hard year for all. We’re not going to pretend that as a small business the events of this year have passed us by. We’ve taken the time to pause, reflect and reset. All our clothes are now created from certified organic cotton with each piece cut, sewn and printed in association with our longstanding well trusted factory in Turkey. If you have any questions about our process, then please ask. We are committed to complete transparency over our process, from cotton field to your back. At Swallows and Daggers we represent the freaks, the geeks, the weirdos, the misfits, the drop outs and the ne-er do wells. The misunderstood, the misanthropic, the dreamers, the artists, the scarred, the brave and the unique. S&D has always been a labour of love, we’ve never lost that spirit. We’re going to keep evolving and hopefully bring you all along for the ride.